GCW announced via social media that Ricky Starks has been pulled from upcoming appearances in December and January.
The news follows a report from Fightful Select regarding the former World Tag Team Champion’s status with the company.
Starks, who was recently cleared to compete, has yet to appear at AEW events aside from appearing backstage at last weekend’s Full Gear event.
Sources noted that he has not been included in creative plans or story pitches at this time.
Starks made his return to the ring at a Glory Pro Wrestling event, marking his first match in six months, and appeared at a GCW event where he suggested he was being “frozen out.”
Fightful further reported that AEW’s decision to pull Starks from the upcoming appearances may have come after comments made by independent wrestler Effy on his podcast, addressing AEW’s plans to hold shows at the Hammerstein Ballroom before GCW does the same:
Recently appearing on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Starks addressed rumors about his behavior in and out of the ring:
I’ve never strayed away from working hard, and I will be damned if I have anyone put that into question. That is insane. I have worked tremendously hard, tirelessly hard, since 2020 in AEW, and even before AEW I worked hard. Even at NWA. There is no one at NWA that would tell you I was a lazy worker. Ask Nick Aldis. Ask Billy Corgan. Ask Eddie Kingston. Ask LA Knight. You’ll never find it. It’s unheard of.
Source: Fightful