Former AEW star Ricky Starks made his debut in WWE NXT on last week’s episode after being sidelined by AEW for months. Starks had requested his release from AEW, but CEO Tony Khan initially refused to grant it.

It was widely believed that Starks would have to wait out the remainder of his contract before pursuing other opportunities, including the possibility of going to WWE. During this time, Starks made it clear that he wanted to wrestle, even booking independent dates while being kept off AEW TV. 

According to the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Khan expected Starks to leave AEW for WWE once his contract expired due to his close friendship with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. 

This week on NXT, Starks introduced his new ring name: Ricky Saints. Following the show, he appeared on Busted Open Radio, where he denied that his AEW status had been affected by his past appearances at WWE events, such as the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania to support Rhodes.

Starks emphasized that Khan had approved his presence at those events and claimed that certain AEW veterans interfered with his creative direction.

Ricky Saints, the Absolute superstar formerly known as Ricky Starks, has opened up about his exit from All Elite Wrestling, a departure that came close to a year after his final match. Appearing on the Busted Open Radio podcast, Starks teased what led to his departure from the All-Elite promotion.

“There are some people who stuck their nose in my creative business that shouldn’t have happened. Veterans.”

Saints stopped short of naming these veterans, but was ready to discuss the matter further with them. The former AEW World Tag Team Champion shared that “if they got a problem with me, they got my number” and dared anyone with an issue to “text me about it.”

The departure of Ricky Saints in early 2025 came after the former World Tag Team Champion hadn’t been used since March 2024. Though Saints had been dealing early into his hiatus, he was cleared to wrestle for much of this break. In November 2024, Saints shared that he had theories behind his absence, but had not been told anything from management.

Saints has since left AEW and wasted no time in joining WWE NXT, where he will compete as Ricky Saints. While the Absolute One is ready to focus on his WWE future, including his upcoming debut match, there’s still bad blood between Saints and these unnamed veterans.

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.

During a pivotal moment on WWE NXT, Ricky Starks officially signed his contract under a new name – Ricky Saints. The new moniker pays homage to his hometown, New Orleans, Louisiana.

The “Absolute” superstar made it clear that he sees himself as the future of the brand, declaring that his arrival marks the beginning of a revolution. As General Manager Ava Raine presided over the signing, Ethan Page interrupted, questioning Starks’ rapid rise and suggesting he was following his own blueprint for success.

Their tense exchange was cut short when Je’Von Evans stormed in, attacking Page and igniting a chaotic brawl.

Once order was restored, Wes Lee confronted Starks, demanding respect and challenging him to a match. Ava Raine made it official for next week, but before the confrontation could escalate further, Starks blindsided Lee with a strike.

Finally, he put pen to paper, and the camera zoomed in to reveal his new identity—Ricky Saints—marking a fresh chapter in his NXT career.

Former AEW star Ricky Starks made his WWE NXT debut during the second hour of this past Tuesday’s show. Now, he has confirmed that he will be appearing again this week.

In a video shared on Twitter, Starks announced that he would be signing his official NXT contract on the February 18th edition of NXT.

“The hottest free agent shocked the world last week when I appeared on NXT. And tonight, it’s Vengeance Day, and I’m going to be watching on Peacock. And I know you probably are wondering what’s next? Well, I got the answers for you. This Tuesday, live on NXT, in the middle of that ring, I’m going to be signing my official NXT contract, and then you’re going to have the absolute truth from the man himself.”

Starks made his debut by appearing in the crowd, where he was instantly recognized by fans. Acknowledging their reaction, he stated that it was clear they knew exactly who he was. He then declared that if NXT represents the future of wrestling, it needs a superstar of the future. He added that if NXT is the highest brand, it requires the highest free agent, vowing to turn the place upside down.

Previously, Starks had requested his release from AEW, but CEO Tony Khan reportedly refused to grant it. It was widely believed that he would have to wait out the remainder of his contract before pursuing other opportunities. However, that situation recently changed when Starks was officially granted his release.

WWE was reportedly planning Ricky Starks’ debut before his departure from AEW earlier this week. On Monday, PWInsider reported that Starks had left AEW and was free to perform elsewhere.

The following night on NXT, Starks surprised fans by making an unexpected appearance. He cut a promo but was not recognized by name, leading to speculation that WWE and Starks had either not agreed on terms to use his name or were in the process of deciding on a new one.

According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter‘s Dave Meltzer, WWE had originally planned for Starks to debut at a major NXT event later this year. However, those plans were accelerated as soon as he became available.

Meltzer wrote, “Even before his release, WWE had plans for Starks to debut in NXT at a major event later this year, but sped up the process as soon as he was available.”

It has been confirmed that Starks has been added to WWE’s internal roster under his current ring name. However, there is still a possibility that his identity could change.

Despite his talent and strong fan support, Starks struggled to reach the main event scene in AEW before being sidelined for nearly a year.

Ricky Starks was presented as a game-changer upon his surprise NXT debut this week. While many are already seeing the former AEW talent as a future superstar, wrestling veteran Jim Ross is taking a more patient approach.

The AEW personality talked about things like the recent WWE releases, signing The Big Show to WWE and more on the latest episode of his podcast.

Speaking about Starks’ NXT debut only a day after his AEW release, Ross claimed that he has a unique opportunity ahead. He mentioned that Ricky has a big personality but cautioned talents who think signing with WWE as their end goal:

“Well, he’s a high-motor guy. I don’t know if he’ll be the next Shawn Michaels at his size, but he has a unique future. He’s got a big personality, so hopefully, he’ll do well and live his dream. It seems like the dream for a lot of talents is to make it to WWE and call it a day. That’s not where it ends, that’s where it begins.”

• I Hated It: Michelle McCool Reflects On Being Part of Cruel WWE Storyline

He’s Got A Lot Of Abilities: Jim Ross

Ricky Starks ended his 5-year run with Tony Khan’s promotion when he was let go earlier this month. While originally considered a future main eventer for the company, the former FTW champion had spent most of 2024 on the shelf with all kind of rumors about his status.

Speaking about his move from AEW to NXT, Jim Ross claimed that the 34-year-old ‘has a high opinion’ of himself. Whether he’s able to live up to the hype or not, is yet to be seen:

“So, I saw the episode of NXT last night [and was] surprised to see Ricky Starks. [I] don’t know how he’s going to do. He’s got a high opinion of himself, and he’s got a lot of abilities. There’s no doubt about that. So we’ll see how it works out for him. It’s never easy to get over, and hopefully, he can get over and stay over as a top star. It remains to be seen. Let’s see how it goes.”

While the former champion was presented as a star upon his debut, WWE avoided mentioning his name on TV. You can check out the potential reason behind this caution here.

• The Undertaker Has Flimsy Defence On Recent Public Outing With Vince McMahon

Ricky Starks’ strange WWE debut has kept people guessing about his identity in his new home but latest reports suggest that the answer to it might not be as exciting.

The former AEW star made his surprise debut for the Endeavor-owned promotion during this week’s Vengeance Day go-home episode of NXT. To the curiosity of fans, Starks was not mentioned by name during his appearance, making many believe that he might be getting a new moniker in the company.

A new report from Fightful Select suggests an alternate reason for holding off his formal introduction, however. The site noted that WWE works on sync agreements with performers that allow them to utilize names and other trademarks not belonging to the company.

Since Starks’ debut was put together on very short notice after his AEW release, the belief is that the two sides were still working on that deal when the former FTW champion made his NXT appearance.

• Sheamus Reunites With Former Teammate After AEW Release

Though the company is listing him as Ricky Starks internally and with the wrestling star owning the trademark for his name, there seems to be no reason why a deal cannot be reached sooner than later.

The newest WWE signee cancelled a scheduled indie appearance for the weekend after his NXT debut, and it’s believed that he’ll be part of Saturday’s Vengeance Day special from CareFirst Arena in Washington D.C.

• I Hated It: Michelle McCool Reflects On Being Part of Cruel WWE Storyline

Ricky Starks has withdrawn from a scheduled independent wrestling appearance following his debut on this week’s WWE NXT.

Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling (TCW), based in Atlanta, announced that Starks will be unable to appear at Saturday’s live event due to “circumstances beyond their control.”

“Important Announcement: Due to circumstances beyond our control, Ricky Starks will not be in attendance on Saturday, February 15th, at the Tannery Row Ale House. However, you can still expect the same incredible evening of Georgia’s premier star-studded, action-packed, family-friendly independent professional wrestling that TCW Live has to offer! We will see you at the matches!”

Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling was founded in 200 by the late “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes. The concept was to present old school Southern style professional wrestling on a local level, while serving as a training ground for wrestlers climbing the ranks in the business. After a 20-year hiatus, the promotion was relaunched in 2024 by QT Marshall and Dusty’s daughter Teil Rhodes, who serves as an authority figure.

If Starks is having to withdraw fro scheduled independent dates, that does not bode well for his reign as the new Defy World Champion which began a few days ago.

Ricky Starks shocked fans by debuting in WWE NXT on the February 11, episode, close to a year after his final appearance for AEW. On Busted Open Radio, The Undertaker was a guest and shared his live reaction to Starks’ WWE NXT debut.

“I’ve seen him a few times here and there. I’ve always had great conversations with him. He’s such a good kid, such a respectful kid. So that [Starks’ NXT debut] caught me completely off guard.”

While The Undertaker and Starks have yet to share the screen, the Phenom recalled meeting Starks in the gym when training for his WrestleMania 32 Hell in a Cell showdown with Shane McMahon.

“I noticed this kid is there every day and [he] doesn’t say anything, really respectful. As the training went along and we needed different spotters and different help, he was always right there.”

During their meet-ups in the gym, Starks shared that he was trying to break into the business and The Undertaker gave him some pointers about “different things.” Years later, the pair would reconnect as Starks would train with Michelle McCool ahead of her appearance in a Women’s Royal Rumble match.

Starks’ arrival comes after a mixed relationship with AEW that saw the 2023 Men’s Owen Hart Cup winner go unused for months despite being cleared to wrestle. Now, Starks has joined those who’ve left WWE for AEW and is ready to make an impact in WWE NXT.

For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SEScoops.

Ricky Starks has arrived in WWE NXT, after a complicated exit from AEW that saw him go unused for close to a year. While Starks made a name for himself as part of Tony Khan’s promotion for years, WWE may have an entirely different name in mind for the former Tag Team Champion.

Fans who watched Starks’ WWE debut on the February 11, edition of WWE NXT may have noticed (or rather not noticed) his name. The commentary team did not mention Starks by name, and Starks himself did not say his name during his promo. Similarly, WWE’s upload of his debut on X (formerly known as Twitter) did not mention Starks by name.

Backstage at the Performance Center, Starks declared that “The Absolute One is here” but again opted not to say what his name is. Similarly, WWE’s tweet did not mention the name of the invidual in the video.

This post spawned several responses by fans, pleading for somebody to say Starks’ name so that they can confirm what he’ll be known as in WWE. One fan asked WWE “Bro say his name,” while another feared an unfortunate name change to ‘Trill London’ or some other WWE creation.

Starks’ arrival was also shared by WWE’s account on YouTube. Once again, the promotion didn’t name the person being spotlighted and instead referred to Starks in the description as a “new competitor.”

While the arrival of Ricky Starks is a huge get for WWE NXT, he may not be known as Ricky Starks for much longer. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Starks, or rather, whatever he’ll be known as going forward.

Ricky Starks has become the latest AEW alum to arrive in WWE as the former tag champion debuted during the February 11, edition of WWE NXT. Starks is not the only AEW name to go on to call WWE home, as he follows in the footstps of the following talents:

Cody Rhodes: A founding member of AEW, Cody Rhodes made a high-profile return to WWE at WrestleMania 38 in April 2022, reigniting his quest for a WWE World Championship.

Jade Cargill: After a dominant run as AEW’s TBS Champion, Cargill signed a multi-year contract with WWE in September 2023. She made her in-ring debut at the Royal Rumble in January 2024 and is a two-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion.

CM Punk: Following a tumultuous tenure with AEW, CM Punk made a surprising return to WWE at Survivor Series in November 2023, marking a significant comeback after nearly a decade away from the company.

Penta: Formerly known as Pentagon Jr. in AEW, Penta debuted on WWE’s Raw in January 2025, securing a victory over Chad Gable. Becoming the Iron Man in this year’s Men’s Royal Rumble demonstrates WWE’s faith in the masked star.

Shawn Spears: After his AEW contract expired at the end of 2023, Spears returned to WWE in February 2024, appearing on NXT and continuing his “Chairman” persona. He has since been involved in various storylines, including a notable feud with Ridge Holland.

Blair Davenport: Briefly part of AEW under her real name, Bea Priestley, Davenport signed with WWE in 2021. She won the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge in 2023 and moving to the SmackDown roster in 2024 before her recent release from WWE.

Lexis King: After making waves in AEW under his real name of Brian Pillman Jr., Lexis King signed with WWE in 2024. He debuted on NXT, where he is the reigning NXT Heritage Cup holder, and retained the cup on this week’s NXT against TNA’s JDC.

Andrade: Andrade returned to WWE in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match after a handful of years in AEW. He has since gone on to hold the WWE Speed Championship.

Many former AEW names have gone on to hold championships in WWE while some are awaiting their big break. It remains to be seen what direction Starks’ future takes in the company but his arrival has left fans excited to see what’s to come.

During the February 11, edition of WWE NXT, Ricky Starks stunned the wrestling world by debuting for the silver brand. Starks’ arrival came shortly after it was reported that he’d been released from AEW. On X, Starks had just four words in response to his stunning WWE NXT debut.

Starks isn’t the only name in wrestling to react to his WWE NXT debut this week. On Instagram, CM Punk, who like Starks has his own issues with AEW, was pleased to see his former colleague make the jump to the silver brand.

Starks hadn’t been used in AEW since March 2024 after he and Big Bill lost the AEW World Tag Team Championships to Darby Allin and Sting. Though Starks was dealing with an injury for a time, he was fully cleared to compete for much of his absence. In November 2024, Starks shared that he’d not been given a reason for why he wasn’t being used, but had theories as to why this was the case.

Now in WWE, Starks will hope to follow other AEW-to-WWE success stories including Cody Rhodes, Jade Cargill, Lexis King, and Ethan Page. At the very least, Starks can expect to be seen on TV and be allowed to wrestle, far more than he was receiving during his final year as part of AEW.

Fans Blast Tony Khan with NSFW Chant at Ricky Starks Match

Ricky Starks made his debut in WWE NXT on the February 11, 2025, edition of the show.

He appeared in the crowd and announced his arrival with a statement emphasizing his status as a free agent and his intention to impact the future of NXT.

”It’s obvious you know who I am. If NXT is the future of professional wrestling, well guess what? You need an absolute superstar of the future.

If this is the hottest brand, well you need the hottest free agent right now, baby. Do not let the handsome face and the expensive fragrance fool you. I am here to turn this place upside down.”

This debut takes place just one day after he was released from his AEW contract following a lengthy dispute. He also just won the DEFY World Championship.

Ricky Starks is no longer listed as part of AEW, as multiple media outlets—including Fightful Select and PWInsider.com—confirmed after fans noticed his profile had been removed from AEW’s official website.

Despite not being used for nearly a year, Starks remains under contract with AEW. He had previously requested his release, but AEW CEO Tony Khan has reportedly refused to grant it. As a result, Starks will have to wait out the remainder of his deal before exploring other opportunities.

Starks has been absent from AEW programming since March 2024 and has stated that he doesn’t know why he isn’t being utilized. In the meantime, he has kept active by working independent dates, appearing for Glory Pro WrestlePocalypse and House of Glory. However, he was pulled from GCW appearances following the Effy controversy.

Reports indicate that WWE has shown interest in signing Starks once he becomes available, with many believing he is WWE-bound once his AEW contract expires. Starks has yet to publicly comment on his departure from AEW. 

Starks captured the FTW Championship from Brian Cage in 2021. He held the championship for an impressive 378 days, making him the longest-reigning FTW Champion at the time. Later, he formed a successful tag team with Big Bill, and they won the AEW World Tag Team Championship. During his AEW tenure, he feuded with top acts including Darby Allin, Chris Jericho, and more.

Ricky Starks made a rare in-ring appearance at a House of Glory live event, and the crowd made their feelings known with a loud and clear message. During Starks’ match, fans erupted into a “F*** TK” chant—a direct shot at AEW President Tony Khan. Despite being one of AEW’s most promising stars, Starks has not been seen in AEW programming since March of last year.

The chant reflects growing discontent among AEW fans, who have been eager to see Starks back on the company’s programming. Once positioned as a future main eventer in the company, Starks’ career came to a halt in March 2024, after he and Big Bill lost the AEW World Tag Team Championships to Darby Allin and Sting.

Starks was pulled from a planned appearance at Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) last year, despite not being used by AEW. It was later reported that Tony Khan ordered Starks’ removal from the show after a comment made by EFFY about Khan’s father. Not only was Starks pulled from the event, but it was later stated that he would not be allowed to participate at future GCW shows.

Ricky Starks Reportedly Denied Release from AEW

Starks himself has addressed his absence in interviews and though he has theories, has not been given a reason as to why he’s not being used. It remains to be seen if Starks ever competes for AEW again, but fans are certainly frustrated with Khan’s decision to not use the former World Tag Team Champion.

AEW Pulls Ricky Starks Merch Amid Wrestler’s Hiatus

Ricky Starks hasn’t appeared for AEW since March of last year, with the former Tag Team Champion in the dark about the reason for his absence. While there’s still no sign of when fans will see the ‘Absolute’ wrestler again, AEW has made efforts to distance themselves from Starks on their merchandise website.

AEW has pulled all merchandise for Ricky Starks from their online ‘Global’ store. Web archives show that as of September 2024, AEW listed seven t-shirts on their site. An error message on Starks’ profile reads:

“While this AEW wrestler’s merchandise isn’t available on Global ShopAEW just yet, you can discover their incredible collection and more at ShopAEW USA!.”

Going to AEW’s U.S. based store, fans will find just one shirt for Starks, another downgrade from what was previously available for the wrestler.

Starks has reportedly requested his release from AEW, a request that Tony Khan turned down despite not using him. Starks’ AEW situation has affected his work outside the promotion, including being pulled from GCW events by Khan. This move is said to have happened after a comment made by EFFY about Khan’s father at an event.

Effy On Ricky Starks, GCW, and AEW Heat: Go Ahead, Blame Me

While Starks continues to compete on the independents, questions remains as to when, if ever, he will appear for AEW again. In the meantime, AEW will continue to produce events and merchandise, but fans will have to go elsewhere to find shirts of the missing Ricky Starks.

Ricky Starks has reportedly requested his release from All Elite Wrestling (AEW), but company president Tony Khan is unwilling to grant it, according to comments by wrestling insider Ibou from WrestlePurists. Starks, who has been a prominent talent in AEW, is said to have had a falling out with the company, though specific details remain undisclosed.

“There’s a lot of things, most of it will never be reported,” Ibou explained, adding, “At the end of the day, things happened to where he’s on the outs with AEW right now. He’s asked for a release, Tony won’t give it to him, and he’s just going to wait the rest of his deal.”

Despite the situation, Starks reportedly plans to stay active in the wrestling scene by participating in independent bookings. Ibou noted that the wrestler is determined to remain relevant during this period, even as his status with AEW remains in limbo.

Further updates on this situation will be monitored as the story develops.

Check out WrestlePurists on YouTube for regular coverage of all things pro wrestling.

Ricky Starks in AEW

Ricky Starks made an electrifying debut in AEW in June 2020, challenging Cody Rhodes for the TNT Championship in a match that secured him a contract with the company. Quickly establishing himself as a standout talent, Starks joined Team Taz and went on to win the FTW Championship from Brian Cage, holding the title for an impressive 378 days before dropping it to Hook. Known for his charisma and in-ring skills, he was often compared to The Rock and seemed destined for stardom after leaving Team Taz to pursue prominent feuds with top AEW stars like MJF and CM Punk.

Despite his early success, Starks’ trajectory has taken a downturn. Since March 2024, he has been absent from AEW programming, despite being healthy and ready to compete. With his contract reportedly lasting until spring or summer 2025, Starks remains part of AEW but has begun working select independent bookings.

Ricky Starks Shows Up in GCW, Vents Frustration Amid AEW Hiatus

Ricky Starks is set to return to make another independent appearance in January, this time for House of Glory (HOG) Wrestling. The AEW star, who has been on hiatus from AEW programming since March, will appear at HOG’s Final Warning event on January 25. The show will stream live on TrillerTV+ at 6 p.m. ET and will take place in New York City.

Starks will face Mike Santana in House of Glory debut on January 17th in Chicago. HOG announced Starks’ debut on Twitter.

This marks Starks’ first booking with the New York-based promotion and a rare independent wrestling appearance during his AEW hiatus.

Starks’ GCW Exit

The announcement comes shortly after news broke that Starks would no longer be appearing for Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), despite having been set for multiple upcoming events. Starks made his GCW debut last month, cutting a promo and engaging in an angle with Jimmy Lloyd. However, AEW subsequently pulled Starks from the following GCW shows:

• December 14 in Los Angeles
• December 28 in Seattle (unannounced match)
• January 19 at the Hammerstein Ballroom (unannounced match)

The decision reportedly stems from critical comments made by GCW’s Effy about AEW President Tony Khan and his father, Shad Khan, on a recent podcast. While Effy’s statements have not been fully detailed, they appear to have led AEW to sever ties between Starks and GCW.

Despite this, Starks remains eligible to take other independent bookings, as evidenced by his scheduled appearance for HOG in January.

For more details, visit HOG Wrestling’s official announcement: HOG Twitter Announcement.

Independent wrestler Effy is ready to be blamed for Tony Khan pulling Ricky Starks from GCW shows, even though he feels much more is at play. Starks was pulled from a recent GCW event, as well as all future GCW shows, in a move that has angered fans.

Starks’ removal from GCW reportedly came after a comment made by Effy about Shad Khan, the father of the AEW President. Speaking to BodySlam.net’s Game Changer Weekly podcast, Effy was amused that the situation had blown up the way it did.

“I’m opening Twitter and at one point on Tuesday im trending #4 in the nation. Not Tony khan, not Ricky Starks, not AEW, EFFY. EFFY is trending fourth in the United States.”

The comment in question by Effy saw the indie star joke that Shad Khan, who has invested in AEW, is effectively paying Tony to stay away from him, Fightful Select has reported. While many have pointed the finger of blame at Effy for Starks being pulled from GCW, Effy believes that this is a matter for Starks and AEW to resolve.

“Everyone who’s saying “Oh, it’s EFFY’s fault he can’t be here,” this is how things are done in wrestling and it’s something that, you know, he’s going to have to go work out on his own.”

Starks being pulled from GCW came over half a year after his most recent match for AEW, with no explanation given for why he’s not being used. In the interview, Effy said if people, including Tony Khan, want to use him as an excuse for Starks not being used, then he’s not going to fight the accusation.

“Go ahead, buddy. You can blame me. I can handle the blame, I can take the heat. I’ve been called every name in the book before this.”

Starks is not injured, which makes his absence from AEW all the more surprising to fans. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Ricky Starks as fans eagerly await for when, if ever, he’s back in an AEW ring again.

H/T – Bodyslam

Ricky Starks will make his debut for House of Glory Wrestling next January, amid his ongoing hiatus from AEW programming. Starks will compete at the Watch The Throne show on January 17, where he’ll challenge Mike Santana for the HOG World Championship. Santana has held the gold since December 1, 2023, when he ended the reign of the self-professed ‘Indy God’ Matt Cardona.

Not only is Starks not competing in AEW, but he was recently pulled from a GCW event, and all future events for the promotion. It has been reported that a comment by Effy, Starks’ planned opponent for the night, resulted in Tony Khan cutting Starks from all GCW plans. GCW owner Brett Lauderdale only learned that Starks had been pulled at the same time fans learned of the situation on social media. Instead of Starks, Effy will face Matt Cardona at the Highest In The Room 3 event on December 14.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Ricky Starks, as fans wait to see what’s next for him, and when, if ever, he next competes in an AEW ring.

Brett Lauderdale says he doesn’t know why Ricky Starks was pulled from GCW shows.

The AEW star was announced for several upcoming GCW events after his surprise appearance at the Dream On show on November 23. The former FTW champion, however, was pulled from the announced dates only days after by the Elite promotion. This was a curious development as Starks’ other indie appearances were not canceled.

Lauderdale addressed these turn of events on the most recent episode of Game Changer Weekly. He explained that contracted talents reach out to him if they want to get booked. Brett noted that wrestlers are responsible for getting clearance from their employers themselves. He said that he has no direct line of communication with AEW so he can’t be sure why Starks was pulled:

“I found out about this the same time as everybody else did, for the most part. I’ve stated this many times before and it’s no secret. I don’t really have a line of communication with AEW. I’ve never talked to Tony Khan on the phone or via text in my entire life. They don’t talk to me. I’m not trying to say that in a negative context, but I guess we’ve never really had to talk.”

• Ricky Starks On Why He Can’t Be Grateful Just Having A Job

It’s Part of The Deal: Brett Lauderdale

The indie promotion has featured many AEW talents on their shows over the years including top names such as Jon Moxley. Brett Lauderdale claimed that because of the lack of communication, he doesn’t know if the freeze applies just to Starks or other talents as well.

Speaking about all the different rumors that have been floating around, Lauderdale noted that he’s heard things too. Though he can’t say for sure if they’re true as reports have been wrong about the AEW-GCW relationship in the past. Brett said that he’s always thought the two companies to be on the same side, and admitted that it doesn’t feel great to have an announced talent be pulled like that:

“I would love to know if there’s something to be done or something we can be doing. We got to the point where this stuff was agreed upon, announced, and fans were looking forward to this. To promote something and have to pull it back is not ideal. At the same time, and I’ve said this many times, when you do book television or contracted talent, you do it with the understanding this could happen at any time for any reason. It sucks, but it’s part of the deal.”

The GCW official also commented on reports saying that Effy’s referencing Shad Khan on his podcast saying ‘Brett doesn’t have a dad who pays him to stay away’ might have caused the rift between the promotions. He noted that Effy is also an independent contractor and his podcast is not related to GCW in any way.

Ricky Starks has explained why he can’t be happy by just having a job.

The former FTW Champion finds himself in a precarious position with his current employers. AEW has not booked the 34-year-old in a match since March but they reportedly also extended his contract to stop him from entering free agency this year.

A lot of people think that Starks should just be grateful for having a job with the company still but the AEW star doesn’t seem to subscribe to this philosophy.

During a new interview with Chris Van Vliet, Ricky Starks talked about his All 2023 match with Bryan Danielson. While discussing the bout, the former champion recalled someone telling him that he should just be grateful for having a job:

“I’ll never forget someone telling me just be grateful that you even have a job. I remember someone being like, just be grateful we have a job. I’ll never forget feeling like, how dare you! Don’t tell me to be grateful for something that I’ve worked very hard for.”

• AEW Pulls Ricky Starks From GCW Appearances

You Don’t Live My Life: Ricky Starks

Starks explained that people don’t know how hard he’s worked for the opportunities he’s gotten. Anyone who hasn’t lived his life shouldn’t tell him to be grateful for anything:

“That’s saying I know that you’re hungry for dinner, here’s a half-eaten loaf of bread, actually no, let me take that back. Here’s just the crumbs. F*ck you. Don’t tell me just be grateful for something, you don’t live my life. You don’t understand the things that I have gone through to even just get in this moment. It really set me off.”

The AEW star also talked about his recent hiatus from the company. He said that being kept home during the prime of his career just throws you off. You can check out his remarks on the matter here.

Ricky Starks will no longer be making appearances for Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), despite a recent setup for future involvement with the promotion.

Starks made a surprise appearance at a GCW event on Saturday, just hours before being backstage at AEW’s Full Gear. During the GCW show, he cut a promo referencing his frustrations with AEW, claiming he had been “frozen out” by the company. He interrupted GCW regular Jimmy Lloyd, who had mentioned Full Gear, and the two exchanged heated words. The segment ended with Starks laying Lloyd out with a DDT after being insulted, setting up a future match.

Starks has not been featured on AEW programming for months, despite repeatedly asserting that he is healthy and ready to wrestle. This led to speculation about his status within the company.

However, on Monday evening, GCW announced that Starks would no longer appear at several upcoming events, including the December 14 show in Los Angeles, an unannounced match on December 28 in Seattle, and another on January 19 at the Hammerstein Ballroom.

The announcement followed an interview Starks did with Chris Van Vliet earlier in the day, where he addressed his absence from AEW television. According to Fightful Select, sources within GCW confirmed that AEW made the decision to pull Starks from these appearances. The decision appears to be tied to recent comments made by GCW’s Effy regarding AEW President Tony Khan’s father, Shad Khan.

While some within AEW speculated that Starks was working his GCW appearance into a storyline, sources have confirmed that this was not the case.

Ricky Starks has not entered the free agency market because AEW has chosen to extend his deal into 2025 despite his recent absence.

The AEW status of the former FTW Champion has been a mystery for fans for a long time. He has stated multiple times that he is not injured, yet Starks has not been featured in a match for AEW since March.

He recently made his return to the independent circuit, showing up at a GCW event to vent frustrations about being forced to sit home and let his momentum die out.

Fightful Select is now reporting that Starks’ AEW contract was actually set to expire sometime in spring this year and he was hoping to test the open markets.

The officials, however, decided to pick the option year in his deal. This extended his run with the company through the spring or summer of 2025.

• Ricky Starks On AEW Hiatus: ‘I Have Speculation On Why I’m Not Used’

Despite picking up the option year, Starks hasn’t been factored much into the promotion’s creative plans since his last match, and there haven’t been a lot of pitches to bring him back.

Ricky Starks was famously spotted walking with Cody Rhodes before his Royal Rumble 2023 victory. He was also seen celebrating The American Nightmare’s WrestleMania 40 win as part of the audience. Both these events are believed to have affected his standing within Tony Khan’s promotions.

Though the former champion was spotted in backstage photos of the most recent Full Gear PPV last Saturday, and the report claims that he was welcomed at the show.

Hopefully, the top brass will be able to communicate any differences with the 34-year-old after his latest visit and we’ll see him back on TV sooner rather than later.

• Ricky Starks Defends Tony Khan Against Online Trolls