WWE Originally Had Different Plans For Ricky Starks

WWE had to speed up plans for Ricky Starks.

On February 11, the wrestling world was left stunned when Ricky Starks strolled onto WWE television during NXT. His arrival came just 24 hours after it was reported he’d been released from his AEW contract.

Starks had long been expected to sign with WWE when he left AEW, but no one expected the situation to change so quickly. The star hadn’t wrestled for AEW since March 2024, despite repeatedly saying in public he was ready to return to work.

During and immediately following Starks’ debut, it was quickly noted by fans that commentary nor posts on social media referred to him by name. This sparked speculation he could be re-named and given a different character to the one that fans have long been connected with.

However, according to a report via Fightful Select, WWE often works on “sync agreements” that allow them to use names and other trademarks while talent is under contract. With the deal to sign Starks being done so quickly and so late in the day, the company was “working on the side of caution” by not mentioning him by name.

WWE Changed Ricky Starks Plans

Reporting in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer stated that WWE was planning for the arrival of Starks before he was officially let go by AEW. These plans would have seen him debut at a “major” NXT event later in 2025.

“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.”

Elsewhere in the Observer, Dave Meltzer reported that WWE is expected to re-sign Malakai Black and Miro in the coming weeks. Both stars spent several years with the company under the names Aleister Black and Rusev before heading to AEW.