Four Matches To Watch From New WWE Signing Ricky Starks

After a year of speculation, Ricky Starks made the jump from AEW to WWE.

Starks’ name was removed from AEW’s roster page, leading many to believe he was released by the company. That was all but confirmed when he appeared on “NXT” on Tuesday night and cut a promo in the crowd.

NESN’s Jason Ounpraseuth and Athan Hristodulu discussed Starks in the latest “Ringside Review” on “Boston Has Entered The Chat.” For those unaware of the 34-year-old, LA Knight is a close comparison of what to expect. Starks is great on the mic and his voice and cadence being similar to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is both a benefit and a crutch. It should benefit him in WWE, and his in-ring floor is higher than Knight’s. Starks is a charismatic wrestler who should eventually find himself in the company’s upper midcard.

Fightful Select reported Wednesday that Starks — who likely will receive a different name — debuted in “NXT” because Wrestlemania 41 plans are set. The former NWA World Television Champion will be allowed to gain his footing in WWE’s developmental brand. However, in the meantime, for fans who want to know more about Starks, these are four matches to check out.

Bryan Danielson vs. Ricky Starks — AEW All Out 2023
AEW is slowly integrating its TV and pay-per-views on Max, but this is a match you should be seeking out. Danielson and Starks went to war in this strap match and brutality made for good in-ring storytelling as Starks attempted to rise in the main event scene. Danielson stepped in as a last-minute replacement for CM Punk, who was fired a day before the event, but was the perfect competitor for Starks to show fans he could hang with one of the greatest of all time.

Bryan Danielson vs. Ricky Starks — AEW Collision, Sept. 23, 2023
The strap match was so good that these two feuded throughout the month. The pair upped the ante with a Texas Death Match. Though not as good as their strap match, Starks and Danielson provided a good brawl, and the former again stepped up in a big spot.

Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland vs. The Young Bucks vs. Ricky Starks & Powerhouse Hobbs — AEW Fyter Fest 2022
Mixing things up with a tag match. This was a brilliant three-way match that was structured in a way that allowed everyone to shine. If we’re to assume WWE will showcase Starks in a multi-man match, this three-way tag team title match shows he can be a versatile wrestler.

MJF vs. Ricky Starks — AEW Dynamite, Dec. 14, 2022
This was a major match for Starks and a good showcase for him against the then-AEW world champion MJF. This is also a good way to remind fans to seek out Starks’ promo work. It’s a big aspect of a “superstar” WWE asks of its talent, and it’s something Starks is better at than some of its top guys — *cough* Jey Uso *cough* — and will help him out as he navigates the company. He’s good acquaintances with Cody Rhodes and CM Punk, so he’s got top people in his corner. It’ll be up to him if he’ll succeed in his post-AEW run.