Jade Cargill, one of WWE’s promising talents, has recently found herself in an uncertain creative position that could stall her momentum. Despite her growing popularity with fans, WWE’s creative decisions have left her without a clear gimmick, placing her career at a crossroads in mid-2025.
At the Night of Champions event, Cargill appeared poised for a breakthrough after defeating Asuka in the Queen of the Ring Tournament final, which earned her a shot at the Women’s Championship. This title opportunity was set for SummerSlam, positioning her for a significant push within the women’s division.
Unexpected SummerSlam Outcome and Its Fallout
At SummerSlam, Jade Cargill faced Tiffany Stratton, who had held the women’s title since January 2025 and had become a dynamic champion. While many anticipated Cargill to emerge victorious, she was surprisingly defeated cleanly by Stratton, a creative twist that confused many observers.
Following this setback, Cargill’s appearances have been limited to backstage segments, where she has confronted Stratton on back-to-back SmackDown episodes. This restrained spotlight contrasts sharply with the buzz generated around her earlier in the year, raising concerns about WWE’s long-term plans for her character.
Wrestling veteran Magnum T.A. addressed this issue on The Four Horsemen Network podcast, cautioning that an early push might be premature for Cargill and risky for her future prospects:
“Obviously, they had Jade do the favor in that match in SummerSlam. And a lot of people thought she was gonna win. But in fairness, and no criticism to her, she’s gotten better and better, but she’s still not quite ready and to put her in the position before she’s ready will only hurt her in the long run. So, you know, she’s gotten there. I don’t think they need to push her back, and say, ‘Ah, this just isn’t working out’ because there’s something major there.” —Magnum T.A., Wrestling Veteran
Jade Cargill and Naomi’s Heated Rivalry Evolves
Throughout much of 2025, Jade Cargill engaged in a highly intense feud with Naomi, who had been revealed as Cargill’s attacker during a November 2024 attack that sidelined her until Elimination Chamber. Their rivalry combined moments of humor with increasingly grim and dramatic exchanges.
The feud culminated at the Evolution event, where Cargill emerged victorious against Naomi in a No Holds Barred match, refereed by Bianca Belair. This pivotal moment solidified Cargill’s toughness and in-ring growth during a challenging storyline arc.
On August 18’s episode of RAW, Naomi announced she was pregnant and relinquished the Women’s World Championship. In a surprising and heartfelt gesture, Jade Cargill publicly congratulated Naomi, signaling a possible end to their bitter conflict:
“Girl I hate you so bad!!!CONGRATULATIONS 😭😭😭😭😭😭♥️🍼🍼🍼🍼🤰🏽,” she wrote.
Additional Headlines Reflecting WWE’s Current Landscape
Outside of Cargill’s storyline, WWE has recently been active with a variety of developments. Kevin Nash confronted a former WWE star over an imitation gimmick adopted in another promotion, underscoring ongoing tensions between WWE alumni and rival companies.
Roman Reigns notably assisted Jey Uso in securing a major win on WWE RAW, adding momentum to the family’s dominant presence in the promotion.
WWE is rumored to be preparing a surprise early debut on ESPN with a premium live event (PLE) before its official broadcast deal begins in 2026, marking a potential shift in the company’s media exposure.
In addition, a former TNA champion is reportedly set to play a significant role on an upcoming WWE show, signaling WWE’s continued tendency to integrate talent from other wrestling organizations.
WWE Hall of Famer Torrie Wilson recently revealed she was pitched an outrageous storyline concept she would never have accepted, providing insight into creative limits resisted by some talents during their careers.
An ex-WWE star admitted to enjoying participation in a controversial incest-centered storyline, illuminating the complicated reception of provocative wrestling narratives.
Legendary wrestler Vince McMahon would reportedly have prevented Karrion Kross from leaving WWE, suggesting a different direction for the talent under McMahon’s leadership.
A wrestling veteran also shared startling perspectives on John Cena’s rare heel run, capturing the intrigue surrounding one of WWE’s most iconic stars when portraying a villain.
The Significance of WWE’s Creative Direction for Jade Cargill
Jade Cargill’s current creative predicament highlights the delicate balance WWE must maintain in developing rising stars while meeting fan expectations. Her recent loss at SummerSlam, combined with subdued storylines since, reveals the risks of accelerating a performer’s push too soon.
Should WWE fail to find a clear and impactful direction for Cargill soon, her potential may be curtailed, despite the strong fan enthusiasm that initially surrounded her. Industry voices like Magnum T.A. suggest patience is key, indicating that while setbacks are present, Cargill’s growth is ongoing and her breakthrough remains possible.
With ongoing rivalries settling and fresh chapters opening in WWE’s women’s division, the coming months will likely determine if Jade Cargill can overcome creative hurdles and fulfill the high expectations set by her early career success.
