Dakota Kai was always aggressive in the ring going back to her Evie days. She never lacked the courage to stand up to her opponents. The exception was Shayna Baszler. Dakota had to muster up courage to stand up to her. Each time they faced, Our Captain showed more. They had not crossed paths for months on television, however that would soon change. Baszler had regained the NXT Women's Championship from "The Pirate Princess" Kairi Sane at WWE Evolution with the assistance of her fellow MMA Horsewomen Jessamyn Duke & Marina Shafir.

Baszler defended the title in a Best 2 out of 3 Falls Match against Sane at NXT TakeOver: WarGames II on November 17th 2018 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Shafir and Duke would run interference. Dakota Kai had enough of that shit, running down to the ring to club Shafir with a forearm to the back of the head. Duke received a pump kick. Shafir got Kai from behind and Duke joined in for a beatdown. Sane's best friend Io Shirai would come to the rescue, hitting a moonsault off the nearest turnbuckle to put an end to the pummeling of Kai.

Shafir and Duke may have been taken out of the equation but Shayna still managed to retain the title. Kai, Shirai and Sane had, had enough of The Horsewomen. Years ago on Dakota's first tour of Japan as Evie, a bond of friendship was formed between Io, Kairi and her. Now in the present, they decided to band together and stand up to The Horsewomen as a unified front. On the November 28th 2018 episode of NXT the newly formed trio issued a challenge: They wanted all three Horsewomen. Said match was in the cards for the future. But first up, Dakota Kai was ready to stand up to Shayna. Kai challenged her to a match that would take place on the December 5th 2018 episode of NXT.

Since they had last clashed on NXT television, Dakota had upped her aggression during her battles with the likes Bianca Belair, Jinny and Rhea Ripley. This would be a non-title match but a win over the champion could put Dakota into consideration for the upcoming fatal four-way match to determine Shayna's next challenger. Shafir and Duke were in Baszler's corner while Kai asked her allies to stay backstage, feeling she had to do this one alone.

Shayna thought this would be a breeze. Dakota proved otherwise from the start, pushing Baszler away when backed into the turnbuckles. Shayna caught Kai in a waistlock only to get taken down. Kai didn't let up, exploding at her rival with a running PK to the chest and standing Coup-de-Kai. Dakota lunged for a cover but Shayna retreated to the apron. Kai went in pursuit, coming at Shayna with a running PK. Baszler grabbed Kai's leg and swung her face first into the ring post. Kai crumpled to the floor where Shayna left her.

Kai made it back into the ring before the count of ten. Shayna went right to work, toying with her arm and wrist through joint manipulation. Baszler tried to stomp on Kai's arm shades of January but Dakota rolled out of the way and rolled Shayna up for a one count. Baszler quickly took back control, snapping Kai's left arm back. Kai was taunted with feint kicks followed by a hard kick to the leg. Dakota stared up like the angel of death, shaking Baszler's arrogance. Kai stung her with the scorpion kick. Kawada kicks. Running face wash. Kaio-Kick. Dakota Kai was relentless.

Shayna's face sunk over the top rope from the impact of the Kaio-Kick. Dakota grabbed her with an aggressive push. Shayna stumbled to the opposite corner. Kai charged straight forward looking for another Kaio-Kick but Shayna moved out of the way. Shayna knocked Dakota silly with a knee strike on the chin followed by a running PK of her own. Baszler came at Kai who made her way to the opposite corner. Dakota cut Shayna off, tossing her face first into the middle turnbuckle.

Dakota blasted Shayna with a pump kick before climbing to the top rope. Kai crashed down on Shayna with Coup-de-Kai for a two count on the cover. Dakota pulled Shayna to her feet but Baszler grabbed her arm with a twisting wristlock. Kai tried to alleviate the pressure by making her way up the turnbuckles. Shayna followed, letting go of the wristlock and clubbing Kai across the back. The Queen of Spades grabbed Kai in gutwrench position for an avalanche suplex but Kai broke it with a brutal headbutt that drove Shayna to the canvas.

Kai climbed to the top rope for another Coup-de-Kai but Shayna cut her off with an enzuigiri to the face. Shayna grabbed Kai and ragdolled her to the canvas with a gutwrench suplex. Shayna was spent from Kai's earlier barrage, unable to make a cover to go for the win. Baszler grabbed Kai's wrist as they got to their feet. Eyes locked. There was a fury in Our Captain's eyes not seen since her battles with Kellyanne in MCW. Kai cut loose with even more aggressive Kawada kicks than earlier. At the end, Kai added a stomp to the back as Shayna crumpled to the canvas.

Dakota came at Shayna looking to strike her down with the Kairopractor. But Shayna tripped Kai and applied the Kirifuda Clutch. Dakota tried to fight it but had to tap. Duke and Shafir joined Shayna in a post-match beatdown. Io Shirai ran down to forcefully put an end to it. Shirai tossed Baszler to the floor before doing the same to Duke and Shafir courtesy of a handspring dropkick. Shayna snuck up behind Shirai only to receive a Shotei. Baszler slumped to the corner, prone for a Kaio-Kick from Kai but Duke and Shafir pulled her out of the ring just in the nick of time.

Io and Dakota stood tall in the ring staring down the Horsewomen who didn't want anymore of Kai and Shirai. Our Captain may have lost the match but she was a big step closer to conquering her rival. The fear Shayna put in her months ago was no more. Many felt the next time they met, Dakota would finally be able to defeat Shayna to win the NXT Women's Championship. Before Kai could focus on facing Shayna again, Shirai and her had their sights set on Shafir and Duke.

Additional Information | NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler defeated Dakota Kai (6:04) in a non-title match on the December 5, 2018 episode of WWE NXT at Full Sail in Winter Park, Florida.