Ricky Starks isn’t short of theories as to why he’s not being used in AEW, but is optimistic that things will work out for him in the end. Starks hasn’t competed since March, when he and Big Bill lost to Top Flight on an episode of AEW Collision.

On the Insight podcast, Starks shared that he did receive a ‘stinger’ in the match, but made sure to get checked out and given the all-clear afterwards. Instead of an injury, Starks is simply sitting at home waiting to be used by AEW, a hiatus he’s no fan of.

“It’s a mindf*** because I’m in my prime, and it sucks when you’re on such a momentum, riding the wave and doing stuff, and then to just be at home for so long… it throws you off.”

Starks is not meant to be at home, the AEW star added and confirmed that despite his break, he is still under contract with the promotion. When asked what’s really going on, Starks pleaded ignorance of any backstage reasons for his absence.

“Beats me, beats me. I could have a thousand theories about what’s really going on… Do I have speculations about why [I’m not being used?] Absolutely.”

Starks couldn’t pinpoint an exact time when he noticed the pattern where he wasn’t being used and has remained active in the ring in training despite his break from TV. Despite this setback, Starks is sticking by a mantra that he employs for more than just his career.

“The belief that I always have is that things will work out. Every time. Every time. Every time. Every time. Every time.”

Starks recently vented his frustrations at a GCW show, giving fans another layer of intrigue as to what’s to come in his future. It’s no secret that Starks is close friends with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, and the talented young star has caught the attention of those in WWE NXT.

Tony Khan has commended Starks as a fantastic talent, though that hasn’t been enough to earn Starks a spot on any AEW show in close to eight months. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Ricky Starks as fans await to see what his future holds, and where, in the ring.

Ricky Starks made an unannounced appearance at Game Changer Wrestling’s (GCW) Dream On event on November 23, 2024, held at The American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The show, featuring guest spots from Hall of Famers Mick Foley and Kurt Angle, became a platform for Starks to make an “Absolute” statement about his career.

During the event, Starks interrupted Jimmy Lloyd’s promo, where Lloyd mocked him for being “in catering” during AEW’s Full Gear at the nearby Prudential Center. Starks responded in dramatic fashion, delivering a DDT to Lloyd and grabbing the microphone.

Expressing frustration with his lack of use in AEW, Starks shared a passionate message about his ambitions. He told the crowd, “I am 34 years old. I’m healthy. I am goddamn good looking, and most importantly, I am a generational superstar.” Starks praised GCW as one of the “hottest promotions right now,” hinting at potential future appearances with the promotion.

Jimmy Lloyd attempted a sneak attack after Starks’ speech, but Starks ended the segment decisively with a spear.

Starks’ AEW future remains unclear as he hasn’t wrestled for the company since March 2024. However, fans won’t have to wait long to see him in action, as he is set to wrestle at House of Glory on January 16, 2025.

As speculation mounts about Ricky Starks’ future in AEW, the former Tag Team Champion has added another independent wrestling date to his calendar.

Starks is slated to debut for House of Glory on Friday, January 17, in Chicago. The event, set to stream live on Triller, has yet to announce Starks’ opponent. This follows his surprise appearance for Glory Pro Wrestling in St. Louis, Missouri, which set up a match against indie standout Kody Lane this Saturday.

This appearance will mark Starks’ first in-ring action since May, when he faced QT Marshall at a Big Time Wrestling show in California. Notably, his last AEW match took place in March, sparking questions about his absence from the promotion.

Despite being vocal about his readiness to compete, Starks has expressed frustration over his lack of utilization in AEW. In August, AEW President Tony Khan praised Starks in public comments but offered no explanation for his continued absence from programming.

Many fans and insiders believe that once Starks’ contract expires, he could be WWE-bound. The rival promotion reportedly has an interest in signing the AEW star, who has been with the promotion for the last several years.

Although Ricky Starks isn’t currently appearing for AEW, that didn’t stop him from making a surprise appearance at Glory Pro Wrestling on October 27th. Starks took out Sean Login with a powerful spear during Sunday’s event.

Following the spot, he delivered a promo, declaring that he doesn’t pass up “the opportunity of a lifetime.” This appearance is setting up Starks for a match against Kody Lane on November 24th.

AEW Absence

Starks hasn’t appeared in AEW programming for several months, leading to speculation that he may be preparing to leave the promotion for WWE when his contract expires. Despite rumors circulating on social media suggesting Starks is already a free agent, these claims have been debunked.

Starks says he’s with AEW and under contract, but is not sure why he’s not being used.

CEO Tony Khan recently praised Starks during an All Out media call, describing him as a valued and respected talent who remains under contract with AEW.

Ricky Starks hasn’t been seen seen on AEW television since march, leaving fans to wonder about his future with the promotion. Last month, Starks clarified that he’s healthy and hasn’t turned down any creative pitches to get him back in the mix.

Starks did a virtual signing with Highspots this week and responded to a question about the possibility of him jumping to WWE when his AEW contract expires. He laughed and said he takes the speculation as a compliment.

“Honestly, it’s so sweet that people would say that. I think it’s a compliment. It’s great to know people care about me that much.”

– Ricky Starks on fans thinking he’s going to WWE

The former AEW FTW Champion has attended several WWE events over the past year, as the personal guest of Cody Rhodes. He was spotted backstage at the 2024 Royal Rumble, and was at WrestleMania 40 to see the American Nightmare ‘Finish His Story’ back in April.

Why is Ricky Starks off AEW TV?

Starks reiterated that he’s perfectly healthy, ready to get back in the ring, but being sidelined is out of his control.

“No, I’m not out of action due to injury. I’m healthy. I’m of sound mind and body. I’m capable of wrestling, it’s just not up to me.

I wish I had an answer as to why I’m not on television. I’m healthy and ready to get back in the ring. I’m in shape, always have been. Sometimes, it just isn’t up to me, I guess.””

– Ricky Starks is ready to work

He concluded by expressing his commitment to finding a way to get back to wrestling, feeling that he owed fans some explanation for his absence.

• WWE Interested in Signing Ricky Starks

Ricky Starks’ recent absence from AEW programming has fueled speculation, but the wrestler is setting the record straight. He vehemently denies rumors that he’s been difficult or uncooperative, stating he’s “never turned down anything.”

“Enough is enough. Usually I don’t even speak on this but it’s tired. I never turned down anything, EVER. Just stop.”

– Ricky Starks

This comes on the heels of a social media discussion sparked by Kate from Fightful, who shared a clip of Starks’ strap match against Bryan Danielson. While praising AEW’s approach to the stipulation, the conversation took a turn when a fan accused Starks of self-sabotage.

Starks has been off-screen for months since a concerning DDT spot on Collision. Though initially feared injured, he’s reportedly healthy. AEW President Tony Khan, while acknowledging Starks’ talent and past matches, remained silent on his future with the company during the ALL IN media call.

This silence has only fueled speculation. Starks’ close friendships with WWE stars Cody Rhodes and Jade Cargill, coupled with reported WWE interest, have fans wondering if a move is imminent. Despite the swirling rumors, Starks seems to be enjoying his time away from the ring, sharing photos of vacations and time with friends on social media.

Whether his future lies in AEW, WWE, or elsewhere, one thing is clear: Ricky Starks is ready to wrestle, and fans are eager to see what’s next for the ‘Absolute’ one.

AEW President Tony Khan has given an update on Ricky Starks, close to five months since the former World Tag Team Champion last competed. Speaking on a media call ahead of AEW All In: London 2024, Khan was asked about Starks who last appeared in a tag-team loss on the March 30, edition of AEW Collision.

Khan called Starks a “great star” of AEW and someone who has had “great matches here.” The AEW President confirmed that Starks remains under contract with AEW and is “a well-regarded wrestler.” Khan stopped short of saying when fans should expect to see the former Tag Team and FTW Champion back in the ring.

Ricky Starks’ AEW Status

Khan’s comments come after multiple reports suggesting that Starks not only has one foot out of the door but is set to join WWE when the time is right. It has been claimed that AEW has been reluctant to use Starks as some within the company believe he is set to leave for WWE and therefore don’t want to invest in him.

The 34-year-old wrestler has reportedly drawn interest from WWE with NXT sources stating they hope to bring him to the gold brand. Starks is a good friend of WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes and was spotted at last year’s Royal Rumble PLE. Rhodes is one of a handful of AEW alum to thrive in WWE, alongside Jade Cargill, NXT Champion Ethan Page, Lexis King, and Shawn Spears.

Ricky Starks is oblivious about the circumstances of why he’s spent most of 2024 on the sidelines in AEW. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on Ricky Starks and whether his wrestling future is in AEW or elsewhere.

There has been speculation about AEW star Ricky Starks’ next move amid his hiatus. He could well be WWE-bound soon as he has drawn interest from WWE’s developmental brand, NXT.

It has come to light that Starks is still under contract with AEW despite being away from AEW TV and there are no details as to when his contract expires. Amid the rumors floating on social media, Fightful Select has reported that NXT sources noted there is significant interest in bringing Starks into the white and gold brand once he is available.

As speculation continues to fuel about his future, Starks took to his social media and dropped a picture of himself. He flaunted his shredded physique and made it clear that he is maintaining his shape ahead of his possible jump to WWE.

Starks was last featured on AEW TV on March 30 edition of AEW Collision. He had teamed with Big Bill and faced Top Flight in an AEW World Tag Title Tournament match. Starks became one of the top stars of the promotion but his lackluster booking has drawn major criticism from the fans. Reports stated that he turned down creative pitches which led to AEW writing him off the programming.

Starks previously worked as an enhancement talent for WWE and had some matches for the company. Starks is a good friend of WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes and was spotted at last year’s Royal Rumble PLE. This could certainly influence Starks’ move to WWE.

Moreover, several former AEW stars including Lexis King and current NXT Champion Ethan Page also jumped ship to NXT. Ricky Starks could certainly follow suit. More AEW stars could also be in line to sign with WWE.

• Rey Fenix Withdraws From Indie Appearance Amid Speculation About WWE Move

More has come to light about Ricky Starks who continues to be absent from AEW programming. Starks hasn’t been seen on TV since the March 30, edition of Collision, where he and Big Bill faced Top Flight in an AEW World Tag Title Tournament match.

Starks suffered a nasty DDT during that match and was pinned, though it was later reported that he and Bill were supposed to advance in the tournament. Since then, Bill has aligned with Chris Jericho and his tag team with Starks has been entirely dropped.

Interest from WWE

There is “certainly interest” in Starks, among other AEW stars from WWE, sources in the company told Mike Johnson of PW Insider this week. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer claimed that “a lot of people” in AEW believe Starks is heading to WWE, which is why the company is not “investing” in a storyline for the former FTW and AEW World Tag Team Champion.

Ricky Starks And WWE

Starks has a handful of WWE matches to his name already, as he has previously worked as an enhancement talent for the company. Ironically, his match on the January 5, 2018 edition of Monday Night Raw would see himself and Aaron Solow collide with future AEW alum FTR, then known as The Revival.

It’s no secret that Starks is a friend of Cody Rhodes, and was spotted at the 2023 Royal Rumble PLE ahead of Rhodes’ return from injury that same night. Starks later told Stephanie Chase that he didn’t care about “tribalism” and wanted to be there to support his friend. Rhodes’ return from a torn pectoral would see him win that year’s Men’s Royal Rumble match.

Starks was also spotted at WrestleMania 40 in April of this year, once again to support his friend. The two-night mega-show saw Rhodes ‘finish the story’ and win his first WWE World Championship from Roman Reigns.

Where has Ricky Starks been on AEW? “Absolute” is completely cleared to wrestle but one of the company’s biggest stars on the rise has been nowhere to be seen since being hurt months back on AEW Collision.

Starks took a nasty DDT during Tag Title Tournament match on Collision. He ended up taking a full three count, allowing Top Flight to advance. Reports were that Starks and his partner Big Bill were supposed to advance. However, the potential injury to Ricky prompted an immediate audible.

Of all things, Reddit conjured up the discussion of Starks, and Fightful decided to look into the situation. Some of their AEW sources claim that Starks turned down pitches to be on television. A different source said that the only pitch Starks turned down was breaking up with Big Bill. The plan was to turn Bill full heel and Starks babyface, but Starks reportedly believed a contentious break-up wouldn’t benefit either. Starks reportedly wasn’t particularly happy with the lack of follow-up to his memorable match with Bryan Danielson.

There was also speculation that Starks wasn’t allowed in Calgary due to legal matters, but those rumors have been dispelled. Starks is not in the men’s bracket of The Owen Hart Cup after winning the tournament in 2023. Ricky defeated CM Punk in the finals of the tournament last year.

Regarding Starks’ interest in WWE, Fightful states there is a contingency in AEW who believe WWE is a goal. That notion makes complete sense considering that he’s close friends with Cody Rhodes, Jade Cargill and CM Punk. It was actually Rhodes who brought Starks into the AEW fold. Starks was one of the names during COVID to challenge ‘The American Nightmare’ for the TNT Championship.

Ricky Starks has no idea why he has been kept off AEW TV.

The young star has not been seen on AEW programming since the March 30th episode of AEW Collision. He and tag team partner Big Bill were defeated by Top Flight in a tag team title tournament match during the show.

Starks addressed his unexplained absence from TV during a recent interview with WhatCulture. He was asked if he’d be a part of the upcoming Double or Nothing PPV on May 26 and Ricky claimed that he doesn’t know:

“I really have no clue. It’s just a very interesting time, I feel like. I wish that I was on Dynamite, or I wish I was on Dynasty. I wish I was on these things, but I think at a certain point, just for my own sanity, I can’t go too crazy about it because the proof is in my work and my effort that I’ve constantly given.”

The 34-year-old said that he constantly gives 1000% effort and the biggest lesson he has learned is not to worry too much about the things that are not in his control.

• Ricky Starks Defends CM Punk Amid AEW Absence

I Have No Answers: Ricky Starks

Starks’ latest match with AEW saw some last-minute changes. An audible was called for Top Flight to go over in the bout after the wrestling star seemingly got hurt while taking a tandem DDT.

The former FTW Champion further addressed his health status during the interview. He confirmed that medical issues are not the reason for his prolonged absence from the ring:

“I’m not hurt. Even that night [on AEW Collision], I specifically stated, hey, I’m not hurt. I was just being cautious about it because at the moment, I didn’t know what was happening, especially with this side of my body. So I wasn’t hurt. I was never put on an injury list or anything like that. I have no answers.”

He reiterated that he has no clue why he isn’t involved in any ongoing feud. Ricky Starks did note that receiving messages from concerned fans is encouraging for him.

Starks’ former tag team partner Big Bill recently joined hands with Chris Jericho. This signifies the end of the partnership between the former AEW tag champions.

What is the real issue preventing the former champion from returning to AEW programming is anyone’s guess. We hope that he will be back on TV entertaining the fans once again very soon.

CM Punk may have left AEW in the midst of a mountain of controversy, but he doesn’t have the entire roster against him. Ricky Starks recently defended Punk from his detractors during an interview with WhatCulture. Starks praised Punk’s influence on his presentation on AEW Collision, a show that was initially built around his ill-fated final return to the company.

He mentioned a frequently shared video clip featuring dramatic pyro effects, which was entirely Punk’s idea. Punk aimed to help certain people and foster collaboration. Starks recalled a conversation with Punk, where Punk emphasized, “It’s really up to you to sink or swim.”

This motivated Starks to consistently exceed his previous performances, feeling a strong responsibility to live up to Punk’s support. Punk played a crucial role in advocating for Starks and suggesting new approaches for his character, showing a unique understanding of Starks’ potential.

“I have no issues with Punk, I don’t give a f*ck what anybody tries to tell me, I don’t care. He has never done me wrong and you can have your opinions on him, but you shouldn’t vilify someone for thinking differently than you.”

Ricky Starks’ AEW Status

At the AEW Revolution post-show media scrum on March 3, 2024, AEW President Tony Khan addressed questions about Starks’ whereabouts. He acknowledged that he hadn’t heard any rumors circulating about the former AEW World tag team champion, but emphasized his’ importance to the AEW roster.

Starks was involved in Sting’s first AEW match at the 2021 Revolution, where Sting and Darby Allin faced Starks and Brian Cage in a street fight. More recently, on the February 7, 2024, edition of Dynamite, Starks and Big Bill wrestled Sting and Allin, losing to the AEW World Tag Team Champions in a Tornado Tag match. He hasn’t competed since the loss to Sting and Allin and did not wrestle at Revolution this past weekend. However, it may be only a matter of time before he resurfaces.

Many are under the belief that Starks will eventually end up in WWE. Not only is Cody Rhodes a very close friend, but he was also spotted with the American Nightmare before the 2023 Royal Rumble event. 

Last month, we broke the news that Starks’ former Team Taz partner HOOK is planning to let his AEW contract expire so he can explore free agency and possibly join WWE. Don’t be surprised if Starks isn’t far behind, or even gets there first.

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 Saints (@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.

Welcome to the Daily Drop for May 7, 2024. It’s Tuesday, so NXT has the fallout from their two-week Spring Breakin’ special tonight. There is also a lot to unpack from all over the pro wrestling world.

Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s beef has stretched into the pro wrestling realm. After Shawn Michaels’ Sweet Chin Music was brought into the picture, he extended an open invitation to have them settle their beef in NXT. CM Punk then quoted Kendrick on WWE RAW, as he cut a promo on Drew McIntyre.

Now, let’s get into today’s Daily Drop!

WWE:

WWE NXT Card for 5/7:

• NXT Women’s Championship Match: Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Chelsea Green
• Singles Match: Wes Lee vs. Josh Briggs
• NXT Women’s North American Championship Combine

The King is Gone: Jerry Lawler is no longer under WWE contract, ending a relationship that continued since 1992. He is still under a Legends deal, but the company decided not to renew his commentator deal on January 2024. The news just broke on May 6.

WWE 2K24: They just released the Sandman’s entrance, which will be a part of the next wave of DLC content for WWE 2K24. 2K also put a new patch through that should correct some issues that gamers have been experiencing.

Internal Promotion: WWE’s corporate structure has undergone another change, with Chris Legentil stepping in as the new Head of Talent Relations. He replaces Dan Ventrelle, who was released from the company in April 2024.

Ricochet Vents: Following his loss to Ilja Dragunov in the King of the Ring tournament on RAW this week, Ricochet took a moment to vent backstage for a camera. He posted this shoot sounding promo on Twitter/X with a caption that said, “who gives a sh*t anymore?”

Honestly, who gives a shit anymore. ????? pic.twitter.com/WrdFyYwnQD

— Ricochet (@KingRicochet) May 7, 2024

AEW:

Absolutely Not Injured: Ricky Starks has spoken out to squash the narrative that he is injured. He’s been taking time off from AEW, but he claims to be physically ready to go.

Flair’s Ejection: The pizza shop owner, who kicked Ric Flair out recently, spoke up to justify his actions. Co-owner Jerry Roberts responded to inquiries via text about Ric’s departure from their establishment, confirming that he had a reason to kick The Nature Boy out.

“We have reviewed video of the incident that took place recently at our restaurant. It is clear, our team worked in a professional manner to ensure the safety of guests and staff. We have thanked our team for their professionalism. We are proud of how they responded to this situation using and displaying our team values.”

Here are the upcoming major wrestling events

• Sunday, May 26: NXT Battleground (PLE)
• Sunday, May 26: AEW Double or Nothing (PPV)

All Elite Wrestling fans are dumbfounded by the inactivity of Ricky Starks. The company hasn’t featured Starks since his tag team loss with Big Bill against Top Flight (Dante Martin & Darius Martin) on the March 30 episode of AEW Collision. It was rumored that his absence was due to an injury. However, he has revealed that he is fine despite the speculations. 

In his last appearance, Starks seemed to have gotten hurt towards the end of the match. After he took the pin after a Tornado DDT from Darius, doctors checked on the former tag team champion. Starks would reveal later on Instagram that he wasn’t hurt and that the doctors were looking at him for precautions. However, AEW’s decision not to feature him for over a month has left fans wondering if he was injured. 

On X/Twitter, Starks shut down rumors of him being hurt. 

“To ease anyone’s mind, I’m not injured. Never was. Pick another narrative pleaseeeee,” wrote Starks.

Starks’s comments were in response to PWInsider’s Mike Johnson’s report that he was getting checked out by my AEW medical team last week. He shared that doctors saw him because it was his annual physical. He also noted that he squatted over 400 pounds during his visit. It’s unclear why the AEW superstar isn’t being featured on TV, but fans are wondering what the company’s plans are for him. 

AEW Seemingly Splitting Up Ricky Starks & Big Bill Tag Team

In recent weeks, Bill has started to look for guidance from ‘The Learning Tree’ Chris Jericho. He interrupted the current FTW Champion during an in-ring segment on the April 24 episode of AEW Dynamite. 

Although he didn’t address his status with Starks, Bill seemed ready to move on to be with Jericho. The company could build towards Starks eventually returning to confront Bill about switching allegiance. However, it does seem like their tag team may be over. The hope for fans is that AEW could bring back Starks to be more involved on TV soon. 

Ricky Starks believes it’s not worth it to spend your energy on trolls.

AEW has been struggling with falling TV ratings and low ticket sales in recent months. The under-par performance has made the company a target of online criticism. Being the president of the promotion, Tony Khan has been at the center of this storm, and the billionaire owner has been subjected to some harsh remarks.

The AEW wrestler recently had an interview with SportsKeeda where he talked about things such as Sting’s retirement, Chris Jericho’s pairing with HOOK, and more.

When asked to describe Tony Khan as a boss, Starks claimed that he is a great dude. According to the former FTW Champion, TK is not anything like you’d expect him to be:

“He’s a great dude. He really is. I’ve never met someone as nice as he is. People always assume someone in that position, someone in that tax bracket is going to be a certain way and he isn’t like that. He is a very, very sweet man. I think people need to realise that we are a startup company. We are all just trying to figure this out.”

Ricky Starks Defends Tony Khan

They also talked about the continuous criticism Khan receives from the fans. Ricky Starks explained that you can’t really say anything to trolls because they don’t want to change their mind. The AEW star claimed that they will never know the real Tony Khan who he gets to greet every time he comes back after a match:

“Well, I don’t think you can say anything to internet trolls because even if you presented them with facts and evidence, they still believe what they want to believe. So I think it’s best to just keep the energy to ourselves, right?

Because here’s the thing. They will never experience what we experience, in that the beauty and joy of someone like Tony when you come to the back after your match. It’s a different feeling to experience that with your boss. It could be a hug; it could be a fist bump. It could be anything.”

Ricky Starks was most recently involved in the AEW Tag Team Title Tournament with his partner Big Bill. The team was expected to beat Top Flight and go further into the tournament. An unexpected injury during the match, however, forced the company to call an audible, and Top Flight advanced instead of the former tag champions.

• Ricky Starks Provides Health Update After Injury Scare

Welcome the Daily Drop, your daily roundup of wrestling news and rumors for Sunday, March 31. We are officially less than one week away from WrestleMania 40. Let’s get right into today’s Daily Drop!

First off, we’d like to wish everyone a Happy Easter. There are a lot of Easter eggs to find all over SEScoops, just full of pro wrestling information, all year long. So, let’s get right to it!

Days Until WrestleMania 40: 6

WWE:

– Cody’s Contract: Cody Rhodes confirmed that he just inked a new multi-year contract with WWE that will see him with the company past his 40th birthday.

– Olympic Debut: US Gold Olympic Medalist Tamyra Mensah-Stock made her in-ring debut at an NXT house show last night.

– WrestleMania 40 Set: A photo of the WrestleMania XL set construction leaked. You can check it out here.

– No More IC Title: Kevin Owens has stated his reason for never wanting to hold the IC Title again.

– Jade Cargill’s Entrance: It took a lot of work to get Jade Cargill’s SmackDown entrance just right.

– Surgery for The King: Jerry Lawler recently underwent knee replacement surgery. We’re wishing him a speedy recovery.

AEW:

– Cardona on Collision: Matt Cardona surprised fans as he took on Adam Copeland for the TNT Title on AEW Collision as part of the Cope Open Challenge.

– Audible Called: AEW changed up the result of the tag team tournament in the middle of the match on Collision this week.

– Ricky Starks Health Update: Starks updated fans about his health status after a scary spot on AEW Collision this week.

– Bryan Danielson Dream Match: CMLL announced that Danielson will take on Blue Panther on April 5, 2024, in Arena México for their Wrestling Spectacular. This is a dream for Bryan Danielson that has been over 10 years in the making for the match, but he’s wanted to face Blue Panther for decades. It all started with this video, where Bryan received a signed Blue Panther mask and a video message while he was still in WWE.

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

Looking ahead, here are some of the major upcoming shows that we have in the pipeline:

April 6: NXT Stand & Deliver and WrestleMania XL Saturday from Philadelphia, PA.

April 7: WrestleMania XL Sunday from Philadelphia, PA.

April 21: All Elite Wrestling presents AEW Dynasty live on pay-per-view from St. Louis, Missouri at the Chaifetz Arena.

May 4: WWE Backlash France from Décines-Charpieu, France at the LDLC Arena.

Ricky Starks appeared to have legitimately gotten hurt on AEW Collision and it led to a change in the outcome of the AEW Tag Team Title tournament match.

According to Fightful Select, Ricky Starks and Big Bill were the planned team to advance in the tournament as they faced Top Flight in the opening round. 

Towards the end of the match, Starks was supposed to kick out of a pinfall attempt but he missed. The referee stopped the count despite Starks’ shoulder being on the mat which led to booing from the crowd. 

Ricky Starks then got up and took a DDT from Darius Martin before finally being pinned. Trainers were seen checking on the AEW star after the bell rang.

Even on the television broadcast, one could tell that Tony Schiavone was preparing to call for a kickout by Starks but sadly that didn’t happen. Big Bill and Starks were penciled in to face FTR in the next round of the tournament, but now it is Top Flight advancing. 

Starks and Big Bill had a credible run as AEW World Tag Team Champions before they dropped the titles to Sting and Darby Allin not long before Sting retired at AEW Revolution. 

So far the teams who have advanced in the tournament apart from Top Flight are The Young Bucks who defeated Private Party, The Best Friends who beat Undisputed Kingdom, and FTR who defeated The Infantry earlier in the evening.

Ricky Starks has since provided an update on his status and noted that he is doing fine. It’s possible that he may be kept away from ring for a while just to be sure. 

The show also featured a surprise appearance from a former IC Champion who answered Adam Copeland’s open challenge. You can check out full details of the segment here. 

AEW’s Ricky Starks has given an update on his condition after a spot on the March 30 episode of Collision had fans fearing something was wrong. 

During the show, Starks and Big Bill teamed up to face Top Flight in the ongoing AEW World Tag Team Championship tournament. The match was the first match for Starks and Bill since losing the titles to Sting and Darby Allin in early February. 

Towards the end of the match, Starks appeared to suffer a legitimate injury. He stayed down on the mat after Top Flight hit a tandem DDT. There had been no indication that this DDT was part of a finishing sequence but Starks did not kick out after taking the move. The AEW commentary team was also noticeably surprised by the finish. 

Ricky Starks Gives Health Update

Fans were left understandably concerned by what transpired on AEW Collision, but Starks has given a positive update. Via his Instagram Stories, the AEW star gave the following report: 

“I’m all good, everything checked out fine. Was being precautious.”

What’s Next? 

AEW Collision also saw FTR face The Infantry, who was in the midst of a Cinderella story after getting the upset win over the House of Black early in the tournament. Unfortunately, their luck ran out on Collision as FTR advanced to the next round. 

FTR and Top Flight will face off in the semi-finals of the tournament. The winning team will advance to the finals of the AEW World Tag Team Championship tournament, which will take place at AEW Dynasty in April. 

Tony Khan has made clear that Ricky Starks is still “All Elite.”

Starks has not been seen on television since losing the AEW World Tag Team Titles to Sting and Darby Allin.This weekend rumors surfaced that Starks contract with AEW was set to expire, and that he could be headed to WWE soon.

During the post AEW Revolution press conference, Tony Khan confirmed that the wrestling star was not a free agent just yet. Khan said he was completely unaware of the reports but did note that Starks was absolutely still with the company:

“No, Ricky’s definitely still under contract in AEW so I haven’t seen that but obviously we were doing Revolution today so it came out very good.

“Ricky was a big part of Sting’s run. He was Sting’s first match in AEW teaming with Brian Cage against Darby and Sting at Revolution three years ago and then to come back here three years later, of course Ricky and Big Bill, I’m very grateful.”

Khan said Starks and Big Bill were great tag team champions and mentioned how thankful he was for what Starks has done for Sting.

“I’m very excited about having him here. He’s definitely a part of AEW.”

While TK confirmed that Starks has not left AEW yet, there is no shortage of speculations about his future when the former champion’s contract finally comes up.

There is a very good possibility that Ricky Starks can make the leap to WWE considering he is close friends with Cody Rhodes and it was actually “The American Nightmare” who recruited Ricky to AEW after his time with the NWA. 

You can check out the full Revolution media scrum below:

Ricky Starks hasn’t been around AEW television for a minute, and he hasn’t wrestled either. The fact is that he’s not booked for AEW Revolution tonight, and questions about his contract status are everywhere.

It seems that any report about Starks being a free agent is jumping the gun. Absolute is still All Elite, according to SRS.

AEW Revolution is tonight, live on pay-per-view! We will have coverage here at SEScoops, and you can get more information about the event here!

Ricky Starks Free Agency Report

On March 2, internet rumors surfaced suggesting that Ricky Starks was a free agent and his AEW deal had expired. Sean Ross Sapp noted on Fightful Select within AEW and was informed that such claims were unfounded.

Additionally, sources close to Starks confirmed that his contract remains intact. He is still with the company, so Ricky isn’t leaving Tony Khan’s company just yet.

Starks has not competed in AEW since he and Big Bill lost the AEW Tag Team Titles to Sting and Darby Allin. Details regarding his absence or the duration of his contract remain undisclosed. Nonetheless, as of now, Starks remains part of the All Elite roster.

Ricky Starks’ WWE Connections

Starks is still good friends with Cody Rhodes. He was spotted with the American Nightmare at the Royal Rumble last year, so obviously, he is welcomed backstage. His current contract situation is keeping him from WWE, but there is also no guarantee that he would make the jump if given the opportunity.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of Ricky Starks, and everything else going on in the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back for more updates.

Sting will wrestle his final match at AEW Revolution on March 3rd. Fans are gearing up for that big night in pro wrestling history, and it appears that Sting and Darby Allin will enter into that match as champions.

Sting & Darby Allin Win AEW Tag Team Gold

Big Bill and Ricky Starks put their AEW World Tag Team Titles on the line against Sting and Darby Allin during the February 7th episode of Dynamite. This match was the main event of the night.

AEW also received an overrun for the match, pitting the two teams against each other in a competitive tag team match. The crowd was also very excited to see the AEW World Tag Team Titles defended in such a high-stakes situation.

Sting and Darby Allin are on a roll!

Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@Sting | @DarbyAllin | @starkmanjones | @TheCaZXL pic.twitter.com/21OTQJQtCJ

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 8, 2024

The match was full of good spots, including Sting and Allin nailing Big Bill with multiple Stinger Splashes in the corner. This was before Allin nailed a Coffin Drop on Big Bill to the outside.

Later on, Sting kicked out of a spear from Ricky Starks after he hit the exposed turnbuckle. Starks also hesitated a bit before landing that move. Eventually, Sting nailed a Scorpion Death Drop on Starks and won the titles.

Is Ricky Starks having second thoughts?

Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@Sting | @DarbyAllin | @starkmanjones | @TheCaZXL pic.twitter.com/gTDrksO4j5

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 8, 2024

They didn’t get to celebrate long, because the Young Bucks jumped them to end Dynamite with a beat down this week.

Sting’s Memorable Moment

Sting has won a lot of titles before in his career, but this marks his first title run in AEW. It is fitting that Sting and Darby Allin will have that run together, because the entirety of Sting’s time in AEW has been alongside the former TNT Champion.

SE Scoops will have more updates on Sting’s final weeks as an active pro wrestler. This was definitely a big night for his career.

#ANDNEW
The Legend Lives On! @Sting and @DarbyAllin are your NEW #AEW World Tag Team Champions! pic.twitter.com/Js9gwhJgD1

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 8, 2024

You never know who will show up at an AEW event, and this week is no exception. AEW Dynamite is in New Orleans this week, and they had a very special guest around.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard Is Absolutely All Elite

Gypsy Rose Blanchard continues to show off her interest for pro wrestling. An All In poster was spotted at her house, as seen in a Christmas photo, and now it seems that she is getting to know one top star on Tony Khan’s roster.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard is coming to the defense of her hubby Ryan Scott Anderson, calling out all of his detractors for being jealous the two
are:

“having hot sex every night!”
TMZ Reports. #GypsyRose ?? pic.twitter.com/GNIplnYSjP

— popbrains (@popbrains) January 3, 2024

It looks like Gypsy attended AEW Dynamite, and she got a VIP treatment. She posted a photo with Ricky Starks, who had the AEW World Tag Team Title in his hand, as they posed for an Absolute photo-op.

Absolute! pic.twitter.com/RBuRGu5hdz

— Ricky Saints (@starkmanjones) February 1, 2024

Gypsy was released early from prison on December 28th after serving seven years for the second-degree murder charge of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. The Gypsy Rose Blanchard case attracted widespread attention due to the complex and unusual circumstances surrounding her mother’s murder. It resulted in several documentaries and an adaptation of her life story as a Hulu miniseries titled “The Act.”

Other Pro Wrestling Connection With Gypsy Rose Blanchard

Following her parole approval earlier this year, Gypsy Rose Blanchard was released from the Chillicothe Correctional Center in Missouri, she had a very interesting ride on her way to freedom. 

After she served seven years for her involvement in her mother’s killing, Gypsy Rose was retrieved by her new husband. The car he drove was rocked a wrestling-themed Bret Hart license plate bearing the inscription “HITMAN.”

This Hitman connection made headlines, due to the circumstances around her mother’s death. However, pro wrestling cans can’t help but wonder if the connections inside our bubble will continue as Gypsy starts making more public appearances. 

All Elite Wrestling superstar Ricky Starks thinks fondly of his highly praised No Disqualification Strap Match with Bryan Danielson at AEW All Out on September 3, 2022. Fans loved the match, and Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer awarded him five stars.  

In an interview with Forbes, Starks gives his perspective on his brutal contest against ‘The American Dragon.’ Admittedly, the AEW Tag Team Champion didn’t expect the overwhelmingly positive reaction he received for his match. 

Forbes’ Blake Oestriecher transcribed the following quotes. 

“It was cool that people reacted the way they did. I was blown away by it because I didn’t expect that type of reaction,” said Starks. He continued,  “It was nice that someone thought highly enough to give it that rating. I thought that was pretty cool.”

While Starks took on Danielson at the event, the company was building towards CM Punk being his challenger. However, the company fired CM Punk due to a backstage incident ahead of the event, and they decided to pivot to Danielson as Stark’s opponent at AEW All Out. 

Starks shared in the interview that he felt unsure of himself ahead of the Danielson match and why his match at AEW All Out was important to him. 

“It was really a very therapeutic type of match for me,” said Starks. He explained, “My confidence had wavered up until that point just a little bit, and that really made me think, alright, this is where things start to pick up. Talk about putting the company on my shoulders and wanting to be the man, and I think I proved it.”

Ricky Starks On Being Praised By Bryan Danielson After Their Match

Although fans praised the match, the biggest compliment came from Danielson. After their match at AEW All Out, ‘The American Dragon’ credited Starks for his efforts and called him a star. The comments meant a lot to the AEW Tag Team Champion, and he was honored that Danielson thought highly of his performance. 

“…The best part about that was the high compliment that Bryan gave me in that press conference afterward,” said Starks. He added, “Him saying that I’m one of his favorite opponents, that really means a lot. The fact that he said that was a badge of honor. Like, I know I belong.”

Although Starks lost the No Disqualification Strap Match, he earned many fans and Danielson’s respect that night. The stars may currently be involved in different storylines, but it’s possible they will face off in the ring again in the future. 

We’re closing in on Sting’s final match and his opponent(s) are still technically up in the air. On the Homecoming episode of Dynamite, the Young Bucks returned and seemingly challenged Sting and Darby Allin for AEW Revolution. The match has yet to made official. 

In the meantime, Allin and Sting have some important business to take care of. On Dynamite, Allin told a story of how he flew to Texas when Sting signed with AEW. He wrestled Sting in his own ring that he has in his garage. Within minutes, he told the veteran he still had it. After winning 27 matches together, Allin confirms that “The Icon” still has it. 

Allin pointed out that the rankings are back and thus they are the number one contenders for the tag team titles. Allin asked Sting if he wanted to end his career as tag team champions. Sting replied that he was “all in!” (as an AEW ALL IN graphic was on the screen behind him).

Later in the night, Ricky Starks and Big Bill accepted their challenge. Starks pointed out that it was fitting that he would be facing them since Sting’s first match back was against himself and another partner (Brian Cage). “It’s very fitting that now, me and the best partner I have will be the end of you. You are not making it to Revolution, my man.” 

After hearing what Sting & Darby Allin had to say.
The #AEW World Tag Team Champions Ricky Starks & Big Bill have their reply.

Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@starkmanjones | @TheCaZXL pic.twitter.com/R93kOg1yr4

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 25, 2024

The match has been made official for Wednesday, February 7 in Phoenix, Arizona.