Ricochet: Japan has been ‘like a second home’ to me for a long time

Ricochet is looking forward to returning to Japan for Wrestle Dynasty.

The January 5 event is being held at the Tokyo Dome and will feature wrestlers from NJPW, AEW, Stardom, CMLL, and ROH. Among the matches announced is Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet. If Sabre is still champion following his defense against Shota Umino at Wrestle Kingdom, the IWGP World Heavyweight title will be on the line.

Sabre vs. Ricochet was set up when Ricochet made a surprise appearance at NJPW Power Struggle in November. NJPW uploaded an interview today with Ricochet reflecting on that moment and looking ahead to his return at Wrestle Dynasty.

“Just to be back in a New Japan Pro Wrestling wrestling ring, it felt great. To hear the fans when they saw me jump into the ring was awesome too. Just in general, to be back here in New Japan is awesome,” Ricochet said.

“Japan has been like a second home to me for a long, long time, and New Japan’s always been one of the biggest and best promotions out there. And it’s just so good to finally be back and to finally do what I love — and to hear the people be so excited and hear the people enjoy that I’m back was awesome. So it just felt good, man. There’s nothing like being in that New Japan Pro Wrestling ring. Nothing like it.”

Ricochet spent much of his formative years in pro wrestling competing in Japan for Dragon Gate. He later joined NJPW, last competing for the promotion in 2017. Ricochet is now with AEW following his departure from WWE. He has a 1-1 record in the ongoing AEW Continental Classic tournament.

In October of this year, Ricochet did return to Japan for a tag team match in GLEAT alongside his mentor CIMA. They defeated El Hijo del Vikingo & Soma Watanabe.

NJPW’s interview with Ricochet can be seen below: