Jade Cargill entered WWE SummerSlam at MetLife Stadium on Saturday night with high expectations, but the former AEW TBS Champion was unable to secure a victory. Facing Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s Championship, Cargill’s loss has triggered an unexpected backstage narrative that has left many within the WWE Universe taken aback. This defeat raises critical questions about her future trajectory within WWE and marks a significant turning point for the promising talent.
The rematch between Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton, which followed a 10-minute no-contest outcome on SmackDown in April, ended abruptly just over seven minutes into the bout. This swift finish contradicted recent betting odds and fan speculation, which suggested Cargill was poised to claim her first WWE singles title. The sudden loss stunned many who had anticipated the Buff Barbie would rise to championship status this year.
Changing Perceptions Among WWE Officials Regarding Cargill’s Role
Despite the setback, Jade Cargill remains a favored talent among WWE executives. Tiffany Stratton’s reign as Women’s Champion was not initially planned to last this long, but ongoing confidence in Stratton’s potential has altered WWE’s internal landscape. Wrestling Observer Radio analyst Dave Meltzer disclosed that the loss surprised some key figures in WWE, as Cargill and Rhea Ripley had both been identified as the company’s future faces in the women’s division.
“I don’t want anyone to take this wrong because everyone will but I’m gonna say it anyway. So, even up to, I would say 2-3 months ago, I’d say even two months ago, because I remember having some messaging with someone very high-up in WWE, and talking about the top people in the future, OK? And then one of the names that was [on an internal list] was Jade, and from the day Jade came in… Jade was not brought in to be a 50/50 wrestler, Jade was not brought in to be a mid-card wrestler. You could see the way she was brought in, she was brought in to be a superstar, and when I was told the women’s future of the company, it was Jade Cargill and Rhea Ripley,” Dave Meltzer said.
However, the outcome against Stratton — who executed her signature Prettiest Moonsault Ever to finish the match — signals a shift in Cargill’s perceived standing. Meltzer noted that Jade, once regarded with high hopes, is now considered the weakest female wrestler on WWE’s main roster in terms of in-ring ability. This development marks a clear departure from the strong push she was initially slated to receive.
“So, she lost tonight. She lost to the moonsault… it’s not the loss, and it’s not the end of the world for her or anything like that, but the person who I was told [would be pushed to the top] about two months ago is not losing in whatever it was tonight, seven minutes to a moonsault to Tiffany Stratton, so you can… obviously that’s an admission. OK, before they tried to protect her, and they kept her off TV for a longtime to try to train her, and she had some OK stuff, she’s had some bad stuff, she’s had some, probably a little bit of good stuff, too, some good power moves in matches, and stuff, but she’s the weakest woman on the main roster when it comes to the wrestling, and was expected to be, and it’s pretty clear,” Dave Meltzer said.
Insights into WWE’s Plans and Cargill’s Altered Position
According to multiple WWE insiders, there were intentions for Jade Cargill to embark on her first singles championship run earlier this year, but those plans were eventually scrapped. This shift was also discussed on WWE Unreal, further confirming the alteration in direction. Meltzer elaborated that after her SummerSlam loss, Cargill is no longer regarded on par with Rhea Ripley in WWE’s hierarchy.
“If you watched the Unreal show, and even if you didn’t, pretty much people know this: she was supposed to be World Champion months ago. She got hurt, that delayed it, then they got her in the program with Naomi, and everything like that to cover for the injury, but the person who was supposed to be World Champ months ago, also, is not losing to that 1-2-3 moonsault deal. So, you can tell that… everyone will deny this, but you know how they book. The deal… I don’t think anyone is talking about her in the same light as Rhea Ripley today, and they were,” Dave Meltzer said.
Cargill was once viewed internally as the WWE’s version of The Ultimate Warrior, a comparison that highlighted her potential to be a dominant, energetic force within the company. However, Meltzer emphasized that following the SummerSlam loss, WWE’s approach toward her has shifted markedly.
“When I saw that finish… because I think most people expected her to win, and I did, too, but I mean… so what if she didn’t win? It’s not a big deal, but when I saw the way they did that finish, it’s like, OK, they… they don’t see her as The Ultimate Warrior anymore, put it that way, and they did at first,” Dave Meltzer said.
Recent Matches Highlighting Cargill’s WWE Journey
Before SummerSlam, Jade Cargill experienced several notable victories that showcased her growing presence in WWE. She defeated Asuka in the Queen of the Ring finals at Night of Champions last month. Following that, she won a No Holds Barred match against Naomi at Evolution, and secured another win over Chelsea Green during the final SmackDown episode before SummerSlam.
Despite these successes, the sudden loss and the backstage reevaluation of her role suggest that WWE is reconsidering how to position Jade Cargill within the women’s division going forward. The unexpected nature of her defeat to Stratton, who is still an emerging talent, underlines this recalibration.
Implications of Jade Cargill’s SummerSlam Defeat on Her WWE Future
The outcome at SummerSlam indicates a major turning point for Jade Cargill’s career in WWE. Once labeled as a top contender for the women’s championship and set to become a leading figure alongside Rhea Ripley, she now faces a more uncertain path. The shift in booking decisions and backstage sentiments, as detailed by insiders and Dave Meltzer, reflects a growing skepticism about Cargill’s readiness and potential as a top-tier wrestler.
This defeat signals that WWE may no longer be positioning Cargill as a dominant force within the division, raising questions about whether she will continue to receive prominent pushes or if her role will be adjusted to fit other narratives. While her physical attributes and charisma remain undeniable, the wrestling ability gap highlighted by critics and insiders alike marks a critical obstacle she must address moving forward.
Overall, Jade Cargill’s WWE SummerSlam loss represents more than a simple setback—it epitomizes a restructuring of WWE’s outlook on her future within the women’s division, emphasizing the importance of in-ring skill and consistent performance in sustaining top-tier status.
