There has been speculation of which major wrestling promotion Ricochet will sign with this year. Fuel was added to that fire at last night’s Pro Wrestling Guerrilla Mystery Vortex V event.
As reported on Wrestlezone, former PWG Champion Chuck Taylor regained the title from Ricochet in a hard fought Guerrilla Warfare match to regain the title.
What followed was Taylor told Ricochet “Have fun on 205 Live,” referring to WWE’s show that features the promotion’s cruiserweight division. Afterward, Taylor put over Ricochet and said goodbye to his adversary.
The entire #PWG locker room has emptied out to say goodbye to @KingRicochet.
🖤#MysteryVortexV #KingofFlight pic.twitter.com/1cO5JiJAWP— Captain Jack Heartless (@JackHeartless) January 13, 2018
During his own speech, Ricochet then bid farewell to the PWG crowd and locker room, who came out to say goodbye.
Mystery Vortex V closed the PWG chapter of Ricochet’s career. He captured the PWG world title from Taylor in October. One month prior, he won the Battle of Los Angeles tournament – becoming the first man to accomplish the feat.
Ricochet’s farewell from PWG is the latest in the wrestler seemingly wrapping up his indie bookings. In November, he finished his dates in Dragon Gate and New Japan Pro Wrestling.
His last episode of Lucha Underground – where he wrestled under Prince Puma – aired in October and he is allowed to sign with a major promotion. The question is where will he go?
Fans know WWE wants to sign him to a contract. Impact Wrestling was also in negotiations with Ricochet. According to a report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter – via Wrestling News – Ricochet turned down Impact’s offer.
Ricochet has probably had several of his peers tell him to stay away from WWE because of the perception of how the higher ups in the company treat talent who have made a name for themselves on the independents.
However, many fans are hoping Ricochet will end up in NXT, which has been a successful proving ground for several PWG alumni. Former PWG champions like Kevin Owens (Kevin Steen), Sami Zayn (El Generico) and Kyle O’Reilly have or are currently holding titles. Even former titleholders Adam Cole and Roderick Strong, while not holding championships, are involved in high profile feuds.
There is also the possibility Ricochet may skip NXT and jump to the main roster, but that is far and few between. The most notable exception are A.J. Styles, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows. He could end up on 205, which would be a good starting point for him.
There’s also the chance Ricochet may sign with Impact Wrestling.
He turned down the company’s initial offer. Since that time, Scott D’Amore and Don Callis took over as Impact’s executive vice presidents. The promotion is stacking the deck with talent, including Brian Cage, Johnny Impact and the recently returning Austin Aries, and the moral in the locker room seems to be positive. Executives might have approached Ricochet with another offer to sign with them.
Another place for Ricochet to wrestle is Ring of Honor. He could sign a deal, similar to what Cody Rhodes signed with the promotion back in September. In Ring of Honor, he has the opportunity to put on high caliber matches and fight for the world title.
Ricochet brings in a stacked resume with championships from all over the world and a murderer’s row of opponents.
Wherever he ends up, Ricochet is going to an asset to the company. Hopefully the bookers or writers in charge know the talent he has and the high calibur of matches is capable of putting on, and they put him in a position where he can showcase his abilities.
