Since arriving in NXT in early 2018, Ricochet has proven to be one of the best wrestlers in all of WWE. His main roster run hasn't seen quite as much success outside of a short run as United States Champion but he can still be counted on for some quality wrestling.
Ricochet made his stamp around the world before coming to WWE, though. He competed for companies like NJPW, PWG, Lucha Underground, EVOLVE, and more. Wherever Ricochet goes, great matches tend to follow. From Ironman bouts to acrobatic ladder matches, these are his best matches in and out of a WWE ring.
10 Outside Of WWE: Prince Puma vs. Johnny Mundo - Lucha Underground 6/17/15
While working for Lucha Underground, Ricochet wrestled under a mask as Prince Puma. He was the company's first champion and was their "protagonist" during the first season. The high point of that title run was this battle with Johnny Mundo.
The two met in a fun match on the first-ever edition of Lucha Underground. This rematch came with an "All Night Long" stipulation, which meant they'd wrestle for the duration of an entire episode and whoever scored the most decisions in that time would be champion. They kept up an incredible pace throughout and Puma retained in a classic.
9 WWE: Adam Cole vs. Pete Dunne vs. Ricochet - NXT 10/10/18
A few weeks prior to this, North American Champion Ricochet faced United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne with both titles on the line. That great contest was interrupted by Adam Cole, resulting in a DQ finish.
It led to this triple threat match for Ricochet's title. There was a ton of action, consistently moving parts, and late drama as fans didn't know who would walk out as champion. It was one of the best TV matches in NXT history. Ricochet retained his title here, too.
8 Outside Of WWE: Ricochet vs. Will Ospreay - EVOLVE 59
In 2016, Ricochet and Will Ospreay made headlines for their athletic display during NJPW's Best of the Super Juniors Tournament. Some fans were captivated by it, while others called it a mockery of wrestling. It was divisive, to say the least.
Although that was their most high-profile encounter, the one earlier in the year at EVOLVE 59 was better. It was their first battle and nearly stole the show during a loaded WrestleMania 32 weekend. They wowed the crowd and Ricochet pulled out the win to even the score in the night's Europe vs. USA Series.
7 WWE: North American Championship Ladder Match - NXT TakeOver: New Orleans
A case could be made for NXT TakeOver: New Orleans being the best wrestling show of all-time. It's that good. It also happened to be the debut of Ricochet in a WWE ring. He competed to crown the first North American Champion.
Joining him in this ladder match was Adam Cole, Lars Sullivan, EC3, Velveteen Dream, and Killian Dain. Ricochet immediately made his presence felt and became a fan favorite for his incredible stunts. Alas, it was Cole's night to make history.
6 Outside Of WWE: Hiromu Takahashi vs. Ricochet - NJPW Wrestling Toyonokuni 2017
Ricochet was a key member of the Taguchi Japan stable in NJPW. After stablemate KUSHIDA was embarrassed by Hiromu Takahashi, losing in about 90 seconds, Ricochet put his sights on the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion.
The two met at Wrestling Toyonokuni in what turned out to be one of the best title matches of the year. These are two of the fastest wrestlers on the planet, meaning this was contested at a ridiculous pace that's almost unheard of. Takahashi put him down with a Time Bomb.
5 WWE: Adam Cole vs. Ricochet - NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV
Although Ricochet couldn't capture the North American Title in his debut, he earned another chance when he stood across the ring from Adam Cole. At NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV, they stole the show on a night filled with stellar wrestling.
This was a case where WWE just let two of the best in the world go at it. They had one of the best outings of the year. Cole superkicking a springboarding Ricochet was a memorable spot. When that wasn't enough to win, Cole was at a loss for what to do. Ricochet won the title with his awesome 630 splash.
4 Outside Of WWE: Prince Puma vs. Rey Mysterio - Ultima Lucha Dos
Rey Mysterio's arrival in Lucha Underground felt like a huge deal. This was a top star in wrestling history joining the company and bringing some credibility with him. Mysterio's run there was great and this was the high point.
Prince Puma was Lucha Underground's golden boy and he was facing a legend. The match was so big that it closed out the season two finale, Ultima Lucha Dos. It was the ultimate battle of student vs. teacher. Puma was better and more athletic but Mysterio used his veteran wits to eke out a win.
3 WWE: Aleister Black & Ricochet vs. War Raiders - TakeOver: New York
It came as a bit of a surprise when Aleister Black and Ricochet won the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic in 2019. They had rarely teamed before the tournament, yet beat duos like Imperium and #DIY to win it all.
Their reward was a shot at the unbeaten War Raiders at TakeOver: New York. They started a fantastic show with a bang, putting on arguably the best match of WrestleMania 35 weekend. Ricochet and Black couldn't win the titles in what would be their swan song with NXT.
2 Outside Of WWE: Kota Ibushi vs. Ricochet - NJPW Dominion 2014
If you think that a match between Ricochet and Kota Ibushi sounds insane on paper, understand that it's even wilder in real life. These are two of the most athletically gifted physical specimens in wrestling history.
After winning the 2014 Best of the Super Juniors, Ricochet earned a shot at Ibushi's IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title. This was filled with mind-boggling moments, including Ricochet confidently landing on his feet on an Ibushi hurricanrana off the top. Though Ricochet came close, it wasn't his night.
1 WWE: Johnny Gargano vs. Ricochet - NXT TakeOver: Phoenix
Arguably WWE's best match in the US in 2019 saw Johnny Gargano try to pry the North American Title from Ricochet. Gargano had come up short in every prior attempt to win singles gold and desperation had set in.
It was Gargano's mat skills against Ricochet's aerial ability. Nothing Gargano did kept Ricochet down. Then, he snapped. Gargano hit a brainbuster on the exposed concrete, dropped Ricochet on his head again in the ring, and finally won that elusive championship.