This AEW Star Reportedly Said NO To A Big Babyface Turn
This wrestler was supposed to go from heel to babyface recently, but he said no.
The Wrestling Observer is reporting that AWOL star Ricky Starks turned down the chance to launch a babyface run opposite former tag-team partner Big Bill. Dave Meltzer reports that it was actually Ricky's decision to abandon that plan, presumably because he just didn't like it.
Starks and Bill enjoyed a 123-day reign as AEW Tag-Team Champions between October 2023-February 2024. They were the ones who put over Sting and Darby Allin before the Stinger's retirement ended with the belts being vacated. The Young Bucks later won a tournament to grab the titles.
Tony Khan wanted Bill to turn on Ricky so he could book a feud between the pair, but Starks apparently wasn't all that interested. He's been off TV ever since working a tourney quarter final vs. Top Flight on the 30 March edition of Collision.
He and Bill lost that bout (probs 'cause it was meant to feed into the split). Instead of turning, Ricky just disappeared from programming and Big Bill has gone on to work Chris Jericho's "Learning Tree" gimmick.
There's no word yet on when Starks will return to TV.