In a move that’s left wrestling fans more confused than an unannounced CM Punk return, AEW has yanked Ricky Starks from all his future Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) appearances. Yes, the same Ricky Starks whose charisma and silky moves once made AEW feel like a party. The reported reason? Some spicy comments from GCW’s own Effy that roasted Tony Khan’s dad harder than a Thanksgiving turkey.
Effy, known for his in-your-face antics, didn’t pull punches when discussing AEW’s booking of Hammerstein Ballroom around the holidays—mere weeks before GCW’s much-anticipated return to the venue. His critique? GCW doesn’t have the luxury of “$40 million deficits,” billionaire football dads, or trust fund vibes. Whether this set Tony Khan pacing in his Jaguars suite remains unknown, but AEW quickly decided Starks would not be gracing GCW rings.
The GCW Fallout
Starks had been slated to appear on December 14, December 28, and January 19 at Hammerstein itself. Now? He’s off the card, leaving GCW fans wondering if the Starks-sized void can ever be filled. AEW reportedly issued a blanket ban on its talent appearing at GCW events, seemingly putting the kibosh on any potential reconciliation between the two promotions.
Is This a Work?
Meanwhile, Fightful Select stirred the pot by reporting some AEW insiders speculated this could all be a clever ploy to generate buzz. If that’s true, then AEW is playing the long game here—Starks has been absent for weeks, and even he allegedly doesn’t know why. Maybe it’s a work, maybe it’s just Tony Khan playing 4D chess. Either way, Starks is the pawn, GCW is the board, and Effy? Well, Effy’s the guy yelling from the stands.
Final Thoughts
Ricky Starks, the People’s Eyebrow 2.0, deserves better. Whether this is a strategic feud, petty beef, or just corporate chaos, fans are the ones caught in the crossfire.