WWE Star Suffers Serious Knee Injury, Long Absence Expected

Expect this former WWE title-holder to be out for an extended period.

by Andy H Murray
Dakota Kai Candice LeRae
WWE.com

WWE's Dakota Kai looks set to miss an extended period of in-ring time after suffering a torn ACL in her latest match, reports the Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer.

Kai is understood to have torn her ACL while competing on the 12 May episode of WWE SmackDown. Meltzer reports that the former Women's Tag Team Champion is due to undergo surgery today, having hurt herself in a bout that also saw Liv Morgan get hurt. Morgan, too, may need to go under the knife eventually.

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The most unfortunate part? Kai is believed to have torn her ACL while protecting Morgan in the match, having become aware that Liv was already injured.

Kai was teaming with Damage CTRL partner Bayley in the failed Women's Tag Team Championship challenge, falling to Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez, who recently dethroned Becky Lynch and Lita (via Trish Stratus substitute) as champions.

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While there is currently no word on an exact timeline for Kai's recovery, ACL surgeries are heavy-going - and recoveries are highly variable. Typically, wrestlers can expect to be sidelined for six to 12 months in situations like this.

All the best to Dakota in her recovery.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.