Anchors Aweigh: Why Kairi Sane Should Captain WWE’s First Women’s Intercontinental Title

When the bell rings and the dust settles on WWE’s Women’s Intercontinental Championship tournament, one thing is clear: the title deserves a champion who can chart new waters. Enter Kairi Sane, a pirate princess with a knack for seizing the spotlight and setting sail on uncharted paths. While the competition is stacked with talent—from Dakota Kai’s overdue rise to Lyra Valkyria’s golden past—there’s no one better suited to hoist the inaugural IC title than Kairi Sane.

Damage CTRL: The Unexpected X-Factor

Let’s talk about Damage CTRL. This faction has been dominating headlines and storylines, but it’s often Bayley and Iyo Sky who get most of the attention. Dakota Kai is making waves in this tournament, taking down heavy hitters like Shayna Baszler and Katana Chance. Yet, amidst all this chaos, Kairi Sane has quietly re-emerged, a silent storm ready to make landfall.

Sane is more than a nostalgic fan favorite; she’s the dark horse with the potential to redefine this faction. Giving her the IC title could do for Damage CTRL what Triple H’s dominance did for DX: elevate it from chaos to control.

A Pirate’s Life for WWE

Kairi Sane isn’t just a wrestler; she’s a spectacle. Her gimmick as the Pirate Princess is pure magic, blending charisma, athleticism, and that rare ability to make fans believe in fairy tales. WWE needs champions who can sell tickets, merchandise, and moments. Sane checks all those boxes.

Imagine the visual: Sane clutching the IC title, her signature wheel spinning behind her as she celebrates atop the ropes. It’s marketing gold. From cinematic promos on Stormy Seas to pirate-themed pay-per-view matches, WWE could lean heavily into the character to make the Intercontinental Championship feel special from the start.

The Underdog Story WWE Loves

Kairi Sane’s journey in WWE has been one of peaks and valleys. A former NXT Women’s Champion and one-half of the inaugural Women’s Tag Team Champions, Sane’s main roster run was cut short when injuries and external circumstances took her off TV. Her return to WWE earlier this year sparked a massive pop from fans who have long yearned to see her back in action.

WWE loves an underdog story, and Sane’s narrative is primed for that spotlight. She’s the comeback queen, the star who could have fizzled out but chose to fight her way back. An IC title run would cement her legacy and give her the spotlight she richly deserves.

Why not Dakota Kai?

Let’s address the other obvious contender: Dakota Kai. The woman has been overdue for a solo push since before TikTok was a thing. Her matches are crisp, her character work is top-tier, and her ability to draw heat rivals some of the best heels in the business. But here’s the thing: Kai’s best work happens when she’s chasing, not when she’s holding.

The IC title tournament gives Kai the chance to build her stock without the pressure of carrying a brand-new belt. Let her get to the finals, let her come heartbreakingly close, and let that loss light a fire under her for future storylines.

What About Valkyria and Vega?

Lyra Valkyria’s ascent has been meteoric, and she’s proven she can hang with the best. But the IC title needs more than in-ring excellence—it needs a champion with presence, a wrestler who can elevate the belt’s prestige from day one. Valkyria’s time will come, but the inaugural champ should be someone who’s already a household name among WWE fans.

As for Zelina Vega, her mic skills and charisma are undeniable. She’s a firecracker who could easily turn the IC title into a platform for her larger-than-life persona. However, her recent booking has been inconsistent, making her a risky choice for this historic role.

Why the Intercontinental Title Matters

The creation of the Women’s Intercontinental Championship signals a seismic shift in WWE’s women’s division. For years, the women’s roster has been pigeonholed into either the top-tier championship scene or the tag team division. An IC title offers a middle ground—a way to spotlight underutilized stars and tell layered, long-term stories.

But for this title to succeed, its first champion must hit the ground running. They need to bring legitimacy, gravitas, and excitement. They need to make the title feel like a prize worth fighting for. Kairi Sane, with her unique blend of in-ring prowess and theatricality, is the perfect candidate to do just that.

A Champion Fans Can Rally Behind

In a landscape where WWE fans are often divided, Kairi Sane is a rare unifier. Whether you’re a hardcore purist who obsesses over match quality or a casual viewer who tunes in for the drama, Sane has something for everyone. Her elbow drop is poetry in motion. Her smile lights up arenas. And her grit—evident in every bump, every promo, every step—is impossible to ignore.

Crowning her as the first Women’s Intercontinental Champion would be a moment for the ages, a feel-good story in an era where those are increasingly rare.

Booking the Future

Kairi Sane’s reign as IC Champion has limitless potential. She could feud with Dakota Kai in a storyline that pits Damage CTRL’s unity against individual ambition. She could face rising stars like Valkyria and Ivy Nile, giving them the rub while cementing her own legacy. And eventually, she could lose the title in a match so epic it makes the belt even more valuable.

But for all that to happen, WWE must first pull the trigger and give her the title.

Anchors Aweigh

As the tournament unfolds and fans debate who should win, one thing is clear: the Women’s Intercontinental Championship needs a captain, not just a champion. Kairi Sane, with her undeniable talent, infectious charisma, and pirate princess swagger, is the perfect choice to steer this ship into uncharted waters.

So hoist the sails, WWE. The Pirate Princess is ready to lead.