25 Best Wrestling Moments Of 2025

22. Ricochet Gets Stabby

Ricochet
AEW

Ricochet probably should have had a better year. As the air cooled and the nights grew darker, he found himself having assembled a stable to further his pursuit of championship gold. This familiar AEW trope of a storytelling device was a shame, since Ricochet was pulling off such unique, compelling character work in early 2025.

Ricochet arrived in AEW as a babyface intent on proving that WWE had wasted his talents, and that he was still one of the best wrestlers in the world. Given the crowd’s respectful at best response, this is another approach best left in 2021.

AEW and Ricochet sensed this, and, in a marvellous tweak, leaned in on the idea that Ricochet is only cool in Ricochet’s mind. His dumb Jadakiss laugh let fans in on the bit - as did his priceless bantering off at the hands of the Hurt Syndicate. Ricochet then started to stooge big time in his matches; fans rewarded his deluded cool guy bit by pelting him with toilet paper.

In a fantastic angle that established Ricochet as a genuine player, he revealed that the bullying had fostered within him a toxic sense of resentment. Swerve Strickland was in great form with his cruel putdowns, but he hadn’t reckoned with what Ricochet was capable of.

AEW’s form with deadly weapons was often much too silly throughout 2025, but Ricochet’s bloody, gruesome, scissors attack on Strickland was shocking and incredible. Ricochet sold it to perfection with his dead-eyed gaze, playing the role of the guy who was pushed too far in a way that actually did end up embarrassing WWE for barely doing a thing with him.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!