Who is Dakota Kai?
Dakota Kai is a professional wrestler from Auckland, New Zealand. She is a millennial, having been born on 6 May 1988. Dakota is in her late 30s. Her professional wrestling debut was on 15 December 2007. Charlie and Evie are her other in-ring names. Dakota’s real name is Cheree Crowley.
From 2015 to 2025, she played a decent role for different WWE brands. From 2018 to 2025, she featured in every WWE 2K video game.
She is a Christian with Irish and Samoan descent. Her sister Nyrene is a mixed martial artist. Pat Crowley, who is a New Zealand rugby legend, is Dakota’s grandfather. She is in a relationship with fellow professional wrestler Karl Fredericks.
| Basics | Details |
| In-Ring Name | Dakota Kai |
| Real Name | Cheree Crowley |
| Full Name | Cheree Georgina Crowley |
| Born | 6 May 1988 |
| Age | 37 Years |
| Birth Place | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Ancestry | Irish and Samoan descent |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Career | Professional Wrestler |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Faith | Christian |
| Other In-Ring Names | Evie, Charlie |
| Pro Wrestling Debut | 6 May 1988 |
Dakota Kai’s Fitness and Physical Stats
Dakota Kai is an extremely fit wrestler. Having Samoan descent, Dakota has a naturally strong build. But it doesn’t mean she is not lean and fit.
For staying fit, Dakota takes protein-rich meals filled with chicken, nuts and fish. In a day, Dakota dedicates 2 hours for gymming.
Dakota is 5 feet 6 inches tall. 55 kg is her natural body weight. Dakota has brown eyes and dark brown hair.
| Basics | Physical Stats |
| Height | 5 feet and 6 inches |
| Weight | 55 kg |
| Eyes | Brown |
| Hair | Dark Brown |
| Body Mesurements | 34-35-35 inches |
| Feet Size | 7 (US) |
| Body Type | Fit and Athletic |
| Food Habit | Non-Vegitarian |
| Fitness | Gym and Cardio |
| Tattoos | Sevreal on arms |
Dakota Kai’s Early Life
- Dakota Kai has two siblings.
- Earl Crowley, who is a DJ, is her brother.
- Nyrene Crowley (MMA) is her sister.
- Her father shares Irish descent.
- Dakota’s mother hails from Lepea on the island of Upolu.
- Dakota has not made her parents’ names public.
She grew up in Auckland, which is also her birthplace. Her brother, Earl, was a mega professional wrestling fan. He introduced Dakota to the world of pro wrestling.
As a result, she fell in love with the WWF (now WWE). Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) was her childhood hero.
Dakota’s schooling took place in Auckland. She was utterly good at maths and history. As a kid, she also loved watching rugby, Hollywood movies and TV shows.
Dakota Kai’s Love Life
In July 2024, Dakota Kai and Eddy Thorpe; who is also a pro wrestler, made their relationship public (via social media). However, the wrestling duo hasn’t married. They have not decided about the family planning. His real name is Karl Fredericks. He was a part of WWE from 2023 to 2025. Dakota, born in 1988, is two years older than Eddy (1990).
New Zealand & Australia: Early Career Struggles
From 2007 to 2016, Dakota Kai polished her wrestling skills in New Zealand and Australia. For a bit, she also competed in the United States for Shimmer Women Athletes.
However, her career started majorly with NZ’s Impact Pro Wrestling. She was being seen as a major wrestling star from Oceania. She held the PWWA Championship and Shimmer Tag Team Championship once each.
Dakota was known for her power and wrestling skills, despite the fact that women in wrestling were seen more as divas back then.
WWE Era
- In 2015, Dakota Kai made her NXT debut.
- A year later, in 2016, she signed a deal with WWE.
- By 2017, she became a crucial part of NXT.
- In 2017 and 2018, Kai competed in the Mae Young Classic.
- She gained fame from her underdog persona.
- With Raquel Gonzalez, she held the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship twice. They were the inaugural NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions.
- In 2019, she was named the Future Star of NXT.
- From 2022 to 2025, she became a mainstream WWE star and left the NXT era.
- Iyo Sky was her tag team partner. They won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship twice (together).
- In May 2025, WWE released her as they didn’t see a bright future with Dakota moving forward.
Independent Circuit Return
Since 2025, Dakota Kai has been competing in independent circuits. She has a massive experience of being with the WWE brand. This has made her status bigger and better.
Social Media
Dakota Kai has 726k plus followers on Instagram. Kai keeps her social media more about carrying the pro wrestling persona than showing her real life.
Dakota is on every major social media platform and has shared Linkme id on her Instagram with all the official handles.
Lifestyle and Net Worth
Dakota Kai’s net worth is USD 1.5 million. She earned a decent and career-high USD 250,000 a year (basic) during her WWE days (2015 to 2025).
Dakota doesn’t fancy slashing money on luxury goods. She focuses a lot on long-term investing. In Florida, she shared a house with Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke, and Mia Yim for a long time.
Unlike other WWE stars, Dakota is not into top-end bags, watches and perfumes.
Persona and Fighting Style
Dakota Kai has raw power. It does help her in the modern wrestling era. But she is too great at hitting promos. It could be the main reason behind her WWE exit in 2025. But in terms of wrestling skills, Dakota can match major female superstars.
Conclusion
Dakota Kai is in her late 30s. Hence, she is looking for the next big move other than WWE. The 2025 exit did impact her to the core. But for Dakota, the game at the highest level is not over yet, as there are productive years ahead. She might even look for family planning in the coming years.
FAQs
WWE wanted Dakota Kai to sign a contract before May 2025. As she kept it lingering late, the brand decided to part ways.
Dakota Kai is not married.
Dakota Kais boyfriend is Eddy Thorpe.
The Rock is Dakota Kai’s all-time favourite wrestler.
Dakota Kai, as of 2026, has shown no signs of a WWE comeback.
Trivia and Hobbies
- Dakota Kai loves playing video games, mostly Call of Duty and RPGs.
- Dakota loves pop culture and is a big-time anime fan.
- For Kai, music is a crucial part of her life.
- “Zelvx and Charlie Girl” is her podcast.
- Dakota loves chocolate desserts.
- She wants to explore yoga and meditation in her 50s.
- Most of Dakota’s relatives live in NZ, while she mostly stays in the US.
- Dakota loves watching romantic and action movies.
- As a kid, she loved playing hide-and-seek.
- Dakota’s brother is a well-known DJ in NZ.
- Dakota loves drinking beer.
- She is not too religious.
- Dakota likes spicy food.
- She could spend hours playing video games.
- In 2019, Dakota was seen as a long-term WWE star.
- Thea Trinidad is her podcast’s co-host. She is Kai’s very good friend.