AEW wrestler Ricky Starks spoke with FOX 8 in New Orleans ahead of tonight’s Dynamite TV tapings to promote the show.
During the interview, Starks named his favorite people in the AEW locker room.
You can check out some highlights from the interview below:
On working with the people he grew up watching: “I don’t let myself think about it that way. When I’m in the room with some of these people, or when I’m in the ring with them – I am on the same level as them. I’ve wrestled all over; Brian Danielson, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, all of these people. I do not place myself lower than them. They are my coworkers. So yes, the younger Ricky was watching them on TV. But now the older Ricky is where he knew he was gonna be all along, and that’s shoulder-to-shoulder with these people. Sometimes I’m like, this is so crazy. This is the most bizarre thing. Life is just weird that way.”
On whether it’s tough being on the road all the time: “Not really. I live in Austin. So I came from Austin to Orlando. Orlando to New Orleans. New Orleans to St. Louis. St. Louis back to Austin. And that’s all gonna be within the span of like four or five days. I do like traveling, don’t get me wrong. And I don’t let myself think about it in a negative way, but then I’ll be turned off on it. But there’s sometimes I’m like, man, I’m just enjoying spending time on my couch right now. I take the good with the bad. But I’ve been traveling for 20 years, so at this point I’m used to it and I’ve figured out a way to train my mind to enjoy where I’m at and some type of routine because if not, being stuck in a hotel all the time I’ll go crazy.”
On whether he thinks about taking time off: “Even when I’m home, I’m still doing stuff. And I think at this point in my career, I don’t want to take too much time away, because I feel like that kills the momentum. I have to be in motion. I don’t want to be stopped. I hate sitting in traffic. I hate stop signs. I hate red lights. I have to be doing something. So that’s a balance that I have to make because my body needs to rest, but my mind and my ambition has to keep going. So I’ll get there. One day, a week off ain’t bad. Two days off ain’t bad. But it’s not like I’m not doing anything. I’m still doing something.”
On his favorite people in the AEW locker room: “Sting is really cool. Sting is really helpful, too. I hang out with Daniel Garcia. Eddie Kingston is really good. Ethan Page is another good one. Those are the guys that I talk to that I try to gravitate towards. Especially because you’re on the road so much and you get bored being at the hotel, you want to go out and do stuff. I don’t surround myself with anyone who doesn’t have a drive or ambition because it just doesn’t serve me. Those guys I look at and I’m ‘oh, wow, they’re putting in the work.” Like I can really see them going the extra mile and I need to step up. Even when I feel like I’m giving 100%.”
On strange pre-match rituals in AEW: “Jungle Boy throws up before every match. He throws up. We have a bucket before we go out. He throws up every single time. Sometimes there’s nothing. I don’t have a ritual because let me tell you how last minute I am. There’s times when I’m stretching right when the music hits or I didn’t do my hair and I put the product in or dump water on my head right when I walk out. But I’m gonna get a good ritual. I know some guys eat candy bars which is not bad – sugar. Some guys do energy drinks. I’m scared to do all that because what if I get heart palpitations?”
In other news, No Holds Barred and Scary Movie actor Kurt Fuller will be appearing at this year’s 80s Wrestling Con, which takes place on May 4 at the Mennen Sports Arena in Morristown, New Jersey.
You can check out the official announcement below:
NO HOLDS BARRED ACTOR KURT FULLER APPEARING AT 80S WRESTLING CON THIS MAY IN MORRISTOWN, NJ
80s Wrestling Con Fan Festival returns on Saturday, May 4th to the Mennen Sports Arena in Morristown, NJ. Just signed to appear is No Holds Barred actor Kurt Fuller, who played TV-Network boss Brell. This will mark Fuller’s first ever Pro Wrestling Convention appearance. Fuller is sponsored by Hasttel Toy And Collectibles.
80s Wrestling Con will be headlined by a Four Horsemen Reunion. Already signed to appear for the reunion are Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham, JJ Dillon, and Baby Doll. We will be selling only (100) Four Horsemen VIP Experience tickets that will include autograph photos of each guest and a group photo op with all the Horsemen.
Others already confirmed to appear include Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Stan “The Lariat” Hansen, Demolition, Powers of Pain, Dan Spivey, Boris Zhukov, Slick, Dr. Tom Prichard, Tito Santana, Tony Garea, Scott McGhee, and Tony Atlas. More names will be announced soon!
The Road Warriors will be receiving the 80s Wrestling Lifetime Achievement Award at 80s Wrestling Con on May 4th. Animal’s wife Kim Laurinaitis will be accepting the award live in Morristown, NJ.
You can step inside a 15 Foot High Steel Cage and get your photo taken inside the cage at 80s Wrestling Con!
Bill Apter will be the Official Host of 80s Wrestling Con.
And finally, TMart Promotions has confirmed more guests for The Gathering V this week, including The Beautiful People, George South, Lacey Von Erich, Nunzio, and Pitbull Gary Wolf.
Ricky Starks, a professional wrestler in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), recently spoke with FOX 8 in New Orleans to promote an upcoming show. In the interview, Starks discussed various topics, including his favorite people in the AEW locker room, his thoughts on being on the road all the time, and his pre-match rituals.
When asked about working with wrestlers he grew up watching, Starks emphasized that he sees himself as being on the same level as them. He mentioned wrestling legends such as Brian Danielson, CM Punk, and Cody Rhodes, stating that he does not place himself lower than them. Starks acknowledged that it can be surreal to be in the same room or ring with these individuals, but he believes that he is where he always knew he would be.
Regarding the challenges of being on the road constantly, Starks revealed that he doesn’t find it too difficult since he enjoys traveling. He mentioned his home base in Austin and how he travels to different cities within a span of a few days. Starks acknowledged that while he appreciates spending time on his couch, he has been traveling for 20 years and has learned to enjoy his surroundings and establish routines to avoid feeling trapped in hotels.
When asked if he ever considers taking time off, Starks expressed his reluctance to do so due to the fear of losing momentum. He mentioned that even when he is at home, he continues to stay active and engaged in various activities. Starks admitted that finding a balance between rest and ambition is crucial for him, as his mind and ambition drive him to keep going.
Starks also shared his favorite people in the AEW locker room, highlighting Sting, Daniel Garcia, Eddie Kingston, and Ethan Page. He explained that he gravitates towards individuals who have a strong drive and ambition because being on the road can get boring, and he prefers to surround himself with like-minded individuals who inspire him to go the extra mile.
In a lighthearted moment, Starks discussed pre-match rituals in AEW. He mentioned that Jungle Boy throws up before every match and that there is a bucket available for him. Starks himself admitted to not having a specific ritual due to his last-minute nature. However, he mentioned that some wrestlers eat candy bars or consume energy drinks before matches, although he personally avoids them to prevent potential heart palpitations.
In other wrestling news, actor Kurt Fuller, known for his roles in “No Holds Barred” and “Scary Movie,” will be appearing at the 80s Wrestling Con in Morristown, New Jersey. This event will feature a Four Horsemen Reunion and include appearances by various wrestling legends such as Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Stan “The Lariat” Hansen, and Demolition.
Overall, Ricky Starks’ interview provided insights into his perspective on working with wrestling icons, the challenges of being on the road, his dedication to staying active, and his favorite people in the AEW locker room.