Why WWE Is Keeping Ricky Starks In NXT

Ricky Starks has made his presence felt in WWE but now it seems there’s a good reason that he’s being kept on NXT.

Tony Khan recently wielded the axe on the AEW roster as he let three stars go. Many would say that these releases are long overdue as Miro, Ricky Starks, and Malakai Black all left the company. Miro has not been seen since 2023 while Starks has been absent for several months. Malakai Black was still somewhat active on TV but rumours about him wanting to return to WWE have dogged his time in AEW almost since he joined the company.

All three men are now free to do as they like and Ricky Starks has now debuted in WWE as he shocked fans on the February 11 edition of NXT.

Ricky Starks Being Kept In NXT

Starks debuting in NXT means he follows the likes of Shawn Spears, Ethan Page, and Lexis King in leaving AEW to join the brand. Former AEW Tag Team Champion Penta debuted on the WWE main roster when he joined the company in early 2025. And it seems WWE has its reasons for having Starks where he is.

Fightful Select has reported that according to WWE main roster sources, the majority of creative plans heading into WrestleMania are already set, meaning NXT is a much more fluid option for incorporating Starks into the company. News of Starks’ appearance on the show is said to have made the rounds in the WWE Performance Center around 30 minutes before NXT went live.