Still adjusting to WWE life, Jade Cargill is 'here to break glass ceilings'
It’s been less than a year since JadeCargillsigned with WWE, and with all of the high expectations that came with her arrival, she has delivered.
Since making her in-ring debut at the 2024 Royal Rumble in January, she’s already had a WrestleMania match and recently became a two-time Women’s Tag Team Champion alongside Bianca Belair. Fans can’t wait until the two eventually face off in the squared circle, but for now, they have asserted themselves as the powerhouses of the tag team division.
Even with all of the success she’s quickly had, Cargill is still adjusting to the life of a WWE star, and she was honest about how “it's been a crazy journey” learning the ropes.
“I came in so gung ho and so much pressure on my shoulders. But it's so many things, not just inside the ring, but outside the ring that you have to discover when you work for WWE,” Cargill told USA TODAY Sports.
One thing Cargill pointed out is “the travel is so brutal.” It’s no secret WWE’s talent get little time to relax. In addition to duties on Monday Night Raw, Friday Night SmackDown or NXT, there are also the several live event shows in between that make it a hectic schedule to live by.
An example the tag team champion mentioned was after Backlash France in May. Her and Belair won the tag team titles – a first for both of them and Cargill’s first WWE championship – but they didn’t get time to really savor or soak in the moment. Instead, they were on the road to the next event.
“It's hard to even catch a breath,” Cargill said. “It's not enough time, I would say, to breathe and just say I did it, because you're on to the next thing.
“I'm just taking it day by day. I'm being very understanding with myself.”
Luckily, Cargill has been teaming with someone that knows the restless work it takes. Belair has been one of the biggest names since she catapulted herself to success in 2021, so Cargill has looked to her for advice and how to deal with everything the job entails “when it all becomes a lot.”
It’s easy for Belair to understand how Cargill is trying to navigate the beginning of her WWE career because she sees a lot of herself in her tag team partner. Cargill’s arrival came with a lot of hype, attention and pressure. It allows her to be put in high-profile spots, but there are big expectations to perform at a high level and any slight error will be scrutinized.
“Jade, she's here to break glass ceilings,” Belair said.
Belair remembers veterans like Becky Lynch and Charlotte watching over as she was thrust into the spotlight, and now she can take on that mentor role with Cargill. So far, it’s been a fantastic start.
Neither Belair or Cargill had much tag team experience prior to their partnership, so they’ve enjoyed learning how to work with other people in the ring. Cargill mentioned one thing she’s taken is she can have fun and not be so serious.
Cargill’s wrestling career is relatively young and Belair believes she’s already found the company where she can “thrive and be successful.” The “EST” said there are several opportunities and resources that will help her continue to develop. Yet, they can only take her so far, and the three-time WWE Champion had a blunt message for her partner.
“At this point, it's up to Jade if she wants to skyrocket, because it's there and she can be there,” Belair said. “And if she doesn't get there, that's on you, girl, that's on you.”
Her response?
“Best believe I'm gonna deliver,” Cargill said.
What do Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill envision for women’s tag team division?
For all of the titles on the main roster, the women’s tag team championship is the one that receives the least amount of recognition. Having so many storylines hasn’t given the division the space to flourish and the prestige of it is up for debate.
Cargill and Belair are hoping to change that narrative with their second run as champions. Friday Night SmackDown is moving to USA Network this week, something Belair believes will pave a new path for them to become the faces of the women’s division. Monday Night Raw is already on USA Network, and having them on the same channel will allow them to keep the same fanbase, Belair said.
“We're at an amazing time right now for women's wrestling, especially in WWE,” she added. “Now we have these tag team titles, we're trying to elevate this division, and we're trying to showcase the talent on this roster.”
They’re planning to take on any and all challengers as part of that goal. They already defended the titles against the former champions Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn, and are teasing an NXT appearance for when it debuts on the CW on Oct. 1.
So can the women’s tag team titles gain prominence? It’ll be up to Cargill and Belair.