Rikishi backs Jade Cargill, urges patient WWE development

WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi weighed in on Jade Cargill’s standing inside WWE during a recent episode of his Off the Top podcast, responding to reports that some within the company do not view her on the same level as Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley. In a measured defense, he praised Cargill’s rare star power and distinctive athletic look, urged patience in her development, and offered a framework for her continued growth within a WWE landscape that emphasizes on-screen learning over traditional house show repetitions.

Rikishi highlighted Cargill’s preexisting appeal, noting that she arrived in WWE with a large and growing fan base built during her time in AEW, where she rose to prominence from day one. He described her physical presence in exalted terms, saying that “you don’t get specimens that look like that often,” and compared her to a “reborn version” of Chyna with a strong, goddess-like appearance who could be a standout in a Marvel film. The comments reflect a belief that Cargill’s aesthetic and aura could translate into major mainstream appeal if developed correctly.

Yet Rikishi also acknowledged the realities of today’s WWE schedule, which features fewer nontelevised...