Red Velvet recently gained attention for defeating Mercedes Monet in the Ring of Honor finals to reclaim the ROH Women’s TV Championship, effectively initiating Monet’s decline. However, one of the most significant moments of Velvet’s career happened earlier, in 2021, when she teamed up with Cody Rhodes against Shaquille O’Neal and Jade Cargill—a match that played a crucial role in launching both Velvet’s and Cargill’s careers.
Despite sharing the ring with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, Velvet revealed in an interview on Close Up with Renee Puckett that she never actually got to make contact with him during their mixed tag match, leaving her feeling a bit frustrated. “I was so angry that I didn’t touch him,” she admitted. “I couldn’t do it. It was a mixed tag, so I couldn’t touch him.”
More importantly, Velvet expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity, explaining how the match transformed her career. At the time, she was simply thrilled to be featured on television and didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of the event. “Because of that match, I was able to get a full-time salary contract with AEW,” she said. “It changed my life, and I was just happy… I wouldn’t say I was just happy to be there that day. I was so happy to be wrestling on TV. And it was a big moment, but I didn’t realize how big it was.” Reflecting back, she imagines she would have been overwhelmed by the scale, with ESPN coverage and all, but at the moment, she thought of herself merely as an extra hoping to get a break.
If quoting, please credit “Close Up with Renee Paquette” and Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Fan Take: This story highlights how pivotal moments can come unexpectedly and truly launch a wrestler’s career. For AEW fans, Red Velvet’s journey underscores the company’s ability to turn unique matchups into career-defining opportunities, which ultimately elevates the sport by blending mainstream attention with emerging talent.
