On his “Rikishi Fatu Off The Top” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi addressed recent reports suggesting that some within WWE do not consider Jade Cargill to be on the same level as Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley. Rikishi offered a different perspective, giving high praise for Cargill’s unique star power and providing his advice on how she can be best developed for the future, given her non-traditional path in the wrestling industry.
In response to the reports, Rikishi made a powerful comparison for Cargill’s look and physical presence, suggesting she is a rare type of athlete. “You don’t get specimens that look like that often,” he said. “That’s like a reborn [version] of Chyna… the black version. You see her, she looks like she looked like a goddess. You can stick her in a Marvel movie, and that movie will be a hit.” He also noted that Cargill brought a large, pre-existing fan base with her to WWE, which has only continued to grow.
Cargill’s journey in professional wrestling has been anything but typical. Unlike most wrestlers who spend years honing their craft on the independent circuit, Cargill’s very first professional match was a high-profile, nationally televised bout on AEW Dynamite in March 2021, where she teamed with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. She was immediately positioned as a major star, learning her craft entirely in front of a live television audience.
Her time in AEW was marked by incredible success. She embarked on a long, televised undefeated streak and became the inaugural and longest-reigning AEW TBS Champion, holding the title for over 500 days. This rapid ascent established her as a main-event level talent before she ever signed with WWE in late 2023.
Cargill’s development continues under the brightest lights, and in a WWE landscape that is different from past eras. The company’s modern schedule includes fewer non-televised live events, or “house shows,” than in the past. This means that all talent, including Cargill, has fewer opportunities to get repetitions and refine their skills in a lower-pressure environment, with the majority of their in-ring work taking place on live television.
Rikishi suggested that given her unique background, the company should be patient with her development. “There’s always a way to work around, if it’s the athletic ability, or the psychology, the working, whatever the case it may be,” he stated. “If it was me, I’d be patient with her. I would just give her a little bit more extra repetitions, you know, in the ring and kind of… tap into the weak spots.”
He compared her developmental journey to that of Rhea Ripley, who he says also took time to find her footing before becoming a top star. “Rhea Ripley, I mean, same way. It started in the beginning, you know, until she found her groove,” he explained. “I don’t think that maybe Jade didn’t find it yet, but don’t give up on her yet. Hey, Rhea Ripley, look at her. She found it, and she’s one of the biggest superstars, female superstars, in WWE today.”
Rikishi also praised the three-way match for the Women’s World Championship at SummerSlam between Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, and his daughter-in-law, Trinity Fatu, as a showcase of elite talent. “The psychology of the match between Iyo, Trinity and Rhea Ripley was absolutely on point,” he said. “These three girls are the signs of professional wrestlers… I feltp that was one of the best matches on on the card.”
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Rikishi Fatu Off The Top with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
