Ricky Starks Requests AEW Release (AEW News)
Ricky Starks is waiting out his AEW contract as Tony Khan denies release.
Ricky Starks has requested his AEW release, reports Ibou of WrestlePurists on the outlet's WWE Raw Review.
While there is no word on when, exactly, Starks asked to be let go, AEW founder Tony Khan turned him down. Now, Starks is waiting out the remainder of his contract and attempting to stay relevant by working independent dates.
Ibou cited a "falling out" between the two sides, leading to Ricky being "on the outs" with AEW. It doesn't sound like the situation will change anytime soon.
Starks' AEW contract is believed to expire sometime in the spring or summer of 2025. Fightful Select reported as much on 26 November, stating that AEW had picked up an option year extending the deal in spring 2024.
AEW has not used Starks on television since he and Big Bill lost to Top Flight at the 30 March 2024 Collision tapings. 'Absolute' has since worked three independent matches, most recently against TNA star Mike Santana for House of Glory at their 17 January 'Watch the Throne' event.
Starks appeared for market-leading independent group GCW in November. He was then booked for the company's 14 December and 19 January events, before AEW pulled him. This was reportedly a consequence of GCW stalwart Effy criticising Khan on his podcast, showing frustration at AEW running New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom within weeks of GCW's previously announced 'The People vs. GCW', and quipping that Tony's father, Shahid, paid Tony son to "stay away."
In May 2024, Starks told WhatCulture Wrestling that he has been fully fit and clear to compete throughout his absence, rubbishing injury rumours. At the time, he said he didn't have any answers as to why AEW wasn't using him.