Swerve Strickland is confident that Ricochet’s transition to AEW will unlock a new chapter in his career—one where his talent is fully realized beyond just jaw-dropping moves. In a recent conversation with Bootleg Kev, Strickland reflected on Ricochet’s career trajectory, recognizing both his influence on modern wrestling and the challenges he’s faced in defining his persona.
While Strickland and Ricochet share the experience of being underutilized in WWE, he acknowledges that Ricochet at least had the chance to hold titles like the Intercontinental and United States Championships. However, accolades aside, Strickland argues that Ricochet’s true impact on wrestling lies in his revolutionary athleticism. Alongside stars like Pac, Ricochet helped redefine the high-flying style, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in the ring—long before mainstream audiences took notice.
“Ricochet was doing double moonsaults on the independents before people even knew who he was,” Strickland explained, pointing to his viral matches in Dragon Gate, PWG, and his iconic 2017 Best of the Super Juniors showdown with Will Ospreay.
Despite his undeniable in-ring talent, Strickland believes Ricochet has struggled to establish a compelling character, which has limited his connection with fans. “People see him as an incredible performer, but do they care about him beyond the moves?” he questioned, emphasizing that emotional investment is key to longevity in the industry.
This is where AEW presents an opportunity. Unlike WWE—where entertainment value and mainstream appeal often take priority—Strickland describes AEW as a space where wrestlers can develop their voices and identities. Drawing a cultural comparison, he likened WWE to Drake and AEW to Kendrick Lamar: one built for mass appeal, the other for artistry and depth.
With AEW’s emphasis on long-term storytelling, Strickland is confident Ricochet will thrive in a way he never fully could in WWE. “Once fans have a strong opinion on you—whether they love you or hate you—that’s when you’ve made it,” he said. For Ricochet, that moment may finally be on the horizon.
