Rick Ucchino
Writer
Rick's media career has already spanned 15 years. He's been a news anchor and sports reporter for iHeartRadio Cincinnati for the last decade, covering local and national politics, the Bengals, the Reds, FC Cincinnati and the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. You can hear him daily on 700WLW and ESPN 1530. Drawing the ire of his parents, Rick grew up a vigilante-esque pro wrestling fan in the late 1990's. Watching the Monday Night Wars with the volume turned down and later buying PPV's without permission - hoping his Mom and Dad wouldn't find out. They did. Of course they did. Professional wrestling remains a passion of Rick's to this day. He's spent the last five years on the wrestling beat, for a number of outlets, including the Bleav Podcast Network, Fightful, Sportskeeda, Daily DDT and here at Cageside Seats. Rick is a former student of WWE\WCW Cruiserweight Jimmy Wang Yang and even has a couple of matches under his belt. Sadly, back issues (among a myriad of other reasons) keeps him out of the ring these days. But that firsthand knowledge of how the business works was an invaluable experience and gave him an even deeper respect for the performers and what they go through. You can read Rick's analysis and interviews with your favorite WWE and AEW wrestlers right here at Cageside Seats. You can also watch his coverage, over on the Bleav in Pro Wrestling YouTube Channel.
Chelsea Green: ‘They would’ve had to drag the belt away from me’ [Exclusive]
WWE’s resident ‘Karen’ talked to us about her journey to winning the The WWE Women’s Tag titles, and what she’s done to ensure her reign continues despite it featuring the latest examples the championship is cursed.
Jon Moxley: Bryan Danielson is the best pure pro wrestler who’s ever lived
Jon Moxley doesn’t care much for the ‘Greatest of All Time’ debates. But that said, in our interview with Mox he gave us three wrestlers he puts on a pedestal — two of whom currently work with him at AEW.
Labor Day weekend proved pro wrestling is just fine without CM Punk
CM Punk’s gone from AEW and too many questions exist to even fathom a return to WWE. He’s a popular and polarizing individual, but if we’ve seen the last of Punk in pro wrestling — the sport is going to be just fine. My trips to Pittsburgh for Payback and Chicago for All Out proved it.
Bray Wyatt: The Man Who Dared to Be Different
The World lost more than a tremendous soul. It lost one of pro wrestling’s greatest performance artists. There will truly, never be another Superstar like Bray Wyatt.
Renee Paquette: ‘I will crap my pants’ if Edge comes to AEW
The multi-talented AEW star is no different than any other wrestling fan when it comes to Edge. Adam Copeland leaving WWE would be shocking, but she’d welcome her fellow Canadian with open arms. That, All In talk, and more from my conversation with the one and only Renee Paquette.
Chad Gable’s ready for GUNTHER & our exclusive Q&A with Maxxine Dupri!
On the eve of the Alpha Academy headmaster’s well-deserved and long-overdue title shot on the Aug. 21 Raw, we’re reflecting on his journey with added insight from Master Gable. Plus, a longer chat with his newest trainee about her rapid rise in WWE!
Zoey Stark: Becky Lynch & Trish Stratus well worth the wait [Exclusive]
Zoey Stark does not believe Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus being left off the SummerSlam card was a slight against anyone and is predicting tonight’s marquee match-up on Raw is going to be well worth the wait.
An apology to Triple H as Damage CTRL wins the big one
After time to reflect and rethink following WWE’s SummerSlam PLE, it’s important to remember that we as wrestling fans and analysts shouldn’t rush to judgement. Sometimes, patience truly proves to be a virtue.
Baszler explains why SummerSlam feud allowed her & Rousey to shine [Exclusive]
We had a chance to talk to Shayna in Detroit ahead of her MMA Rules fight with Ronda, and covered how an MMA-style build brought out the best in both of them, if their WWE Women’s Tag title run was a success, and much more. Check it out!
Cody Rhodes reflects on 10 year absence from WWE SummerSlam [Exclusive]
It’s been eight years since Cody Runnels performed at the Biggest Party of the Summer, but it’s been a decade since he was able to walk out onto one of WWE’s biggest stages as Cody Rhodes. We asked him to reflect on his triumphant return during a media scrum Friday night in Detroit.