Why WWE Is Suddenly Pushing Ricochet

An update on Ricochet's WWE status following last week's increased focus on SmackDown.

Ricochet WWE Promo
WWE.com

For anyone wondering where Ricochet's increased focus on last week's episode of SmackDown came from, it was because the high-flyer is currently listed as the blue brand's number two babyface behind Drew McIntyre.

This is according to PWInsider's Mike Johnson, who notes that fellow faces Shinsuke Nakamura and The New Day are listed as tag teams internally. Hence, Ricochet is second behind McIntyre.

Although Ricochet hasn't always been the mostly consistently-pushed wrestler since moving from NXT to the main roster a few years ago, he has been heavily involved on SmackDown this year, feuding primarily with Ridge Holland and Sheamus. Last week, he defeated the latter in a well-received 11-minute bout that, in a more conventionally-booked promotion, may prove ascendent.

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Time will tell if WWE pulls the trigger.

SmackDown's top babyface, McIntyre, has been feuding with Madcap Moss and Happy Corbin for the entirety of 2022. Neither he nor Ricochet has an easy pathway to Universal Championship contendership at the moment as Roman Reigns is set to defend his belt against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 38. If either of these "top faces" is to rise up, it'll need to be after the April super-show.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.