Predicting Who Hands Jade Cargill Her First Loss in AEW

There may be controversy running rampant in the backstage area of AEW these days, but there is no question that current TBS Champion Jade Cargill is one of the brightest young stars in the business and a cornerstone of the weekly television product.

Cargill is a sure-fire star who can transcend the sport and help AEW in the near- and long-term future. With that said, her current undefeated streak will end eventually, and that loss could end up putting over a fresh face or reviving a veteran’s floundering career.

Here are the best-, worst- and most likely scenarios for when Cargill finally loses her first AEW match and drops the TBS Championship.

Best-Case Scenario: Keira Hogan

In wrestling, having a long run with a championship—and in Cargill’s case an undefeated streak as well—is meant to put the talent over to hardcore and casual fans that the titleholder is the top dog in a division.

The key, though, is that after that long run on top, the performer puts over the next star that will take that spot and continue building momentum. With that in mind, the best-case scenario for AEW would be to eventually have Cargill lose her title to current stablemate Keira Hogan.

As one of Cargill’s Baddies, Hogan has shown her toughness and willingness to work hard, two elements that helped catapult her into the upper echelon of female wrestlers during her time in Impact Wrestling.

Hogan and AEW should begin planning the seeds of possible dissension in the coming months, only for Cargill to state that she has run out of challengers in the company. When the champion turns her back, Hogan should claim that she deserves the belt and attack her former friend.

Slow-playing the angle between Hogan and Cargill over the next several months should carry the feud into 2023, giving both women the chance to showcase their ability before the much smaller Hogan channels her inner Bryan Danielson and overcomes the odds to take away Cargill’s title and undefeated streak.

If Hogan beats Cargill, she’d be a bona fide star.

Worst-Case Scenario: Britt Baker

The worst-case scenario for AEW would be to book an established veteran on their current roster with championship experience to beat Cargill and end her undefeated streak. One woman who certainly doesn’t need the win is Britt Baker.

As a well-established babyface and heel already in her time with AEW, Baker has held the division’s top title and was in some of the company’s most memorable matches. While Baker winning the TBS Championship would make the title feel important, it wouldn’t help Cargill and it wouldn’t establish a new star.

If Tony Khan were smart, he’d remove Baker from the women’s world title scene for several months and build a long-term feud against Cargill, but only if the result is Baker being turned away after failing to defeat the champion.

Baker should be putting over Cargill to further cement her place at the top of the women’s division, not taking away her momentum. Unless an established veteran like Saraya signs with AEW and beats Cargill, it should be a fresh face that desperately needs a career-defining win.

Most Likely Scenario: Ruby Soho

While Ruby Soho may still be dealing with the aftermath of a broken nose at the hands of Tay Melo during their match at ALL Out, she is the most likely performer to stand up to Cargill and take her title.

The current TBS champion is one of the brightest stars in the business, but she has only been wrestling for a few years. Cargill has proven to be a great athlete, but her best matches occur when her opponents are well-seasoned veterans.

If Khan is looking for a reliable performer who is over with the crowd and needs an unforgettable moment to regain her momentum, Soho is the answer. After an initial run that shined the spotlight on her, the former WWE Superstar has been largely cast aside in both women’s championship scenes.

With Cargill needing a talented performer across the ring and Soho being exactly that, the combination should be magic in the ring and the storyline between the two should help ensure the women’s division is must-see TV.

Not only would Soho instantly catapult herself into the upper echelon of AEW talent by defeating Cargill and taking her undefeated streak and title, but the current champion would also not lose any credibility taking the loss against one of the most respected veterans in the business.

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