Tag: jade cargill

WWE SmackDown live results: Jade Cargill arrives

Posted on by Colin McGuire

After having her WWE in-ring debut at the Royal Rumble, Jade Cargill is set to make her first appearance as a member of the SmackDown roster tonight.

During her Rumble appearance, Cargill eliminated Nia Jax and Becky Lynch, in addition to having a memorable staredown with Bianca Belair. Cargill had been a free agent in storyline until a video package last week revealed that she’s signed with SmackDown.

Belair is taking on Damage CTRL’s Dakota Kai in singles action tonight.

Also on tap for tonight’s show, the last two teams for the Undisputed Tag Team title ladder match at WrestleMania 40 will be determined. The Street Profits vs. Austin Theory & Grayson Waller and Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate vs. Angel & Humberto will decide the final participants for the ladder match.

Kevin Owens & Randy Orton vs. Pretty Deadly is also set. Owens and Orton are challenging for Logan Paul’s United States title in a triple threat match at WrestleMania.

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– The show opened with a shot of Philadelphia and Corey Graves hyping up WrestleMania. Graves then set up a video package recapping what happened between The Rock and Cody Rhodes on Raw. 

– The Bloodline was shown walking backstage. Bianca Belair and Damage CTRL were shown arriving to the building earlier in the day as well. Randy Orton then made his entrance for the first match. 

Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) defeated Kevin Owens & Randy Orton [7:02]

This had angle alert written all over it, but good for Pretty Deadly being the ones to get the rub as a result of the shenanigans. I keep wondering about how they initially seemed to get a push once they got to the main roster, but then the injury happened, and they just kind of/sort of went away. Perhaps they’ll get some love coming out of WrestleMania. Anyway, the match wasn’t much. Seven minutes and two of those were lost to commercial. Does Orton or Owens turn at ‘Mania? It feels like Paul retains the U.S. title, doesn’t it? I’m looking forward to the match, but here’s hoping they find a way to heat this program up beyond “Logan Paul is a chicken-s%@ heel against two badasses” on next week’s go-home episode. 

Owens and Wilson started the match, but Orton tagged in quickly. Prince tagged in as well. Orton handled Prince with ease. Before long, Orton hit Wilson off the apron, but that led to the Pretty Deadly guys gaining control. Prince then suplexed Orton onto the commentary table and the show went to a commercial break. When the show returned, Orton was firing up and before long, Owens got the hot tag. Owens worked over Prince with a fury of moves before going to the top rope. Owens went for a Swanton, but Prince got his knees up. 

Meanwhile, on the outside, Wilson and Orton brawled. Orton cleaned off the commentary table, but Prince made the save for Wilson. As that happened, Logan Paul ran in and hit Owens with brass knuckles as the referee wasn’t looking. Prince ran in the ring as Owens was laid out and pinned him for the win. After the match, Orton saw the replay on the big screen and Orton looked for Paul, who apparently disappeared underneath the ring. 

Orton found Paul and pulled Paul out from under the ring. From there, Orton set up Paul on the commentary table, but Pretty Deadly ran back down for the save. That save didn’t last long as Orton and Owens hit a Stunner and RKO on Pretty Deadly respectively. Orton and Owens then chased Paul to the back and all the way out of the building. 

**********

– A video package featuring IYO SKY aired. She talked in Japanese about Bayley as subtitles ran. SKY called Bayley a narcissist and a hypocrite. SKY said she made Bayley relevant and Damage CTRL felt obligated to keep Bayley around until they outgrew Bayley. SKY said she did what needed to be done. SKY called Bayley an “embarrassment and a tragedy to this company.” Yikes. The SKY package wrapped and then Bayley appeared out of nowhere and the two brawled on the interview set until they were pulled apart by cameramen. 

The Jade Cargill segment

Not much to this at all. I wonder if even WWE is getting to the point where they’re like, “Hey, we signed this person. We made a big deal out of that. She worked the Rumble and looked good, but nothing else has happened. We need to make something happen.” So they threw her out there to cut a 45 second promo and on, the world goes. It feels more bizarre (and/or lazy, and/or confusing) by the minute. 

GM Nick Aldis stood in the ring, which was carpeted, and said he had only one goal – to make SmackDown the No. 1 show in all of pro wrestling and sports entertainment. Aldis said the acquisition of Jade Cargill has helped him do that. He then introduced Cargill, who came out smiling, slapping hands and signing autographs. Wade Barrett called Cargill “the best human being I have ever seen.” Aldis gave Cargill a microphone. Cargill said, “It’s about damn time.” She went on by saying WWE has the best female roster in the world, but the other women aren’t Jade Cargill or a “once in a lifetime superstar.” Cargill then said, “the storm has arrived” and that was the end of that. 

**********

– Kayla Braxton interviewed Damage CTRL backstage. Dakota Kai said Bayley will be embarrassed at WrestleMania. Kai mocked Bianca Belair for calling herself the EST of WWE. Kai left annoyed and the show went to a commercial break. 

– Nick Aldis was walking backstage and he ran into Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn, who quickly went away. AJ Styles then ran into him asking Aldis if he was sure LA Knight wasn’t going to be there tonight. Aldis said he asked Knight not to be there and Styles said, “You should have told him.”

Austin Theory & Grayson Waller defeated The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) to advance to the six-pack challenge at WrestleMania [6:21]

The Profits had all the shine here, but you had to know The Final Testament would somehow cost them their ticket to WrestleMania. That said, maybe this will lead to a six-man at ‘Mania between the factions, but something tells me that match might be relegated to the SmackDown before ‘Mania next week. Still, I can’t help but be reminded of how stupid WWE was to try and force-turn the Profits heels. It felt like almost immediately, everyone knew nobody was booing Lashley or the Profits and the booking minds rightfully changed pace. Here’s hoping something different is in store for both factions coming out of next weekend. 

Waller and Ford began the match and Waller gained the upper hand before tagging in Theory. The action spilled outside and Dawkins essentially shoulder-blocked Waller over the commentary table. The show then took a commercial break. Back from that break, the heels had control and worked over Dawkins inside the ring, until Dawkins caught Waller and hit a T-Bone Suplex. Ford received the hot tag while Theory tagged in and Ford cleaned house. 

Ford landed a standing moonsault for a two-count on Theory. Ford hit a Blockbuster on an elevated Theory, but Waller broke a pin attempt up. Theory tried a rolling move on Dawkins, but Dawkins caught him and hit a powerbomb. On the big screen, it showed that Karrion Kross beat up Bobby Lashley and B-Fab backstage and the Profits were distracted. Dawkins left ringside and Ford went for the frog-splash, but Theory got the knees up, rolled up Ford and got the win. 

After the match, AOP ran out and attacked the Profits. The rest of The Final Testament came out and helped. Lashley walked to the ring, but Lashley was ultimately outnumbered by the heels. Kross took Lashley down and yelled at Lashley, saying Lashley failed the Profits. 

**********

The Legado Del Fantasma/LWO segment

This was a nice, if not unexpected, segment and development. I can’t say I think they’re getting the full potential out of everyone involved, having them work a tag match, but I also think the match has potential to have some of the most heat of the night when it comes to singular matches (hey, Dom’s boos travel well, you know). That in mind, as I’ve said a few other times tonight, my curiosity is aimed at what happens to both factions after ‘Mania. It’s time for them both to move in different directions. 

Santos Escobar began by telling everyone he told them so. Escobar pointed to kids wearing Rey Mysterio masks in the crowd and mocked them. Escobar gloated for putting Rey on the shelf for months. The crowd gave him the “What?” treatment. Escobar said Mysterio used to be the greatest luchador of all time, but he isn’t anymore. Escobar said he outsmarted Rey because of one phone call – a phone call to Dirty Dom. On cue, Dom’s music hit and the crowd launched into their requisite boos. 

Dom got a microphone and the crowd booed the hell out of him. Escobar apologized for the crowd booing him. Escobar then said Dom was always right and the two hugged. Dom tried to talk, but the boos drowned him out. Dom yelled through them and said he will do everything in his power to make Rey’s life a living hell. Escobar started to talk and Rey’s music hit. The LWO walked out with Rey. 

The LWO and Legado had a stare down in the ring. Rey said it was a shame while speaking to Dominik. Rey said he believed he was done fighting Dom. The crowd broke out an LWO chant. Rey said the two men he despises the most is a divine intervention. Rey challenged Escobar and Dom to a tag match with a partner of Rey’s choosing at WrestleMania. Rey then introduced Dragon Lee as the newest member of the LWO and as his mystery partner for ‘Mania. Dragon Lee then made his entrance. Zelina Vega slapped Elektra Lopez and that started a brawl between the factions. The babyfaces stood tall to end the segment. 

**********

– Naomi and Belair were shown talking backstage. Naomi said she has Belair’s back tonight. Belair said she can’t be mad at Naomi. They hyped each other up and Naomi had “EST” in her hair. 

– The Judgment Day were shown talking backstage. The group seemed angry that Dom went out to the ring. Finn Balor asked Dom if there’s anything he needs to tell them and Finn seemed annoyed. Priest and Rhea seemed to be on different pages from each other and the show went back to the ring, where the tag match was joined in progress.

New Catch Republic (Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne) defeated Legado Del Fantasma (Berto & Angel) to advance to the six-pack challenge at WrestleMania [7:17 of TV time]

The right team went over in my opinion, but that’s just one guy’s opinion. In fact, I could be convinced that Bate and Dunne have a legit shot at walking out of ‘Mania with those tag team titles. And good on them (and WWE) for that. They’ve come up through the system and been involved with the company for more years than most probably even realize by now. In the meantime, Fantasma has an out for the brawl that happened before the match, which I think is smart. WWE needs credible tag teams and it feels like the company is building toward that very idea. The match, in terms of TV presentation, was discombobulated, considering how it was joined in progress and then a commercial break happened in the middle of it. So it goes. 

Berto and Angel had control once the match got on the screen. It wasn’t long until Bate and Dunne took control. Bate hit a splash on Berto and Angel on the outside and the show went back to a quick commercial. Back from that commercial, Bate got the hot tag to Dunne. Bate and Dunne landed stereo kicks on Berto. Angel got a blind tag and kicked Bate. The heels took control, complete with a power-bomb and a second-rope moonsault from Angel onto Bate for a two-count. 

With Bate on the top, Berto and Angel hit a double press slam, but Dunne broke up a pin attempt. Dunne then DDT’d Berto. Angel tried to slam Bate, but Bate got out of it, tagged Dunne and then New Catch Republic landed their finisher for the win. 

**********

– Paul Heyman spoke backstage. Heyman said Rock took out Cody on Monday by orders of the Tribal Chief. Jimmy Uso chimed in and said Jey won’t make it to WrestleMania. Solo Sikoa said, “Jey, I’ll see you next week,” and followed that up by saying by orders of the Tribal Chief, Sikoa will take out Jey. 

The AJ Styles/LA Knight segment

Despite WWE’s best efforts, it doesn’t appear that LA Knight has cooled off all that much since being drawn into this program with Styles. It’s a weird one. Styles has all the respect in the world as a great wrestler. Knight organically made himself one of the hottest names in all of pro wrestling. Something between the two feels secondary to everything else happening. I hope they overachieve at ‘Mania because I pull for both guys. At the very least, it should be fun to see how Knight’s Big Stage entrance goes. 

Styles started out by saying it’s been a little over a week … but then stopped talking. Styles blamed the crowd for Knight coming to his house and assaulting him. Styles said he will expose Knight for the “overachieving under-talented piece of trash that he is.” Styles said he knew Knight was in the building. Styles asked if Knight would walk down the aisle. Styles speculated that the cameraman was Knight and hit the cameraman. The cameraman was, in fact, not LA Knight. 

The crowd began an “LA Knight!” chant. Someone ran out of the crowd, but security stopped him. Turned out, the guy also was not LA Knight. Styles asked if everyone was done with the games. As Styles stood on the outside of the ring, Knight was dressed in a WWE security outfit, complete with wig, and Knight took it off to attack Styles. Knight grabbed a chair and went after Styles, but Styles retreated through the crowd. Knight grabbed a microphone and stood on the commentary table. Knight said Styles was trash and eventually did the catchphrase, which the crowd helped him complete. 

**********

– A Tiffany Stratton vignette aired. She said she vowed to always look hot and spare viewers “from the uggos,” which, let’s be honest, was a great line. 

– Next week, The KO Show will feature Randy Orton. Zelina Vega vs. Elektra Lopez will happen. Jey Uso vs. Solo Sikoa is also on tap. Grayson Waller & Austin Theory will wrestle New Catch Republic. And, of course, the Andre The Giant battle royal will go down. 

Bianca Belair defeated Dakota Kai [9:12]

I can’t be the only one who looks at Dakota and hold my breath each time I see any part of any of her legs hit anything hard. That aside, this was a fine match and main event worthy, especially when it comes to establishing Jade Cargill as a major player in the women’s division. In fact, I’ll take that a step further and say even though this SmackDown didn’t look important on paper, it was a very nice change of pace. Cargill was featured in two segments, we tied up some loose ends for WrestleMania and the women worked the main event slot. Lots of good here, even if the episode wasn’t as flashy as other episodes have been in recent memory. I’m all about a Naomi/Jade/Bianca faction, but time will tell if WWE sticks with it. Here’s hoping.

Belair had control early. That control included a series of suplexes. The action spilled outside and Kai landed a knee to Belair’s head. The show then went to its final commercial break. The show returned and Belair suplexed Kai. Belair punched Kai until Kai grabbed Belair’s braid. It didn’t much matter because Belair hit a gut-buster and repeatedly threw Kai to the mat. Kai went for the braid again, but Belair landed a modified version of Jaded followed by a moonsault for a two-count. 

Belair lifted Kai in a Jaded manner again, but Kai rolled out of it and slammed Belair into the second turnbuckle. Kai toyed with Belair until Belair caught Kai. From there, the two traded elbow shots. Kai went for a running knee on the apron, but Belair moved and Kai’s knee ran into the ring post. The two brawled a little and Belair went to the second rope to hit a deadlift super-plex. Belair followed it up with a spear and KOD for the win. 

Instantly after the match, the Kabuki Warriors ran out and attacked Belair. Naomi’s music hit and Naomi ran to the ring and evened things out. It was an ugly brawl between everybody with the heels getting the upper hand … until Jade Cargill’s music hit and out walked Cargill. Cargill hit Jaded on Kairi Sane and pinned her as the crowd counted. Cargill stared at Asuka as Belair and Naomi flanked Cargill to end the show. 

Four matches announced for next WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Ethan Renner

WWE has announced four matches for the Friday, March 29 SmackDown. 

Following up on an angle from this week’s show where Damage CTRL beat down Bianca Belair & Naomi, Belair will go one-on-one with Dakota Kai on next week’s episode. 

Belair attempted to save Naomi from a four-on-one attack at the hands of Damage CTRL on Friday’s SmackDown, but ultimately fell victim to the numbers game and Damage CTRL stood tall to end the segment. 

A tag team bout with Randy Orton & Kevin Owens teaming against Pretty Deadly’s Elton Prince & Kit Wilson is also set for next week. All four were involved in a backstage promo segment on Friday’s SmackDown, with Owens attacking Pretty Deadly. Orton & Owens will challenge Logan Paul for the United States Championship at WrestleMania 40 in a triple threat match. 

The finals of a tournament to decide which teams will represent SmackDown in the Tag Team Championship ladder match at WrestleMania are also set for next week, with Austin Theory & Grayson Waller vs. The Street Profits, plus New Catch Republic vs. Legado Del Fantasma. 

After it was revealed that Jade Cargill has officially joined the SmackDown roster on this week’s SmackDown, a Cargill appearance on next Friday’s show has also been announced. 

The lineup for the Friday, March 29 WWE SmackDown: 

  • Bianca Belair vs. Dakota Kai
  • Randy Orton & Kevin Owens vs. Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson)
  • WrestleMania qualifying tournament bracket one finals: Legado Del Fantasma (Humberto Carrillo & Angel Garza) vs. New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate)
  • WrestleMania qualifying tournament bracket two finals: Austin Theory & Grayson Waller vs. The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins)
  • Jade Cargill’s first appearance as an official SmackDown roster member

Jade Cargill joins WWE SmackDown roster

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The WWE SmackDown women’s division has a big new addition.

On Friday night, it was revealed that Jade Cargill has joined the SmackDown roster. WWE announced the news via a video package that aired on SmackDown. Cargill will make her first appearance as a SmackDown roster member next week (March 29).

Cargill said in the video package:

Let’s make things clear, I didn’t come here to be the next anyone. Jade Cargill is a once-in-a-lifetime generational talent. The type of presence that makes everyone sit up and stand up straight when I enter. I don’t even have to speak – and yet I’m the trending topic. I am the headline. They’re going to build statues of me – and you don’t have to like it, but you damn sure can’t deny it.

And that’s why I’m taking my talents to SmackDown.

Cargill departed AEW after having her final match for the promotion in September 2023. It was confirmed later that month that Cargill had signed a multi-year contract with WWE.

Cargill made her WWE in-ring debut at the Royal Rumble this January but had been without a brand until now. Cargill made it to the final three of the women’s Royal Rumble match before being eliminated.

Naomi, Tiffany Stratton, and Bron Breakker have also joined the SmackDown roster over the last several weeks.

Next Friday’s SmackDown is the second-to-last episode of the show before WrestleMania.

CM Punk, Jade Cargill, Post Malone part of WWE 2K24 season pass

Posted on by Bryan Rose

2K has announced DLC details for WWE 2K24.

During Mondayā€™s Raw, a commercial was shown for the gameā€™s upcoming season pass which will feature the likes of CM Punk, Jade Cargill, Pat McAfee, The Dudley Boyz, and singer Post Malone. The first DLC pack will be released on May 15, featuring Punk and former stars from ECW. 

Each DLC wave can be bought individually, and those who purchased the Deluxe and 40 Years of WrestleMania editions of WWE 2K24 will receive the season pass at no additional cost.

The standard edition of the game is set to be released on March 8 for PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X, and PC. The Deluxe and 40 Years of WrestleMania editions will be released three days earlier.

Here is a list of each upcoming DLC wave:

DLC 1: ECW Punk Pack – May 15

  • CM Punk
  • Bubba Ray & D-Von Dudley
  • Sandman
  • Terry Funk
  • MyFACTION Content: ECW Paul Heyman Manager Card, Superstar Cards

DLC 2: Post Malone & Friends Pack – June 26

  • Post Malone
  • Sensational Sherri
  • Mosh & Thrasher
  • Honky Tonk Man
  • Jimmy Hart (Manager)
  • MyFACTION Content: Superstar cards

DLC 3: Pat McAfee Pack – July 24

  • Pat McAfee
  • Playable co-hosts (more details TBA)
  • MyFACTION content: Co-host manager cards (details TBA), Superstar cards

DLC 4: Global Superstars Pack – September 20

  • Jade Cargill
  • Nia Jax
  • Michelle McCool
  • Carlito
  • Kairi Sane
  • Lyra Valkyria
  • Dragon Lee
  • MyFACTION content: Superstar cards

DLC 5: WCW Pack – November 13

  • Diamond Dallas Page
  • Iron Sheik
  • Mr. Perfect
  • Great Muta
  • Lex Luger
  • MyFACTION content: Superstar cards

Jade Cargill: Bianca Belair & I are going to ‘make magic’ in WWE

Posted on by Denise Salcedo

Last Saturday’s WWE women’s Royal Rumble match featured a lot of surprises including the return of Naomi, TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace making her surprise debut, and the official WWE in-ring debut of Jade Cargill. 

The inaugural AEW TBS Champion entered at number 28, lasting a total of eleven minutes and three seconds and finding herself in the final three participants. Her notable moments in the Rumble included eliminating Nia Jax, Naomi and Becky Lynch (with help from Naomi).

Following the Rumble, Cargill attended the premiere of Bianca Belair and Montez Ford’s new Hulu reality TV show “Love & WWE,” walking the red carpet alongside her husband former and former MLB player Brandon Phillips. 

I caught up with Cargill during that event which you can watch above on YouTube. Here’s some highlights.

Making her WWE in-ring debut

Last September, WWE officially announced that Cargill had signed a multi-year deal. She began making backstage appearances on multiple shows including WWE Fastlane, Raw, SmackDown and even NXT — all while not making her actual in-ring debut.

Then, the Rumble moment happened.

“…I was just ecstatic. The locker room showed me nothing but love. I was a little nervous, but once I heard the sound of the WWE Universe, I felt like I was undeniable.”

As mentioned above, Cargill eliminated Jax in another big moment for her — one she said was “something big” for the division.

“I think Nia Jax is one of the strongest women in the locker room. So for me to just go out there and dominate her and eliminate her, I felt like I was doing something big for the women’s division.”

During the many TV appearances Cargill made when she first joined WWE, she had confrontations with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. However, we had not see her meet eye-to-eye with Bianca Belair until the Royal Rumble when both women found themselves across the ring from each other — a tease for something bigger down the road.

“We’re gonna see what happens. I think I would rather work with the great Bianca Belair. I think she’s phenomenal, I think she is great a representation for the African American community and we’re gonna make magic whether we work against each other or together. We’re gonna make magic.”

It is still not known which brand Cargill will officially be part of even though she appeared on Friday’s SmackDown and met with Nick Aldis.

How AEW prepared her for WWE

Prior to signing with WWE, Cargill was in AEW from 2020 through the fall of 2023.

During her run there, she became the inaugural and longest running AEW TBS Champion with an epic winning streak, one that lasted 508 days. 

“I felt like I would have never gotten a better start other than AEW. That’s me being very honest. I think the veterans in the locker room prepared me for the grander stage at WWE. I got a great experience there, being thrown in the water and being able to swim and survive prepared me for the big stage that WWE has. The locker room, the phenomenal staff that WWE has, I mean they have a front office like no other, I am just excited to be here.” 

Naomi returns, Jordynne Grace & Jade Cargill debut in WWE Royal Rumble

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Naomi made her return, plus TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace & Jade Cargill made their in-ring WWE debuts in Saturday’s women’s Royal Rumble match. 

After walking out of the company in May 2022 over creative issues, Naomi made her return as a surprise third entrant in this year’s women’s Royal Rumble match on Saturday, lasting until the final six competitors of the match ultimately won by Bayley. 

WWE posted a link on social media to new Naomi merchandise available on WWE Shop, indicating that she has returned on a full-time basis. 

TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace entered fifth for the women’s Rumble, wearing the TNA title belt to the ring just as Mickie James did while Knockouts Champion at the 2022 Royal Rumble. Commentary mentioned TNA by name several times. Grace was eliminated before the 15th entrant to the match. 

Jade Cargill made her in-ring WWE debut in the Rumble as the 28th entrant. Cargill lasted until the final three of the contest and eliminated Becky Lynch and Nia Jax before being eliminated in a tussle on the apron with the final two competitors, Liv Morgan & Bayley. Cargill is a former TBS Champion in AEW and was a heralded free agent acquisition by WWE in September 2023. 

Morgan made her return from injury in the Rumble as the 30th entrant, and was the final elimination.  Morgan had been sidelined since July with a shoulder injury. 

NXT’s Roxanne Perez & Tiffany Stratton were the only other Rumble entries of note not part of WWE’s main roster.

Steve Khan’s Royal Rumble live play-by-play post is here.

JNPO: Pro wrestling year in review – CM Punk fired by AEW, the TKO era begins

Posted on by Josh Nason

The first of the final four episodes in my 12-part Punch-Out series looking back at the year in wrestling begins with a stop in September.

Rejoining me after his debut last year in Davie Portman of POST Wrestling and the Poisonrana podcast.

While we cover nearly everything during the month, the gateway to fall was dominated by a few stories in particular including CM Punk being fired by AEW following a skirmish with Jack Perry and a near-physical altercation with Tony Khan minutes before August’s All In. 

We talk about how the news was relayed to fans and some of the immediate fallout which included the All Out PPV in Chicago a week after All In — a show that was regarded as one of the best the company did during the year.

Jade Cargill also switched employers as she signed a multi-year deal with WWE after several years in AEW and saying there was no other place she’d rather be. We discuss.

WWE’s merger with UFC to form the new publicly-traded TKO was complete and with it brought the beginning of a new era which included some ideas for the future, layoffs, and a new TV home for WWE SmackDown in 2024.

Davie and I also talk the month in NXT, Japan, Impact Wrestling, and everything in between.

I promise this is unlike any other year-end series you’ll hear or read, so catch up on the rest of the series in the archive and my MMA year in review series as well.

Click Here to Listen

Jade Cargill on WWE debut: ā€˜You shouldnā€™t rush successā€™

Posted on by Ian Carey

Jade Cargill isn’t in a hurry to make her WWE debut. 

Cargill’s WWE signing was first revealed by ESPN on September 26. Shortly after, she appeared on episodes of Raw, SmackDown, and NXT but has been absent from WWE programming as of late. She has yet to wrestle her first match for the promotion as well. 

Cargill told the Dallas News recently that the WWE fanbase should be patient regarding her debut because “you shouldn’t rush success.”

Cargill said:

ā€œSo, you want me to reveal what we have in the works it seems like. [Laughs] So, listen, I think the fan base should be patient. I think they need to understand weā€™re making a diamond. Weā€™re creating something thatā€™s gonna be a legacy. Weā€™re creating something thatā€™s going to create echoes and waves throughout not just the wrestling culture, but pop culture and beyond. Theyā€™re setting me up for success, you shouldnā€™t rush success.

ā€œIā€™ve been on TV in front of thousands of people several times, one thing I know how to do is entertain a crowd. And no one ā€” no one ā€” can say different. I can do that. The WWE Universe knows exactly what theyā€™re doing. I trust them. I believe in this system. And when they see me in that ring, understand, thereā€™s no turning back. [WWE]ā€™s believing in everything Iā€™m doing, given me everything that I could fathom. And Iā€™m going to be ready. Iā€™m already ready. But again, itā€™s on my time, and everybody should be patient. And when I come, just understand Iā€™m taking over.ā€

Triple H was asked about Cargill’s status with the company at the WWE Survivor Series post-event media scrum. 

“I want to make sure that no matter what is thrown at Jade Cargill, she’s ready,” he responded. “And at no fault of her own, I think she was limited in that. So, the idea is we exposed her, we made her be seen, people are understanding and they are waiting and they are excited for her to come and when she does, it will be massive.”

“I don’t want a pitch to get thrown at her that she’s never seen before. I want no matter what that pitch is she’s going to crack that thing out of the park. You can just see it in her, that’s the presence she has, that’s the star she is.” 

Our own Dave Meltzer answered a question on Monday’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio regarding Cargill as well. 

“When she’s ready and they are comfortable she’s ready, she’ll debut. They certainly consider her one of their top people, they sent her to the football game on Saturday,” Meltzer said. 

Cargill was one of several WWE wrestlers on-hand at the Big 12 Championship game this weekend. 

Triple H says Jade Cargill’s development ‘was limited,’ addresses WWE status

Posted on by Ian Carey

Paul “Triple H” Levesque addressed the status of Jade Cargill during the WWE Survivor Series 2023 post-event press conference. 

Upon signing with the company, Cargill was shown on-screen during episodes of Raw, SmackDown, and NXT but has been absent from WWE programming in recent weeks. Levesque told the media on Saturday that he wants to make sure Cargill is adequately prepared for whatever could be thrown at her before she officially begins her WWE career.  

“I have no less belief in her now than I did then. It’s interesting, when she came in we talked about her development and where she would land,” Levesque responded to Steve Fall. 

“I want to make sure that no matter what is thrown at Jade Cargill, she’s ready,” Levesque continued. “And at no fault of her own, I think she was limited in that. So, the idea is we exposed her, we made her be seen, people are understanding and they are waiting and they are excited for her to come and when she does, it will be massive.”

“I don’t want a pitch to get thrown at her that she’s never seen before. I want no matter what that pitch is she’s going to crack that thing out of the park. You can just see it in her, that’s the presence she has, that’s the star she is.” 

“I’m in no rush. When she says, ‘I’m ready,’ I’m ready,” Levesque concluded. 

Our own Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez addressed Levesque’s comments regarding Cargill on today’s Wrestling Observer Radio. 

“He kind of made a knock about her training,” Meltzer said of Levesque’s comments.

“She was limited in her development prior to coming to WWE is what he said,” Alvarez added. 

“(WWE) gave her the big build-up, they brought her in and they don’t want her to sink. They want her to be ready for all things when they debut her,” Meltzer added. 

Kris Statlander: I’m proud I was in Jade Cargill’s last AEW match

Posted on by Denise Salcedo

Ahead of Saturday’s AEW Full Gear and her title defense against Julia Hart and Skye Blue in a three-way, I spoke with TBS Champion Kris Statlander.

Statlander defeated Jade Cargill, the longest reigning TBS Champion at May’s Double or Nothing. Since then, she has successfully defended against Emi Sakura, Ruby Soho, Britt Baker, and Cargill in a rematch.

Statlander talked about Saturday, her long title reign thus far, and more.

Full Gear 

“I mean, every title defense, you always have the slight worry in the back of your mind, hoping that you don’t mess up and fumble and lose. But I’ve beaten both of them before and I feel like I am in their heads more than they think that I am. And I feel pretty confident.”

Even though she’s trying to beat them both, she is also proud of the progress Blue and Hart have made in their young careers.

“As another female wrestler, I am just so proud of the progress of both of them have made and I am so proud to see them getting more comfortable in their skin. It’s unfortunate that they have to be doing that against me. But you can’t deny their progress, you can’t deny their star power and you can’t how bright of a future they have.”

Cargill 

Not only did Statlander end the 508-day reign of Cargill, she was also Cargill’s opponent in her final AEW match.

“It was terrifying. To try and fill the shoes of such a star, that first night that it happened where I first became the champion, it was so exciting to be back and be a part of the roster and an active wrestler again, of course. But there’s so much pressure that comes with being a champion, being a worthy champion, and you don’t realize that until you have the belt in your hands.

And then once the belt is in your hands, the target’s on your back, and everyone just has a much closer eye on you. And then being her last match, it felt bittersweet because I felt like there’s so much more that I could have done with her. I feel like we really helped each other a lot and I’m just really proud that I got to be the last match. I think it was a very fitting sendoff.”

Jade Cargill files to trademark her name

Posted on by Ian Carey

Jade Cargill has filed to trademark her name for wrestling purposes. 

The 31-year-old, who wrestles under her real name, submitted her filing to the US Patent and Trademark Office on October 11. The filing was done through attorney Michael E. Dockins on behalf of Jade Cargill LLC. 

The purposes of the trademark are listed as clothing, action figures, other merchandise and “Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer.”

Cargill appeared on WWE SmackDown on Friday. She took part in a backstage segment and briefly stood face-to-face with Charlotte Flair. 

She also was shown entering the WWE Performance Center on NXT last week. Cargill has been teasing that she’s not sure which brand she’ll sign with.

Although Cargill’s character is unsure what brand she’ll end up on in storyline, she told ESPN earlier this month that WWE has already told her which brand she’ll be joining. 

ā€œEverybodyā€™s going to have to tune in to every network to see where Iā€™m going,ā€ she said. ā€œIā€™m here to stir the pot and keep people guessing where Iā€™m going to be. So, just tune in.ā€

Triple H WWE Fastlane press conference: Jade Cargill debut, Edge departure

Posted on by Ethan Renner

WWE’s chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque spoke to the media at a press conference following Saturday’s Fastlane pay-per-view. 

Among the topics he discussed were Jade Cargill’s WWE debut, Edge’s WWE departure, the rise of LA Knight, the run that John Cena is on currently, plus business notes from Fastlane. 

Among the highlights: 

Triple H on when Jade Cargill can be expected to debut as a character —

“When she’s ready to blow the roof off of everything we do, right? There is one thing I am, it’s patient for stuff like this.”

“Her ability and her rise has been incredibly quick. This is a different system, this is a different level of everything. What doesn’t exist elsewhere, exists here. That opportunity for her to learn at a different level and get to a different place, that’s just the way it is.”

She’s ready for it all, she’s ready to dig in, she’s ready to work her ass off… But the thing you don’t want to do is you don’t want to put somebody in a position that they’re sort of ready for. You want to make sure they’re damn ready for it… No matter what happens, she’s gonna knock it out of the park. When is that? Not sure. Where is she gonna go? Not sure.”

“What a future.”

“I look forward to strapping the rocket on her.”

Triple H on Edge leaving WWE, signing with AEW —

“Time, right? The time was right for him, the time was right for us. I think he had an amazing career and an amazing sendoff here. I think he felt like he had done what there was to do, I think we sort of felt, ‘Yeah, I think you’re right,’ and I wish him the best.”

“I think he said it the other day, right? There’s no animosity here, there’s no hard feelings here. He’s doing what’s right for him and his family.”

“I’m happy for him. I’m very, very happy for him. I sent him that in a message, ‘I’m happy for [him] and proud of him, and happy for him.”

“If somebody feels like a different opportunity is better for them? Great, that’s wonderful. But the machine doesn’t stop for anyone.”

Triple H on the rise of LA Knight —

“Hard to imagine a year ago he was Max Dupri… We’re all pushing with him. We’re all pushing him up the hill too.”

Triple H on John Cena —

“I just want to say thank you to John. What he’s doing here, the run he’s doing, the moment that he’s givning people like LA Knight, that he’s giving people like Jimmy [Uso], Solo [Sikoa], there’s no experience like that in the world for them.”

“He doesn’t need to be here… You’re in different places in your life. To see John’s growth, but he always comes back to this. He doesn’t need to be here. He could be doing a lot of other things, maybe like resting or sleeping? I don’t know. He doesn’t seem to do either one of [those]. But he does it because he loves it.”

“He’s at an age, he’s doing a lot of other things. I would just say this to everybody out there: revel in it. I know I am. Because the appreciation level John should get is off the charts.”

“When he’s here, don’t criticize it, don’t overthink it, just enjoy it, because it won’t last forever.”

Triple H on WWE Fastlane business —

“Tonight is the highest-grossing event we’ve ever done in the city of Indianapolis. 14,529 loud, intense, crazy fans. We set gate records, we set sponsorship records here tonight.”

“We’re in one of the greatest runs in the history of this business right now.”

The full press conference is embedded below.

Jade Cargill makes first WWE appearance at Fastlane

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Jade Cargill made her first appearance as a member of the WWE roster at Saturday’s Fastlane event. 

Cargill, a free agent acquisition from AEW, made her debut in a backstage segment at the conclusion of the Fastlane pre-show on Saturday. 

The former TBS Champion was shown arriving in a chauffeured SUV, exiting the vehicle, then shaking hands with WWE’s chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque as the two walked in the backstage area of the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

It was believed that Cargill’s main roster debut was imminent, with reports going back several weeks that “high priority, main roster” creative plans were being worked on for the former AEW star. 

WWE announced Cargill’s signing to a multi-year deal with the company on September 26, with Cargill doing a mainstream media tour with outlets such as ESPN following her acquisition. Her signing was the first high-profile acquisition by WWE after it was acquired by Endeavor and merged with UFC as part of the TKO Group Holdings. 

Cargill lost to Kris Statlander in her final AEW match which aired on the September 15 edition of Rampage in a TBS title rematch. Cargill held a 60-2 record in AEW competition, winning her first 60 matches in the company before dropping her last two to Statlander. 

Video of Cargill’s debut segment is embedded below.

Daily Update: Bill Dundee, AEW Dynamite, Jade Cargill

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new Observer is up now:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • Adam Copeland comes to AEW, analysis of he deal, surprises, comments by Copeland, and the positives and negative of it
  • Full rundown of WrestleDream, including business notes
  • Updates on the last three AEW PPV shows including one major surprise
  • What to learn from AEW doing three PPV shows so closely
  • Full coverage of WWE NXT No Mercy
  • AEW vs. NXT this coming Tuesday as both load up, and what to expect given how things went last year
  • Notes on WWE Fastlane
  • Russ Francis, the aspects of his pro wrestling career that few know, growing up as the son of a wrestler and promoter, NFL and other sports background, the Francis family in Hawaiian rings, the last big house drawn by the AWA, WrestleMania 2 and 31, his playing in the Super Bowl and the wrestling connection in that game, politics, broadcasting and more.
  • Story on Joyce Grable, who passed away this past week.
  • AEW & WWE attendance for quarter three
  • Matt Riddle update
  • The Infernos tag team history
  • How many homes are the stations that carry wrestling and MMA programming in
  • The most detailed look at the ratings from the past week, comparisons with one year ago, segment numbers, placings, star power and competition to provide information as to the ups and downs
  • CMLL Night of Champions as fans pick the card
  • Women’s tournaments coming
  • A show honoring 45 years of Blue Panther in the ring
  • AAA Heroes Inmortales
  • Stardom Five-Star Grand Prix notes
  • Stardom tag team tournament update
  • Notes on New Japan U.S dates
  • Crush Gals anniversary show
  • New pro wrestling documentary notes
  • Impact gears up for its biggest show of the year
  • Update on AEW and WBD
  • Adam Cole on his injury
  • Tony Khan talks Jade Cargill
  • Why AEW announced 81,305 instead of 85,228 for All In
  • Problems AEW had with its last TV show
  • Streaming numbers for AEW & WWE
  • Ticket sales for upcoming AEW & WWE shows
  • International TV ratings
  • Star returns from injury
  • UFC & Bellator updates
  • Canelo Alvarez PPV notes and how many buys came from AEW & WWE fans
  • Two wrestlers being inducted into Louisiana Hall of Fame
  • C.M. Punk notes
  • Why WWE stock is down
  • WWE in Japan update

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

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Friday Update

Today is our show with Garrett Gonzales covering this week’s issue and the news of the past week when it comes to wrestling, MMA and boxing.

Very sad news as Jamie Dundee on Dutch Mantell’s Story Time with Dutch Mantell podcast revealed that his father, Bill Dundee, is suffering from dementia. He said his father was at stage three dementia where he just smiles all day.

At press time for the issue, we didn’t get this official, but AEW Dynamite was sixth on Wednesday behind five baseball wild card series related shows including both games that went head-to-head with the show. So it was third on cable in the time slot. The next highest non-baseball related show, Real Housewives of Orange County, head-to-head, did 833,000 viewers and 0.20 in 18-49, compared to Dynamite at 800,000 viewers and 0.28, and that’s with the DVR snafu.

Jade Cargill was reported by PW Insider as being in Indianapolis, where the WWE PPV is tomorrow night. It reported that she will be at the show as well as at Raw on Monday and Smackdown next Friday. Her debut should be imminent.

Those who are in St. Louis today for Smackdown, besides the names already announced,include Chad Gable, Otis, Maxxine, Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh and Drew McIntyre. Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso were all announced on Monday. Matches announced are Rey Mysterio vs. Bobby Lashley, Charlotte Flair & Asuka vs. Iyo Sky & Bayley and Austin Theory vs. Dragon Lee. There were about 9,500 tickets out as of yesterday so this may end up as John Cena’s first non-sellout since his return. But it’s still going to probably be 10,000 plus.

MJF responded to a post from Alan Counihan criticizing him for trying to get the chant against Juice Robinson and The Gunn Brothers on Wednesday which came off very forced. He wrote back, “I could sit here and tell you I’ve consistently been the biggest ratings draw in my company for some time. I can say that I’ve also been universally praised. But the fact is I dropped the ball this week. There’s a lot of eyes on me. I can’t afford to do that. Look forward to picking the ball back up on Wednesday.” He later clarified that he meant Tuesday. He has been the biggest ratings mover in the company of late.

We’re told Thunder Rosa is now expected back very shortly.

Rampage tonight at 10 p.m. on TNT

  • Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta vs. Levi Shapiro & Colt Stevens
  • Hardys & Best Friends vs. Jake Hager & Daniel Garcia & Angelo Parker & Matt Menard
  • Hikaru Shida & Kris Statlander vs. Nyla Rose & Marina Shafir
  • Lince Dorado (debut) vs. Penta vs. Komander vs Johnny TV for the next ROH title shot at Eddie Kingston

Ilima-lei Macfarlane, who has talked retirement, missed weight earlier today for her Bellator flyweight title challenge to Liz Carmouche. Macfarlane weighed 127.4 pounds on the first try, cut down to 126.6, and needed to make 125. She had more time and tried again and ended up at 128.2. It’s rare that someone cutting weight gains weight but her body was basically not allowing her to get to 125. This is weird Carmouche is still putting up the title and if Macfarlane wins, the title will be vacant. This has happened before, including recently with Carmouche and in UFC as well, but a champion should not be putting the title at stake in a fight with somebody who missed weight. The show starts at 10 p.m. tomorrow night on Showtime, and is expected to be one of Bellator’s last shows:

  • Liz Carmouche (124.8) vs. Ilima-Lei Macfarlne (126.6)
  • Cris Cyborg (144.8) vs. Cat Zingano (144.6) for the featherweight title
  • Usman Nurmagomedov (154.8) vs. Brent Primus (154.8) for the lightweight title –Cain Velasquez will be in the corner of Nurmagomedov.

UFC lineup for tomorrow with an ESPN+ show from 4-10 p.m.

  • Montana De La Rosa (126) vs. JJ Aldrich (125.5)
  • Aorqileng (136) vs. Johnny Munoz (136)
  • Vanessa Demopoulos (116) vs. Kanako Murata (115.5)
  • Nate Maness (126) vs, Matheus Mendonca (125.5)
  • Karolina Kowalkiewicz (116) vs. Diana Belbita (115.5)
  • Philipe Lins (204) vs. Ion Cutelaba (205.5)
  • Alexander Hernandez (145.5) vs. Bill Algeo (146)
  • Drew Dober (155.5) vs. Ricky Glenn (155.5)
  • Alex Morono (170.5) vs. Joaquin Buckley (170)
  • Joe Pyfer (185) vs,. Abdul Razak Alhassan (184.5)
  • Bobby Green (156) vs. Grant Dawson (156)

Adam Cole and FTR have pulled out of next week’s New York Comic Con. Some of the names scheduled include Jamie Hayter, Mercedes Mone, Matt Hardy Sting, MJF, Britt Baker, Mick Foley, Demolition, Jake Roberts, Team 3-D, Lex Luger, Ted DiBiase, Scott Steiner and Buff Bagwell.

The trailer for the movie about the Von Erichs that is coming out on 12/20, is going to be released this coming week. The movie is built around the life of Kevin Von Erich. 

There are no WWE house shows this weekend due to the show in Indianapolis tomorrow. NXT is also off this weekend.

We’re looking for reports from these weekend shows:

  • Smackdown tonight in St. Louis (dark matches and anything after the show)
  • Collision tomorrow night in Salt Lake City (anything not on Collision)
  • We’re looking for results, finishes, angles and highlights to [email protected]

We’ll be doing polls this weekend on Fastlane tomorrow night and Monday’s New Japan Destruction in Ryogoku shows, so you can leave a thumbs up, down or middle, along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

Jeopardy on Monday night had a category about fighters, with questions that related to Ronda Rousey, Oleksandr Usyk, Henry Cejudo, Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler (thanks to Grant Zwarych)

My friend Brian Tramel has a show Shooting The Shiznit talking with Downtown Bruno about Brian Hildebrand, trade taping, Corey Moclin, The Coffees and Giant Gonzalez.

FITE + will be releasing 20 of the greatest shows in the history of Impact. They will be releasing two shows every week for the next ten weeks. This week they released the first-ever TNA show from Huntsville, AL, the first show Mike Tenay did with Don West, and the first television show with Sting’s debut. Next week will be a two event tribute to Sting, and they will also be releasing Kurt Angle’s debut and Cody Rhodes’ debut.

Love, Doug vs. Ichiban has been added to the 10/14 MLW show in Philadelphia. It will be part of the Fusion tapings and not the live PPV show.

Bad Bunny will be hosting the 10/21 episode of Saturday Night Live. 

Tony Khan says AEW made Jade Cargill two ‘very big’ contract offers

Posted on by Ian Carey

Tony Khan says he tried to re-sign Jade Cargill and even offered her an amount “higher than her original ask.” 

The AEW president was asked about Cargill leaving his company and signing with WWE during the WrestleDream post-show media scrum on Sunday. Khan says he was hopeful AEW would be able to re-sign Cargill but when it became clear they wouldn’t, he wanted to give her the best sendoff possible. 

“We were talking about a new contract and I was very interested in Jade coming back and we were having a negotiation,” Khan said. “I made a very big offer and I thought it was a very fair offer and I think she was considering it and then she asked for a bigger offer and then I went up again. I kind of thought that was going to do it and then it didn’t, which I was surprised because, to be honest, I came up to a number that was higher than her original ask. So, I don’t know what I would have had to do at that point.”

“I think I tried to handle it when we were down to the nitty gritty and we’re in the final couple of weeks and we still hadn’t agreed to something then it was at the point I said, ‘Well if you’re not going to stay, I want to give you the best possible exit.'” 

Khan reiterated that the door is open for Cargill to return in the future if she chooses to. 

“I have only good things to say about Jade. I really enjoyed working with her. She was a great part of AEW, she’s always welcome here. I tried to give her the best possible sendoff I could,” Khan continued.  

Cargill’s WWE signing was announced last week. She addressed her decision to leave AEW and join WWE during an appearance on The Ringer podcast. 

“I want to create a legacy. I want to be in the Hall of Fame. I want to wrestle with the best women in the world. I mean, there is no grander stage than this stage. The opportunities are endless for this company. It’s a no-brainer. It was very welcoming. I didn’t have any second thoughts about it at all. It was just an easy choice. It wasn’t easy, but it was easy,” Cargill said.