May 12th 2023. Knoxville, Tennessee. Thompson-Boling Arena. SmackDown. The Ladies have officially arrived on Friday Nights. Unless you're that idiot Michael Cole, I'm certain you're happy to have Damage CTRL kick off your weekends. As long as they're a thing. This was a huge night as Dakota Kai and Bayley hoped to bring the WWE Women's Tag Team Tiles back to Damage CTRL. Prior to the match, Bayley took up all the GROUPS interview time. She likened herself to Roman Reigns, insisting they were both grand slam champs and exceptional leaders.

Bayley claimed she thought IYO SKY had the RAW Women's Title won at Backlash then accepted the blame for her unnecessary interference that backfired. Or did it? I still wonder. Bayley went on to claim she pushed IYO too hard when she wasn't ready for a title match. The Role Model promised Dakota that as a leader she would take things into her own hands and they would become the new WWE Women's Tag Champions. Before The Ladies took their leave, Bayley asked Kayla Braxton to go tell Roman that SmackDown belongs to Damage CTRL.

The ego and nerve of Bayley. First, to claim that IYO wasn't ready. This is Io Shirai one of the best wrestlers in the entire world. Bayley herself has lauded IYO with such accolade, noting that is why she wanted to give her opportunities. Secondly, the stupidity of heckling Roman Reigns who knows that girl who isn't like most girls. Bad idea, Bayley. The more Bayley (and her ego) spoke, the more fed up IYO looked. Dakota the same though trying to be optimistic and excited for the sake of bringing gold to Damage CTRL. Still, a tension between Bayley and them was present.

That brings me to the match. You have Raquel Rodriguez, the itch Dakota can't scratch. Her championship partner, Berserker boot wearing Harley Quinn wannabe Liv Morgan. You know, the woman who abandoned Tegan Nox as a tag team partner for Raquel. Anyway, Raquel and Dakota started the match for their teams. Raquel used her power to maul. Liv tagged in and got whacked by Dakota's Pele Kick which Kai followed rolling up Morgan for two. Liv and Dakota traded pin attempts before Kai got the upper hand with a discus forearm to ground Morgan.

Dakota tagged Bayley in. Liv avoided the double team attempt, however Bayley took charge for her team bringing her down with a clothesline. Morgan and Bayley would soon find themselves on the canvas, hot tagging in Raquel and Dakota. Raquel mauled Kai for a bit, only for Our Captain to cleverly lure her in and evade the corkscrew Vader bomb elbow. Dakota tagged Bayley intent on a double team. Instead, Raquel chokeslammed them both at the same time. Raquel proceeded to powerbomb toss Liv onto Kai and Bayley.

Kai eat that bomb for her evening snack, firing back with a pump kick that sent Raquel to the floor. Liv tossed Kai to the floor. Bayley got struck with a Liv knee strike in the corner. Morgan positioned Bayley on the top rope. Kai blind-tagged in. Bayley slipped under Liv, holding Morgan in position so Kai could smash her in the face with a gamengiri. The Role Model continued to hold Morgan up so Kai could come crashing down on her with a double stomp from the top rope. Dakota covered Morgan. Raquel barely made the save for her team.

Bayley dragged Dakota to their corner and tagged in. She could have Rose Planted Liv and scored the victory. But nope, she had to show off her "leadership abilities" telling SKY to grab a tag belt after asking the referee to check on Kai who had the other title. IYO with the belt came up on the apron to give Bayley an assist. Raquel on the floor put a stop to that, winning a tug of war for the title. Dakota charged at Raquel who grounded her with a big boot. Morgan slipped behind Bayley, knocking her into SKY who crashed to the floor. Liv rolled Bayley up for the pin.

The "leader" Bayley promised Dakota the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles and didn't deliver. You could tell Bayley knew it in the way she reacted to the loss. IYO looked disappointed, hopefully only for Dakota. Bayley doesn't deserve it, for more and more she's proving to be a hindrance to both Kai and SKY. This Chronicler has tried to be optimistic Bayley will come around but to no avail. Her "leadership" cost IYO at Backlash and Dakota on SmackDown. The time bomb ticks more furiously as the days go by.

Additional Information | WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez defeated Bayley & Dakota Kai (8:08) to retain the titles on the May 12th 2023 episode of WWE SmackDown from Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee.