Ricochet’s AEW Journey Redefines Himself and His Career

Ricochet’s run in All Elite Wrestling feels fresh, sharp and impossible to overlook. Once known mainly for his highlight-reel ability, he has grown into one of the most complete performers in the business today. His earlier stops in NJPW and WWE showcased his athleticism, but his debut at AEW All In Wembley in 2024 marked a true shift in direction.

Since that moment, Ricochet has reshaped how he is viewed. The in-ring brilliance has always been there, but now it is paired with confidence, presence and purpose. He no longer feels like a performer trying to stand out. He feels like one that can lead the show.

His rivalry with Swerve Strickland played a major role in that transformation. That specific program pushed him to another level, bringing out the Ricochet many believed had always been there. On the January 1, 2025, episode of Fight for the Fallen, Ricochet viciously attacked and bloodied Strickland with a pair of scissors, cementing his heel turn. To make matters worse, on the February 5 episode of Dynamite, Ricochet defeated Strickland and proceeded to steal the Embassy robe bestowed upon Strickland by Prince Nana in honor of  Embassy member Jimmy Rave. Feuds of this caliber also gave him the opportunity to talk on the mic.

For years, Ricochet carried the stigma that he could not cut a promo. Whether it was  brought up in feuds, or from the basement dwellers on the internet, that label was always attached. That label now feels misplaced—gone.  In AEW, he has found a voice that connects. His delivery is sharper, more confident and far more natural. As a heel, the reaction from the crowd is all it takes to know you got it. It is hard to ignore the contrast with his time in WWE, where his character often felt restricted and carefully managed—like there was a leash on at all times.

That difference is clear today. In AEW, Ricochet has the freedom to define himself. He is no longer boxed into one dimension. It’s no longer “go out there and do some flips!” He is evolving in real time, and the results speak for themselves.

That evolution has led to his emergence as one of the top heels in professional wrestling. Ricochet has embraced the role, adding layers to his character while maintaining the dynamic style that made him special in the first place. The reaction from crowds reflects that shift. He is not just respected, ( the internet will tell you otherwise ) he is a focal point. Whether it’s hundreds of rolls of toilet paper being thrown into the ring, chants of “BALD!”, or the deafening “shut the f*ck up!”, it is obvious that what Ricochet is doing is working.

Along side his character work, Ricochet’s rise reached another level when he became the inaugural AEW National Champion. The moment served as both recognition and validation. It confirmed that Ricochet is not just thriving, he is essential—proof that he is thought highly of to Tony Khan, and his peers.

Most importantly, this run feels like a revival. The move to AEW has not only elevated his career, but it seems to have restored his passion. There is a clear energy in everything he does, a sense that he is fully invested in his craft again.

Ricochet is no longer defined by what he was. In AEW, he has become what many believed he could be all along.