In not so shocking news, Ricky Starks asked for his release from AEW.
Chris Featherstone first reported that the former AEW World Tag Team Champion had opted to request his release due to his lack of use on television since March 2024 and the frustrating AEW creative process.
Tony Khan rejected Starks’ request. Given that Khan has reportedly turned down release requests from Malakai Black and Miro, him turning down another AEW name is not surprising. Speculation has been running rampant on why the 34-year-old has been pulled from AEW television altogether.
There’s been reports that state Tony Khan feels Ricky Starks is heading over to WWE, and has decided to keep him off television until his contract expires. Starks has been vocal about not being on television and made it clear several times that he’s healthy to compete. He even voiced his frustration about sitting at during nothing in the prime years of his career during his recent Chris Van Vilet interview:
“I’ve been home, I’ve been healthy. Never was injured. I did have a stinger. I got a stinger in that match against Top Flight in March. I got immediately checked out and everything was fine, but I was just concerned at the time. So that happened and then I was just home.
It’s kind of a mindf--- because I’m in my prime and it sucks when you’re on such a momentum, riding the wave, doing work and doing stuff, and then to just be at home for so long, you’re kind of like, whoa. It kind of throws it off."
Starks has been doing independent shows recently, so he isn’t sitting on the couch anymore. At this point, Starks has to just ride out the rest of his contract, which is supposed to end in mid 2025. It’s a shame that the relationship between Starks and Tony Khan has been so sour lately as the AEW star really could’ve been a top name if given a chance.
But on the bright side, Starks doesn’t have to wait too long for his contract to expire. The same can’t be said about Miro, who’s reportedly under AEW contract until 2027. If the reports are to be believed then the former TNT Champion is also going to be stuck at home until his contract expires.