WWE: Dakota Kai on SummerSlam Return, New Executive Hiring, AJ Ferrari Sexual Battery Arrest

Dakota Kai Comments on Her Return at SummerSlam 2022 Being “Last Minute” Decision

This past Sunday’s WWE SummerSlam 2022 event featured the surprise returns of Bayley and Dakota Kai and the official call-up for Io Shirari, under the new ring name of IYO SKY.

A recent episode of WWE The Bump had Kai as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Kai’s thoughts on her return to WWE for their SummerSlam 2022 being a “last minute” type decision by the company.

“Honestly, it still feels like a whirlwind to me with everything that happened. It all happened so last minute too. To be talking with you guys is insane to me. Everything that happened since Saturday has been insane. It’s been crazy.”

Kai also gave her thoughts on getting to work with Bayley and SKY as a group.

“Bayley and I, we’ve been kind of talking about something like this for a long time. It hasn’t been something that was spurred overnight. This has been something we’ve wanted for years. The fact that it actually happened and to be under her guidance is insane because she’s literally amazing and great. IYO and I, we’ve known each other a long time, when I first went to Japan and she is literally one of the best in the world. To be alongside these two women is a dream. Everything that’s happened is something you think of in a fever dream, you don’t think it’s really going to happen, but the fact that it has and I’m alongside these two amazing people is crazy.”

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources confirmed that Kai’s return to WWE was a very last minute type decision. WWE officials reportedly had quickly put together a deal for Kai and had her travel to Nashville the night before the event. Johnson reported that WWE officials kept Kai hidden from everyone in a bus until it was time for her surprise return at the show.

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

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WWE Hires New SVP of Global Sales & Partnership

WWE recently announced that they have hired Craig Stimmel to be their new Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Partnership.

Prior to his hiring, Stimmel had worked the past three years at Snapchat as their Head of Global Brands.

Official press release:

WWE^® Names Craig Stimmel SVP & Head of Global Sales & Partnerships

08/02/2022

STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced the appointment of Craig Stimmel as Senior Vice President and Head of Global Sales & Partnerships. Stimmel, who previously held leadership roles across Snapchat, Procter and Gamble and NCR, will report to WWE Chairwoman & co-CEO Stephanie McMahon and WWE co-CEO Nick Khan.

As head of WWE’s Global Sales & Partnerships division, Stimmel will be a key member of the company’s senior management team, responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and leading WWE’s sales organization while expanding its roster of sponsors and promotional partnerships.

Stimmel spent the last three years as Head of Global Brands at Snapchat, where he was responsible for creating and leading the company’s Global Brand organization. Prior to that, Stimmel served in various leadership positions across Procter and Gamble, including overseeing partnerships and marketing ideation for the company’s Media Investment team.

Stimmel earned his Bachelor of Science in Business-Accounting from the University of Dayton.

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WWE NIL Signee AJ Ferrari Arrested for Felony Sexual Battery

WWE Next In Line signee AJ Ferrari reportedly was recently charged with felony sexual battery, according to The Oklahoman.

It was reported that a judge in the Payne County District Court charged Ferrari with one count of felony sexual battery and had issued a warrant for his arrest on Wednesday. It was also reported that a $25,000 bond was also set for Ferrari. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that recent records from the Payne County Sheriff’s Office stated that this bond had been paid within the past twenty-four hours allowing Ferrari to be bailed out of jail.

Ferrari was dismissed from Oklahoma State’s wrestling team over allegations of him committing sexual assault towards a woman this past July. This woman had been granted an emergency protective order shortly afterwards and Stillwater Police Department had announced that they had opened an investigation against him.

Ferrari’s current status with WWE and their NIL program is currently not known.