5 things you didn't know about AEW TBS champ Jade Cargill

AEW could potentially have a female megastar in Jade Cargill. The 29-year-old wrestler defeated Ruby Soho to become the inaugural TBS champion and was successful in her first title defense against Anna Jay in this week’s Rampage.

She has been highly impressive since making her debut in March 2021, teaming up with basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal.

Even though Cargill is relatively inexperienced, she already carries herself like a star. Her exceptional physique and natural charisma make her stand out from the rest of the women’s division.

Tony Khan has signed Cargill on a multi-year deal, and it’s safe to say that Jade will become a massive part of the women’s division in the coming years.

Here are five facts about Cargill that you might not know.

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#5. AEW star Cargill is inspired by X-Men’s Storm and late WWE legend Chyna

Cargill is a huge comic book fan who patterns her look after the X-Men character Storm.

When looking at Cargill’s ice-white hair, in addition to the phrase “A Storm Is Coming,” which kicks off her entrance music, this is pretty obvious.

During her recent TBS Title win, Cargill’s ring gear was also inspired by Storm, with Cargill’s logo placed front and center in her black attire.

Jade had stated in an interview on the AEW Unrestricted podcast that WWE legend Chyna had a huge influence on her. Jade Cargill credited the late great wrestler for giving her the confidence to embrace her powerful physique:

"Growing up I've always been muscular and I used to always get picked on by guys saying, 'Oh she looks like a man. She's too muscular.' And I remember growing up and watching Chyna and seeing how she just embodied [the physique], just loved how she looked, and it just did nothing but empower me and make me say, 'You know what? I look good. These muscles look great." h/t AEW Unrestricted

With her movie-star good looks, the TBS Champion is one of the most marketable wrestlers Tony Khan has on his women’s roster right now, which is probably why she was anointed to be champion in the first place.

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#4. AEW's Jade Cargill was mentored by Mark Henry

Wrestling legend Mark Henry works as a broadcaster and talent scout for AEW. He has a wide network which allowed him to discover the likes of Bianca Belair and Braun Strowman in WWE.

One such prospect that Henry picked up was Jade Cargill. She considers the World's Strongest Man her mentor as he helped her immensely when she first decided to get trained in wrestling.

Henry has spoken highly of Cargill's potential in an appearance on the "Battleground" podcast.

"Jade is going to be a superstar,” Henry said. “ I've told her recently, I said, ‘You’re me. You are a star, you are a celebrity.” He continued, “Without a doubt, she will do all of it, but she's going to have to get to the point where she can wake up at 4 in the morning and if somebody grabs her in a headlock, she'll know exactly what to do." (H/T: Fightful)

With his decades of experience in the wrestling industry, Henry is best positioned to guide Cargill as she progresses in her career.

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#3. AEW star Cargill has a Master's degree and is a mom

Cargill might not share much about her personal life, but she let her fans in a little when she brought her four-year-old daughter Bailey to the arena on the night she won the TBS championship.

She is in a long-term relationship with MLB All-Star baseball player Brandon Phillips, who is also the father of her child.

Not only is Cargill an athletic specimen, but she is also highly accomplished outside of the ring. Cargill graduated from Jacksonville University with a social science degree and even has a master's degree in child psychology.

While she could have pursued a career in psychology, she decided to follow her wrestling dreams and join AEW instead.

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#2. AEW star Cargill is undefeated at 25-0

Since her AEW debut, Jade Cargill has been undefeated in singles competition, and she's barely a year into her career.

In some ways, Cargill's run is reminiscent of Goldberg's monstrous push during his initial days at WCW. With Cargill's victory over Anna Jay in this week's Rampage, the TBS Champion is now 25-0.

While it is clear that she is still relatively green in the ring, the company has done a great job in hiding her flaws and accentuating her strengths. While her initial matches were taped, Cargill has also proven her in-ring dominance against the likes of Leyla Hirsch, Thunder Rosa, and Ruby Soho.

She will only improve with time, and the future is bright for Cargill now with the title around her waist.

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#1. AEW star Cargill rejected a WWE contract

Vince McMahon would have loved to have a female talent like Cargill.

Did you know that the TBS Champion did a WWE tryout but ultimately rejected the contract that was offered?

While it would have been awesome to see Cargill battle Charlotte Flair, Bayley, and Sasha Banks, she seems like a better fit for Tony Khan's promotion.

Cargill has been able to thrive as one of the figureheads of the promotion's burgeoning women's division, a chance she might not have gotten if she was stuck in WWE developmental.