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WWE Inadvertently Drops An AEW Bombshell After Ricky Saints’ SmackDown Debut

By Harikesh Shekhar • Published May 03, 2026 11:36 EDT
Ricky Saints WWE NXT
Former NXT Champion, Ricky Saints. (Source: WWE.com)

WWE made a major error while posting about Ricky Saints’ SmackDown debut.

Ricky Saints wrestled as Ricky Starks (his real name) when he worked with AEW between 2020 and 2025.

The 36-year-old signed with WWE soon after his exit from AEW and has been wrestling under the ring name Ricky Saints as a part of WWE’s developmental brand NXT. He is a former NXT North American Champion and NXT Champion.

Saints made his main roster debut on SmackDown this past Friday to confront WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. The two had a promo segment where Rhodes challenged him to a singles bout soon after The American Nightmare had announced to the public that he was medically cleared to compete following his eye injury at WrestleMania 42.

WWE made an error while uploading clips from the exchange between him and Rhodes on its YouTube channel by calling him Ricky Starks, his AEW ring name, and his real name. Wrestle Purists shared the botch on their X page with a collage of screengrabs.

Two of WWE’s clips for Ricky Saints’ debut currently refer to him as Ricky Starks #SmackDown

WWE has since corrected his name. Saints lost his singles bout to Rhodes after The American Nightmare pinned him for the win following a devastating Cross Rhodes.

WWE Champion Cody Rhodes Gets Attacked By Gunther On SmackDown

Cody Rhodes came out this past Friday to let the crowd in Tulsa, Oklahoma, know that he was medically cleared for action. He then said, “What’s next for Cody Rhodes?”, wondering aloud about his next feud, and just then, Ricky Saints’ entrance music hit.

After Rhodes put Saints away, to everyone’s surprise, Gunther entered the ring to apply a sleeper hold on him and made him pass out. He then lifted Rhodes’ WWE Title in the air, signaling what might be coming next.

Gunther, who is part of the Raw roster and who’s recently been labelled as the Career Killer by WWE, shockingly appeared on the blue brand seemingly to announce himself as Rhodes’ next opponent.

The Ring General has many a feather in his cap as he has retired legends like John Cena, Bill Goldberg, and AJ Styles in less than one year.

His latest program was at WrestleMania 42, a last-minute addition to the card of the Show of Shows, in which he picked up a win against a returning Seth Rollins, whom he had feuded with for two weeks over who was the better wrestler. During their bout at ‘Mania, a returning Bron Breakker attacked Rollins with a deadly spear and allowed Gunther to take advantage and pass The Architect out with his sleeper hold.

It remains to be seen if Gunther’s SmackDown appearance translates to a match between him and Cody Rhodes, and fans can find out on the next episode of either Raw or SmackDown.

Also read: Roman Reigns, Oba Femi & More Announced For 5/4 WWE RAW