AEW star Ricochet has criticized the rising cost of WWE tickets, framing AEW as a more affordable option for families. Appearing on The Ariel Helwani Show, he addressed WWE’s escalating ticket prices under TKO Group Holdings.
He argued that AEW offers an accessible alternative for fans priced out of WWE events. “All those families and all those people who may not be able to afford to go to WWE can afford to come to our show and have a good time and experience some new action, experience some new characters, experience some new drama, and experience just an alternative to what has been going on for a long time,” Ricochet said. “So whether they’re going to counter-program or not, I’m glad that AEW is around.”
Ricochet’s stance on affordability follows a separate critique he directed at WWE on September 22. On X/Twitter, he mocked the “C” grade ESPN reporter Andreas Hale gave to WWE’s inaugural Wrestlepalooza premium live event.
The ESPN review, covering WWE’s first PLE under its five-year deal with the network, praised the Women’s World Championship match between Stephanie Vaquer and IYO SKY but called much of the card underwhelming. The short WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre, along with Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena, were singled out as disappointments.
On social media, Ricochet contrasted the review with AEW’s All Out, which ran the same day, and questioned WWE’s placement on ESPN, a dedicated sports network, given WWE’s branding as entertainment.
During the podcast, Ricochet also addressed fan tribalism, noting that audiences have long been conditioned to oppose rival promotions. “We were kind of taught to like despise the other wrestling companies … it’s never been really acceptable to have multiple wrestling companies on television,” he said.
He further commented on the industry’s motivations, suggesting questionable actions are often driven by profit. “When we feel things are being done in bad faith, that’s when I feel it’s like okay, then let’s get a little crazy… why not just say, ‘Yo, that’s what’s up. What y’all doing? We know what y’all doing,’” Ricochet stated.