New details on Jade Cargill, Rhea Ripley social media confrontation
Dave Meltzer addressed the social media confrontation between Jade Cargill and Rhea Ripley in Friday’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
During the exchange, comments by Ripley, Chelsea Green, and Piper Niven were critical of Cargill, with Ripley taking specific aim at her in-ring work. Reports over the past few days have suggested the exchange was either a work, a shoot, a work that turned into a shoot, or some combination of the two.
“Not having fun. Not friends. Learn to work and never lie to defame someone’s real human character by ‘breaking the 4th wall” Ripley wrote during the exchange.
Meltzer wrote in Friday’s newsletter that the exchange was not a shoot, but that much of the criticism directed at Cargill, particularly regarding her in-ring work, reflects concerns that have been expressed about her by others.
Meltzer wrote:
“While this was not a shoot, no matter what people tell you, because WWE forbids that type of thing from its talent on social media platforms, the reality is what was said about Cargill was almost identical to what several other women talent have told me over the past year, really starting after the Shayna Baszler and Cargill confrontation went public.”
Meltzer was referencing a report from March 2025 regarding a backstage interaction between Cargill and Shayna Baszler. Cargill was said to have confronted Baszler while pointing to a bruise on her arm and telling her she needed to learn how to work. Baszler reportedly responded, “If I was shooting, you and I would both know.”
Meltzer continued regarding Cargill:
“It’s natural with the resentment of her being pushed while not being good in the ring or anything special on promos, but completely due to her unique look. There was a feeling that look or not, she didn’t get over to the level others have, didn’t improve in the ring and in the case starting in the wake of the Baszler situation, would blame her partners when matches had issues. Most of the women believe they are better and didn’t get the same chances, which leads to resentment,” Meltzer added.
The full edition of today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter is available here for subscribers.
Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has been featured in NOW Magazine, The Huffington Post, and more. A lifelong wrestling aficionado born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he has covered the industry for a decade and a half. He joined the f4wonline.com team in 2019.