Ricky Starks has been one of AEWs brightest stars since his debut in 2020, but fans have been scratching their heads since his sudden disappearance from TV in late March. Even though hes been off AEW programming for months, its now been confirmed that Starks wont be released from his AEW contract anytime soondespite speculation swirling about a possible WWE move.
Starks last appeared on the March 30th episode of AEW Collision, where he teamed up with Big Bill in a tag team title tournament match against Top Flight. Unfortunately, Starks seemed to suffer an injury during the match, and he hasnt been seen on TV since. The exact reason for his absence remains unclear, but whats certain is that the rumor mill hasnt stopped churning.
A fan recently tweeted about Friday Night SmackDowns upcoming three-hour expansion in 2025, suggesting WWE would need extra time for stars like The Lucha Brothers, Daniel Garcia, and Ricky Starks. This led to a swift response from Ibou of WrestlePurists, who shut down any talk of Starks heading to WWE anytime soon.
Ricky Starks is under AEW contract and will not be granted a release. I do not know why he keeps coming up in these conversations, Ibou tweeted, putting those rumors to restfor now.
Before becoming a household name in AEW, Ricky Starks made a name for himself on the indie circuit, wrestling for promotions like NWA, where he became the NWA World Television Champion. His big break came in 2020 when he signed with AEW after an impressive open challenge against Cody Rhodes. Starks quickly became a fan favorite with his charismatic promos and in-ring prowess. Aligning with Team Taz, he established himself as a major player in AEW, eventually feuding with top stars and capturing the FTW Championship
Despite his current absence, Starks remains under contract with AEW, and WWE NXT is reportedly very interested in signing him whenever he becomes available. However, Tony Khan has made it clear that Starks is not getting his release. So, for now, the only thing left for Starksand his fansis to wait and see what AEW has planned for his return.
Starks talent is undeniable, and the buzz around him isnt going away anytime soon. Whether he sticks with AEW or ends up in WWE down the line, one thing is clear: Ricky Starks future is still full of potential.
With Starks staying under AEWs umbrella for the foreseeable future, only time will tell how things will unfold.
Whats your take on Ricky Starks staying with AEW? Do you think well eventually see him in WWE? Let us know in the comments below!
