"I spit him out" - Top star comments on Ricky Starks amid his continued absence from AEW

The AEW future of Ricky Starks has been a hot topic of discussion among fans and experts for months now. The former AEW Tag Team Champion has not wrestled in almost four months. Now one of the top champions in the company is speaking up on Starks' status.

The Absolute recently broke his silence amid rumors about his status with All Elite Wrestling. The 34-year-old last wrestled on March 30 as he and Big Bill were defeated by Top Flight on Collision. It was recently reported that Starks has backstage heat within AEW, but there's been no sign of when he might return. Recently, the former AEW World Champion MJF gave his thoughts about Starks.

Speaking to Casual Conversations with The Classic, Maxwell Jacob Friedman praised Starks and revealed that he's a big fan of The Undertaker.

"I'll wrestle Ricky Starks any day of the week. I think he's one of the most underrated talents probably ever, like he's a f*****g phenom. I say that with a wink and a nod because he's the biggest Undertaker mark in the world," MJF said. [From 14:43 to 14:55]

Shortly after winning the World Championship at Full Gear 2022, MJF made his first title defense against Ricky at Winter Is Coming, and the match ended in just under 16 minutes. The current AEW American Champion recalled the feud but reiterated his praise for the inaugural NWA World Television Champion.

"He tried to go toe-to-toe with me on the microphone. I ate him up, I chewed him up, I spit him out. I mean, it was pretty embarrassing... and I wrestled him, I think I beat him in 30 seconds, but like, I'd be willing to give the kid another shot, because again, you know... underrated talent. And, you know... I think he's great. I think he's great," MJF said. [From 15:00 to 15:17]

Check out the video below:

Starks was rumored to have heat from AEW officials earlier this year over how he attended WWE events to support friends Cody Rhodes and Jade Cargill. The self-proclaimed Stroke Daddy dismissed this talk and made some interesting remarks.

Major AEW Rampage special to air tonight

All Elite Wrestling will present its fourth annual Royal Rampage special on TNT tonight.

Rampage will be headlined by the double-ring 20-man Battle Royale. The winner will receive a shot at the World Championship at Dynamite: Grand Slam in September. Below is the current lineup for tonight's show:

• Lance Archer will be in action
• Leila Grey vs. Kris Statlander
• The Righteous vs. Rush and Kyle Fletcher vs. The Outrunners vs. Private Party
• Royal Rampage: Double-ring 20-man Battle Royale for a World Championship match

Brody King won the inaugural Royal Rampage match in 2022, while Darby Allin won in 2023. Allin will also compete in tonight's match, along with Komander, Claudio Castagnoli, and others.