After Malakai Black, another two AEW stars set to enter free agency in 2025 [Reports]

Two more AEW stars are reportedly set to enter free agency in 2025 after the impending exit of Malakai Black. However, Tony Khan will be hoping to keep them on board. This would be Ricky Starks and Danhausen.

Reports started circulating about Malakai Black’s contract situation yesterday and today, the same was also confirmed by another credible source. Fightful Select has reported that the former WWE star was done with AEW and that he was not expected to go back.

The same source, Fightful Select, has now reported that another two stars are set to enter free agency in 2025. Many have noted that both Starks and Danhausen have not been used properly at all and have been rather underutilized by Tony Khan.

With free agency supposedly looming, the stars will be hoping to renegotiate better terms or move on to greener pastures. The report also claims that commentator Jim Ross’ contract is also up in 2025.

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Booker T thinks AEW star Ricky Starks will fit in at WWE

WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has given a rousing endorsement of Ricky Starks and said that he would fit in well in NXT.

The former WCW champion also gave his reasons and said Starks was very charismatic. He was speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast when he said:

"Do I think he can fit in NXT right now? Of course. I mean, just like Ethan Page, he can make a huge difference as far as the roster goes. He is very charismatic. He is a guy with upside. As far as Ricky Starks' work, I haven't really gotten a chance to really see him go out there and do a lot in the ring. But just like Ethan Page when he came to NXT, I didn't see a lot of him either. He showed me what he was worth very quickly, almost immediately... A guy like Starks, if he came over, he'll do the same thing."

It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Ricky Starks in AEW.