November 11, 2024. Van Andel Arena. Grand Rapids, Michigan. WWE Monday Night RAW. It had been three months since Shayna Baszler smashed Dakota Kai’s twice surgically repaired knee to hell. In her absence, Kai’s Damage CTRL sisters IYO SKY and Kairi Sane got a bit of payback on Sonya Deville, Zoey Stark and Shayna Baszler who are now known collectively as Pure Fusion Collective (PFC). But there was still some hell left to pay.
Damage CTRL were set for a six-woman tag team match against PFC. That could only mean one thing. The Captain was recovered and back. Dakota Kai joined her Sisters in Damage in an embrace backstage, telling the world as long as Damage CTRL have each other, nothing will keep them down.
In the early going of the six-woman tag, it was back and forth with Kairi and IYO taking it to and getting it from PFC. The tide turned with Sane getting worked over until she tagged in Dakota who stood across the ring from Shayna. King Kota came right at her tormenter-for-years, unleashing a barrage of her storied kicks. With Baszler down and prone, Kai used the ropes as a springboard coming down on Baszler’s head with a curb stomp.
Dakota rallied the crowd, hurrying to the opposite corner of Shayna. The King charged full-force, but Sonya pulled Shayna away, instead feeling the Kaio-Kick. Dakota found herself in a half crab until IYO made a save. Sane hit Shayna with a majestic forearm only to get taken out of play by Zoey’s springboard dropkick. Baszler scurried to the corner. Kai charged for a second Kaio-Kick, but Shayna was laying in wait to apply the Kirifuda Clutch.
Despite the clutch harkening back painful memories of the past, Kai refused to get taken to the canvas, fighting her way to Damage CTRL’s corner so IYO could blind tag in. Shayna let go of Kai, applying the clutch to SKY who smartly maneuvered Baszler and her over to the opposite corner. Kai charged full-speed at Shayna, striking her to hell with a Kaio-Kick that had years of built-up rage in it. SKY crashed down on Shayna with Over the Moonsault. 1-2-3. Damage CTRL score the victory.
Not only was this a momentous win for The Ladies Magnificent, for Dakota it was a chance to finally get payback on her long-time tormenter. Since 2018, Shayna had made it a sick habit of bullying Dakota at every turn of their time in NXT. Baszler resumed her antics this past summer on Monday Night RAW, not once but twice. Each time Baszler and Kai did battle in NXT, Dakota came closer to solving the puzzle. Even if SKY got the pin here, it was the rage within King Kota that opened that door. Thanks to her sisters, King Kota was finally able to find some peace by striking a decisive blow to Shayna Baszler. Welcome Back King Kota.
In a post-match WWE Digital Exclusive, Damage CTRL made it clear now that they’ve put PFC in the rearview mirror, they’re coming for championship gold. IYO is #1 contender for Liv Morgan’s Women’s World Championship. Dakota spoke of Kairi and her potentially chasing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. Let us not forget the recently announced WWE Women’s United States Championship. It was a great night for The Ladies Magnificent. No doubt the first of many to come.
Additional Information | IYO SKY, Dakota Kai & Kairi Sane of Damage CTRL defeated Pure Fusion Collective (Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark & Sonya Deville) at 10:15 on WWE Monday Night RAW 11/11/2024 from Van Andal Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
