The One and Only has officially stamped his authority as AEW’s newest titleholder. Fresh off capturing the inaugural National Championship at Full Gear, Ricochet faced his first real challenges as champion – and he didn’t disappoint the faithful who’ve been waiting to see what he could accomplish in All Elite Wrestling.
ROH Final Battle: Castle’s Quest Falls Short
Friday night’s Ring of Honor Final Battle served as Ricochet’s official championship debut, with company veteran Dalton Castle earning the honor of first challenger. The Peacock brought his signature flair and The Boys to ringside, creating an atmosphere that felt tailor-made for an upset.
Castle came tantalizingly close to shocking the wrestling world. His devastating Bang-A-Rang connected flush, leaving Ricochet stunned and the crowd on their feet for what seemed like a certain three-count. When the champion somehow found the strength to kick out, both competitors spilled to the outside where chaos ensued.
In a moment that showcased his ring awareness, Ricochet used the ringside confusion to his advantage. He deliberately shoved one of Castle’s Boys into the challenger, creating the perfect opening for his comeback. The Spirit Gun found its mark moments later, and Castle couldn’t answer the bell when it mattered most.
Collision Clash: Austin’s Aerial Assault Comes Up Empty
Twenty-four hours later on AEW Collision, Ricochet faced a completely different challenge in TNA’s Ace Austin. The visiting star brought his A-game, proving why he’s considered one of the most dangerous high-flyers in the business today.
Austin’s offense was nothing short of spectacular. A picture-perfect superplex rattled the champion, followed by a double stomp that had commentary questioning whether we might see a title change. For a brief moment, it appeared Austin’s calculated risk-taking might pay dividends.
But championship heart separated Ricochet from his challenger when it counted. The former WWE star weathered Austin’s storm before unleashing a devastating combination that ended the contest – a thunderous lariat followed by a package piledriver that left no doubt about the outcome.
Championship Aspirations Beyond the National Title
Ricochet’s journey to championship gold began at AEW Full Gear, where he navigated the treacherous Casino Gauntlet Match against eleven other hungry competitors. His victory marked not just a career milestone, but the birth of an entirely new championship lineage in All Elite Wrestling.
The ambitious champion has already made his intentions clear regarding future gold. Continental, Tag Team, and Trios Championships all remain on his radar, showcasing the kind of championship hunger that separates good wrestlers from great ones. In a surprising twist, he’s even mentioned Kris Statlander’s Women’s World Championship as a possibility, though the logistics of such a scenario remain unclear.
Building Momentum in the Land of Elite
After fifteen days as National Champion, Ricochet has successfully established the credibility his new title needed from day one. Both victories demonstrated different aspects of his championship toolkit – ring psychology against Castle and pure athletic superiority against Austin.
These back-to-back successful defenses have given the One and Only exactly the kind of momentum every new champion craves. With his sights set on multiple championships and a roster full of hungry challengers, one has to wonder: which AEW star will step up next to test Ricochet’s growing confidence, and will anyone be able to slow down this championship express?