‘Always Bet on Jade’–Why Jade Cargill’s Signing with WWE Holds Massive Potential
Jade Cargill on becoming the first signing by WWE in its new TKO era: “That means I have even more to prove”
WWE found its newest superstar.
The company announced yesterday that Jade Cargill has committed to a multi-year deal, making her the first signing of WWE’s TKO era.
“That means I have even more to prove,” said Cargill. “I’m going to show there is no one like me. I’ve proved everybody wrong my entire life. That’s been my journey–I’m undeniable. Always bet on Jade. If people still don’t like me, I bet you they still tune in.”
A comic book character with an action figure physique, Cargill has yet to scratch the surface of her stardom. Only 31, she started her career in AEW, debuting in March of 2021 in a wildly entertaining mixed tag between herself and Shaquille O’Neal against Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet.
The touring structure of AEW is entirely different from WWE, so Cargill has only worked a total of 64 matches. In terms of her singles career, she has never wrestled a match that extended beyond ten minutes. A lot of that was by design in AEW, where she was newer to the industry and booked to decimate her opponents during a 60-match winning streak.
Jade began training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando yesterday, and she plans on evolving in the ring. She worked extensively with Bryan Danielson in AEW, displaying a hunger and persistence that is embedded within every great athlete.
“There is no way to create a legacy or become a household name by just showing up,” said Cargill. “I’m not going to take anything for granted. No one will say, and no one has ever said, ‘Jade is lazy’ or ‘Jade is just trying to get by on her looks.’ That’s because I work my butt off. I worked with Bryan, and this was before I’d have matches. I’d be sweating my butt off, taking hard bumps, feeling like my shoulder was about to give out, but I didn’t care if I was tired or sore. I was getting the best coaching, and I wasn’t about to take that for granted. Even if that meant I was about to pass out, I was going to put in the work. If I’m lacking in an area, I’m working on it. That’s how I was raised. I know nothing is perfect, but dang, you can get close. And that’s my goal.”
Cargill expressed gratitude for her time in AEW. It provided a significant platform to reach new heights, and the timing was especially meaningful after she had a WWE tryout in 2019 that did not result in a contract.
“They gave me my start,” said Cargill. “I worked with Cody and Shaq on national television. It was an incredible way to get started.”
Thanks to her experience, Cargill enters WWE a far more polished performer than she ever could have imagined in 2019. She has had a lengthy title run in AEW, cut promos in front of live crowds, and began to experience some of the highs and lows of the industry.
“I know more about the business,” said Cargill. “I also know now to give myself grace. Somebody’s going to be talking, and that’s OK. I just need to keep moving forward. The people who say I can’t do it, they’ve never lived in my shoes.”
Cargill’s journey is defined by her ability to make the most of all her gifts and all her opportunities. She now embraces a new challenge, surrounded by an exceptional roster where every single person wants to be the next to headline WrestleMania.
“I understand what I’m here for,” said Cargill. “I want to capture gold and I want to headline WrestleMania, but none of that is handed out. I want to work to create those phenomenal moments. I want to have marquee matches, I want to get people talking, and I want to create something bigger than myself.
“I came here to work with the best women’s wrestlers in the world. That’s what I am here for. I would have never embarked on this journey if it weren’t for the leadership qualities this company has. The phenomenal coaching staff, too. I want to come in, get even better, make people’s mouths drop, and have these dream matches. I want to pull people into wrestling. I want to pull people from the outside into wrestling, and I want to get them to stay.”
The change of scenery for Cargill opens the possibility of wrestling a whole new slate of opponents. If she starts in NXT, all eyes will be on Cargill and Becky Lynch. If it is on SmackDown, there will be potential for matches and programs with Bayley, Bianca Belair, Iyo Sky, and Charlotte Flair–or on Raw against Rhea Ripley and Asuka, just to name a few.
Despite all the new changes and challenges, the narrative remains the same. Cargill needs to be extraordinary to defy the odds. In order to carve an enduring place for herself in wrestling’s history, her work in WWE will need to be exceptional.
“I never would have embarked on this challenge if I didn’t think I was going to be great,” said Cargill. “People will say what they want, but regardless of whether it’s good or bad, they’re still talking. It makes a great story.”
The (Online) Week in Wrestling
- Showing more signs of a heel turn, Drew McIntyre was phenomenal on Raw this past Monday.
- Despite suffering a concussion, Jon Moxley escaped further serious injury in his match last week on Dynamite against Fenix. The finish was changed on the fly, and Fenix won the International title.
- Dragon Lee did not get the win, but he shined in defeat on Raw against Dominik Mysterio.
- Adam Cole is making a return to the indies.
- Ric Flair spoke with SI’s Nick Ferguson last week about Deion Sanders. While Flair was wrong with his prediction (“There's no way they lose to Oregon by three touchdowns,” he said, referring to Colorado–who were trounced, 42-6, by Oregon), he did share some fascinating insight on Sanders.
- Recommended reading: Anthony Bowens wrote a piece for The Players’ Tribune (Enough time has passed since they threatened litigation over SI’s Wrestlers’ Tribune series).
- Eddie Kingston has signed a new contract with AEW.
- This post from his widow is a painful reminder of the intense grieving from those desperately missing Windham Rotunda.
WrestleDream match will be a real test for Bryan Danielson
Bryan Danielson has a major test in front of him.
And no, it’s not just Zack Sabre Jr.
This Sunday, Danielson will wrestle Sabre, the New Japan Pro-Wrestling star, at the WrestleDream pay-per-view. A priority, as always, will be to have a superb match. But Danielson also needs to wrestle in a manner that protects his own health.
Throughout the year, Danielson has been injured in a number of big matches. He hurt himself in the 65-minute Iron Man bout against MJF in March, then went back on the injured list after fracturing his forearm in a match against Kazuchika Okada in June.
“There is the realization that over the past year,” Danielson told Sports Illustrated earlier this month. “I’m getting hurt after every big match I have.”
Reason for optimism has emerged in Danielson’s past two singles matches, both of which took place against Ricky Starks. Their first was a strap match at All Out, where a bloody, physical battle ensued. The second was a Texas Death bout this past Saturday on Collision, which, again, was outstanding.
Danielson and Starks appeared to be genuinely hurting each other, yet both are masters of the art and walked away largely unscathed. That will be the goal for this Sunday at WrestleDream, where Danielson needs to avoid another stint on the DL, especially with his full-time career wrapping up next year.
Tweet of the Week
FTR vs. The Workhorsemen on Collision was outstanding.
