Wins and losses were a mixed bag for Dakota Kai since reemerging in NXT. She would take a loss to aspiring NXT star Amari Miller in a dark match prior to the November 5, 2021 episode of WWE SmackDown. Another loss would occur on November 10, 2021 in a match against Raquel Gonzalez at the WWE WrestleMania 38 Ticket Party. Kai would get back to winning ways in a dark match against Cora Jade prior to the November 12, 2021 episode of WWE SmackDown.

Dakota Kai would once again face Raquel Gonzalez on the November 16, 2021 episode of NXT. Prior to their match, Dakota would speak with Mac about her current state of mind. If it wasn't already obvious her own words clarified that in the days following her loss to Raquel at TakeOver 36, she broke down mentally. Her mind had become cloudy and she didn't know who she was anymore. She believed the only way to overcome her demons was to bury her past in the form of Raquel.

Our Captain's words made sense of her unhinged behavior since returning to NXT at Halloween Havoc. After years of coming so close to so many key victories only to lose the big match, the TakeOver 36 loss was the straw that broke the proverbial back for Dakota. Being teased for a main roster call-up and tossed aside didn't help matters. The hardness Dakota had encased herself in at the end of 2019 had actually chipped away a tiny bit for the first time in over a year at TakeOver 36 when she chose to acknowledge the crowd's support for her.

Deep down in her still existed a good heart yet she had become so accustomed to vengeance. As her heart tried to remind her of whom she was and could still be -- with a tougher and more confident attitude -- the darkest part of her told her to walk the cruel path that had become all too familiar to her. The voices in her head had convinced her that if she drove Raquel from the ranks of NXT, her woes would be cured. But that path of vengeance would likely just drive her further into madness. Dakota had to overcome her demons. She had to come to a realization that the path of vengeance would do her no good. But she had to honestly and openly admit something was wrong with her before she could truly set off on that path.

Dakota waxed poetically that her vengeful quest to end Raquel started at Halloween Havoc. NXT Women's Champion Mandy Rose flew in like a vulture finishing that it would all end that night. But it was Dakota who was the one wearing the feathered cloak. Our Captain knew Mandy's game -- and had her eyes on Mandy's title. Dakota had a way to both rid herself of Raquel and earn a title match. She made yet another subtle threat pointing at the title as she stated Mandy would like it if she got rid of Raquel because she thinks her title would be safe. Mandy would then owe her twice -- for the title win assist and taking away the threat of Raquel.

At the end of the evening, Raquel and Dakota would do battle with Kai actually welcoming the punishment in the early going. When it seemed she finally had Raquel down for a victory, Dakota chose to go for her shovel over a pin. Raquel kicked it out of her hand and intended to maul her with it until Toxic Attraction made the save. Kai aided them in a four on one attack until Cora Jade and Io Shirai came to Raquel's rescue. Shirai grabbed a microphone and challenged the four to a WarGames match. Toxic Attraction had to digest the challenge while Dakota instantly smiled, welcoming the carnage.

That would be the battleground for her to end Raquel. The same match where their rift began the previous year. On the very same weekend. And she would use these three pretend allies who would then owe her. Dakota Kai was confidant that soon she would be rid of her demons and on the path to championship gold.

Additional Information | Raquel Gonzalez defeated Dakota Kai (11:45) by disqualification on the November 16, 2021 episode of WWE NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.