Months of rumors regarding backstage heat between Jade Cargill and WWE talent have finally been put to rest. Not only did Cargill return to WWE at last week’s Elimination Chamber but also with fresh details regarding the alleged heat with WWE locker room members. There is much to discuss, so let’s dive into all that we know so far.
Jade Cargill’s Return and Early Rumors
Cargill finally returned at the Elimination Chamber show, where she jumped Naomi. This week on SmackDown, Naomi said that she did it for Bianca Belair, which lays the groundwork for an emerging storyline. But the million-dollar question on everyone’s mind was why Cargill had been away from TV for a couple of months. Was it to get to this big angle, to recover from an injury, or because of some heat backstage?
Accounts of Backstage Confrontation
First, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, headed by Dave Meltzer, announced that there was a altercation some months ago between Cargill and Shayna Baszler. The incident happened before Cargill’s injury and was confirmed by several sources. But no information about the altercation was revealed. It was reported that Cargill rubbed some of the Raw women’s division the wrong way, which made Baszler want to have a word with her until management stepped in.
Background of the Confrontation
The altercation came at a period when Baszler and Stark Zoey had been competing in matches against Belair and Cargill. Although it wasn’t indicated as to what prompted the altercation in particular, indications were that there was tension originating from a combination of in-ring encounters and a host of unnamed issues. Among the female talent, one cited that tension along the SmackDown side of things was reputed to be considerably worse than at Raw, further raising eyebrows on the locker room dynamics.
Varied Accounts of the Incident
Upon the initial reporting, Fightful Select gave more information. They stated that subsequent to Cargill being dismissed from TV, the locker room had been rather subdued regarding what happened with Baszler. It was asserted, however, that Cargill had indicated her displeasure with Baszler, who was said to have told someone that Baszler needed to learn how to work, which has been disputed by those associated with Cargill.
Mistakes and Misunderstandings
From Fightful, tension was reportedly building as the tension was said to have come about after a Scotland match in which Cargill tapped out under circumstances not supposed to lead to the conclusion. Cargill had supposedly apologized and disappointed herself backstage, much in the manner described if tensions had erupted merely from what Cargill said about Baszler’s ability.
The Impact of Cargill’s Promo Video
Upon her return to WWE, Cargill posted a promo clip wherein she called for respect and also described her environment to be filled with “wolves” in the form of women. This clip was said to have created some emotions within the locker room, particularly with people already knowing about the tension between Cargill and Baszler. It appears that even what she said in a promo was taken personally by some people, further making her relationships inside the locker room even more complicated.
WWE’s Management and Conflict Resolution
WWE has a long history of dealing with backstage conflicts. As much as the rumors may say otherwise, it’s worth noting that WWE has protocols in place to deal with these conflicts before they get too far out of hand. They’ve been good at keeping conflicts in-house and not spilling over into the public eye. That they were able to be revealed here at all, though, indicates that perhaps this one isn’t so easily fixed as everyone had hoped.
Is There a Long-Term Fallout?
Looking forward, it’s anybody’s guess how the long-term impact of this backstage heat will affect Cargill’s career. Although she is undoubtedly a great performer, locker-room politics can play an enormous role in how a wrestler is perceived inside the company. Cargill’s ability to conduct business and her past success in AEW, where she accumulated an incredible winning streak, indicate that she possesses the chops to overcome this obstacle.
Potential for a Match to Mend Fences
With the backstage tension reported it would not be out of the question for WWE to pair Cargill and Baszler in the ring as a means of addressing and possibly eliminating any remaining issues. This could be a storyline that not only engages the audience but also serves to heal fences behind the scenes.
Conclusion: What’s Next for Jade Cargill?
Cargill remains a central figure in WWE’s women’s division. As she continues to make her mark, it’s essential to keep an eye on how her relationships within the locker room evolve. Will she be able to turn the narrative around and foster a more positive environment? Only time will tell.
Meanwhile, the world of wrestling is waiting with bated breath as Jade Cargill deals with this complicated issue. What are your thoughts about the alleged heat between Baszler and Cargill? Is it something that can be overcome, or will it persist? Let us know in the comments!
