Jade Cargill’s absence from the April 24 episode of SmackDown has been explained, and it has nothing to do with any WWE storyline decisions.
Cargill was in Cincinnati to attend her husband Brandon Phillips’ induction into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, a personal milestone for the longtime Reds standout. The couple has been together since 2015, and Cargill’s presence at the ceremony made it clear that her absence from SmackDown was due to real-life priorities rather than any booking development.
The absence had drawn some attention given the uncertainty already surrounding Cargill’s status following her loss to Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 42 night two, where Ripley ended her nearly 170-day Women’s Championship reign. Speaking on the Battleground podcast, Cargill acknowledged she does not even know if a rematch is forthcoming.
Cargill has stated that she hopes to return to the title picture and has publicly said she treated her first reign as a practice run, adding that the next one will look very different. The timeline for her next program remains unclear.
"It's something that I always wanted. Until the Reds were ready to sign me, that's when I wanted to officially to retire."
Brandon Phillips is back in Cincinnati, ready to retire as a Red and enter the Reds Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/maCi5TJFKp
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) April 24, 2026
To: Cincinnati
From: @DatDudeBP pic.twitter.com/3SrAgGLHud
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 25, 2026
During a rain delay, Reds broadcaster Jim Day gives former Red Brandon Phillips’ wife and current WWE star Jade Cargill, a legendary entrance😂🏆 pic.twitter.com/QZBX58laf2
— SleeperReds (@SleeperReds) April 25, 2026
