Ricochet & Mustafa Ali Hope Fans Will Start Watching WWE Main Event
This passed weekend, the rubber match between Ricochet and Mustafa Ali ended in a double count out on this week's WWE Main Event. For the past two weeks, both these high flyers have laid it out on the line with tied wins and losses.
Before the match on WWE's The Bump, both Ricochet and Ali traded final shots ahead of their big showdown. After receiving high praise from fans and colleagues for their vignettes that were released earlier this week, both of them spoke on what inspired them to cut these career-defining promos. Ricochet went first with his response.
"These videos, these messages we've been putting out, are our way of telling and showing the world our feelings and our own words. Ali and I, we go way back years. Way before WWE," Ricochet began. "It's us knowing how good we are. It's us knowing we are the pinnacle. Now, I've gotta show the world and Ali that I'm at the top of that pinnacle, and he's a close second."
For Ali, he says these vignettes helped him sharpen his skillset both on the microphone and for what's to come in the ring.
"Well, now I'll provide an eloquent response that people will actually enjoy," Mustafa Ali replied. "So, there are two aspects. Creatively, there's nothing more liberating, and I feel more entertaining than telling the truth. You have two guys with no scripts going out there and saying what they want to say, producing their own vignettes and presenting this rivalry the way they want it to be presented. There's nothing better than that.
"Selfishly, as a performer, I'm at a point where I felt like if I don't use it, I'm going to lose it. The pencil is dull, and I need to sharpen it. As much as it pains me to say it, Ricochet is very, very good. I cannot not be on my toes. I have to be thinking three steps ahead. I have to have liners in my pocket because he's going to say something when he sees me, and I need to have a response back. This man keeps me on my toes. So when you bring that real-life animosity, and you're able to throw it on a screen, with no restrictions or no handcuffs, this is what happens. Within three weeks' time, the WWE Universe is talking about Ricochet versus Ali. That's what we did."
Once their story ends, Ali hopes fans will continue to watch WWE Main Event. He says it's shows like these that shed light on just how capable these Superstars are of putting on exciting shows even if they're not on frequently viewed programming.
"I think we're making the most of this opportunity. There are two things that you can do, you can complain, or you can create. We're creating right now," Ali noted. "People somehow want to dodge the platform, like, 'Oh, they're just on Main Event.' If you enjoy this, if you enjoy two guys going out there and laying it on the line, then watch this show...At the end of the day, that is a WWE production. That is a canvas for us to go out there and paint whatever we have to.
"So, if you're a fan and this is what you've been missing on Monday nights or what you've been missing on Friday nights [or] if you feel like you're not getting your fix on NXT, this – Ricochet versus Ali on Main Event – we got you."
You can watch Ricochet and Mustafa Ali's full interview here. If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit WWE's The Bump with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
The only person living a lie is you @AliWWE. Bet your ass we gonna run this back on #WWEMainEvent tomorrow on @hulu.
But I promise you, it won't be me who gets embarrassed. Because honestly, at the end of the day everyone remembers Ricochet. #WWERAW #SmackDown #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/tGEoa9sJSl
— Ricochet (@KingRicochet) May 5, 2021