On the February 18, edition of WWE NXT, Ricky Starks signed a contract with the silver brand, where it was confirmed that his new name will be Ricky Saints. On Busted Open Radio, Saints addressed the name change, which he said is “as close as you’re going to get to Starks.”
“I like the name. I know a lot of people are going to be… It’s going to take time for them to get used to it.”
The Saints name holds significant meaning to the former AEW World Tag Team Champion, who is from New Orleans and “I want to pay respect that that as well. Saints also reassured fans that, despite the new name, his persona remains unchanged.
“The person doesn’t change. I’m still that guy, so it is what it is.”
Saints debuted in WWE NXT during the February 11, broadcast, though his name was not uttered by the commentators or the wrestler himself. This, alongside WWE avoiding mentioning him by name on social media, led fans to speculate that a change was coming.
Looking ahead, Ricky Saints is set to make his in-ring debut on the upcoming episode of NXT in Cincinnati, Ohio. In his debut match, he will team up with Je’Von Evans to face the duo of Wes Lee and Ethan Page, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in his wrestling career.