Big Bill’s new pairing with former AEW World Champion Chris Jericho signifies the end of his previous partnership with Ricky Starks. We’ve seen wrestlers teaming with multiple tag partners and being part of multiple ongoing storylines, but that won’t be the case here. Fightful Select reports Bill and Starks have officially parted ways and there are no plans for the former AEW tag champs to work together on television. After reaching the top of the mountain together, they’ve decided to go their separate ways.
While Big Bill is sitting under the Learning Tree, Starks is out of action recovering from a leg injury. That process is never fun, but he let his social media followers know he’s doing just fine while off the road.
Laid up with a fine lady, eating grapes. Pick a day https://t.co/K3FQNod6T9
— Ricky Starks (@starkmanjones) May 8, 2024
Big Bill in AEW
Big Bill has gone through a lot since his WWE release, and it was well-documented. He has also spoken candidly about overcoming those struggles.
After a run in the NWA and Impact Wrestling, AEW opened their doors to the former Realest Guy in the Room.
Big Bill made his AEW debut on May 4, 2022, as MJF’s pick to face Wardlow in a storyline for their Double or Nothing match. Although Bill lost that debut match to the Warddog, he wasn’t finished in Tony Khan’s company. By August, the 37-year-old signed with AEW, initially as part of Stokely Hathaway’s stable, The Firm.
In August 2023, Big Bill teamed up with Ricky Starks, who managed him after obtaining a manager’s license. They won the AEW World Tag Team Championship from FTR on October 7 and held it for 123 days before losing it to Sting and Darby Allin.
On April 24, 2024, Big Bill told FTW Champion Chris Jericho he wanted to join his Learning Tree. After assisting Jericho in a match, Jericho welcomed him into the group a week later. All signs point to the fact that Bill’s stories in AEW are far from over.
