Last weekend at AEW Full Gear, Ricochet triumphed in the latest Casino Gauntlet match, securing the title of the company’s inaugural National Champion. The event featured participation from several AEW talents, including “Speedball” Mike Bailey, Daniel Garcia, and “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard.
During the match, Garcia assigned Bailey the role of a sniper, a move traditionally linked with famed Canadian wrestlers like Bret Hart. In Bailey’s latest YouTube vlog, he and Menard expressed strong displeasure over Garcia’s adoption of their submission techniques.
Bailey remarked to Menard, “I just want to say thank you. Daniel Garcia really drilled me on that sniper move. But honestly, this feels like cultural appropriation because it’s a Canadian thing.” Menard added, “It’s especially tied to Montreal. It really annoyed me; it’s like he’s disrespecting us.”
Garcia and Menard used to be close on-screen allies, but Garcia betrayed Menard earlier this year by joining the Death Riders. Before that, they, along with Angelo Parker, formed a trio and were part of the Jericho Appreciation Society before the faction dissolved.
The Casino Gauntlet bout marked Bailey’s first AEW matchup against Garcia, though both previously competed in PWG before that indie promotion paused operations. Garcia had defeated Bailey in the 2022 Battle for Los Angeles finals and again in a 60-minute Ironman match at the 2023 Mystery Vortex event, PWG’s latest show to date.
Fan Take: This rivalry highlights the rich storytelling and personal stakes behind AEW’s matches that keep fans invested. The cultural pride and history tied to wrestling moves add a compelling layer, promising intense and meaningful future confrontations.
