On a recent edition of the “Gabby AF” podcast, Ricky Starks weighed in on his AEW World Tag Team Title run with Big Bill.
Starks and Bill have held the titles since October 2023, and the former FTW Champion noted that he doesn’t consider themselves as a pure tag team. Starks said,
“You know, me and Big Bill came together after All In with me as a manager and him as, me managing him, and then it turning into a tag team. It’s been fun, it’s been very cool to see how things have escalated. Me personally though, I always tell people that we aren’t a tag team. Yes we’re the Tag Team Champions, but we’re still singles wrestlers because I don’t want someone to think like — at the end of the day, he is a great dude to be with.”
He continued, “We are just two co-workers just making it by. We’re tag team champions and we’ve really made something out of nothing and I think that’s something to be said for both of us in terms of our talent and ability. Yeah, I think people like it. They still wish that I was a singles competitor, but what we have right now, me and Big Bill, we’re making it pretty awesome I think.”
On a recent edition of the “Busted Open Radio” podcast, Bully Ray critiqued Samoa Joe vs. HOOK from this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite.
Joe defeated HOOK to retain the AEW World Title on Wednesday’s show, though the FTW Champion was able to kick out of Joe’s signature moves and became unconscious rather than tapping out.
Ray said, “I was not a fan of how ‘easily’ HOOK was able to get up after the match, get out of the ring on his own, walk up the ramp, walk back down the ramp. No help. No nothing. On one hand, we have Joe hitting HOOK with everything but the kitchen sink. The kid got choked out, and I don’t know many guys who get choked out, and then after they get choked out, they’re just totally fine and walking up the ramp and down the ramp, no assistance. I would have liked to have seen HOOK [get] helped out … Last night was very heavy-handed on HOOK. I felt Taz was heavy-handed on HOOK on commentary early in the match, almost like, ‘I’m trying to get my kid over.’”
Dave LaGreca felt that moment would have “grabbed everyone by the heartstrings” if AEW had signed off Dynamite with that. Bully Ray later said that AEW would be foolish if they didn’t build on HOOK’s memorable performance on Wednesday night. He then spoke about a potential rematch between Joe and HOOK. He said,
“After everything that I saw last night, if HOOK and Joe were to have a rematch, HOOK could not be beat by any of [Joe’s] moves now. He’s already proven that Joe couldn’t beat him… If Joe says, ‘That kid’s got heart. That kid took everything I had and he…’ Remember when Tony, Apollo Creed’s trainer, told Apollo — I’m getting goosebumps, man — when he said, ‘Champ, that man, you hit that man with everything you had, and he kept coming back.’ … So if Joe says it, in a Joe, heel, bad mothertr*cker way, wow. Now the kid’s over.”
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In the world of professional wrestling, there are always exciting storylines and unexpected twists that keep fans on the edge of their seats. Recently, two notable wrestlers have made headlines for their performances and contributions to their respective promotions. Ricky Starks, one-half of the AEW World Tag Team Champions, and HOOK, the rising star in AEW, have both been the talk of the wrestling community.
Ricky Starks, along with his tag team partner Big Bill, has held the AEW World Tag Team Titles since October 2023. However, Starks doesn’t consider himself and Big Bill as a traditional tag team. In an interview on the “Gabby AF” podcast, Starks explained that they came together after All In, with him initially serving as Big Bill’s manager. Over time, their partnership evolved into a tag team, but Starks still sees them as singles wrestlers. Despite this, Starks acknowledges the success they have achieved as a team and the positive response from fans.
On the other hand, HOOK, the son of legendary wrestler Taz, has been making waves in AEW. In a recent match against Samoa Joe for the AEW World Title on Dynamite, HOOK showcased his resilience and determination. Although he ultimately lost the match, HOOK displayed incredible toughness by kicking out of Joe’s signature moves and refusing to tap out. This performance caught the attention of wrestling veteran Bully Ray, who critiqued how easily HOOK seemed to recover after the match. Ray felt that it would have been more impactful if HOOK had received assistance or showed signs of struggle after such a grueling contest.
Despite the criticism, Bully Ray also recognized the potential for HOOK to become a breakout star in AEW. He suggested that a rematch between HOOK and Joe could solidify HOOK’s status as a formidable competitor. Ray compared HOOK’s resilience to a memorable scene from the movie “Rocky,” where Apollo Creed’s trainer praised Rocky Balboa for his ability to withstand punishment and keep fighting. If Joe were to acknowledge HOOK’s toughness in a similar manner, it could elevate HOOK’s status and generate even more interest from fans.
These recent developments in AEW have sparked discussions among wrestling enthusiasts. Many fans appreciate the unique dynamic between Ricky Starks and Big Bill, recognizing their individual talents while also enjoying their success as a tag team. Meanwhile, HOOK’s performance against Samoa Joe has generated excitement and speculation about his future in AEW.
As the wrestling world continues to evolve, it’s always fascinating to see new talents emerge and established stars push the boundaries of what is possible in the ring. Whether it’s the unexpected partnerships of wrestlers like Ricky Starks and Big Bill or the rise of promising young talents like HOOK, there is never a dull moment in the world of professional wrestling. Fans eagerly await future developments and eagerly follow the latest news and updates from promotions like AEW.