The wrestling world is buzzing, folks, and it’s not just from someone body-slamming through a folding table. Ricky Starks, AEW’s stylish spark plug of charisma, is making waves—and he hasn’t even laced up his boots in months.
Here’s the tea: according to Fightful Select, Starks is still under AEW contract until mid-2024. While the original deal was set to expire earlier this year, AEW hit the ol’ “we’re keeping you, pal” button and exercised a one-year option. Since then, however, Starks has been MIA, both on TV and backstage. That is, until Full Gear this past Saturday, where he reportedly emerged like a plot twist in a soap opera.
While Starks’ backstage presence at Full Gear raised eyebrows, it wasn’t clear who rolled out the welcome mat—Tony Khan, his fellow wrestlers, or catering (because who doesn’t love a good buffet?). Meanwhile, whispers abound that Starks was planning to test the open market when his contract was up. It’s safe to say AEW’s option exercise might’ve thrown a curveball into those plans.
Creatively, it’s been crickets for Starks in AEW, with no major storylines or TV appearances since March. However, his recent promo at a GCW event and his first interview in months suggest he’s ready to remind everyone why he’s “Absolute.” Could this signal an epic return to the squared circle? Or is Ricky just warming up the wrestling world for his next big move? Stay tuned, because when Ricky Starks hits, he hits like a lightning bolt—stylish jacket included.