Dakota Kai might have lost to NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler at the end of May. But on the June 13th 2018 episode of NXT, Kai said she was still proud of her effort in which she finally fought through her fear and stood up to Baszler. Dakota felt if she got another shot at Shayna she would be able to defeat her, perhaps even adopting some of Nikki Cross's crazy to do so. Oh Dakota, how correct you were -- just it didn't happen on your own terms nor in a helpful or wanted way nor against Shayna. But all of that is another story available in other chapters.

Bianca Belair interrupted Dakota's interview, offended she would be of interest compared to The EST of NXT who just mauled Aliyah in a match. Bianca gave herself the nickname EST because she claims to be the greatEST at everything. That includes rudeness because she was just that to Our Captain. Bianca mocked the name of Dakota Kai and Team Kick, sniping that Kai wasn't going to do anything about her trash talk except cry and fail like with Shayna. Dakota responded that Shayna used mind games against her but she wasn't going to let Bianca.

Kai told Belair to talk her big game in the ring next week. Bianca liked that idea but insisted Kai wouldn't. The match was set for the June 20th 2018 episode of NXT that would be filmed prior to the approaching TakeOver: Chicago II. My hometown is Certified Team Kick and Dakota Kai Country. The Captain visited The Second City often from 2013 to 2016 when she worked matches for Shimmer. She's an honorary Chicagoan. This city has always loved Dakota -- except for a certain night in November 2019. But that is yet another story for another chapter.

Dakota's huge match against The EST marked her first time appearing in front of a TakeOver crowd even if the match didn't happen on the TakeOver event. The feeling was grander than weekly NXT television filmed at Full Sail. It was in front of Chicago wrestling fans who might be the closest thing to UK fans here stateside. They were largely rallying for Our Captain, however Bianca had some of the crowd on her side. Kai soaked in the positive reaction from her fans en route to the ring, slapping some hands.

Belair repeatedly pie faced Kai after the opening bell. Kai responded with a dropkick followed by a float over into a pin attempt out of the corner. Bianca kicked out and went for a waistlock. Kai tripped Bianca and smacked her across the stomach with a running PK. Bianca caught a charging Kai, launching her face first into the top turnbuckle in stun gun fashion. The EST continued to dish out offense with corner shoulder thrusts, a delayed slingshot suplex and a standing frog splash with some insane hang time to it.

Bianca worked over Kai, digging her nails into Dakota's side during an abdominal stretch. The EST lifted Kai up in pumphandle position out of the stretch and delivered a crushing backbreaker. Belair taunted Kai who was struggling to get to her feet. Dakota lunged back at her at a point but Belair evaded the blow. Belair lifted Kai up for another delayed suplex, feint dropping her across the rope twice on different sides of the ring before muscling her back up. After the third, Kai slipped off and over, rolling Bianca up for a one.

Dakota's comeback was short lived. Belair slammed her to the canvas and went for a running frog splash with even more insane hang time. Kai got her knees up to block it. Belair was struck with an enziguri followed by a roundhouse kick and scorpion kick. The pump kick sent Belair to the corner where she got smashed with the Kaio-Kick and running face wash. Kai went for a cover but Belair kicked out at two. Dakota made her way to the top rope for Coup-de-Kai but Belair came at her to cut her off. Kai vaulted over her and landed on her feet.

Kai quick thinking dived backward just barely avoiding Belair using her braid as a whip. Dakota shot back with a roundhouse but Belair ducked and caught her with a nasty forearm shot. Kai was groggy. Bianca lifted her up on her shoulders and dropped her with the KOD. The EST covered Dakota for the three, tossing in a disrespectful rub of her forearm across Kai's face just because she could. Our Captain may have lost the match, however she brought it from start to finish proving she wasn't one to be stepped over like Belair may have thought coming into the match.

Additional Information | Bianca Belair defeated Dakota Kai (6:05) on the June 20, 2018 episode of WWE NXT at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.