WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has stated that Jade Cargill “didn’t learn a whole lot” during her time in All Elite Wrestling. The critique was delivered on his Hall of Fame podcast while analyzing the recent Triple Threat main event for the WWE Women’s Championship on the September 26 episode of SmackDown.
The match, which took place at the Kia Center in Orlando, saw champion Tiffany Stratton successfully defend her title against both Cargill and Nia Jax. Booker T’s commentary focused on what he perceived as a lack of chemistry between the competitors.
“You could tell there was a lot of miscommunication,” Booker T said. “You’ve got an NIL talent, Tiffany Stratton. You’ve got Jade Cargill who’s pretty much fresh off her AEW run, and just think about that time in AEW for her, she probably didn’t learn a whole lot, because – no disrespect or anything – but she was just put on a wing and she never really got a chance to really wrestle anybody. And then you’ve got Nia Jax, who’s been there, of course is gonna feel like, ‘I need to quarterback this thing, I feel like I know more than these girls.'”
The match’s execution drew criticism beyond the Hall of Famer’s analysis, particularly for a botched finish where Jax appeared to not raise her shoulder during the deciding pinfall. Stratton’s victory sets her on a collision course with Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer for the newly announced WWE Crown Jewel Championship.
The contest was further complicated by a legitimate injury sustained by Cargill. During the match, Jax threw Cargill toward the ringside steel steps, resulting in a cut around her eye. According to a report from TC WrestleVotes, the injury forced producer Tyson Kidd to restructure the planned finish on the fly. In the aftermath, some fans criticized Jax online, reviving past concerns over her in-ring safety. This prompted several WWE personalities to come to her defense.
“Dude shut the f–k up! You have no idea what you are talking about,” former WWE star Bishop Dyer wrote in response to an online allegation.
SmackDown’s Chelsea Green also supported her colleague. “The internet not knowing that Nia is one of the best is the biggest travesty. We’re lucky to have her as a locker room leader,” Green stated.