July 30th 2022: Bayley returned from an injury at SummerSlam, bringing Dakota Kai and IYO SKY with her. Kai had been released on April 29th after years in NXT. SKY had been in limbo in NXT, recovering from an injury since April. The faction would eventually call themselves Damage CTRL because they came together to control the damage they felt had consumed the main roster women's division. And to take control of the main roster women's division.

September 3rd 2022: Damage CTRL competed for the first time on television as a trio, defeating RAW Women's Champion Bianca Belair, Asuka and Alexa Bliss at Clash at the Castle. The victory came after an array of teamwork by all three with Bayley pinning Belair for the win.

September 12th 2022: After coming up short when the illegal competitor was pinned due to a referee error a couple weeks prior, Dakota Kai & IYO SKY get a re-match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles on RAW and win them.

October 8th 2022: Bayley revealed in September she wanted the spotlight to be on Kai and SKY since she brought them together with her for that purpose. Now that they have the tag team titles, she will focus on defeating Bianca Belair to win the RAW Women's Championship. At Extreme Rules, Belair defeated Bayley in a Ladder Match to retain the title.

October 10th 2022: Dakota revealed during a Damage CTRL sitdown interview on RAW that during the summer, she hit rock bottom due to unemployment. But Bayley giving her the call to return saved her. "I was at rock bottom. And she was the only one to extend a hand to help me." Kai made it clear she would do anything to protect Bayley and SKY. IYO too stressed she would go to great lengths to protect Bayley and Kai.

October 24th 2022: Bayley defeated RAW Women's Champion Bianca Belair in a non-title match on RAW.

October 31st 2022: Asuka & Alexa Bliss defeated Kai & SKY to win the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles on RAW.

November 5th 2022: Kai & SKY win back the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. Bayley loses her second televised shot at the RAW Women's Championship, defeated by Bianca Belair in a Last Woman Standing Match.

November 26th 2022: Team Bianca Belair defeated Team Damage CTRL to win the Women's WarGames Match at Survivor Series. Becky Lynch pinned Dakota Kai who started the match for her team. Dakota was considered by many to be the glue of her team. The Women's WarGames Match is also considered by many to be Kai's main roster breakout performance. From some great spots to bumping and selling like mad... Dakota Kai showed up and showed out.

November 28th 2022: Becky Lynch mauled all three members of Damage CTRL in a brawl. Later on, Dakota Kai gave what many consider another main roster breakout performance even in a competitive match loss to Candice LeRae.

December 5th 2022: Prior to Bayley winning a triple threat match to qualify for a #1 contender match for the RAW Women's Championship, she was confronted by Damage CTRL's arch-rival Becky Lynch. Becky showed Kai and SKY some respect, pointing out they were the tag team champions while Bayley had failed to win any championship gold. This eat at Bayley.

December 12th 2022: IYO SKY pinned Candice LeRae clean in a match on RAW. Earlier in the show, Bayley lost that #1 contender match.

December 12th 2022 Speculation/Something to Ponder: This shot from WWE.COM might be nothing but Bayley's look is worth pointing out. A hint of envy from The Role Model?

December 19th 2022: Bayley pinned arch-rival Becky Lynch to end The Year 2022 on a high note for Damage CTRL just a couple days after Kai and SKY retained their tag team titles against Tegan Nox & Liv Morgan on the December 16th 2022 episode of SmackDown.

January 2nd 2023: Becky Lynch confronted Damage CTRL, pointing out that Kai & SKY do the work while Bayley reaps the glory. She suggested Bayley is their lackey. Becky brought up Bayley's relationship with Sasha Banks, pointing out how she always lived in Sasha's shadow. She went onto to say that after finally breaking out on her own for a bit, Bayley had returned to living in the shadow, this time of Kai and SKY. Becky felt someone would eventually turn on someone in the ranks of Damage CTRL. Damage CTRL took offense to what Becky said but seeds of eventual doubt were planted if they should choose to grow.

The confrontation led to a match where SKY and Kai defeated Lynch & "Michin" Mia Yim. In the first half of the match, Kai made a sacrifice for the team, taking a blow meant for SKY. At the end, Kai again sacrificed for her team taking Eat Defeat from Mia so SKY could masterfully crash down on Michin with Over the Moonsault to get the pinfall victory.

January 2nd 2023 Speculation/Something to Ponder: Possibly just a mistake by the technical folks but will point out anyway in case it was a seed. During Damage CTRL's entrance, they came out for a team segment to Bayley's video and music instead of the team stuff like usual.

January 9th 2023: Bayley accused Becky Lynch of being jealous of her bond with Kai and SKY in response to what Lynch said the previous week. Bayley went on to give Kai and SKY the night off "out of appreciation for their hard work". It was implied by commentary that Becky's words to her the previous week were getting to her.

January 9th 2023 Speculation/Something to Ponder: Was Bayley actually giving them the night off "out of appreciation for their hard work" as she stated? Or was it self-motivated, not wanting to give life to the notion she was in their shadow?

January 28th 2023: Damage CTRL worked as a well oiled unit during the Women's Royal Rumble Match, raking up an impressive string of eliminations including NXT Women's Champion Roxanne Perez by all three members, Candice LeRae by SKY and Becky Lynch via Bayley.

January 30th 2023: During the last two months, Damage CTRL were on their way to re-establishing some dominance following the loss at WarGames. Kai and SKY were still the tag team champions. Bayley got her win over Lynch. They had an impressive showing in the Rumble. On this RAW, it was revealed Kai was injured. Becky Lynch wanted her cage match against Bayley that The Role Model evaded the prior week after agreeing to it.

After Bayley choose to be selfish and not agree to finally having the match, Lynch dragged out the injured Kai with a chair wrapped around her previously injured knee, threatening to end her career delivering the Pillmanizer. Bayley ultimately choose to be selfless and give Becky the cage match in order to save her friend. After re-establishing some dominance for a bit, the events of January 30th 2023 would set in motion a chain of drastic events to come for Damage CTRL.

February 6th 2023: During her entrance, Bayley told Dakota she was doing this match for her. Becky Lynch won the cage match against Bayley. Interference by Kai and SKY gave Bayley a chance to win but WWE Hall of Famer Lita came to Becky's aid, slamming the cage door in Bayley's face. The mercy Bayley showed to her friend Dakota Kai the previous week led to this cage match that brought Lita into play on a regular basis going forward, setting up further events that were bad for Damage CTRL.

February 20th 2023: There was an episode of Bayley's talk show Ding Dong, Hello! during RAW. Bayley was very much showing Kai and SKY love on Family Day as she called them her family. She stated nobody will ever love them more than her. Becky and Lita challenged SKY and the injured Kai to a tag team title match. Kai and SKY were reluctant to accept since Kai was still on crutches. But Bayley's ego was goaded, leading to her accepting the match for her team without their consent. Kai and SKY were clearly not thrilled.

During the post show RAW Talk, Kai expressed concern that the tag team title defense was a bad idea. Bayley told SKY and Kai it wasn't, pointing out they dominated the Rumble. The Role Model promised them that she would never do anything to jeopardize their title reign or the sisterhood of Damage CTRL. Kai seemed reassured though maybe still a bit uncertain. SKY vowed they would walk into WrestleMania 39 as champions.

February 20th 2023 Speculation/Something to Ponder: Bayley accepting the match without her team's consent to goad her own ego mirrored behavior she displayed prior to her betraying Sasha Banks back in the Summer of 2020.

February 27th 2023: WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus took out Bayley, paving the way for Becky Lynch and Lita to defeat Kai and SKY to win the tag team titles. Bayley's act of mercy on January 30th 2023 was the catalyst for two allies to come to Becky's side which brought about Damage CTRL losing the tag team titles.

March 6th 2023: Once again, Bayley didn't ask Kai and SKY for consent, goaded into accepting them and her into a Six Woman Tag Team Match at WrestleMania 39 against Trish Stratus, Becky Lynch and Lita. After Bayley accepted the match, Kai and SKY clearly weren't in agreement but were won over by Bayley's "I got a plan" grin.

March 6th 2023 Speculation/Something to Ponder: Kai and SKY were clearly peeved by Bayley speaking for them again, perhaps hinting that wanted to go after the tag titles -- although that was never confirmed. Bayley was quick to get them to revert to "do anything for Bayley mode", implying with her grin she had a plan in place. Like on RAW Talk 2/20/23, they end up feeling reassured putting trust in her call despite not giving their consent and originally being uncertain.

March 27th 2023: Damage CTRL confronted Team Becky on Miz TV during WrestleMania RAW. Becky pointed out prior to aligning with Bayley, Kai was already a two time NXT Women's Tag Team Champion and SKY was considered one of the greatest NXT Women's Champions. But under Bayley's leadership they lost the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship, and as a faction they have accomplished nothing of note. After MIZ TV, IYO lost a competitive match to Becky that many consider SKY's main roster breakout performance.

March 27th 2023 Speculation/Something to Ponder: Bayley was clearly affected by Becky's words based off her look at Kai. She turned to look at IYO too. We can logically assume Bayley gave SKY the same look, however the production truck flubbed not getting a shot of Bayley's face. Go figure, a time when a camera cut was actually needed it wasn't made.

April 1st 2023: During WrestleMania 39 Saturday, Damage CTRL gave it a good fight as a unit but still lost to Becky Lynch, Lita and Trish Stratus.

April 1st 2023 Speculation/Something to Ponder: During the video package for the match, Bayley had a line where she said Damage CTRL is all about Dakota, IYO and HER where it felt the emphasis was on the word HER. Is that overanalyzing? Or did you feel there was emphasis?

April 3rd 2023: On the RAW After WrestleMania, Bayley did not accompany Kai and SKY to the ring for their #1 contenders match to determine who would challenge Becky Lynch and Lita for the tag team titles. Kai and SKY lost the match.

April 10th 2023: Bayley had a lengthy conversation with WWE official Adam Pearce where she claimed all he could talk about was the upcoming WWE Draft. Her reason for meeting with him was because she was supposed to get and SKY and Kai a shot at the tag team titles. Instead, it resulted in her getting put into a triple threat match where the winner could get a RAW Women's Championship match.

Bayley claimed she asked Pearce to be put into the triple threat match because as champion she would have the clout to keep her faction together during the upcoming WWE Draft. Kai and SKY weren't happy with her selfish choice, wanting one of them to have that chance since Bayley already had a couple title shots. Bayley agreed to talk to Pearce but exited the scene in a huff, taken a back that the women she promised opportunities to would want them over her getting yet another.

IYO SKY replaced Bayley in the triple threat match and won. Dakota was genuinely happy for her friend prior, during and after. Bayley was unenthusiastic, clearly not happy even as she tried to fake it. This behavior continued on RAW Talk where they ended the segment with a group hug yet still a hint of uncertainty about Bayley.

April 10th 2023 Speculation/Something to Ponder: Both of Bayley's conversations with Adam Pearce would make a great case for the return of GTV or Hacker Mustafa Ali. Did Bayley ever intend to meet with Adam Pearce to get a tag team title match for her team? Or were her intentions all along to string them into thinking she was, fully intending on making her case for the triple threat inclusion?

April 17th 2023: Dakota Kai wanted to prove she deserved a future RAW Women's Title shot by facing Bianca Belair in a non-title match. Kai gave a spirited effort but lost. Last week, Bayley was not enthusiastic about IYO being in the match where the winner might get a title shot in the future. For this match, Bayley seemed supportive of Dakota yet there were hints of displeasure. After the match, Bayley gave Dakota a comforting embrace but her face glared a bit cold.

In a Digital Exclusive, Bayley tried to sugarcoat the loss which Dakota objected to admitting she simply failed. It was a confidence shaking night for Dakota, leaving her uncertain what was next for her. But Kai encouraged IYO that she's the one who has to win the championship for Damage CTRL. Bayley was visibly not thrilled with that sentiment by Kai. IYO said she had figured out Bianca's weakness and would defeat her.

April 17th 2023 Speculation/Something to Ponder: Just like with IYO's triple threat match last week, Bayley didn't make any effort to intervene on Dakota's behalf like she usually does in Damage CTRL matches. Both instances of not intervening might imply she wasn't keen on her allies winning their matches since she feels entitled to getting a title match instead of them. The opposite of Kai and SKY who were supportive of each other getting opportunities.

April 24th 2023: It's announced Bianca Belair will defend the RAW Women's Championship against IYO SKY at WWE Backlash on May 6th 2023. SKY challenged Bianca to have the match on Monday Night RAW. Bayley still not on board with her girls getting spotlight over her objected, getting Dakota Kai and IYO to humor themselves into a six woman tag team match against Belair, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Dakota was a good friend to both Bayley and IYO yet her expressions hinted she didn't like Bayley again making decisions for them. There was a hint of respect shown between Bianca and IYO at the end of the segment.

Dakota and IYO did the majority of the work for Damage CTRL during the six woman tag. In the end, SKY evaded a KOD only for Bianca to smash her into the ring post. That was followed by Belair pinning Bayley to score the win for her team. Another case of Bayley being selfish instead of letting IYO face Bianca for the title like SKY wanted. Her selfishness could have resulted in IYO losing momentum. Fortunately, that seemingly isn't lost since the ring post smash and defeat enraged IYO making her more lethal therefore determined to defeat Bianca for the title.

April 24th 2023 Speculation/Something to Ponder: Dakota is a good friend to both Bayley and IYO. Her friendship with Bayley was the genesis for Damage CTRL. IYO doesn't have that same connection, and has loner tendencies. If there's a hint of Dakota trying to give Bayley benefit of the doubt more than IYO does, that would make sense given the difference in their relationships. Still, Kai clearly has IYO's back and isn't on board with Bayley speaking for them.

April 28th 2023: Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai, IYO SKY, Bayley) got drafted to SmackDown during Night 1 of the 2023 WWE Draft. This means the Damage CTRL storyline whatever it turns out to be will move from RAW to SmackDown. The roster changes go into effect starting with the May 8th 2023 episode of Monday Night RAW.

May 1st 2023: Bayley felt she let Dakota and IYO down by getting pinned last week during the Six Woman Tag Team Match she forced in the first place. To make amends, Bayley gets Dakota and her a non-title match against tag champs Raquel and Liv. Dakota and Bayley win. Kai did the heavy lifting but Bayley came to the rescue at a pivotal point. Bayley scored the pin for the team, hitting a sunset flip on Morgan. After the match, Bayley shouts for the world to scream her name.

Later on RAW, Damage CTRL confront Bianca who encourages IYO that both Dakota and Bayley have held her back. Neither Dakota or IYO appreciate that, perhaps Bayley more so. Bianca tells IYO she can finally step out onto her own...after she loses to The EST at Backlash. IYO fires back in Japanese. Dakota offers to translate but Bianca cuts her off, insisting IYO and her understand each other. IYO agrees. Bayley gives a lot of ill looks during the confrontation. Dakota was a harder read this week.

May 1st 2023 Speculation: For awhile now, it's been implied and even said BOTH Kai and SKY are held back by Bayley. Dakota has been supporting IYO and hints doubt about Bayley even though she's been trying to be a good friend to both. This week, all of a sudden both Kai and Bayley are holding IYO back according to Bianca. It feels like the direction is now Dakota and Bayley bitter about the thought of IYO being successful without them which feels a sudden change in tone from what has literally been there for awhile. Time will tell if this is actually the new direction or hopefully not.

May 5th 2023: SmackDown. The eve of IYO SKY challenging RAW Women's Champion Bianca Belair for the championship. Damage CTRL were portrayed as a unified force. No tension. No concerning looks. Bayley stated with conviction that IYO will become RAW Women's Champion and soon Dakota and her will win the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. They attacked Bianca until Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan came to Belair's aid. In addition to IYO facing Belair at Backlash, Bayley and Dakota will challenge Liv and Raquel for the tag team titles on the 5/12/23 episode of SmackDown.

May 5th 2023 Speculation: I made note in the below final thoughts when the first version of this article was posted that one of the many futures could be Damage CTRL working stuff out. Is the unity shown on SmackDown a sign that is where their storyline is headed? Or is the next week the beginning of the end?

May 6th 2023: IYO challenged RAW Women's Champion Bianca Belair at Backlash. Kai and Bayley weren't initially present at ringside. During the aisle walk, Dakota tried to talk Bayley out of it to no avail. Bayley caused a distraction. SKY saw Kai waiting near the ropes and slumped Bianca on the ropes. Kai discreetly struck Bianca with a kick. SKY ascended to the top rope for Over the Moonsault. Dakota was cheering on IYO while Bayley haphazardly grabbed Bianca's braid. The referee caught Bayley, forcing her to let go. Bayley's failed distraction gave Belair enough time to recoup so she evaded SKY's moonsault leading to Bianca retaining the title.

May 6th 2023 Speculation: Dakota trying to talk Bayley out of going down suggests she believed IYO didn't need help. That said, Bayley's initial interference did at least provide SKY and Kai with a helpful moment. It's true SKY didn't need the help, but tossing Bianca to the ropes hinted she trusted Dakota to be discreet in offering a just to be safe blow. IYO had victory in the bag at that point. Bayley pulling Bianca's braid was unnecessary, costing SKY the match. Considering how haphazard Bayley was, one has to wonder if she didn't do it suspecting the referee would catch her because she didn't want IYO to win. Commentary put the blame on Bayley not Dakota. Despite that promo from Bianca on the 5/01/23 RAW suggesting a direction change, the storyline coming out of Backlash still appears to thankfully be Bayley holding both Dakota and IYO back.

May 7th, 2023: In a supplemental entry, Dakota Kai responded to the Official WWE Twitter Birthday Tweet for IYO SKY with a sweet video of her giving her friend a hug. Bayley responded angrily, questioning why she wasn't present for that. Apparently, Bayley thinks everyday is Bayley Day. That's Miro Day.

May 12th 2023: Damage CTRL are interviewed about Dakota Kai and Bayley challenging Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan for the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles. Bayley boasts she's a great leader like Roman Reigns. Though she takes fault for the unnecessary interference that cost IYO SKY the RAW Women's Championship at Backlash, Bayley also discredits SKY claiming she pushed her before IYO was ready for such a match. Dakota and IYO are clearly not in agreement with what Bayley is saying. Bayley goes on to promise Dakota that her leadership will win them the tag titles. Kai peps up at the prospect of Damage CTRL having championship gold again.

Raquel and Liv retain the titles thanks to Bayley's incessant need to show "leadership" instead of hitting The Rose Plant on the prone Morgan that might have been enough for the win. Bayley had Kai grab a title to distract the referee. SKY was told by Bayley to grab the other. Raquel won the tug of war with SKY over the title. Morgan knocked Bayley into SKY who fell off the apron. Raquel clotheslined Kai. Morgan rolled up Bayley for the win. SKY looked disappointed. Bayley was seething angry beneath that she knows she promised and didn't deliver look.

May 19th 2023: It was revealed that Dakota Kai suffered an injury during the match on the 5/12/23 episode of SmackDown. Team Kick Source wishes The Captain best during her recovery.

June 8th 2023: During the time Dakota Kai isn't present, key moments of the storyline will continue to be covered in The Damage CTRL Appendices. From time to time, I will also continue updating this article with key moments.

June 2023: IYO SKY and Bayley both qualified for the 2023 Women's Money in the Bank Match on the June 9th 2023 episode of SmackDown. It was all smiles between them with a declaration that someone from Damage CTRL would win the briefcase yet both clearly wanted it to be them not the other. Tensions rose after Bayley tried to assist IYO in a match against Zelina Vega only for it to backfire and cost SKY. Afterward backstage, SKY furiously asked Bayley if she trusts her. Bayley insisted she does but implied she was just trying to help.

Shotzi challenged Bayley to put her spot in the Money in the Bank match on the line. SKY said Bayley would, insisting to Bayley she was just trying to help. Bayley was miffed but knew she walked right into that. The match took place on the June 30th 2023 episode of SmackDown. Bayley won with an assist from SKY. Despite the tension over the Vega and Shotzi stuff, SKY and Bayley seemed on the same page now to let the best woman win the contract when or if it came down to them.

July 1st 2023: IYO SKY won the 2023 Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match, securing the briefcase with the contract for a shot at any Women's Championship at the time and place of her choosing. SKY and Bayley initially worked as a unit. At one point, it was just them and a ladder with both trying to position it, clearly hinting tension with who would climb up. Becky Lynch put a stop to that and the match rolled on. SKY finally was alone with a ladder, making the climb. Bayley unbeknownst to SKY toppled the ladder and IYO over.

Becky and Bayley would battle to reach the contract. SKY handcuffed them together and even used Bayley as a stepping stone to reach the top and grab the briefcase. Bayley was peeved as SKY celebrated but in good spirits during the post-show press conference. SKY said the briefcase belongs to Damage CTRL. Bayley reminded everyone they did what they said they would do, noting there was no tension and all was good between SKY and her. Bayley's body language and way she said that could be taken as suspect.

Bayley was going to carry the briefcase as they exited the conference. SKY clearly wanted to. There was a playful tease by Bayley to not oblige but she did. The briefcase belongs to Damage CTRL but SKY clearly holds its fate in her hands.

August 2023: Bayley made a selfless choice, paving the way for IYO SKY to cash in the Money in the Bank contract at SummerSlam. Dakota Kai returned to celebrate. Any tensions in Damage CTRL appear to be a thing of the past as the faction is united, strong as ever. Bayley is fully supportive of SKY. Dakota is back in a non-wrestling role as moral support and traffic guide.

Fall 2023: Dakota Kai supports IYO SKY. Bayley is living vicariously through SKY's championship reign. She's back to her old tricks, speaking for IYO instead of letting her speak. Lacks confidence in her to handle things on her own. Even "joked" about facing IYO for the title at Crown Jewel. Dakota and IYO are getting fed up.

Final Thoughts For Now: Last July, many understandably thought Damage CTRL would be a dominate faction who at some point held the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles and at least one of the singles Women's Titles. Instead, Kai and SKY held the tag titles for a bit but Bayley never won a singles title. Some blamed the booking, however is it possible Damage CTRL were never supposed to be what we thought? Was the point for Kai and SKY to have the success and for Bayley not to in order to lay the groundwork for the betrayal and feud where Bayley puts them over?

In the storyline, why did Bayley actually form Damage CTRL? To benefit others? Or for her own fame and glory? It's possible she initially had good intentions and wasn't just looking out for herself. But when Kai and SKY found some success and she didn't, slowly but surely we've seen how not-so-well Bayley has taken it. Obviously, none of us including myself know exactly how things will play out. I'm basing speculation on what has felt presented since July. There are many possible futures including one where the faction could still work things out. Only time will tell what the future holds for The Ladies. Dakota Kai. IYO SKY. Bayley. Damage CTRL.