Jade Cargill WWE neck injury issues surfaced publicly after she was written off WWE television in late November 2024 due to an undisclosed real-life injury. Cargill has now spoken out about the injury, providing clarity on its seriousness and her ongoing recovery process.
The reigning Queen of the Ring suffered an attack in the parking lot during the November 22 episode of SmackDown, which led to her being sidelined indefinitely. She made a return at the Elimination Chamber event, where she targeted Naomi, the revealed assailant behind the ambush.
Details on Jade Cargill’s Neck Injury and Recovery
On the Club 520 podcast with former NBA player Jeff Teague, Jade Cargill described the injury as related to her neck, highlighting the challenge of her rehabilitation. Although surgery has not been required so far, she acknowledged that this might become necessary in the future, a fate common among professional wrestlers.
“I didn’t tear anything. It was more of a neck injury that could have led to surgery, but I didn’t need it. Eventually, I will, like all wrestlers do, but thankfully, not yet,” Cargill said. — Jade Cargill, Wrestler
She did not delve into exact specifics about the injury or its severity. Neck injuries are unfortunately frequent in professional wrestling, with notable wrestlers such as Kevin Owens currently recovering from neck surgery. Others who have had similar procedures include Stone Cold Steve Austin, Edge, Braun Strowman, Kurt Angle, and John Cena.
Jade Cargill’s Title Pursuit at SummerSlam Falls Short
Following her victory against Asuka to become the Queen of the Ring, Jade Cargill earned a No. 1 contender spot for the WWE Women’s Championship. She challenged Tiffany Stratton for the title at SummerSlam in front of a crowd exceeding 50,000 fans.

Despite a strong performance, Cargill was unable to capture the championship. After executing her finisher, “Jaded,” she overextended her pin attempt, causing a rope break. Stratton capitalized on this mistake by hitting her signature move, the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, to retain her belt.
This loss sets Cargill back in her pursuit of the WWE Women’s Championship, likely requiring several more key victories over top opponents to earn another title opportunity. Alternatively, she could shift her focus toward the Women’s United States Championship, which is currently held by Giulia.
What Jade Cargill’s Injury Could Mean for Her WWE Future
Jade Cargill’s revelation about her neck injury underscores the physical toll that wrestling takes on athletes. Although she remains active and competitive, the looming possibility of surgery adds a layer of uncertainty regarding her long-term in-ring career. Recovering fully while pursuing championship goals will be critical for her continued success.
Given the examples of other prominent WWE stars who have required neck surgery during their careers, Cargill’s situation highlights the ever-present risk faced by performers in the sport. Fans and the wrestling community will be watching closely to see how she manages her recovery and what her next steps will be in WWE.
