Sheamus Beats Ricochet in Wonderful US Championship Match on WWE Raw

At the pre-show of WrestleMania Backlash, Ricochet accepted Sheamus’ open challenge for the United States Championship. Despite a spirited effort, Ricochet fell to the Celtic Warrior, but stole his coat and fedora. In a rematch on Raw, did Sheamus take revenge or did Ricochet win the US Title a second time in his career?

Sheamus and Ricochet clash on WWE Raw

The Celtic Warrior’s anger led to him attacking Ricochet while he entered the arena. However, Ricochet fought back with a perfectly timed drop-toe hold and a dropkick. Once the bell rang, the high-flyer kept Sheamus at bay with a wide range of manoeuvres. But the US Champion caught onto his tricks and tossed him into the timekeeper’s area.

Sheamus introduced the Dublin Smile to his arsenal, but Ricochet was quick to avoid the move. The Celtic Warrior hit an Irish Curse backbreaker for a nearfall and headed to the top rope for a bigger move. However, Ricochet followed him up and nailed him with a Spanish Fly. It looked like Ricochet tweaked Sheamus’ knee on the landing, but the champion persevered.

The challenger hit a standing Shooting Star Press to further Sheamus’ agony. The Celtic Warrior simply couldn’t keep up with his opponent’s offence and strategy, and nearly lost his title after a cross-body block from the top rope to the floor. Ricochet followed up with a springboard 450 splash for a very close nearfall.

Just when it looked like the challenger had it in the pocket, the champion nearly broke his jaw with a stiff bicycle knee strike. After that couldn’t put Ricochet away, Sheamus resorted to the Brogue Kick, but not after eating a meaty slap from the former NXT North American Champion.

Fans react to superb WWE Raw match

On an episode of Raw that featured the hot garbage that’s Alexa Bliss‘ current storyline, Sheamus vs Ricochet was a breath of fresh air. The Celtic Warrior has been firing on all cylinders in 2021, and his match tonight proved why he deserves a title run this late in his career.

Ricochet hasn’t looked the attraction he was back in NXT or on the independent scene. He was once the best high-flyer in the industry, but WWE had him water down the flashy offence that made him great. However, this match showed he belongs in the upper echelon of Raw superstars.

Will WWE continue to push Ricochet higher up the ranks after this match, and what’s next for the Celtic Warrior?

Read more: WATCH: Roman Reigns and Sheamus Get into an Insane Brawl on WWE RAW

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