Ricky Starks has officially arrived in WWE NXT.
The former AEW star made a shocking debut on the February 11th episode of NXT, entering through the crowd just before the main event—a steel cage match between Tony D’Angelo and Ridge Holland. The fans in attendance erupted as Starks made his way to the ring, signalling a major shift in the NXT landscape.
Grabbing a microphone, Starks wasted no time making his intentions clear.
“It’s obvious you know who I am,”
He said as the crowd chanted his name.
“If NXT is the future of professional wrestling, you need an absolute superstar of the future. If this is the hottest brand, you need the hottest free agent right now, baby.”
The energy in the arena was electric as Starks declared that he was in NXT to shake things up. He made it clear that his arrival was no ordinary debut—it was a statement.
“I’m here to turn this place upside down. And just so you know, the revolution will be televised.”
Starks’ surprise appearance immediately sparked speculation about what’s next for him in WWE. WWE has yet to officially confirm Starks’ contract status, but his presence alone suggests big plans ahead.
When Was Ricky Starks Released From AEW?
On February 10 it was reported that Ricky Starks’ profile had been removed from AEW’s website, and he was subsequently released from the company, ending his five-year run with AEW where he captured the World Tag Team Championship, FTW Championship, and won numerous tournaments including the 2023 Owen Hart Cup.