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Ricochet is one of the greatest high-flyers of the modern era. The One and Only is renowned for his amazing in-ring ability; few can deliver the Moonsault and the 630 Senton with such precision, impact, and accuracy as he can.
Needless to say, whenever the second-ever NXT North American Champion is competing in a WWE ring, fans will always be mesmerized.
Despite spending more than two years on the main roster, Ricochet has struggled to find his footing on the main roster. He has struggled to stay relevant, and it would be an understatement to say that he has been criminally under-utilized.
Most casual fans haven't been introduced to the talented high-flyer. Ricochet has won the United States Championship once, and that's where his list of accomplishments on the main roster ends.
Many of his fans would want a change in fortunes for the former United States Champion, who does deserve better. However, WWE can save his career from permanent doom, and this list explores five of the best ways WWE management can accomplish the revival of Ricochet's career.
#5 Ricochet could win the United States Championship again
Ricochet is currently in a program with Sheamus over the United States Championship. The Celtic Warrior defeated the high-flyer on the night after WrestleMania Backlash to retain his US Championship. This was a rematch from their encounter in the kickoff show of the aforementioned pay-per-view, which was a non-title match.
WWE may choose to move on, but it could extend the feud. The program between the Celtic Warrior and the One and Only has much to offer. A heavyweight against a cruiserweight always produces interesting matches.
Ricochet is inevitably the underdog in this case, which is a more natural position for him. A United States title win over Sheamus would be a massive boost for the former NXT North American Champion.
His first US title win was short-lived. It lasted three weeks after he dropped it to AJ Styles. Even during his short reign, he impressed many fans with his work against Styles.
A longer US Championship reign could give him more time to show fans what he is truly capable of in a WWE ring. Moreover, winning the title from an indomitable heel like Sheamus against all odds creates a huge star.
The US Championship took John Cena's career to great heights. A dozen Hall of Famers have held it. Winning back the prestigious US Championship could elevate Ricochet.
#4 Ricochet could turn heel
Ricochet has been a babyface throughout his run on NXT and the main roster. His character is endearing and lovable, which is further strengthened by his resilience. All these qualities are beneficial, but his perseverance has not bore him fruit yet.
A heel turn would bring about a drastic character change for the former United States Champion. This could set off a chain of events that would eventually bring his career back on track.
Character changes have done the trick in the past. So a heel turn could be just the impetus Ricochet needs at the moment.
Seth Rollins' WWE career took off after he turned heel and betrayed his Shield brethren. He won the Money in the Bank contract and won the WWE World Championship at WrestleMania 31.
Roman Reigns has become a huge star after turning heel last August. The WWE Universe feels that such a character is only natural for Reigns. Cedric Alexander was another to benefit from a heel turn in the recent past.
Tapping into a darker side of himself would make the former NXT North American Champion a different man, unbeknownst to his competition on RAW. The vicious side of Ricochet can run through the competition.
Jeff Hardy, Damian Priest, Drew McIntyre, Humberto Carillo, and Braun Strowman could be some of the stars he could target upon a heel turn. Each of these matches would be fun.
#3 Ricochet could move back to NXT
Ricochet's NXT run was much better than his main roster run. On NXT, he was consistently in the spotlight. The One and Only had amazing programs with Velveteen Dream, Adam Cole, Johnny Gargano, and Pete Dunne.
He also had a successful tag team run with Aleister Black. In fact, his last match on NXT was against the Viking Raiders with Black.
WWE's developmental brand proved to be a better home for Ricochet. After a failed main roster run, sending him back to NXT is a great idea.
A move to NXT has benefitted many Superstars who were previously struggling on the main roster. Tyler Breeze and Fandango found more success with the black and yellow brand. Breezango became a huge threat in the tag team division on NXT, whereas they were treated as jobbers on the main roster.
Finn Balor was overlooked on the main roster. Balor played second fiddle to Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and Baron Corbin. However, he gained a new life on NXT. The Irishman has won the NXT Championship and become a major player once again.
Given that his first run was a success and history supports the proposition, Ricochet could get his career back on track on NXT.
#2 Ricochet could form a tag team with Cedric Alexander
Cedric Alexander finds himself in a similar place to Ricochet. The former Cruiserweight Champion recently found some success on the main roster as a member of the Hurt Business.
Unfortunately, WWE made the hasty decision of splitting the faction early. Bobby Lashley and MVP continued their alliance, while Alexander and Shelton Benjamin were ousted.
Since then, Alexander has tussled with Benjamin. The two former friends have traded victories, but the program has gone nowhere.
As some fans might recall, Ricochet and Alexander had briefly teamed up in the summer of 2020. They didn't find much success in the tag-team division, but the duo weren't given due attention. Alexander eventually joined the Hurt Business while Ricochet continued treading water.
Now that he has broken free from the Hurt Business, Alexander can re-align himself with the former US Champion. The tag-team division will gain a boost from the addition of new tandems like Ricochet and Cedric Alexander.
The two high-flyers can make an impact and put the locker room on notice together. They couldn't do it as singles competitors; they may accomplish this task as a team.
#1 Ricochet could move to SmackDown
If WWE keeps Ricochet on the main roster, sending him to SmackDown may be the best option. The Blue Brand would be a better playground for the high-flyer. After all, it was initially touted as "The Land of Opportunity" and has seen the rise of several young stars.
Compared to RAW, SmackDown has created younger stars and given them a greater spotlight.
Cesaro finally gained a one-on-one World Championship opportunity against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania Backlash. This may not have been possible on RAW, where there is a loaded roster.
Jey Uso was never thought of as a main-event caliber singles star. Yet, WWE allowed him to shine as a singles competitor last year. Uso impressed many backstage officials and owns victories over Daniel Bryan and Shinsuke Nakamura. Again, RAW wouldn't have provided Jey Uso with the same attention and focus that he needed to become a star.
The WWE Draft may be a little far away, but Ricochet would benefit greatly from a move to SmackDown. AJ Styles was traded to SmackDown in May last year, while Dolph Ziggler jumped to RAW later in June. Albeit unlikely, WWE could pull off something similar with the former US Champion.
Ricochet will receive more screen-time and attention on SmackDown. The opportunities that would open up are incredible.
Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn, Apollo Crews, and Aleister Black are just some of the stars who could fight with the high-flyer on SmackDown.
