10 Wrestlers Who Overdelivered In 2023

The former FTW champion got his 2023 off to a roaring start following a feud against MJF in which he performed admirably. While the scumbag’s world title reign was obviously only just beginning, things looked bright for homegrown Starks, who was earmarked as a potential next champ.

Then, things kind of stalled. Attention was diverted elsewhere, Ricky was on and off TV, never really getting his teeth into anything too serious.

Cream, though, rises to the top. No one seized the opportunity like Starks when Collision rolled around, quickly establishing himself as the top heel. The CM Punk firing was a blessing in disguise for Ricky, who instead embarked on a career-defining angle against Bryan Danielson.

He’s gone toe to toe with two of the best talkers in Punk and MJF (and seemed to genuinely get under Adam Copeland’s skin), has come on leaps and bounds in the ring, and is now trusted enough to effectively elevate colleagues like Big Bill, who has soared under Starks’ auspices. A 2024 face turn could send him to the moon.