Candice LeRae recently celebrated her birthday by sharing an emotional tribute to former WWE star Dakota Kai. The SmackDown performer took to Instagram to post a birthday message for her friend, explicitly stating, “I love you and miss you,” highlighting the enduring bond between the two wrestlers.
Dakota Kai’s departure from WWE in May 2025 came as a significant surprise to fans, marking her second release from the company following her initial return at SummerSlam in 2022. During her time on the main roster, Kai was a prominent member of the faction Damage CTRL. The group has since effectively disbanded, with Kairi Sane released, Asuka currently on hiatus, and Bayley occupied with a high-profile rivalry against Lyra Valkyria.
The birthday sentiments come during a challenging week for LeRae professionally. She and her husband, Johnny Gargano, had both aimed to secure spots in the upcoming Money in the Bank ladder matches during this past Friday’s SmackDown. The pair had been hoping to earn the contract to pursue World Championship opportunities, but their respective paths to the event were blocked.
LeRae fell short in her qualification attempt, which ultimately saw Tiffany Stratton punch her ticket to the ladder match in a bout that also featured Tatum Paxley. Similarly, Gargano’s aspirations were thwarted in the men’s bracket. In a surprising turn, Kevin Owens emerged victorious after an interference from Randy Orton prevented Cody Rhodes from breaking up a pin, leaving Gargano with the loss.
Despite their recent efforts assisting Sami Zayn, LeRae and Gargano remain without a place in the Money in the Bank event scheduled for next weekend. While they continue to navigate their standing on the roster, the social media interaction serves as a reminder of the friendships maintained behind the scenes, even as individual career paths diverge within the evolving landscape of professional wrestling.
