In parallel to her activities in NXT, Kai also appeared in the newly created "NXT UK" brand. In October, Kai took part of the first ever all women's pay-per-view, Evolution, where she unsuccessfully challenged Rhea Ripley (in a dark match) for the NXT UK Women's Championship. Before the title match, Kai took part of a tournament (that was taped back in the summer but aired in November) for the vacant championship, where she defeated Nina Samuels in the first round, but was eliminated in the semi finals by the eventual winner Ripley. After spending a few months away, Kai returned at on 17 November, where she and Io Shirai helped Kairi Sane during her match with Shayna Baszler by attacking Baszler's allies Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir who would interfere earlier on. Shortly after the event, the trio would continue to feud with Baszler, Duke and Shafir in the following weeks. On 17 January 2019, Kai announced on her Twitter page that she sustained a torn ACL, during an NXT live event in December, which would sideline her from in-ring competition for the next few months.