Jade Cargill had established herself as a dominant force in AEW with the longest TBS Championship reign in the company’s history, lasting over 500 days. Her impressive run came to a sudden end at the 2023 Double or Nothing event in Jacksonville, Florida, when former AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander defeated her in just under a minute during an open challenge.
Statlander, known as “The Cosmic Killer,” spoke candidly in an interview with Chris Van Vliet about the challenge she faced returning from major knee surgery to face the undefeated Cargill. She described the moment as surreal and unexpected given the circumstances.
“Well, it was my first match after my second knee surgery, getting thrown into that, a title match and trying to defeat the undefeated, big task ahead of me. My goal was really to do the unimaginable and pin her. And I did that. I think a lot more things in my head was like, don’t trip on your entrance, and blah, blah, blah. I did kind of lose my balance on my entrance and I was like, great, this is off to a great this is off to a great start. But it all happened so fast that by the time I was holding the belt, I was like, where am I? What just happened? Similar feeling to when I won this one, too. Both of my title reigns were very much like, well, I guess we’re here. I did it. So yeah, my goal was just to do the impossible, I think.” – H/T ChrisVanVliet.com
Jade Cargill’s Transition to WWE and Title Defense Plans
After her defeat by Statlander, Jade Cargill departed AEW and signed with WWE in 2023. She made an impactful debut in 2024 and quickly rose to become the WWE Women’s Champion. In November 2025, Cargill secured the WWE title by defeating Tiffany Stratton, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Cargill is now preparing for a high-profile match at WrestleMania 42, set to take place in Las Vegas this year. She will defend her championship against Rhea Ripley, who earned the title shot by winning the 2026 Women’s Elimination Chamber. This showdown is highly anticipated by fans and analysts alike, promising a major event on “The Show of Shows.”
Impact and Future Implications for AEW and WWE Women’s Divisions
The end of Jade Cargill’s dominant AEW tenure marked a notable shift in the women’s wrestling landscape, showcasing Kris Statlander’s resilience and determination in overcoming significant obstacles. Statlander’s victory not only halted a historic title run but also reinvigorated competition within the AEW women’s division.
Meanwhile, Cargill’s move to WWE and rapid ascension to champion signals continued evolution in women’s wrestling across promotions. The upcoming WrestleMania 42 main event featuring Cargill and Ripley could set new standards for women’s matches on wrestling’s biggest stage. Fans and commentators will be watching closely to see how this rivalry unfolds and what it means for the future of both athletes and the sport.
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Last year at Double or Nothing 2023, Kris Statlander made a shocking return and defeated Jade Cargill.
Ending Cargill’s TBS title reign and AEW’s undefeated streak in the process !— Chris The Wrestling Informer 🇧🇪 (@Thewrestlingin1) May 26, 2024
