On WWE NXT July 4th 2018, Dakota Kai stepped into the ring against Santana Garrett whom she had a bit of a history with. Garrett defeated Dakota during The Captain's days as Evie to retain the SHINE Championship at SHINE 30 on October 2nd 2015. A few months later, Evie and Santana teamed up as part of World Selection against Team Stardom in a ten woman tag team elimination match at Stardom 5th Anniversary: Stardom versus The World. One of the opponents was none other than Kai's future tag team partner Io Shirai.

Dakota and Santana would engage in a competitive match on NXT television. Santana took control for a time applying the Muta Lock. Dakota fought her way to the ropes to force a break. The Captain of Team Kick went on to fight her way to a pinfall victory with a grand finale of kicks and the Kairopractor. This was a much needed win for Dakota following loses to NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler, PROGRESS Women's Champion Jinny and Bianca Belair.

Additional Information | Dakota Kai defeated Santana Garrett (3:38) on the July 4, 2018 episode of WWE NXT at Full Sail in Winter Park, Florida.