Dakota Kai's in-ring return announced for next WWE SmackDown

Dakota Kai will return to the ring for the first time since May 2023 on next week's WWE SmackDown. 

In a match set up with multiple angles on this week's SmackDown show, Kai & Bayley will face Asuka & Kairi Sane of The Kabuki Warriors as Damage CTRL explodes on the Friday, March 1 episode. 

Kai suffered a torn ACL in a match on May 12, 2023 and has been out of the ring since. 

On this week's show, Kai was laid out backstage and later told Bayley in the trainer's room that Asuka & Sane had attacked her. The attack on Kai was never shown, leaving room for the possibility that Kai will swerve Bayley in the match and realign with Asuka, Sane, and IYO SKY in Damage CTRL. 

Also announced for next week, Carlito will take on Santos Escobar in a street fight as the feud between Carlito's LWO and Escobar's Legado Del Fantasma will continue. 

WWE revealed earlier on Friday that The Rock will make an appearance on next week's SmackDown in Glendale, Arizona as well. 

The announced lineup for the Friday, March 1 SmackDown: 

• The Rock appears
• Bayley & Dakota Kai vs. Asuka & Kairi Sane
• Street fight: Carlito vs. Santos Escobar