Ricochet’s first two tests as AEW National Champion proved to achieve success as he emerged victorious at each Ring of Honor Final Battle and “AEW Collision.”
Ricochet officially kicked off his reign at Final Battle on Friday night when ROH veteran Dalton Castle stepped as much as challenge him for his newly-won title. With The Boys supporting him at ringside, Castle seemed on the verge of victory as he sent Ricochet spinning and dropped him with a Bang-A-Rang for a near fall. After Ricochet kicked out, each men then rolled to the skin, where the defending champion shoved one in all the Boys into Castle. Amidst the confusion, Ricochet re-entered the ring and lined up the Spirit Gun, which ultimately left Castle dazed and unable to kick out of Ricochet’s match-winning cover that followed.
24 hours later, Ricochet mirrored the end result when he defeated Ace Austin to retain his AEW National Championship on “Collision.” Austin put up a valiant fight, even dropping Ricochet with a superplex and a nasty double stomp, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough to flee the lariat and package piledriver that greeted him afterward.
Ricochet solidified himself because the inaugural AEW National Champion at AEW Full Gear when he outmaneuvered 11 other men and won the Casino Gauntlet Match. Following, he expressed interest in capturing more titles in AEW, resembling the Continental, Tag Team, and Trios Championship. Kris Statlander’s AEW Women’s World Championship was also left as a possibility. Because of his back-to-back victories this weekend, Ricochet has reached 15 days as National Champion to this point.