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A top AEW star will reportedly not be granted an immediate release amidst rumors surrounding possible interest from WWE. The talent in question is Ricky Starks.
"Absolute" Ricky Starks has emerged as a popular name in the Tony Khan-led promotion. Having displayed his ability to go toe-to-toe with Bryan Danielson in the ring while also being competent enough on a microphone to hold his own in promo exchanges with MJF and CM Punk, Starks has shown immense potential since his 2020 AEW debut.
Unfortunately, the 34-year-old has been missing from television since March, with rumors abounding of his status in the company amidst reported interest from its rival promotion, WWE. It was noted during a recent Fightful Select Q&A that Starks was still under contract with All Elite Wrestling.
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Ibou of WrestlePurists has now provided an update on the situation on X/Twitter and reiterated Fightful's claim regarding Ricky Starks' contract status with All Elite Wrestling. The tweet reported that the Jacksonville-based promotion will not be granting the former World Tag Team Champion a release.
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"Ricky Starks is under AEW contract and will not be granted a release. I do not know why he keeps coming up in these conversations."
Check out the tweet below:
AEW's Ricky Starks recently set the record straight on a major rumor
There has been a lot of conjecture in the pro wrestling world regarding possible reasons behind Ricky Starks' absence from All Elite Wrestling programming. One such rumor, based on reports from some time earlier, explained Starks' TV hiatus with the claim that the former FTW Champion had rejected pitches from AEW's creative team.
Earlier this month, Starks responded to a conversation on the topic on X/Twitter and categorically denied the rumors.
"Enough is enough. Usually I don’t even speak on this but it’s tired. I never turned down anything, EVER. Just Stop," Ricky Starks wrote.
It remains to be seen if and when Ricky Starks will return to an All Elite ring.
