5 Ways WWE could give Ricochet a Major Push in 2022

WWE has often had athletic, outstanding superstars that never quite broke through the glass ceiling. Ricky Steamboat had a memorable moment at WrestleMania 3 and briefly held the IC title but he never quite got past the midcard. Ken Shamrock had the look and background to be a SuperStar but never took off in WWE. A more recent example is Finn Balor. Balor has been a true star in WWE NXT but has struggled to find his footing on the main roster.

Ricochet is one of the best athletes and high flyers on WWE’s current roster. His matches are always entertaining and, given the time, he can put on a quality match with anyone. Yet Ricochet still struggles to get television time, anywhere above the lower midcard in WWE. He is also rarely given mic time on SmackDown which further keeps him from connecting with the fans.

Ricochet heads into 2022 at a crossroads. WWE has been releasing a number of SuperStars in recent months so the pressure to get over it has increased. Ricochet has the look, the athleticism and the ability, but can he develop a character that resonates with WWE fans? To reach those heights, Ricochet may need some help.

Here are 5 ways WWE could give Ricochet a major push in 2022.

#5. Allow Ricochet a strong showing in WWE’s Royal Rumble.

The Royal Rumble has often been a showcase for future pushes in WWE. Roman Reigns had a couple of strong showings at the Royal Rumble before he was pushed towards WWE title opportunities. Kofi Kingston is regularly showcased at the Royal Rumble. Diesel was an elimination machine in the Royal Rumble during his first appearance which led to his eventual push. Lastly, the Rock was one of the final two competitors in Stone Cold Steve Austin’s Royal Rumble win prior to WrestleMania.

Ricochet has the ability to stand out at Royal Rumble. He has the athleticism to put together move sets similar to what made Kofi Kingston famous over the past several years. He also has the stamina to be one of the first two competitors and last over 30+ minutes in the match. Ricochet could take a showing like this and roll into 2022 as a serious threat to one of SmackDown’s titles, either the IC title or even the Universal title. Michael Cole could build up Ricochet’s efforts during the Rumble and help the WWE Universe get behind the Superstar.

The Royal Rumble may be just the right kind of push to get Ricochet over. It is one of the four major PPV’s on the WWE’s calendar and would be the perfect showcase for his talents. He doesn’t need to win the event, he just needs the air time and storytelling to elevate his character.

#4. Ricochet joins WWE’s Hurt Business.

MVP has done a world of good for Bobby Lashley's career. Like Ricochet, Lashley has always had the look and skills to be a true WWE SuperStar but lacked the mic skills. Along came MVP to do the mic work for Lashley and soon the titles came. Since teaming with MVP, Lashley has won the IC title and then the WWE title. He was allowed to do his thing in the ring while MVP told the story for him.

WWE has teased Ricochet with MVP and Hurt Business in the past. MVP has tried to convince Ricochet that he can take him to the top only to be turned away. Imagine a scenario in which Ricochet comes out to save another SuperStar from an attack from Hurt Business only to join in on the attack. It would give Ricochet the edge he most desperately needs to get to the next level. A new, aggressive attitude could propel him from a bland talent to an aggressive SuperStar. Ricochet’s turn could be similar to the Rock’s turn to the Nation of Domination in the Attitude Era.

Ricochet needs a makeover. His skillset could take off with a more aggressive attitude. The Rock stagnated as Rocky Maivia before he took off with an angry, aggressive attitude in the Nation of Domination. He was also allowed to work on his mic skills slowly as Ron Simmons did the heavy lifting. MVP could do the same for Ricochet. By the end of 2022, Ricochet could be ready to go on his own.

Ricochet may never be The Rock but he could be a champion with the right kind of help. MVP and the Hurt Business could be just what he needs.

#3. Allow Ricochet a strong showing at WWE’s Elimination Chamber

Like the Royal Rumble, WWE’s Elimination Chamber PPV has often been a stepping stone to success. A WWE SuperStar doesn’t even need to win the event to gain credibility and popularity. Who can forget Kofi Kingston’s star turn in the 2019 Elimination Chamber match? Kingston was the clear star of the match and made it to the final two competitors. While Kingston was eventually defeated by champion Daniel Bryan, his showing propelled him to a title match in that year’s WrestleMania. A similar effort could propel Ricochet in this year’s Elimination match.

With Roman Reigns likely occupied at this year’s WrestleMania vs either Brock Lesnar or The Rock, WWE may need to move Ricochet over to Raw’s Elimination Chamber match. Imagine Ricochet stealing the show vs. the likes of Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens and Bobby Lashley, among others. Ricochet could use his aerial attack to wow WWE Universe and play the role of underdog in surviving to the final two competitors. Like Kingston, he wouldn’t have to win to capture the hearts of the fans with a great showing.

Ricochet could be one of the first two competitors in the match and the last to lose. WWE could then gage fan interest in him based on his performance. Given his skill set and effort, one can imagine WWE fans getting behind Ricochet and insisting on a push. Like Kingston, Ricochet could then be propelled into a major title push, most likely after WrestleMania. Imagine the momentum he would get following an amazing showing at the Elimination Chamber.

Ricochet is so very close to breaking that glass ceiling. He just needs the opportunity to shine on the right stage. If not the Royal Rumble, why not the Elimination Chamber?

#2. Strap the WWE IC title on Ricochet and re-introduce the open challenge.

In 2015, John Cena introduced the WWE US Open Challenge. Each week on Raw, he would challenge anyone to take him on for the WWE US title belt. It was a huge success and accomplished two things: it elevated the US title itself and elevated the young WWE Superstars that battled Cena. Superstars like Neville, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens were given the spotlight while battling Cena for the US title. WWE could do the same for Ricochet if he is given the IC title.

WWE could set up Ricochet for an IC title match at this year’s WrestleMania. Give him some time for a quality match and let him leave as IC champion. On SmackDown after WrestleMania, Ricochet could declare that he will be a fighting champion and is bring back Cena’s Open challenge. This time, instead of the champion trying to elevate his competitors, WWE could elevate the champion Ricochet against a series of top quality opponents. It would lead to great weekly matches on SmackDown and help propel Ricochet.

An IC Open Challenge each week would allow Ricochet to stay himself and just put on a good show. WWE could match him up with all types of SuperStars, both heels and faces, as he finds a way to pull out victory each week. To complete the push, Ricochet could finally lose the title, after a solid six or eight month run, thanks to interference from the current champion at the time, maybe even Roman Reigns. Imagine a program with a vengeful Ricochet trying to take from Roman Reigns what Roman took from him?

Ricochet could be the star of a great revival, WWE’s Open Challenge series. If done properly, it could elevate him to the top of the card.

#1. Match up Ricochet with athletic WWE legend, AJ Styles.

AJ Styles has openly admitted that his WWE career is winding down. Despite that, he is still one of the best performers in WWE. He brings athleticism, toughness and a skill set that few can match. Styles has been able to have great matches with all types of WWE Superstars and a pairing with Ricochet seems like a natural fit. Imagine if Styles met up with Ricochet on the biggest stage of them all, WrestleMania.

If played correctly, Styles vs Ricochet could be the perfect sendoff for Styles in WWE. Either man could play the role of face or heel. Given that it would be Styles' last match, Ricochet turning heel on him might be the perfect scenario. He could ask for a match and Styles could decline, suggesting that he wanted something bigger. A frustrated Ricochet could ask again only to be turned away. Finally, Ricochet could turn on Styles and attack him after a match. This could lead to a similar feud that WWE has had in the past with Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho; mentor vs. student.

Ricochet is a talented, high flying and skilled superstar. What he has lacked throughout his WWE career is the right storyline and direction. In each of these scenarios, Ricochet would be allowed to shine and utilize the storyline given to him to grow in the eyes of WWE Universe.