The writing was on the wall, but WWE has officially pulled the plug on one of their most prominent women’s factions. Damage CTRL, the group that dominated storylines across multiple brands since 2022, has been quietly disbanded behind the scenes following significant roster changes and injury setbacks.
The Rise and Fall of a Dominant Faction
What started as Bayley’s triumphant SummerSlam 2022 comeback story quickly evolved into something much bigger. The Role Model didn’t return alone that night, bringing Dakota Kai and IYO SKY along for the ride to form what would become Damage CTRL.
The faction’s influence grew substantially throughout 2023 when both Kairi Sane and Asuka joined their ranks. This five-woman powerhouse seemed unstoppable until internal drama led to Bayley’s shocking ejection from her own group in February 2024.
However, the real problems began after WrestleMania 40 when injuries started mounting faster than victories.
Injury Bug Devastates Group Unity
Asuka’s sidelining injury following WWE’s biggest event of the year created the first major crack in Damage CTRL’s foundation. With their veteran leader out of action for over a year, the remaining trio tried to maintain momentum.
Unfortunately, wrestling’s cruel injury bug wasn’t finished. Both Kairi Sane and Dakota Kai found themselves on the shelf, leaving IYO SKY as the faction’s lone active representative on television.
This left creative teams in an impossible position – how do you book a stable when only one member can compete regularly?
The Final Nail: Dakota Kai’s WWE Release
According to Fightful Select, WWE made the decision to officially dissolve Damage CTRL in early May when Dakota Kai was among several talent releases. Internal notes were distributed instructing announcers to stop identifying remaining members as representing the group.
The timing couldn’t have been worse for the faction’s legacy. By the time Kairi Sane returned from her injury layoff, Damage CTRL had already been dissolved behind the scenes.
This means fans witnessed the group’s final television moments without even realizing it was their swan song.
What’s Next for the Remaining Members?
With Asuka set to make her highly anticipated return on tonight’s Monday Night Raw, many wondered if Damage CTRL might experience a resurrection. Sources told Fightful that as of current creative planning, the group remains defunct.
However, all hope isn’t lost for faction enthusiasts. WWE hasn’t completely closed the door on potential reunions or the Damage CTRL name being revived down the line.
IYO SKY and Kairi Sane have maintained their alliance since Kairi’s return, suggesting that individual partnerships within the former group could continue flourishing.
Legacy of Destruction
Despite its unceremonious ending, Damage CTRL’s impact on WWE’s women’s division cannot be understated. The faction provided compelling storylines, elevated multiple talents, and gave fans memorable moments across both Raw and SmackDown.
Their dissolution marks the end of an era, but it also opens new creative possibilities for IYO SKY, Kairi Sane, and the returning Asuka. Will tonight’s Raw reveal what’s next for these talented performers, or could we see a surprise reunion that brings Damage CTRL back from the dead?
