On a recent edition of the “Hold the Mayo” podcast, AEW’s Ricky Starks explained why he chose to leave the NWA in 2020. He said,
“I didn’t re-sign [with NWA] because I felt like I had hit my ceiling already. I quit, basically, right when COVID happened. So I had no paycheck. So I was making all my money online from my t-shirts on my website. I had did this video. I make these different vignettes, these videos…a promotional package for myself. I direct all of them, I pay for all of them, I produce all of them.
“I had posted it online. I posted it online, and Cody [Rhodes] had replied to it like ‘Oh, this is cool.’ That was…that may have been in May or something like that. The end of May comes around, I get an email from him saying ‘Hey, we want you to come in and do this Open Challenge for the TNT Title.’ I said ‘Okay. I’m just cooped up in my house right now. I’ll do it.’”
Joining AEW certainly paid off for Starks, who has been a featured performer and won the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament in 2023.
Starks is also a former AEW World Tag Team Champion. He and Big Bill lost the gold to Sting and Darby Allin earlier this month.
Ricky Starks Explains His Decision to Leave NWA and Join AEW
In 2020, professional wrestler Ricky Starks made a bold decision to leave the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and join All Elite Wrestling (AEW). In a recent episode of the “Hold the Mayo” podcast, Starks shed light on why he chose to make this career move.
Starks revealed that he felt he had hit his ceiling in the NWA and decided not to re-sign with the organization. However, his departure coincided with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving him without a steady paycheck. To make ends meet, Starks turned to selling t-shirts on his website, generating income online.
During this challenging period, Starks took matters into his own hands by creating promotional videos and vignettes to showcase his talent. He directed, produced, and financed these videos himself, aiming to attract attention from wrestling promotions and fans alike.
One of these videos caught the attention of AEW star Cody Rhodes. Rhodes expressed his admiration for Starks’ work, which motivated Starks even further. Shortly after this interaction, Starks received an email from Rhodes, inviting him to participate in an Open Challenge for the TNT Title.
Feeling cooped up at home due to the pandemic, Starks eagerly accepted the opportunity. This decision turned out to be a turning point in his career, as joining AEW proved to be a beneficial move for him.
Since joining AEW, Starks has become a prominent figure in the promotion. He showcased his skills and impressed both fans and management. In 2023, Starks achieved a significant milestone by winning the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament, solidifying his position as a top-tier talent in AEW.
Additionally, Starks had a successful run as the AEW World Tag Team Champion alongside Big Bill. However, their reign came to an end when they lost the titles to Sting and Darby Allin earlier this month.
Starks’ journey from leaving the NWA to finding success in AEW is a testament to his determination and talent. By taking control of his career and utilizing online platforms, he was able to attract attention and secure opportunities that ultimately led to his breakthrough in AEW.
As Starks continues to make waves in the wrestling industry, fans eagerly anticipate his future endeavors and the impact he will continue to make in AEW.