Ricky Starks has officially addressed his WWE debut, which took place on the February 11 episode of NXT.
Starks made a dramatic entrance, walking through the crowd before taking the microphone to speak to the audience. During his promo, he made it clear that he had set his sights on becoming the future of the company.
In response to the company’s post on X showcasing his debut, Starks shared a brief but powerful message:
“Right time, right guy.”
However, one notable aspect of Starks’ debut was that he did not mention his own name during the segment, nor was he referred to by name throughout the show. This omission was intentional, with reports suggesting that WWE executives may be planning to rebrand the former AEW star with a new ring name.
Starks’ debut comes just days after being released by AEW, with his roster page being removed from the company’s official website on February 10. While the specifics of Starks’ contract status with WWE remain unclear, his appearance on NXT marks the beginning of a new chapter in his career.
What Frustrations With AEW Did Ricky Starks Voice Before Being Released?
Ricky Starks expressed his frustration over his absence from AEW programming prior to his release. He said that while he suffered a slight injury during his last match for the promotion in March 2024, he has been sitting at home ever since despite being fit and healthy to compete. Starks said that he should be in the ring more often since he is in the prime of his career.