“Real recognize real” is a phrase that probably dates whoever uses it but still carries weight when a legend in an industry recognizes an up-and-comer. WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash had glowing things to say about Jade Cargill. His praise for her didn’t fall on deaf ears, and she should be seen as someone with the potential to be a megastar.
“I thought Jade did a great job,” Nash said, speaking about her match against Naomi at WrestleMania 41. “And there were a lot of people that were wondering if she could be elevated. I think she comes out of that as probably one of the next superstars.”
That’s quite the statement. Jade Cargill is a performer who generates a lot of dialogue online every time she’s on screen. There are those who love everything about her, from her physique, gorgeous looks, and her aura as a star. But on the other side of the conversation, there are those who will despise everything she does. Some didn’t appreciate her rapid ascent in AEW, then sudden departure from the company, and of course, there are those who cannot find joy in anything a Black woman does in professional wrestling.
Still, Nash’s status as someone who speaks candidly about all things in the business gives weight to his praise for Cargill. The question is, will she live up to it?
Jade Cargill has the potential to be a crossover star
Jade Cargill has the potential to be a huge star in sports entertainment and beyond. Notice that “sports entertainment” was used rather than “professional wrestling.” There’s a distinct difference between the two. Cargill should thrive in one, but not the other.
Cargill is a sports entertainment star. She’s playing that role perfectly so far in WWE. The company has done a great job pairing her with experienced women who can lead throughout the match. She teamed with Bianca Belair for a stint and is now working opposite of Naomi, two seasoned and beloved veterans in their own right.
The struggle has been that Cargill’s in-ring abilities haven’t progressed in proportion to her star power. She’s shown some flashes of what could be. She and Tiffany Stratton recently had a fun back-and-forth match that was rated a 5.60 on Cagematch. Her match guide also lists some other strong showings, which give a glimpse into how good she could be in the ring.
However, in-ring work doesn’t always translate into star power. Cargill is someone who can eventually move into movies, branding, and more. That’s the level of star power she has, and to have that, she doesn’t need to be a five-star wrestler in the ring. The WWE isn’t “where the best wrestle, but it is the place where wrestlers can find themselves in the spotlight that leads to more opportunities.
Kevin Nash thinks that Jade Cargill has the potential to be a big star. He’s not wrong. There’s a reason WWE rolled out the red carpet for it, and she could be one of the next names who moves into stardom outside the ring as well.