Dakota Kai made it clear her quest to win a solo WWE championship did not end when she lost to Lyra Valkyria in the Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Finals. King Kota had a chance to earn another shot at the Intercontinental Championship, battling American Made’s Ivy Nile in a #1 contender match. Dakota had scored two previous one-on-one wins against Nile on WWE Main Event in 2024. Could The Captain threepeat and earn another shot at winning her first long-eluded solo WWE championship?

February 17, 2025. Spectrum Center. Charlotte, North Carolina. WWE Monday Night RAW. Prior to their match, Dakota and Ivy had a backstage confrontation. Nile mocked the dream of Dakota and all her fans that is for her to earn another shot at the Women’s Intercontinental Title. Kai promised Nile she would see her in the ring, earning a rematch against Valkyria.

Lyra sat at ringside, observing the contenders battle it out. Nile taunted Kai in the early going, resulting in her getting thrown hard at the ropes. Kai tripped Nile to the canvas then slid to the outside, twirling Ivy around and delivering a pump kick. Back in the ring, Kai leapt up to rolling takedown Nile who blocked it, dumping her hard to the floor. Nile targeted Kai’s knee, striking her back to the floor with a kick to the back of her leg as she got up.

The assault on the knee continued in the ring, but Nile being as “bright” as Brutus Creed had targeted the knee void of past injuries. Still, the focus on that knee did it damage as Nile’s attack got more vicious, hanging Kai upside down in the corner and striking her knee with a jumping kick straight out of TMNT: The Arcade Game. Kai on the canvas kicked Nile off her, mounting a comeback with a discus right hand, clothesline and dropkick. Nile fell to the corner, getting the ole Dakota Rub a.k.a. the running facewash.

Dakota rallied the crowd, who responded with claps as Kai charged the rising Nile from the opposite corner, striking her flush to the face with the Kaio-Kick. The Kairopractor got Dakota two on a cover. Kai went for the Dakota Stomp, but Nile evaded it and clocked her with a right hand. Nile climbed to the top rope, Kai cutting her off with a gamengiri. Ivy blocked offense, slipping under Kai and mauling her to the canvas with a kneeling powerbomb. Ivy lifted Kai onto her shoulders, but Dakota slipped off and rolled Nile up for two. Nile rolled through, applying an ankle lock.

Kai fought to the ropes only for Nile to cut her off as she was fingertips away. Nile locked in the hold at full force. Dakota fought the worsening pain, dragging herself back to the ropes, fueled by the cheers of the crowd. This time her hand grabbed the bottom rope, Nile forced to break the hold. Kai kicked Nile off as Ivy tried to pull her off the rope by the legs. Dakota went for a scorpion kick which Nile caught, following with a Supergirl forearm to the face. Kara Danvers, Ivy is not but it did its intended damage.

Ivy kicked Kai who bounced off the ropes, striking back with a pump kick. This time Nile bounced off the ropes. Kai evaded. Nile scooped Kai up, delivering a uranage-like slam for two. Kai kneed herself free from Nile’s vertical suplex attempt. Dakota wrenched Ivy’s arm but Nile reversed, dropping Kai with a German suplex. Ivy held onto the waistlock for a second, Kai rolling through for two. Kai struck Nile with the scorpion kick. Dakota hauled Ivy up for GTK but Nile slid off attempting a sunset flip, only for Dakota to drop down and sit on her for a cover and two.

Nile grabbed Kai’s leg after kicking out, applying another ankle lock. Dakota rolled free, sending Ivy through the ropes to the apron. Nile got spiked with a vicious Dakota Stomp. Dakota lifted Nile up onto her shoulders and struck her to the canvas with GTK. 1-2-3. Dakota Kai is the new #1 contender for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Lyra entered the ring and came face to face with Dakota, raising up the title. Dakota pointed to it, making her intentions crystal clear.

Vic Joseph interviewed Kai later on that night. Thankfully, unlike someone else, he doesn't ask Dakota stupid questions. Dakota admitted even though she’s had lows along with highs, she always picks herself back up and is stronger on the other side. This isn’t just about winning a championship anymore though, as Dakota stressed it’s too about proving that everything it took her to get to this pivotal point in her career was worth it.

Dakota Kai’s quest for her first solo WWE championship takes her to WWE Monday Night RAW on February 24, 2025 when she gets her rematch against Lyra Valkyria. The King Kota Movement will do as we always do: Rally and Support The Captain, The King, we hope the next WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Dakota Kai.

Additional Information | Dakota Kai defeated Ivy Nile (6:45) in a WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship #1 Contendership Match on WWE Monday Night RAW February 17, 2025 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.