Jade Cargill, the current WWE Women’s Champion, has quickly made a significant impact in professional wrestling. She was the first-ever AEW TBS Champion, maintained an undefeated streak in AEW for over two years, and has secured both singles and tag team titles in WWE. However, one of her most memorable moments was her unique debut match, where she teamed up with NBA star Shaquille O’Neal against Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet on the March 3, 2021 edition of "AEW Dynamite."
In a recent interview on the radio show "Going Ringside," Cargill shared that she asked Shaquille O’Neal if he was nervous before their match. Shaq confidently replied that as an entertainer, even if he stumbled, he could turn it into a moment for the audience. This mindset reassured Cargill, who realized that while many came to see Shaq and Cody, it was ultimately her moment to shine by simply showing up and connecting with the crowd.
Though she didn’t feel intimidated by wrestling alongside Shaq, her main concern was how the wrestling community would perceive her, especially since her in-ring experience was limited to just a brief practice match before that night. She admitted she wasn’t fully prepared but still managed to perform. Cargill reflected that while Shaq seemed at home in the ring, she found her comfort in facing the challenge head-on, likening it to swimming in deep waters.
If quoting from this article, please credit “Going Ringside” and acknowledge Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Fan Take: This story highlights the crossover appeal AEW brings by blending wrestling with mainstream entertainment figures like Shaquille O’Neal, which helps draw new fans to the sport. For AEW enthusiasts, Jade Cargill’s seamless handling of such a high-profile debut signals a promising future and shows the evolving nature of wrestling as both athletic competition and theatrical spectacle.
