AEW’s Ricky Starks has been absent from AEW programming since the March 30 episode of Collision.
There has been recent online speculation, including Reddit that Starks got himself into legal trouble last year in Canada and turned down creative ideas given to him. The post has now since been removed.
According to Fightful Select, sources within AEW claim that Starks turning down creative ideas is said to be somewhat accurate. One source with direct knowledge to the situation, told Fightful Select that the break up with Big Bill and then feuding with him was the only creative idea Starks has rejected over the past few months.
The report also cites additional sources that claimed Starks did not want to do business with AEW. However, it is also being said those involved creatively hoped the storyline would have elevated both Starks and Big Bill. The same sources told Fightful Select that Starks did not believe Bill would benefit from losing to him. Starks said that for the storyline, he would have rather had an amicable split between the two.
Fightful Select also notes there was concern from fans that AEW with a storyline suspension when Starks was not booked for the All In 2023 pay-per-view in London. It was further said that that Starks, at that point in time was not in favor of being in a tag team and did not like how AEW followed up creatively after he had his strap match with Bryan Danielson. was not in favor of being in a tag team at that point, and he was not in favor of the way his creative followed his strap match with Bryan Danielson at last year’s All Out.
Additional AEW sources agreed with Starks comments he made publicly about how the end of last summer was a negative turning point for him, with his momentum being affected in AEW after CM Punk was terminated.
Now as it pertains to the rumors of legal issues, sources within AEW told Fightful Select, they have never about it. The report notes there has been nothing filed and if an incident did happen, everyone involved has denied it.
There has been rumors that Starks wants to go to leave AEW for WWE. Sources told Fightful Select that some within AEW do believe this. However, there is no current details pertaining to Starks’ current deal with AEW.
Fightful Select noted in their report that in addition to reaching out to AEW, they also contacted Ricky Starks.
Starks recently wrestled at the Big Time Wrestling event, which took place at the Jaffa Shrine in Altoona, PA back on May 31.