Ricochet debuted in AEW during the Casino Gauntlet Match.
Ricochet made his AEW debut in a star-studded Casino Gauntlet Match at AEW All In from Wembley Stadium, only to lose in his first match.
Ricochet’s debut gave way to a Christian Cage win, where Cage received help from Stockholm Syndrome victim Luchasaurus. As anticipated as Ricochet’s debut was, it didn’t receive nearly the pop it should have if it was an isolated incident. Ricochet’s arrival followed surprise entrances from Kazuchika Okada, Nigel McGuinness coming out of retirement, Zack Sabre Jr. and even Jeff Jarrett—all of whom received massive pops. Fans came alive as Ricky ran wild on the field during a heated Casino Gauntlet before a historic crowd, but nothing more came of Ricochet’s debut. In fact, Ricochet feels like he’s in the same spot as he was when he left WWE.
A talented midcarder who is never booked to win the big one.
Ricochet was almost a no-brainer to show up in AEW after his WWE contract expired with no renewal. Ricochet’s last appearance in WWE came when he was destroyed by rising star, and current Intercontinental champion, Bron Breakker.
The Ricochet-to-AEW speculation is a symptom of what has become an aimless pattern of AEW signing free agents with no apparent direction. Former WWE stars such as Keith Lee, ROH women’s champion Athena, PAC, Saraya and The Hardys have all fallen by the wayside after being highly touted “game-changers” in AEW. Even WWE commentator Corey Graves mocked the term upon the WWE arrival of Jade Cargill.
While Ricochet signing with AEW is the best financial decision for the underutilized high-flyer, one must ask whether or not it’s the right career move. With less quality TV time (Rampage, Collision and ROH are essentially demotions at this point) and more mouths to feed in AEW, Ricochet will see even less opportunities to become a top star in AEW long-term. A feud with Will Ospreay seems inevitable. But if it’s only a great wrestling match with a nostalgic spot calling back to their now legendary NJPW Super Juniors clash, it will do nothing to establish Ricochet as a major player in AEW.
It will be nothing outside of hardcore wrestling comfort food.
Ricochet did not leave the top wrestling company in the world during its hottest period—both financially and content-wise—to simply play the hits and coast. It doesn’t feel like an Okada situation, where one of the best wrestlers in the world only wrestles on occasion and is more known for his comedy than his all-world ability.
But given AEW’s inconsistency with even its top free agents, and despite Ricochet’s talents, Ricochet getting lost in the shuffle is more likely to happen than not—especially after literally being lost in the shuffle during his debut.