[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP6-ySQ0zvE]
In recent weeks, we’ve seen the role of Ricardo Rodriguez as Alberto Del Rio’s personal ring announcer expand as the character has become more physically involved in the WWE Universe. From his dropkick on Alex Riley last month to his mockery of The Big Show on this week’s Raw, Ricardo is stepping out of the background and embracing the spotlight. In last week’s edition of Full Match Friday, we featured Rodriguez, in his Chimaera character, taking on Johnny Goodtime. At the time, we told you that Ricardo Rodriguez was better than what that particular match showcased, and today we aim to prove it.
Above are highlights from a match between Chimaera (Rodriguez) and Cloudy at Chikara’s Young Lion’s Cup VII Tournament in the summer of 2009. You can really get a feel for what Rodriguez is capable of in this one, and it’s the typical Chikara fare, which is to say it’s pretty good. His style is an Americanized Lucha Libre of sorts, infused with outside elements of other fighting varieties. In short, he’s an entertaining wrestler capable of standing out if given the chance to prove his chops in the WWE. With his increased airtime as of late, I don’t think it’s unlikely that we see Ricardo lace up his boots sooner than later. If this was TNA we were talking about I’m sure Chimaera would already be an on-screen character, much like Christopher Daniels’ Suicide or Amazing Red’s Sangriento. Since this is WWE we’re discussing, however, I’d be inclined to believe that if the personal ring announcer of Alberto Del Rio does become an in-ring competitor, it will be under his existing Ricardo Rodriguez persona.
