After months of speculation and countless reports that Ricky Starks wanted to leave All Elite Wrestling and jump ship over to World Wrestling Entertainment, yesterday, he (as well as Miro and Malakai Black) were removed from the AEW roster page.
Less than 24 hours later, Ricky Starks made his WWE debut by appearing in the crowd on tonight's episode of NXT.
He cut a quick promo, stating:
"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. 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 the revolution will be televised again. And well, I'm here, ain't I?"
Curiously, WWE has gone out of its way specifically to not refer to him a single time as Ricky Starks. This is almost 100% a guarantee that he will be given a new ring name, as there would be no reason not to say his name if he were to be going by "Ricky Starks" as per usual.
While some talent like Ethan Page, Shawn Spears, Giulia, and Stephanie Vaquere were allowed to keep their names, others like Zaria and Lexis King ended up changing theirs (from DELTA and Brian Pillman Jr, respectively). Ricky Starks is going by his real name (Richard Starks), which may be a sticking point for WWE to want to change it.
Just the other day, WWE trademarked several new ring names. While Braxton Cole, Chantel Monroe, Harley Riggins, Haze Jameson, Jax Presley, Summer Sorrell, Tate Wilder and Trill London seem to have been assigned to someone already, that leaves Aria Bennett, Drako Knox, Masyn Holiday, and Osiris Griffin still left as unknowns. One of those names could very well be designated the new moniker for Starks. (My guess is Osiris Griffin)
Starks now also becomes the frontrunner for speculation of who is going to lead this mysterious new faction that is being teased to appear at Vengeance Day. Those four Superstars have been shrouded in silhouettes, but one of them very much resembles Starks. The others are likely Saquon Shugars, Keanu Carver, and Dion Lennox.
Do you think we'll see Miro and/or Malakai Black back in WWE as Rusev and Aleister Black any time soon? Where do you think they should go? What should Ricky Starks be called on this roster? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!