Ricochet reflects on Rey Mysterio‘s influence on his career.
Ricochet is the embodiment of the modern-day high flyer in professional wrestling. However, many people consider the greatest high flyer of all time to be Rey Mysterio. Speaking with Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports, Ricochet explains that when he first started in wrestling, he just wanted to be like Rey Mysterio.
“I wanted to be like Rey Mysterio. I wanted to be like those guys. I wanted to be the Rock, even if it was on a smaller scale in someone’s backyard. I wanted to do that,” Ricochet said. “I never thought I would be in the WWE. I was just doing it because I liked it. 2010 is when I started going to Japan, and that’s when I was like, ‘Oh, I can really start making a career out of this.’ And again, I didn’t even think that I would be in the WWE. I was like, ‘I can make a career out of this because there are other places where I can make some money. I’m not going to be in the WWE, but I can still make some money and pay my rent and pay my car payments off of wrestling, which was great.”
Eventually, WWE would embrace smaller athletes allowing for talents more focused on the in-ring product to have an opportunity. Seeing this change in WWE, and especially seeing the success of NXT, Ricochet started to feel as though he would have a place in WWE.
“As the landscape of the WWE started to change a little bit — the Balors and the Sami Zayns. Those guys really starting to change how the WWE views their athletes. Those guys are getting success there. And even before that, I started to see it and I’m like, ‘OK, so it might be possible.’ Especially after NXT started, I’m watching the Takeovers and I’m watching all that stuff and I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s actually where I want to be. I want to be there. I want to be in NXT at the Takeovers and do those things. When Cesaro and Sami Zayn had their match, when Balor and Samoa Joe were going, Neville and Sami Zayn. I was like, ‘That’s what I want to do. That’s why I want to be there.'”
Now, Ricochet is the current WWE Intercontinental Champion but he has his greatest challenge yet as he will defend his title against Gunther on the June 10 episode of SmackDown.
SEE MORE: Ricochet Just Needs A Chance To Show What He Can Do: If I’m Out There, I’ll Be Unforgettable
