Charlie, the wrestler previously known to WWE audiences as Dakota Kai, reportedly had an early post-WWE plan that would have taken her to New Japan Pro-Wrestling rather than directly into All Elite Wrestling or TNA Wrestling.
The Auckland-born performer was released by WWE in May 2025. She later returned to the independent wrestling scene in March 2026 under the name Charlie, marking a significant change from the Dakota Kai identity she had used throughout her WWE run. That return, however, has been a quiet one so far. Charlie has wrestled only two matches since re-entering the independent circuit and has otherwise remained largely inactive in the ring.
During a recent subscriber Q&A, it was revealed that Charlie’s representative had been contacted nearly a year earlier. At that time, the belief was that her initial goal was to re-establish herself as a professional wrestler through a run connected to New Japan Pro-Wrestling. The reported plan was not to immediately pursue a deal with either TNA or AEW.
That potential New Japan direction has yet to come together publicly. No reason was given for why it has not happened, and there is no indication that the possibility has been permanently ruled out. The situation remains unclear, particularly given Charlie’s limited number of appearances since adopting her new name.
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A Different Route After WWE
For a wrestler leaving WWE, the most commonly discussed destinations are often AEW and TNA, two promotions that have provided prominent landing spots for numerous former WWE talents. Charlie was reportedly looking at a different path, at least in the early stages of planning her next chapter.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling would represent a major international platform and a potentially distinctive place for Charlie to reshape her presentation following WWE. A run in that environment could offer an opportunity to work with a fresh roster, compete before a different audience, and establish an identity separate from the name and on-screen associations that defined much of her recent career.
At this stage, though, the important detail is that the reported New Japan plan remains unrealized. There has been no announced New Japan program, no disclosed match schedule, and no confirmed signing. Any assessment of where Charlie will ultimately wrestle next must therefore remain cautious.
Her inactivity should not automatically be interpreted as a final decision on her future. Wrestlers can spend extended periods away from regular competition for a variety of professional and personal reasons, and no explanation has been publicly established in this case. What is known is that Charlie returned to the independents in March 2026, has had two matches since doing so, and has not yet followed that return with a sustained run in a major promotion.
Charlie Has Addressed AEW and TNA Possibilities
Earlier in 2026, Charlie spoke about the prospect of joining either TNA or AEW during an appearance on INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet. Those companies remain natural points of discussion around her future given her profile, experience, and history on national television.
Still, the reported preference to initially pursue New Japan indicates that conversations about her next move should not be reduced to a simple AEW-versus-TNA question. The wrestling landscape gives established free agents multiple potential routes, including independent dates, international opportunities, short-term arrangements, and longer-term contracts. Charlie’s early planning appears to have reflected that broader range of options.
There is also no confirmation that she has rejected AEW, TNA, or any other promotion. Likewise, there is no announced agreement tying her to New Japan. The available information speaks to an initial intention rather than a completed deal or a guaranteed destination.
That distinction matters. Wrestling reports can often create the impression that a performer is on the verge of appearing somewhere simply because interest or discussions exist. In Charlie’s case, the current picture is more measured: a potential New Japan-focused plan was discussed, it has not become public reality, and her competitive schedule has been limited since her independent return.
Why Charlie Remains a Notable Free-Agent Name
Even with the uncertainty surrounding her next stop, Charlie remains an established name in the professional wrestling world. Her WWE experience, her years of work before reaching that stage, and her ability to fit into a variety of women’s divisions ensure that her status will continue to draw attention whenever another promotion looks to strengthen its roster.
It was also noted that Charlie is well regarded within wrestling circles. That reputation could be important if and when she chooses to pursue a more active schedule. Relationships, familiarity with performers and coaches, and confidence in a wrestler’s ability to contribute can all influence opportunities across the industry.
The question is not necessarily whether there could be interest in Charlie. The more immediate question is what kind of opportunity she wants, when she wants to take it, and whether the reported New Japan direction can still be revived. None of those answers have been confirmed publicly.
Her rebrand is another notable element of this period. Moving from Dakota Kai to Charlie creates a clear line between her WWE past and whatever comes next. A new name can allow a wrestler to reset creatively while still carrying the recognition built over previous years. For Charlie, that reset has begun, but it has not yet developed into a regular presence on independent cards or a featured role for another major company.
Limited Matches Leave the Situation Open-Ended
Charlie’s two matches since March 2026 offer only a small sample of what her post-WWE career may become. A handful of appearances is not enough to define a new in-ring era, particularly for someone whose reported initial ambitions involved a substantial international promotion rather than simply taking frequent independent bookings.
It is possible that the current lull is temporary and that a larger announcement will eventually follow. It is equally possible that her eventual destination differs from the plan that was discussed nearly a year ago. Without a confirmed explanation for the lack of a New Japan run, it would be premature to draw firm conclusions.
For now, the clearest update is that Charlie’s reported first choice after WWE was to rebuild through New Japan Pro-Wrestling instead of immediately signing with AEW or TNA. That plan has not yet materialized, while her return to wrestling under the Charlie name has been limited to two matches.
Her future remains open. AEW and TNA have both been part of public discussion, New Japan was reportedly the original target, and the independent scene remains available as she continues to establish the Charlie identity. Until she announces a more permanent next step or begins appearing regularly for a promotion, her status will remain one of the more intriguing unresolved stories among former WWE talent.
What is certain is that Charlie has not disappeared from the wrestling conversation. Despite the light schedule, she remains a respected performer with options across an industry that continues to create new avenues for experienced talent. The next significant development will be whether the long-discussed New Japan possibility finally takes shape, or whether Charlie’s next opportunity arrives somewhere else entirely.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.