Five years on WWE's main roster felt like a wrestling career black hole for Ricochet, tarnishing the legacy he meticulously built. In a candid conversation with The Mark Hoke Show, the high-flying sensation didn't hold back, drawing a striking parallel between his WWE tenure and the Marvel Cinematic Universe's infamous 'blip.'
Ricochet articulated that the character and style showcased in WWE were a stark departure from the electrifying performances that defined him in AEW and on the independent circuit. He explained, "I don’t think it’s any different than Marvel having different universes—different Iron Mans, different Captain Americas, different Spider-Mans." For him, the "Ricochet that I am now is the same Ricochet that I was on the independent scene and in Japan, doing the things that got me popular and got me to where I am today." He recalled the excitement surrounding his call-up to RAW with fellow NXT stars Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, and Aleister Black, a moment he believes should have been a monumental leap forward.
But here's where it gets controversial: "I literally think that’s how Ricochet’s wrestling career was. Those five years were like being blipped away into a different universe. It wasn’t what I was doing. It wasn’t me." He likened this period to Thanos' snap, where a significant chunk of his career felt lost and disconnected from his true wrestling identity. Coming back to AEW, he stated, felt like Tony Stark's victory over Thanos, a return to form and a rediscovery of his passion. "That’s kind of how I feel, like Ricochet finally came back to what he was doing. That five years was just kind of blipped away."
And this is the part most people miss: Despite the undeniable benefits of his WWE run – meeting his wife, forging friendships, creating memories, and gaining a massive platform – Ricochet firmly believes the call-up to RAW was detrimental to his wrestling trajectory. "I really think the day we got called up to RAW was the worst thing that happened to Ricochet’s wrestling career." He elaborated that the public's perception of him fundamentally shifted, diverging from the path he envisioned. "I’m talking specifically about the wrestling side of it—not the fame, not the celebrity. I really do think those five years tarnished Ricochet’s wrestling legacy."
What are your thoughts? Do you agree with Ricochet that his WWE run 'tarnished' his legacy, or do you see it as a necessary step in his career journey? Share your opinions in the comments below!
