WWE isn’t and shouldn’t be seen as the end all, be all in professional wrestling. Competition forces promotions to put the best product forward and gives performers the opportunity to earn more for their talent. Plus, it creates the space for fans to see different sides of stars who do not get the chance to show their full range. This is what is happening with Ricochet in All Elite Wrestling. His run in AEW is proof that competition is important in the business.
August will mark one year since Ricochet made the jump from WWE to AEW. It would be hard to describe that change as anything more than a success. Fans may want to compare accolades and title runs between the two companies, but the conversation isn’t that simple at all.
Ricochet is showing fans how great he really is in AEW
Sure, Ricochet held the WWE United States and Intercontinental Championships while on the main roster, and the NXT North American Championship while on NXT. Winning those titles shouldn’t be ignored. However, the reality behind those runs is that they didn’t do much for Ricochet’s place on the roster. Especially when he was on SmackDown and Monday Night Raw.
Ricochet was never given the opportunity to show his range as a character. WWE watered down his in-ring work and the heavily manufactured stunted what he could do as a personality on screen. Ricochet felt just like another name who could be easily replaced at any moment.
Things are different in AEW. Ricochet has quickly become one of the most over characters with fans as he’s playing a ridiculous heel version of himself. It seems like each week he’s taking the antics to another level, one that would have never been seen in WWE. Take the May 8 episode of AEW Collision. He took on Angelico in what was a fun sprint of a match. But the moment when he was making fun of Zach Gowen has gone viral, showing just how much his character work is engaging the fanbase. He’s showing layers to who he can be as a character and the fans are supporting him for it.
AEW is a true alternative to WWE. Without it, wrestling fans would not have individuals like Toni Storm, Thunder Rosa, or Swerve Strickland in the positions they are today. Add Ricochet to that list because he’s showing fans a level of depth they would have never seen if it weren’t for viable competition in professional wrestling.