Jade Cargill signs deal with WWE; former AEW champion reporting to training center
Jade Cargill, one of the fastest rising stars in wrestling after a dominant run in AEW, has signed a multi-year deal with WWE in a major free agent signing for the company.
ESPN was first to report the signing.
The signing confirms weekslong rumors Cargill would sign with WWE after her deal with AEW came to an end. WWE reported Cargill will begin training at the company's performance center in Orlando, but is unclear if she will make her first appearance in the developmental NXT or if she will debut on the main roster on "Raw" or "Smackdown."
Who is Jade Cargill?
Cargill, 31, quickly became one of the top stars in AEW in the few years she spent with the company. She made her in-ring debut in March 2021 alongside Shaquille O'Neal in a tag match against Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet, and despite the little time she had spent wrestling, she was acclaimed for her ability to learn with experience.
After winning her first match, Cargill continued her dominance in the ring en route to winning the inaugural AEW TBS Champion in January 2022. Her reign as champion lasted over a year as she broke the record for longest reigning champion in AEW history at 373 days. She ended up holding the title until May 2023, ending at 508 days.
Cargill played Division I basketball at Jacksonville University from 2010-14, and led the team in several categories during her time with the Dolphins. Her partner is former MLB All-Star Brandon Phillips.