Ricochet paying homage to "The Ace" of New Japan.
From having marquee programs in NXT, main-eventing a TakeOver show and winning the NXT North American Championship to making his main roster debut and going on to compete for the RAW Tag Team Titles and challenging for the SmackDown Tag Titles at WrestleMania 35, it has been an eventful run in WWE for "The One And Only" Ricochet.
Ricochet is ready to chase his next goal in WWE and while speaking with Lilian Garcia on her 'Chasing Glory' podcast, Ricochet stated that he never thought he would be where he is today. He reflected on his time on the independent scene and eventually discussed his time as a part of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Ricochet then shared that the trench coat he wears to the ring during his entrance with the wings on it is a nod to former 8-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi. Ricochet was able to get the thumbs up from Tanahashi to sport a similar jacket and refer to himself as "The Ace Of WWE".
?There?s a wrestler in Japan called Hiroshi Tanahashi and he?s kind of like The Ace of New Japan -- is what they call him, the Ace of New Japan. He?s just? he?s been the top guy there for years now and he?s just so good. He?s one of the the best in the world. Even to this day, and he always just came to the ring and he looked so cool and his jacket was kind of the same style like that, and I had actually asked him - I messaged him and asked him, ?Hey, do you mind if I use that style of jacket? If I call myself The Ace of NXT? and I guess now, The Ace of all WWE, and he said, ?Yes, sure. No problem, please?. He goes, ?Yeah, I would like that? and I was like, ?Thank you so much. It means a lot to me to be able to carry that on so that?s kind of where I got the idea from. The wings itself, I had a friend draw [it] up because I feel like I do a lot of flying and high flying, and I feel like I?m a good guy. [The] angel?s wings, I feel like it?s symbolic to my style and who I am.? Ricochet shared.
Hiroshi Tanahashi is taking time off nursing an elbow injury. He will not be a part of the Wrestling Dontaku tour that is underway and to check out results from that tour, click here.
If the quote in this article is used, please credit the Chasing Glory podcast with an H/T to Fightful for the transcription.