Ricky Starks' AEW Contract Expires In Spring/Summer 2025 (AEW News)
Ricky Starks' AEW contract date revealed following backstage Full Gear appearance.
Ricky Starks' AEW contract expires in Spring or Summer 2025.
Fightful Select reports that AEW activated an option on the absent star's contract extending it into 2025 sometime this spring. Despite not appearing on AEW television since March 2024, Starks is contracted to the Tony Khan-helmed challenger brand for at least a few more months.
At the time AEW picked up the option on Starks' contract, sources believed that Ricky was hoping to test the open market.
The exact reasons behind Starks' AEW absence remain a mystery. Fightful's article reiterates that 'Absolute' hasn't been injured. Meanwhile, Starks himself has denied talk that he turned down creative pitches in AEW:
Enough is enough. Usually I don’t even speak on this but it’s tired
I never turned down anything, EVER. Just Stop. https://t.co/nzXd3F7LJT
Advertisement— Ricky Starks (@starkmanjones) September 1, 2024
On Sunday (24 November), Fightful reported that Ricky was backstage at AEW Full Gear 2024, and getting along well with those he was seen talking to. The outlet's latest update states that Starks' presence at the pay-per-view was "welcomed."
AEW sources have indicated that during his absence, Ricky hasn't factored into creative pitches much. There is no word on when - or if - this may change.
Ricky recently addressed his absence on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, stating that he did suffer a "stinger" in his final AEW match vs. Top Flight. Other than that, he has been "home and healthy":
“I’ve been home, I’ve been healthy. Never was injured. I did have a stinger. I got a stinger in that match against Top Flight in March. I got immediately checked out and everything was fine, but I was just concerned at the time. So that happened and then I was just home."
Continuing, Starks called his situation a "mindf***", seemingly bemused as to why he isn't being used:
"It’s kind of a mindf*** because I’m in my prime and it sucks when you’re on such a momentum, riding the wave, doing work and doing stuff, and then to just be at home for so long, you’re kind of like, whoa. It kind of throws it off."
Ricky appeared for leading indie group Game Changer Wrestling at the weekend, having already shown up at a recent House of Glory event.