On his Rikishi Fatu Off The Top podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi shared his thoughts on Jade Cargill WWE future potential, addressing recent reports suggesting WWE officials may not yet see her on par with Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley. Despite this, Rikishi emphasized Cargill’s distinctive star quality and athletic physique, comparing her favorably to iconic wrestler Chyna.
He remarked,
“You don’t get specimens that look like that often. That’s like a reborn [version] of Chyna… the black version. You see her, she looked like a goddess. You can stick her in a Marvel movie, and that movie will be a hit.”
—Rikishi, WWE Hall of Famer
Jade Cargill’s Rise from AEW to WWE
Rikishi highlighted Cargill’s impressive foundation in professional wrestling, noting her arrival in WWE after a significant AEW run where she debuted on live television in March 2021 alongside Shaquille O’Neal. Without following the traditional independent circuit path, she quickly rose as a dominant force in AEW, maintaining an undefeated streak and becoming the first-ever AEW TBS Champion. She held the title for over 500 days before transitioning to WWE in 2023.
Challenges and Growth in Today’s WWE Environment
Upon joining WWE, Cargill’s development has been closely observed due to the current roster’s leaner live event schedule compared to earlier periods. This results in fewer non-televised matches, meaning most of her progress happens in front of worldwide viewers. Rikishi advocated for a patient and tailored approach to her growth, focusing on improving her in-ring skills and psychology.
He shared,
“There’s always a way to work around, if it’s the athletic ability, or the psychology, the working, whatever the case may be. If it was me, I’d be patient with her. I would just give her a little bit more extra repetitions, you know, in the ring and kind of… tap into the weak spots.”
—Rikishi, WWE Hall of Famer
Learning from Rhea Ripley’s Progression
Rikishi compared Cargill’s development to that of Rhea Ripley, who similarly required time to discover her rhythm within WWE. He encouraged WWE not to lose faith in Cargill’s potential, pointing to Ripley’s eventual rise as one of the company’s top female stars.
“Rhea Ripley, I mean, same way. It started in the beginning, you know, until she found her groove. I don’t think that maybe Jade didn’t find it yet, but don’t give up on her yet. Hey, Rhea Ripley, look at her. She found it, and she’s one of the biggest female superstars in WWE today.”
—Rikishi, WWE Hall of Famer
Applauding the Women’s World Championship Match at SummerSlam
Rikishi also praised the triple threat Women’s World Championship match at SummerSlam featuring Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, and his daughter-in-law Trinity Fatu. He regarded it as one of the event’s standout performances due to the strong storytelling and technical skill displayed by the competitors.
“The psychology of the match between Iyo, Trinity and Rhea Ripley was absolutely on point,”
he said.
“These three girls are the signs of professional wrestlers… I felt that was one of the best matches on the card.”
—Rikishi, WWE Hall of Famer
Future Outlook for Jade Cargill in WWE
Rikishi’s insights reflect a hopeful outlook for Jade Cargill WWE future potential, emphasizing the importance of patience and focused training as she adapts to WWE’s style and audience expectations. With her remarkable background and distinct look, she is positioned to become a major presence in the company with the right guidance and experience.
