September 23rd 2022. SmackDown. Damage CTRL had to deal with some Friday night business in the form of Raquel Rodriguez and Shotzi. Dakota Kai stepped into the ring against her former NXT tag team partner. The last time they had a one on one match was December 2021 when Raquel defeated Kai in a Christmas week street fight. They would go on to reunite as allies for a few weeks earlier this year. But lately, Raquel has reduced herself to desperately leeching off Dakota's rising star power.

Raquel keeps blaming Damage CTRL for loses that were caused by her own lack of focus. Last week, Doctor IYO SKY made an effort to actually assist Raquel with her focus issues by giving her eyes a much-needed gouge. Would we bare witness to a new and improved Raquel who actually focuses on her matches instead of blaming others?

Dakota proudly wore her half of the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship to the ring. She was accompanied by Bayley and IYO. Raquel came to the ring not accompanied by her smile. Dakota came right at Raquel at the opening bell only to get rammed into the corner. After a series of shoulder trusts, Raquel lifted Dakota onto her shoulders and dropped her with snakes eyes to the opposite turnbuckle. Dakota kicked her way free of Raquel's grab and delivered a kick to the face when her former partner shot back at her.

Raquel caught Dakota's scorpion kick attempt and went for a stretch muffler submission. IYO climbed onto the apron to test Raquel's ability to focus on her opponent. Raquel sort of passed the first test since she was prepared to toss Dakota at her partner but IYO ducked to safety. The second was a failure as Raquel decided to take her focus (how shocking!) off Dakota and go after Bayley who was cheering on her friend from the apron and not physically getting involved. Our Captain made Raquel pay for it, knocking her silly with the scorpion kick.

Dakota reminded everyone she's not a member but The Captain of Team F'N Kick, smashing Raquel in the corner with a running face wash followed by some boot choke. Bayley snuck in a justified shot to repay Raquel for coming after her earlier. Shotzi ran out and attacked Bayley and IYO because she's suddenly offended by questionable tactics -- even though she resorted to them for the past year. Dakota was concerned for her friends, taking her eyes off the match for a moment so Raquel rolled her up for the pinfall victory. Go figure Raquel would win like that.

Bayley and IYO tossed Shotzi into the barricade. Fair enough. She stuck her nose in their business to help a six foot tall jacked Amazon who doesn't know how to focus. In the ring, Dakota grabbed Raquel's leg to prevent her from intervening. Bayley and IYO hit the ring and pummeled Raquel. No sorrow for her from me. Shotzi quickly recovered, planting Bayley with a DDT. Raquel kicked Dakota to the floor. IYO was tossed out of the ring by Shotzi.

Shotzi and Raquel may have gotten the better of Damage CTRL for a mere moment but it was a hollow victory. If Raquel and Shotzi are able to get a shot at the Women's Tag Team Titles because Raquel pinned Dakota, it will just be more fire in the bellies of IYO and Dakota to continue to prove their dominance. Dakota's win record against Raquel hasn't been the best in singles matches yet she's defeated her in various tag team encounters over the years. I think tonight is just more motivation to do so again. Raquel and Shotzi have just pissed Damage CTRL off.

Additional Information | Raquel Rodriguez defeated WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Dakota Kai (2:01) on WWE SmackDown at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on September 23rd 2022.