Recently on E&C’s Pod Of Awesomeness, NXT North American Champion Ricochet opened up to the two WWE legends about the differences between Prince Puma and Ricochet along with what he needs to do to become more than just a “dream match” opponent.
“One of the main reasons I was excited about coming here to NXT is because I know they focus on character development and not just in TV tapings, but in general they focus on that sort of thing. So that was one of the main reasons I was really excited to come here because, before coming here, I was always just kind of the ‘dream match’ guy. Like, Ricochet versus this guy and this guy, ‘I can’t wait for him to wrestle this guy’. Like, to give some guy a good match, do you know what I mean? That’s who I was. And so now I’m excited coming to NXT. A lot of people message me, or Instagram, or tweet, whatever, and they’ll talk about how, like, they liked Prince Puma more than they like Ricochet. And I feel, because I didn’t really change my in-ring style, so I feel like it has to do with the story-driven connection. So I feel like that’s why I’m excited to come to NXT because, obviously, the story is the biggest part of the match, whether it is before, during, or after. So I feel really excited about that, coming here.”
On which he prefers, a live mic or a backstage pretape, Ricochet had a surprising (but understandable) response.
“I starting to feel more comfortable (regarding promos in general). I feel like my biggest thing is just the comfortability of it, like to be comfortable. Do you know what I mean? Like, be comfortable and to, like mean what I say. Confidence is what I’m looking for! Comfortable and confident in the things you say. I feel like for me that’s the hardest part, the confidence. But I feel like when I’m out in a live crowd situation I’m like 10-times more comfortable and confident cutting a promo. But then, like, backstage, camera in your face, ‘okay, go!’ That’s when I’m like, ‘oh, I’ve got no emotion to go off of.’ I can’t feel the crowd… I feel like mine is a matter of more repetition. Because, like, each time I do one, people say, ‘I can tell you’re getting more comfortable out there.’ So for me, that’s good. All I need is to know that every time I go out there, I’m getting at least a little better. Do you know what I mean? So that’s good. As long as I’m still progressing, a little better is good for me. That’s the thing, you have to believe it. If you’re not confident in the things that you’re saying right there, the fans are going to notice that.”
