Ricky Starks Brutally Owns Brian Cage Ahead Of AEW Rampage

The FTW World Champion has ethered Brian Cage ahead of tonight's Rampage battle.

Ricky Starks
AEW

Ricky Starks has destroyed Brian Cage ahead of tonight's match with 'The Machine' on AEW Rampage, doing so to build heat for what looks like a feud-ending showdown.

Cage had tweeted after Wednesday's episode of AEW Dynamite, following up on a segment between the two that saw Starks flee the ring after claiming he'd face Brian (whom he assumed was still injured - and not in the building) in a street fight, only for his former Team Taz stablemate to suddenly appear.

The reigning FTW World Champion chose to respond literally:-

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Cage has since replied, though his burn didn't hit to the same level:-

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Things had been tense between Cage and Starks for months before the duo faced off in their first singles match on Dynamite's 14 July episode. Ricky took the FTW Title from Brian that night, capitalising on stablemates Hook and Powerhouse Hobbs interfering, as the entire group turned on the former IMPACT World Champion, making him a de facto babyface in the process.

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An injury then forced Cage to take time off television, holding the storyline up. The next step comes tonight, with Starks putting the FTW belt up against Brian, though the match was pretaped after Dynamite on Wednesday.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.