I went ahead and watched the videos you posted! I didn't find the Ganondorf match to be that helpful in assessing your play, as it seemed like you really just stomped him hard and he made a few massive blunders during the match. The Hero match was better. I usually find watching close losses to be more helpful in identifying gameplay weaknesses or mistakes than watching a set where I win by a significant margin.
I noticed in your match against Hero, in the first fifteen seconds you whiff a side smash and two SPR's. Two of the three times, your opponent got a punish. You've opened yourself up by throwing out heavy, slow attacks in neutral and your opponent has taken advantage of this. A hit here and there may not feel like much when you're at a low percentage, but you're racking up hits. I have this same problem too sometimes, especially when I get desperate, feel like I'm losing my lead, or stop paying much attention. Be very cautious about throwing out side B, up B, down B, neutral B, dash attack, or smashes in neutral. Usually after I lose a match, I can go back and watch my footage and more often than not it's because I'm being repeatedly punished by trying to use these moves too frequently, too predictably, or at the wrong time rather than good well-timed tilts and aerials. Take a look at the first two matches Constantini posted. Look how frequently he's using tilts and aerials and fishing for a hit. That's what the pro Ridleys do.
If you start substituting some of these heavily punishable moves for safer options such as dtilts, retreating nairs or fairs timed with your opponents jumps, and other, safe neutral options, you'll find your opponent has a harder time getting to you and racking up percentage. You'll also set up more opportunities for your opponent to make readable mistakes, such as air dodging into a smash, SPR, or skewer, missing techs and being forced to choose an option, being knocked off-stage and opening themselves up for gimps or ledge guards, etc. The stronger your neutral game, the more frequently you'll be given these opportunities for hard hits on your opponent. Each one is an opportunity.
At T=17 against Hero, and once other time during the match, you release from SPR and then stand right on the edge of the platform and use plasma breath. Usually, this will end up getting you hit, (though in both these cases it worked out). Usually to guard with plasma breath I like to hop back after releasing SPR to the spot where the fireballs barely cusp over the edge of the platform. It catches a lot of recoveries if timed and spaced well, and is a lot safer than standing on the edge.
If you don't mind me asking, what GSP were these recorded in? I'm curious just how close to Elite Smash you are right now. Currently, the cutoff is at 5.2 million. I'm hitting a point right now where I can beat the people right before Elite Smash fairly consistently, but often get booted out of ES within a few matches once I cross into it. I may post a couple matches later as well, probably some matches where I lose in ES and get kicked out, for some critiques.
