In a recent interview, Chris Van Vliet spoke with Ricochet about his WWE departure and joining AEW.
The 36-year old made his WWE debut in January 2018. He continued to perform in the promotion until he was written off WWE programming during an angle in the episode of Raw on June 10, 2024. Ricochet left WWE officially this summer after six and a quarter years. He debuted for AEW in the Casino Gauntlet Match at All In.
Ricochet told CVV he felt “like he was starting over” in WWE, despite being with the company as long as he has been.
“I felt that I was able be on the next stage of performers there, I suppose. I still felt like I had to start over. I felt like starting over again with the Bron Breakkers, the Iljas, the Carmelos, and the new guys coming in. I feel like Ricochet with those guys coming in, it’s almost like, “Man, I’ve been here for 5 or 6 years, I want something else.”
Ricochet stated that his decision to choose AEW as the signatory was not a simple matter of choosing AEW because they were the highest bidder.
“I didn’t want to go for the highest bidder. I wanted to go with someone who would make me feel good, and ignite that spark, because I felt that that fire inside me was still burning, but that it needed gasoline to ignite. At the time, I thought AEW would be the gasoline to my fire. Since I’ve been there, I feel that I made the right decision. Even just being in the same room as Lio, AR Fox, Nick Wayne and Mortos, all people I have never worked with but who I am excited to work with, is enough. I think that was a big part of it. There was no moment when I flipped a switch and went in that direction. I just think that it was what felt right.”
Ricochet also addressed the recent departure of his partner Samantha Irvin from WWE, and the response of fans to Irvin’s comments that she didn’t enjoy being a ring-announcer.
“I don’t think ring-announcing was meant to be her way in. She wanted to be a personality. She’s been a character her entire life. She has been performing on stage her entire life. From drama club to stage performances, to traveling around the world to do stage performances. That’s what she hoped for, and I think that once WrestleMania came, she thought, “That’s all I’m going get.” She’s a performer. It’s funny, because it’s difficult to explain when you’re a performer. I guess announcing is one of them. She’s now getting hate for saying she didn’t like announcing but that she liked making the WWE Universe feel emotion. It’s like Mariah Carey but she’s only a ring announcement and you don’t get the other stuff.”
Signing with AEW felt right’ for Ricochet, who felt like he’started over’ in WWE. in todays Wrestling news, Chatalong Chatbox, Results will be Hidden inside a spoiler Button so you will not bet spoiled about direct results.
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