Dakota Kai is a fierce New Zealand wrestler known for her kicks and tag team success in WWE. She’s now going by Charlie post-WWE release and gearing up for big indie matches in 2026.
Dakota Kai’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Cheree Georgina Crowley |
| Ring Name/Nickname | Dakota Kai, Evie, Charlie |
| Date of Birth | May 6, 1988 |
| Age | 37 years |
| Birthplace | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Religion | N/A |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Weight | 121 lb (55 kg) |
| WWE Debut | August 28, 2017 (NXT) |
| Trained By | Impact Pro Wrestling, WWE Performance Center |
| Net Worth | ~$3 million |
| Contract | Released from WWE May 2025 |
| Salary | ~$200,000 annually (pre-release) |
| Marital Status | In a relationship |
| Boyfriend | Karl Fredericks (aka Eddy Thorpe) |
| Children | N/A |
| Instagram Profile | @imcharliegirl_ |
Dakota keeps her personal life low-key but shares gaming vibes on Instagram. Her family includes a sister in MMA and a DJ brother. No kids or marriage on record.
Early Career
Dakota Kai started as Evie in 2007 on New Zealand’s indie scene with Impact Pro Wrestling. She won the PWWA Championship and Interim Title in 2012, plus the IPW NZ Women’s Title Tournament. By 2015, she toured Australia, Japan, and the US, building skills in high-flying and strikes before WWE noticed her.
Professional Wrestling Career
Kai signed with WWE’s NXT in 2017, becoming a fan favorite with her Go To Kick. She teamed with Raquel Rodriguez to win the inaugural NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles twice and the 2021 Dusty Rhodes Classic. Main roster call-up in 2022 joined Damage CTRL, grabbing WWE Women’s Tag Titles with IYO SKY.
Pushed for Women’s IC Title in 2025 but lost finals. Released May 2025 due to roster fit; now Charlie, debuting vs. Kris Statlander at EVE Wrestle Queendom VIII on March 8, 2026. Total matches: 201, wins 105, losses 90.
Boyfriend
Dakota is dating NXT wrestler Eddy Thorpe. They went public in 2024 with cozy birthday posts on Instagram. No spouse or kids; she keeps it private but seems happy.
Dakota Kai’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Dakota Kai’s net worth sits around $3 million in estimates. This comes from WWE pay, merch, and indie/post-WWE gigs. Gaming streams on Twitch add side cash too.
Contract
No active WWE contract after May 2025 release. WWE felt her salary didn’t match top push potential, per reports. She’s free for indies like EVE in 2026. Past deal was standard midcard.
Salary
Dakota pulled about $200,000 a year from WWE before release, mixing base pay, PPV bonuses, and live events. Tag title runs boosted it with merch cuts. Now indie bookings and Twitch likely cover similar, but less stable without big league guarantee.
Career Earnings
| Year Range | Source | Estimated Earnings |
| 2007-2016 | Indie/PWWA | $50,000-$100,000 |
| 2017-2022 | NXT | $150,000/year avg |
| 2022-2025 | Main Roster/Tag Titles | $200,000-$250,000/year |
| 2026+ | Indies/Twitch | $100,000+ projected |
| Total | Career | ~$3M net |
Endorsements
Dakota’s main endorsement was WWE merch, selling shirts and gear during Damage CTRL days. No big brand deals reported, but she pushes Kia EV6 personally. Post-release, expect gaming tie-ins via Twitch. Keeps it simple, focusing on wrestling income.
Notable Opponents & Achievements
| Achievements | Details | Notable Opponents |
| WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion x2 | w/ IYO SKY (2022) | Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss |
| NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion x2 | w/ Raquel Rodriguez (inaugural) | Toxic Attraction, Indi Hartwell |
| NXT Dusty Rhodes Tag Classic (2021) | w/ Rodriguez | MSK, Legado del Fantasma |
| PWWA Champion x1 | As Evie (2012) | Indie Aussie talents |
| Women’s IC Title Finals (2025) | Lost to Lyra Valkyria | Ivy Nile, Valkyria |
| NXT Year-End Future Star (2019) | Award | – |
| Royal Rumble Entries x3 | 25:58 total time, 5 elims | Rhea Ripley, others |
FAQs
1. Who is Dakota Kai’s real name and where is she from?
Dakota Kai’s real name is Cheree Georgina “Charlie” Crowley. She was born on May 6, 1988, in Auckland, New Zealand, and is of Irish and Samoan descent.
2. What are Dakota Kai’s height and weight?
Dakota Kai stands at 5’6″ (or 5’5″ in some listings) tall. She weighs around 128 lbs (58 kg).
3. What is Dakota Kai’s signature move?
Her primary signature move is the Go to Kick, a powerful roundhouse kick. She also uses kick combinations, TTYL (Go to Sleep variation), and Yakuza Kick.
4. What championships has Dakota Kai won in WWE?
She is a two-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion with Iyo Sky and inaugural two-time NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion with Raquel Gonzalez. She also won the 2021 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
5. What is Damage CTRL and Dakota Kai’s role in it?
Damage CTRL is a heel faction formed in 2022 with Bayley, Iyo Sky, and later Asuka and Kairi Sane. Dakota Kai was a key member, winning tag titles and competing in major matches like WarGames.
6. Has Dakota Kai been released from WWE?
Yes, Dakota Kai was released by WWE in April 2022, re-signed in July 2022, and released again in May 2025 after her second tenure.
7. What injuries did Dakota Kai suffer?
She tore her ACL in 2019 and again in May 2023 during a title match, plus a torn meniscus in 2024 and a concussion in January 2025, sidelining her multiple times.
8. What is Dakota Kai doing after leaving WWE?
Post-release, she wrestles independently as Charlie, facing AEW’s Kris Statlander at Pro-Wrestling: EVE’s Wrestle Queendom VIII on March 8, 2026. She streams on Twitch and co-hosts the “ZELVXandCharlieGirl” podcast.
9. What was Dakota Kai’s WWE debut?
She debuted as Evie on NXT in October 2015, losing to Nia Jax. As Dakota Kai, she entered the 2017 Mae Young Classic, reaching quarterfinals.
10. Who are some of Dakota Kai’s best matches?
Top matches include wins over Tegan Nox in street fights and cages, tag title defenses with Raquel Gonzalez, and WarGames with Damage CTRL against teams like Bianca Belair’s.