Miro wasn’t the only big name to leave All Elite Wrestling, as reports on February 10 came out that Ricky Starks is no longer with the promotion. Both Miro and Starks were suddenly removed from the AEW roster page, as news came out throughout the day that they came to terms with the company on their release.
Mike Johnson of PWInsider first reported the news.
“Ricky Starks is no longer with AEW, PWInsider can confirm,” Johnson reported. “We are told he is 100 percent free and clear to go anywhere else he wishes to perform.”
Ricky Starks kept off television
It has been nearly one year since Starks performed for AEW. He and Big Bill were the tag team champions, but after dropping the titles they were also defeated in a tag team title tournament quarter-final on March 30.
From that point, rumors would swirl about Starks’s status with the promotion. He would take to social media that he wasn’t injured, while media outlets confirmed that he wasn’t being difficult about the creative being sent his way – according to their reports. Fans would push for Starks to be involved, but he was kept off television.
Ibou of WrestlePurists reported back in January that Starks requested his release “months ago,” but it was denied. Things took an even odder turn when Starks was denied from appearing in a GCW show and his contract option was extended. He has since performed for other companies, recently defeating KENTA for the DEFY World Title.
Ricky Starks would be a perfect fit in WWE
Fans have long speculated that Starks will eventually show up in WWE. Security camera footage revealed he was at WrestleMania 40 to support Cody Rhodes as he “finished his story,” a moment that would spark online outrage.
Starks has shown that he’s a phenomenal talker with a level of charisma that is hard to replicate. Taking that character and mixing in the presentation capabilities of WWE would set the stage for him to become a superstar. The PWInsider report does not mention any talks of a 90-day non-compete, and the use of the phrase “free and clear” presents the possibility that he can show up anywhere, at any moment.
The news of Ricky Starks release is a huge ordeal because fans and peers in the business recognize his potential. Will this be the moment in which he rises to superstardom? Fans will be locked in to see where he shows up next.