November 25, 2023. Rosemont, Illinois. Allstate Arena. WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2023. The Ladies of Damage CTRL marched into WarGames stronger together. The opposing team of Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, Shotzi and Charlotte had seemingly come undone due to the egos of Charlotte and Lynch. Asuka, Kairi Sane and WWE Women's Champion IYO SKY have a close-knit bond. Dakota Kai shares close bonds of friendship with Kairi and IYO that go back many years. Bayley might have formed Damage CTRL, however her ego has brought her to let's call it: Borrowed Time.
Bayley smugly strut to the ring to start the match for her team. I doubt Bayley starting the match was a show of leadership, rather it was her plotting to take all the credit if Damage CTRL won. Bayley found herself in trouble not even a few minutes in, wrapped up in Becky's dis-arm-her. Dakota Kai saved Bayley from further agonizing pain, ramming a kendo stick through the cage into Lynch. Kai tugged of war with Lynch over the stick. Bayley attacked Becky to free the stick for her own use. Dakota smiled, giving Bayley a high-five through the cage.
This was not the only assistance Our Captain provided her team from the floor. IYO climbed to the top of the cage and dropped one end of a long chain she was holding to Kai who tied it to a garbage can. SKY pulled the can up to her and placed it over her head, insanely diving with it as a projectile to canvas the field. Throughout the match, Dakota expressed equal support and concern for all four of her Sisters in Damage. Dakota is not only The Captain of Resourcefulness, she's also The Best Damn Support Team.
Asuka entered the fray last for her team. Dakota lifted the ring skirt so Asuka could retrieve some custom black kendo sticks. After that, Asuka and Dakota assisted a wooden table into the ring to Kairi. The battle waged on, both teams unleashing violence with Damage CTRL savoring every bit of it. Unfortunately, Becky and Charlotte patched things up and worked in unison. But that was overshadowed by Damage CTRL working as a far superior well-oiled unit despite speculation The Joshi Trio and Bayley might not get on well.
Things were looking grim for The Ladies when Becky put Kairi in dis-arm-her. Bayley broke Kairi free with a knee strike to Lynch. Moments later, Bayley saved Asuka from getting pinned by Shotzi. Bayley took a beating for that but endured. Everyone was down except for Bayley, Charlotte and Kairi. Charlotte charged Kairi for the spear. Instead of taking out Charlotte, Bayley took the spear to spare Sane. Not only did Kairi get knocked loopy to the corner, Bayley was taken out of play. Had she attacked Charlotte, she may have won Damage CTRL the match.
Since Bayley messed up as has become all too common for her, she became prone to a barrage of finishers courtesy of the opposing team that ended with Becky pinning Bayley after a man-handle slam through that table. Bayley crawled over to the cage, engaging in a post-match conversation with Dakota who was distressed. I'm curious what was said if they so choose to reveal it.
In a WWE Digital Exclusive, Bayley implied her team didn't want to be around her post-match, however she actually ditched them for a bag of Ruffles and self-pity party. Some claim Bayley's effort in WarGames (she did good until the end) should earn her a reprieve. Others will rightfully point out that her messes over time outweigh her successes so another failure shouldn't earn her any good will. I'll support whatever Dakota Kai says when she addresses WarGames because King Kota is always right.
