NXT Debut Of Ricky Starks Compared To Memorable WCW Moment

Ricky Starks’ NXT debut has been compared to a legendary WCW arrival by Eric Bischoff.

The former WCW President drew parallels between Scott Hall’s shocking 1996 WCW bow and the arrival of former AEW star Ricky Starks during the 11th February episode of NXT.

Rumours had surrounded the future of the 34 year-old former AEW Tag Team Champion in recent weeks having not been seen on AEW television since teaming with Big BIll in a tag team bout against Top Flight on March 30th 2024.

WWE Hall Of Famer Eric Bischoff was the mastermind behind the industry shaking arrival of former WWE Superstars Scott Hall and Kevin Nash to WCW, a pair of signings that ultimate changed the course of the business.

Speaking during a recent edition of his popular podcast ‘83 Weeks‘, Bischoff had high praise for the way WWE handled Starks’ surprise debut and noted the similarities to Hall’s first WCW appearance:

“I was really impressed with the way they brought him in. I think bringing him down through the crowd as a surprise. Yeah, there were some similarities [to Scott Hall’s WCW debut], for sure. But it was really, really well done.

And it made me think the next day there are multiple ways of introducing a character. There’s no one right way, there are a lot of different ways you can do it.

I think the way they brought him in, down through the crowd first off the bat. Once that crowd recognized that they were part of the show, they realized that red light was pointing at them, they got into it. It took them a couple of seconds. Maybe 20, 30 seconds. And then all of a sudden, everybody realized, ‘Oh, crap! This is his entrance, and I’m on TV!’

To bring him down through the crowd as a surprise, it’s a bonus for everybody. They get to be on TV. I think it was absolutely the best way to bring Ricky in. It made it look like he was crashing the party, and people love that. They react to it, as they did. And I think it was a perfect way to introduce him.”

Ricky Starks Debuted On NXT For Specific Reason

Prominent wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer believes Ricky Starks has been placed on the NXT brand for a specific reason.

Having made his name in AEW, many expected that the former FTW Champion would immediately be positioned on the main roster in WWE but Meltzer believes the company have used the signing as an opportunity to claim to investors that another top Superstar had risen through the NXT ranks.

H/T: 411Mania for the above transcription.