During his appearance on the Hold The Mayo podcast, Ricky Starks discussed Adam Copeland, referring to him as a “vanilla midget” version of The Rock, on the October 14th, 2023 episode of AEW Collision while doing a promo exchange segment.
“You know how it is. You know how it is. It’s just like, I’m trying to really choose how I want to navigate my career at this point [smiles]. I did say it off the cuff, but to me, it wasn’t a big deal. The response afterward, I want you to know, you know how you’re going back and forth with your partners, and y’all are roasting each other, and you can tell that they got a little bit hurt by it. If you watch it back, I got my glasses on, and I said, ‘okay.’ [shrugs shoulders]. You could see by my response, I was like, ‘Wow, that really sent me over the edge,’ then I kept it moving. I’m too cool with that shit. It’s just one of those things.”
“I promise you, I did not get eaten up by his response, he didn’t eat me up. If anything, he looked stupid with calling me what he did. I really wish I would have hit him back, I thought about it after, I wish I would have said, ‘Ay dawg, I’m actually black. So, you’re wrong. Sorry.’ It was funny.”
In a recent episode of AEW Collision, Ricky Starks made headlines when he referred to Adam Copeland as a “vanilla midget” version of The Rock during a promo exchange segment. The comment sparked controversy and led to a heated exchange between the two wrestlers.
Starks, known for his charismatic personality and quick wit, explained his intentions behind the comment during an appearance on the Hold The Mayo podcast. He stated that he was trying to navigate his career and choose his path carefully. While he admitted that the comment was made off the cuff, he didn’t think it was a big deal at the time.
However, Starks acknowledged that the response to his comment was unexpected. He mentioned that when he saw his partners’ reactions and realized they were hurt, he understood the impact of his words. Despite this, Starks maintained that he wasn’t affected by Copeland’s response and didn’t feel “eaten up” by it. In fact, he believed that Copeland looked foolish by resorting to name-calling.
Reflecting on the incident, Starks revealed that he had considered hitting back at Copeland with a witty response. He joked about saying, “Ay dawg, I’m actually black. So, you’re wrong. Sorry.” However, he decided against it and found the situation amusing instead.
The incident between Starks and Copeland highlights the intense nature of professional wrestling and the importance of carefully choosing one’s words during promo segments. While trash-talking is a common practice in the industry, it is essential to strike a balance between entertaining the audience and respecting fellow wrestlers.
Promo exchanges are a crucial part of professional wrestling as they help build storylines and generate excitement among fans. Wrestlers often use these segments to showcase their personalities and engage in verbal sparring with their opponents. However, it is important to remember that there is a fine line between playful banter and crossing boundaries.
In the world of professional wrestling, controversy and heated exchanges are not uncommon. Wrestlers often push the boundaries to entertain their audience and create memorable moments. While some comments may be seen as offensive or disrespectful, it is crucial to understand the context and intent behind them.
As the wrestling industry continues to evolve, it is essential for wrestlers to be mindful of their words and actions. Respect and professionalism should always be at the forefront, even during intense promo exchanges. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of wrestlers to entertain their fans while maintaining a level of respect for their colleagues.
The incident between Ricky Starks and Adam Copeland serves as a reminder that words have power and can impact others. It is crucial for wrestlers to think before they speak and consider the potential consequences of their words. By doing so, they can create a positive and inclusive environment within the wrestling community.