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The AEW roster features several seasoned veterans and wrestling legends, in addition to numerous rising stars who look to be the future of the industry. A certain fan-favorite All Elite star has been one of the hottest topics of discussion this year due to the rumor mill, but now they're speaking out on another issue, and that is how seasoned veterans will back him up against claims of being lazy.
Ricky Starks has not wrestled for AEW since late March, and there is still major uncertainty surrounding his status and future. The former FTW Champion made a surprise GCW appearance this weekend, which was covered in a leaked backstage report, but he was also at AEW Full Gear on a rare visit. Starks seems to be moving on with his career now that he is being booked elsewhere, but there is still no concrete timeline for his All Elite return.
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The Absolute One is dismissing any narrative that claims he is a lazy in-ring worker. Speaking to Chris Van Vliet for Insight, the 34-year-old put himself over for being such a hard worker. He name-dropped several stars who he worked with in the NWA and who would back him up on this, including promotion owner Billy Corgan, two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis, one-time NWA World Tag Team Champion LA Knight, and Eddie Kingston:
"One thing about me, man... I've never strayed from working hard, and I'll be damned if anyone [questions that]. That's insane... I have worked tremendously hard, tirelessly hard, since 2020 in AEW, and then before AEW I worked hard as well. Even at NWA, there's no one 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. So, if anyone ever says I'm difficult to deal with, that I'm lazy or... you know what I'm saying? [laughs] It's all lies," Ricky Starks said. [From 1:06:44 to 1:07:28]
A former WWE writer just went after JBL for his comments HERE
Starks made history by defeating Trevor Murdoch in the tournament final to become the inaugural NWA World Television Champion at Hard Times 2020. He dropped the strap to Zicky Dice just two days later at the Powerrr TV tapings.
Ricky Starks announced for matches outside of AEW
Ricky Starks has not wrestled for All Elite Wrestling since the March 30 Collision tapings, where he and Big Bill lost to Top Flight in the championship tournament quarter-finals. Starks defeated QT Marshall at a BTW indie event two months later but then went on hiatus.
Starks returned to the ring at Sunday's Glory Pro WrestlePocalypse event in St. Louis, an appearance set up in October when he made a surprise GPW appearance. Sunday's main event saw Starks wrestle A1 Zero Gravity Champion Kody Lane to a No Contest.
Absolute Starks appeared at GCW Dream On this past Saturday, which was being held not far from AEW Full Gear. He will now face Matt Cardona fka Zack Ryder at GCW's Highest In The Room 3 on Saturday, December 14, in Los Angeles.
Starks is also scheduled to make his House of Glory debut in early 2025. HOG's Watch The Throne event on Friday, January 17, in Chicago will feature Starks' in-ring debut, but no opponent has been announced.
