Word going around the WWE Performance Center is that top indie star Ricochet (Lucha Underground’s Prince Puma) will be starting with the company in January. No word yet on when he would make his WWE NXT roster debut but there have been rumors of WWE signing him for a while now. PWInsider notes that Impact Wrestling tried to sign Ricochet but they couldn’t make a deal happen.
Source: WrestlingINC
A possible WWE debut for Ricochet has been rumored for some time, most recently earlier this month. Ricochet recently gave an emotional interview after NJPW King of Pro Wrestling, which was said to feel like a goodbye. His Lucha Underground contract is expected to expire on or around January 16 and he’s previously hinted that he wants to go to WWE.
Now The Wrestling Observer Newsletter (via Sportskeeda) reports that Ricochet could be in the WWE in time to join the annual 30-man Royal Rumble match, which would be his debut. With the Lucha Underground contact set to expire around mid-January, a Rumble debut is possible. Even more evidence points to the fact that the independent star allegedly told promoters he won’t take any dates after the end of that month. If that happened, the former Prince Puma would get a debut spot similar to that of AJ Styles, who is now a big player in WWE.
Source: 411Mania
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
Prince Puma, aka Ricochet, has reportedly turned down a new contract with Lucha Underground … but it’s still a mystery as to when he’d be allowed to work elsewhere.
According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Puma was offered a “lucrative deal” to return to the series following Season 3 but recently made a decision to pass on the offer.
Pro Wrestling Sheet has confirmed the generous deal was for multiple years — not seasons — but Pro Wrestling Sheet sources were tight lipped on whether Ricochet had accepted the offer or not.
It’s presently not known if or when he is planning to sign with another promotion. It is believed, however, that standard Lucha Underground contracts prevent talents from appearing on TV with another promotion until six months after their last appearance in the Temple airs.
Puma’s final match will reportedly air in Summer 2017.
For now, Ricochet is expected to continue working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Source: WrestlingINC
Dave Meltzer noted on this week’s Wrestling Observer Radio that there have been talks of possibly recasting Prince Puma on Lucha Underground in the event that Ricochet leaves the company. It’s also been said that Ricochet was made a large offer to remain there.
Source: Wrestling News Post
Ricochet has told indie promoters that he isn’t taking any booking dates after June. He has been rumored to join WWE NXT, and it appears that he will be joining the company. However, one source told Dave Meltzer that WWE NXT may end up being where he eventually winds up but not his immediate move. Ricochet currently works for Lucha Underground as Prince Puma. He can get out of his deal with Lucha Underground after the third season, and the third season finishes taping in mid-May.
It should be noted that his deal with Lucha Underground wouldn’t allow him to go to WWE until six months after the season finishes airing, which would be late 2017 but it would be hard to see a situation where Luch Underground keeps him from signing with another company since he would not be paid. WWE is able to enforce non-competes because they pay wrestlers to sit at home for 90 days after they are released. That is not the case with Lucha Underground
Prince Puma became the first ever Lucha Underground World Champion by winning the 20 Luchadore Aztec Warfare Match. Prince Puma survived the other 19 Luchadores in the anything goes elimination style match. Puma pinned Johnny Mundo to earn the win & championship.
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