June 17, 2024 Observer Newsletter: Ricochet’s future, WWE Clash at the Castle preview

By Dave Meltzer
Published: 14 Jun 2024, 05:46

The situation with Ricochet (Trevor Mann, 35), was the subject of a lot of talk this past week with nothing confirmed but a lot of expectations that he’s AEW bound, especially since Will Ospreay has teased it.

It was known that his contract was about to expire. Then Mike Johnson at PWInsider reported that he had given notice to WWE, and that he was leaving the promotion. If he was leaving, and unless something changes, that was the plan, AEW would be the only natural destination because the money anywhere else would be much lower.

Those who would have to know told us that he had not made up his mind what he was doing, that he had not signed a renewal, although did say he was very close to making up his mind, on the morning of 6/9. The belief the night before was strong that he would be leaving and it was talked about in both WWE and AEW. Then on the afternoon of 6/9, we were outright told he had made his decision although wouldn’t confirm what that decision was. The next day we were told that the Raw, where they had an angle scheduled where Bron Breaker would destroy him, would most likely be his last WWE appearance. That by itself wouldn’t confirm AEW, and nothing has confirmed AEW, past common sense given all that would indicate it would almost have to be AEW.

Given that his contract still has a short period of time to go, it’s not as if he can appear on AEW until it does expire, and certainly nobody can acknowledge it in an official way.