WWE Raw: Ricochet and Cesaro need a reason to fight forever

Ricochet and Cesaro have been killing it every week in Match of the Year contenders. Now, all they need is something to fight for.

Both Ricochet and Cesaro have been relatively consistent mainstays on the Raw roster ever since the Superstar Shake-Up. Both men have missed a couple weeks of television time here and there, but for the past three weeks, they have been putting on a clinic in that ring against each other.

It all started on the May 20 episode of Raw when the Swiss Cyborg defeated The One and Only in an absolutely mad barn burner of a bout. The following week, Ricochet won a rematch that somehow exceeded their previous match. The other night, Ricochet prevailed for a second week in a row for their rubber match, but this time, Cesaro attacked Ricochet after the bell. If not for a 24/7 Title distraction, Cesaro would have pummeled Ricochet with a ladder and table.

If one thing is consistent with each of the matches in their trilogy, it is that Ricochet vs Cesaro remains a consistent highlight of Monday nights. Every week without fail, both men are showcased in what is always one of the best matches of the night and best overall segments of the show. It’s great to know that their last contest teased more matches to come, but eventually, both men are going to need a reason to fight forever.

Some readers may recall that the now infamous “Fight Forever” chant originated during an NXT TakeOver match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Sami Zayn. Both men were putting on such an in-ring classic for so long that fans were begging for more; they didn’t want it to end. The truth is that if matches like this happen every single week for months on end between the same competitors,folks would lose interest.

That is, if the competitors don’t have an actual reason to fight forever. Without actual stakes in a match, a match loses its luster, stops feeling special and audiences lose interest. The same can be said for the two Raw Superstars at the center of this piece.

The former NXT North American Champion and the former WWE United States Champion are delivering consistent matches every week which are deserving of “Fight Forever” chants. The problem here is that both men eventually are going to need something to fight for or else crowds are going to stop caring about their matches, no matter how awesome their matches continue to be.

Bragging rights and proving who the better competitor is isn’t going to cut it anymore, especially now that Ricochet already won their rubber match. Continuing to trade wins isn’t going to increase either man’s momentum if they keep wrestling each other without a clear goal months from now. Even adding a gimmick to their next match – i.e. TLC – might not do the trick. These guys need something physically salvageable to maintain the crowd’s interest in wanting to see them wrestle again.

Perhaps inserting both men in the title picture could salvage this need for a reason to fight. Maybe their next match could be for some gold with a champion representing a third party. Or, even simpler, their next match could be to determine a number one contender for any one of WWE’s titles.

Because the best storylines in wrestling focus on Superstars actually competing for something, regardless if it’s for something trivial like the services of a valet, a pinata attached to a WCW pole, or a leather jacket stolen by a pirate. Even if the reason and the angle as a whole manages to be silly, the most memorable bouts have something on the line. Every story between a hero and a villain needs a clear, feasible reason why each participant wants to fight.

The next natural progression in the fight between Cesaro and Ricochet needs to see both men fight for something.

WWE don’t need to overthink this one. They just need to give both men a reason to wrestle to keep us interested. Give us a reason to remember these matches years down the line.