The latest episode of WWE NXT delivered a shocking moment as Ricky Starks made his debut following his AEW release earlier this week. Reports confirmed that Starks does not have a 90-day non-compete clause with AEW, allowing him to appear immediately anywhere.
Ricky Starks made his appearance through the crowd, holding a microphone in his hand. As WWE NXT fans erupted in a huge ovation, chanting his name, Starks delivered a bold statement. He stated, “It’s obvious you know who I am. If NXT is the future of professional wrestling, well, guess what? You need an Absolute Superstar of the future. If this is the hottest brand, well, you need the hottest free agent, baby. Do not let the handsome face and expensive fragrance confuse you. I am here to turn this place upside down. And everybody’s been begging the question: when will the revolution be televised again? Well, I’m here, ain’t I?”
Interestingly, while WWE NXT commentators acknowledged Starks’ presence, they did not actually mention his name. Vic Joseph, on commentary, stated, “We know who that is. Everyone wants to be part of NXT.”
However, WWE’s official social media accounts, including YouTube, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Instagram, did not mention Ricky Starks’ name in their debut posts. This has raised questions about why commentary avoided saying his name, with speculation pointing toward a potential name change. Amid this, new reports have provided an update on the situation.
Ricky Starks’ WWE identity in question – New name incoming?
Fightful Select behind paywall, provided an update on former AEW star Ricky Starks’ name situation. The report stated that WWE’s decision to avoid mentioning Starks’ name “wasn’t an accident.”
The reason for this decision is still unknown. A name change is possible for Starks, but not the only option. What’s clear is that WWE chose not to mention his name on purpose, so it’s not just a coincidence.
While WWE deliberately avoiding Ricky Starks’ name has raised questions among fans about whether the former AEW star will receive a new name, only time will tell. Following his debut, Starks has made several statements on social media. In one post, he shared the Kendrick Lamar smiling face meme from the rapper’s Super Bowl LIX performance.
