Dakota Kai wasted no time getting back into the NXT ring, competing on the November 2, 2021 episode against Cora Jade. Kai's modified entrance music, video and ring gear reflected her new darker, haunting persona. Before she came to the ring, Toxic Attraction bumped into her backstage. Dakota defiantly told NXT Women's Champion Mandy Rose she didn't do what she did to help her win the title, she did it to end Raquel. Just as defiantly, Dakota brushed past Mandy to head out to the ring. Mandy gasped, feeling disrespected. Dakota's words weren't just a threat aimed at Raquel, she was giving a subtle yet clear warning to Mandy that when she's done with Raquel she's coming for her and the NXT Women's Title.

Our Captain showed a new ferocity as she made quick, aggressive work of Cora Jade. While she dished out this beating, there were moments where she whispered to herself, looking shaken and a touch conflicted. There were flips between ferocity and distress in her eyes even before the match started. The match came to an end after Dakota charged her cornered opponent and struck the Kaio-Kick. After she pinned Cora, Kai turned frantic whispering to herself. She violently pulled Cora to the outside by the hair. Dakota took a moment of respite before dragging Cora to the opposite side of the ring.

After furiously planting Cora on the floor, Dakota paused to contemplate pulling out a table from under the ring. Once she decided to do so, she placed the table on top of Cora. Dakota gazed aimlessly walking across it like a plank. She thought about crashing down on Cora from the apron. But she couldn't bring herself to do so. Dakota looked shaken, on the ground staring at Cora who was unconscious under the table. She whispered to her seemingly concerned. After she stood up, Dakota grabbed Cora's skateboard and teased using it. Instead, she decided to let Cora be, gently placing the skateboard on her. During all this, Dakota's eyes twitched a lot, flipping from predatory to unwilling. The demons of the mind haunted her.

A lot of fans in attendance chanted "Dakota's Gonna Kill You!" at Cora. That was a full circle moment for Our Captain who had regretfully heard such a chant directed at her in 2018 when she faced Shayna Baszler in her formal NXT debut match. They didn't hate Cora -- nor did they hate Dakota back in 2018. The NXT faithful just have a habit of often being bluntly honest. Make no mistake about it: The Generation of Jade might be a budding movement and Kai got some jeers, however Team Kick was still out in droves that night. In the coming weeks, the changing audience to some extent would result in a more mixed reaction for Our Captain but the Dakota Section would still be ever-present.

It's obvious from her erratic behavior that Dakota Kai isn't in her right mind. Anger, misery and failure have broken her. The demons of the mind -- the voices in her head -- lure out her worst behavior and urges. She may have unleashed a new ferocity against Cora, yet there were hints of conflict and remorse. Ultimately she spared her young opponent from a far worse fate. Dakota's conscience is clearly trying to get through to her after a long dormancy to combat the demons luring out her worst. Deep down inside there still exists the person she used to be: Someone with a good heart who stayed true to herself, valuing ideals like friendship and compassion. She has become a Reaper not looking to harvest but rather trying to heal her own broken soul. A Reaper who can show mercy or unleash hell depending on her mood.

Dakota no doubt saw some of her younger self in Cora. A younger self who did the right thing and stayed true to herself in an honorable way. Yet a self whom she came to feel was weak and needed to harden. She no doubt also saw some of her former friend Tegan Nox in Cora. Nox was someone whom she loved then hated. In her current mental state, such thoughts would drive Dakota to attack yet show mercy. It's clear that her battle within rages on from many fronts.

Additional Information | Dakota Kai defeated Cora Jade (2:26) on the November 2, 2021 episode of WWE NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.