A former champion in AEW has reportedly asked for their release from the company but has had the request refused by Tony Khan.
Although Ricky Starks has made multiple appearances for independent promotions throughout the past 12 months, the former Tag Team Champion has not competed on TV since March 2024. When asked in a recent interview why he has been away from TV for so long, Ricky Starks responded that he did not have an answer. With no signs that Starks will make his return to TV, many have assumed that he will wait out his contract, become a free agent and likely sign with WWE.
In an update on the Starks situation by Ibou of WrestlePurists on the Raw recap, the former Tag Team Champion has asked for his release but Khan will not grant the request, meaning that Starks will have to sit out the rest of his contract. Ibou also adds that there are “a lot of things” happening that will never be reported:
“At the end of the day, things happened to where he’s on the outs with AEW right now. It is what it is. There’s a lot of things, most of it will never be reported. But ultimately there’s a falling out there and it is what it is.
He’s asked for a release, Tony won’t give it to him, and he’s just going to wait the rest of his deal. He’s going to stay relevant by working indy dates and good for him, I’m happy for him. That’s just gonna be the situation in the meantime.”
Although a specific date remains unknown, it has been previously reported that Starks’s contract will end in the spring or summer of 2025.
AEW Star Ricky Starks Discusses Future
Starks recently appeared for independent promotion House of Glory in what was the latest in a series of non-AEW appearances. After the match, Ricky Starks grabbed the mic and cut a lengthy promo about his future in wrestling.
H/t to TJR Wrestling.