15 Misconceptions About AEW You Probably Believe
11. “Tony Fumbled Ricky Starks”
This one is slightly more contentious.
Ricky Starks felt like a future World champion at various points. Impossibly telegenic, and boasting true superstar charisma, Starks provided bags of entertainment value - and his best matches conveyed a rare, gripping sense of emotion and struggle. You could argue that Tony Khan “fumbled” Starks, who had it in him to frequently headline AEW pay-per-views.
You could also argue that Tony slotted Starks where Starks belonged, and Starks himself fumbled many opportunities.
Starks, whether through hubris or a lack of composure, was responsible for several stunningly awkward moments in verbal exchanges. In the ring, even his better outings were undermined by botches - his World title match against MJF at Winter Is Coming ‘22 a notable example. Starks, so often the coolest guy in the room, was actually quite embarrassing on occasion.
It’s all very debatable - but the idea that stupid idiot Tony Khan dropped the ball with the next Dwayne Johnson is hysterical.
Ultimately, there’s very compelling evidence that Starks wanted to go to WWE all along - and that is the fact that, at time of writing, Ricky Starks is contracted to WWE. Would you push someone to the top, if you felt they didn’t want to be there?
Many people thought that Starks was desperate to go to WWE all along. Provided that is true, if Starks was to be dissuaded, Khan surely would have had to resort to certain promises. Main events, the big belt, eye-watering salary.
Has Ricky Saints done anything in NXT to warrant that?