Former WWE Star Ricochet Reveals Why He Left for AEW

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has become the home for WWE Superstars who had the skills to be world champions, but couldn’t quite break into the crowded main event scene.

This includes Claudio Castagnoli, Swerve Strickland, and Toni Storm. And now, Ricochet can be added to that list.

One of the greatest high flyers of all time, Ricochet has held multiple titles in WWE, including the WWE Intercontinental Championship, WWE United States Championship, NXT North American Championship, and WWE Speed Championship.

Still, Ricochet had the skill and charisma to reach even higher heights. Now, he has the opportunity to show what he’s truly capable of in AEW.

In an interview with Steven Muelhausen of Sports Illustrated, Ricochet explained why he left WWE for AEW, looking for new challenges and the “opportunity to shine.”

“Honestly, the biggest reason [I signed with AEW] is that I’ve been doing this for a long time, 21 years this year,” Ricochet said. “And for me, the time when I was like, having the most fun in my career was when I was, like, traveling the world with those crazy lunatics in the back there.”

“It’s literally the time when I was having the most fun. Despite what people may think, it’s not always been bad for Ricochet. I’ve had fun my entire career, no matter where I went.”

“I’ve always had fun. That’s not going to change. But when I was having the most fun was when I was hanging out with these guys and traveling the world with these guys and having matches with these guys and creating the art that I really like to make for I feel like the Ricochet fans out there who’s been, you know, I guess just missing the opportunity to shine. But for me, it’s to have fun again and to create that art again.”

In the end, Ricochet explained that while he’ll miss everyone at WWE, he thinks leaving for AEW is his best move.

“It was definitely a big decision, but honestly, yes and no,” Ricochet explained. “Obviously, yes it was hard because it’s a place I’ve been for the last six years. of I’ve met. I got some really good connections, some friends, and some good memories there. So it was definitely hard. But at the same time, no, it wasn’t because I am a person who has always changed. I’ve always done stuff, so that’s something that I was looking forward to.”

“I saw the guys and girls over there and what they were doing, and it just seemed so fun. You want to be a part of it. Now that I’m able to be a part of it and hopefully help move it forward into the next, generation is going to be awesome. So, as hard of a decision as it was, I knew it was the right decision.”

What’s most exciting about Ricochet heading to AEW is all of the potential opponents he can face. This includes younger talent like Darby Allin and Kyle Fletcher as well as opponents he has already faced in independent promotions like Will Ospreay and PAC.

In the end, AEW could be a much better fit for a wrestler with Ricochet’s skillset.

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