Who is Ricky Starks? Meet WWE’s next heavily rumored potential signing

Ricky Starks could be the next high-profile name to swap AEW for WWE amid a lengthy spell off the TV. The former FTW World Heavyweight Champion hasn't been seen in the Jacksonville-based promotion since March.

Fightful Select reports that AEW sources agreed there is some truth to claims that Starks has been turning down creative ideas. He rejected the idea of himself and Big Bill separating because he disliked splitting and feuding. There is a belief within the company that he wants to go to WWE.

Richard Starks was born in Louisiana, New Orleans, on February 21, 1990. He was raised by a single mother and has two siblings. He idolized The Undertaker, Mankind, and The Rock, and his promo skills have been compared to The Great One.

The 34-year-old has achieved much success in his pro wrestling career, having wrestled on the independent scene for several years. He has previously worked for companies such as NWA, VIP Wrestling, WrestleCircus, and Xtreme Championship Wrestling. He was the inaugural NWA World World Television Champion.

That was until he became a mainstay and must-watch talent in AEW, joining the company in 2020 as part of Team Taz. His quick rise saw him named ESPN's Breakthrough Wrestler of the Year in 2022.

Starks' constant absence from AEW TV this year has intensified talk of a potential WWE move. He hasn't competed in an All Elite ring since March 30, when he appeared on Collision.

Many feel Ricky Starks has the tools to succeed in the Triple H-era, particularly on the microphone. He is no stranger to the Stamford-based promotion as he wrestled on WWE SmackDown. He competed in his first-ever professional wrestling match as an enhancement talent, losing to Jinder Mahal in 2012. Starks also made several other appearances, including playing one of Ryback's victims backstage a year later.

If he signs with the company, he'll also have familiar faces to reunite with. Cody Rhodes is a close friend of Starks, and he watched the Undisputed WWE Champion finish his story at WrestleMania XL. His former AEW co-stars Ethan Page, Shawn Spears, and Lexis King (Brian Pillman Jr) are all in NXT, while CM Punk and Jade Cargill are on the main roster.

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Cody Rhodes named Ricky Starks as one of the best parts of AEW since his exit

Cody Rhodes left AEW in 2022 after serving as one of the company's Executive Vice Presidents. He made a surprise return to WWE at WrestleMania 38, defeating Seth Rollins.

The former three-time AEW TNT Champion left behind a young roster of talent in the Jacksonville-based promotion. Ricky Starks emerged as one of the most must-see stars then, and Rhodes admitted he was a fan.

The American Nightmare spoke glowingly about Stark's work amid a feud with CM Punk on Collision.

"Ricky Starks. I love what Ricky’s doing. He surprised me at the Royal Rumble and just showed up backstage. There’s grainy security footage that you can still find of Ricky backstage, but that’s just him. I love seeing guys like Ricky and Max (MJF) doing well in AEW. It’s great seeing all the talent I trained with, and worked with at the Nightmare Factory growing and really making a name for themselves."

Ricky Starks could be another high-profile AEW name to join Triple H and Co. He's endured a stop-start run in his current company, and fans are excited to see him get a consistent opportunity.