WWE: Ricochet captures US Championship at Stomping Grounds
WWE Stomping Grounds featured several championship matches, including Samoa Joe defending the US Championship against Ricochet. When the dust settled, Ricochet walked away with his first taste of championship gold on the main roster.
WWE Stomping Grounds came to the Tacoma Dome tonight and boasted several top-notch matches. One that many believed had the potential to steal the show was the United States Championship clash between reigning champion Samoa Joe and challenger Ricochet.
Unlike some of the night’s other title matches, there wasn’t an extensive history between Samoa Joe and Ricochet. The match was made just this past Monday on Raw when Ricochet faced four other competitors to decide Joe’s challenger at Stomping Grounds.
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In a grueling Fatal 5-Way Elimination Match, Ricochet defeated The Miz, Bobby Lashley, Braun Strowman, and Cesaro to earn this huge title opportunity. While Joe carried the experience and power advantage, Ricochet’s unmatched agility and speed carried him throughout the contest.
After a grueling back and forth contest, Ricochet hit Samoa Joe with a version of the Codebreaker to set up a picture perfect 630 senton. With a crisp impact, Ricochet pinned Joe for the count of three to become the new United States Champion.
While Ricochet proved himself during his NXT tenure, including a reign as NXT North American Champion, this was his first taste of championship gold since arriving on the main roster in February of 2018.
Ricochet was in an unorthodox tag team with fellow NXT-alum Aleister Black when they first arrived on the main roster. With some early success, they worked their way to a shot at the SmackDown Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania 35 but came up short that night.
After this year’s WWE Superstar Shake-Up, Ricochet had to branch out alone once again to prove himself as a singles competitor. At WWE Stomping Grounds, he defeated the behemoth that is Samoa Joe to do just that.
Next. WWE Stomping Grounds Results, Highlights, and Grades. dark
There is plenty more to come from Ricochet in WWE, but this is without a doubt the biggest win of his career thus far. He is now “The One and Only” United States Champion.