On a recent edition of the “Battleground Podcast,” AEW wrestler Ricky Starks shared his thoughts on his AEW All Out 2023 match with Bryan Danielson receiving a five-star rating, his in-ring style, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On Dave Meltzer rating his All Out 2023 match five stars: “It was cool that Dave [Meltzer] thought that highly of my match. It’s pretty cool, I guess. A little cool thing to put in my hat there.”
On not having much expectations for his All Out match: “Overall, I thought the match — while going into it, I didn’t really, I don’t know, I didn’t have much expectations. There’s a lot surrounding everything leading up to that match, and I guess for me, I just didn’t know what to expect. That was my first strap match, obviously, and I really felt like, as a competitor, I stood on my own, and that was like, you know, the true real glimpse of what you had been seeing over the summer on ‘Collision,’ where, you know, you’re like, ‘Damn. This is it. This is the dude.’”
On how hard he works in the ring and his style: “I work very hard. I know my style may not be for everybody. I know some people who call me boring or, as a young kid, say, ‘mid.’ But I feel like there’s some people out there that do like me, and I’m cool with that, and I work hard in every match that I have, and that match was no different. And I took my fair share of punishment, and I’m glad that a lot of people enjoyed it. I’m glad that people thought highly enough of it. The reception that I got, especially from people backstage and people that texted me, was very overwhelming. The next day, I was very overwhelmed with how it was received.”
On earning the fans’ respect after beating Wheeler Yuta at WrestleDream: “I don’t think we’re there yet, but I’m not wrestling to try to win the respect of everybody, right? I feel like that is an impossible task. I do feel like this year has been kind of bumpy, as always, and the opportunities that I’ve had have been good, but it’s always about the stuff that happens afterward, right? That’s a big thing for contention is, like, ‘Alright. Let’s see how this kind of plays out.’ I do think some people are like, ‘Wow. Alright. Ricky is more than what we thought.’ I’m not saying every match that I have, people are gonna rate it five stars or whatnot. That’s just not gonna happen, but I would at least hope if I don’t earn someone’s respect, at least I have someone who says, ‘One thing he does is he works very hard. He does not phone it in.’ Every match I genuinely work as hard as I can and give it my all.”
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Ricky Starks Reflects on His AEW All Out 2023 Match and In-Ring Style
Professional wrestler Ricky Starks recently appeared on the “Battleground Podcast” to discuss his highly acclaimed match with Bryan Danielson at AEW All Out 2023. Starks shared his thoughts on receiving a five-star rating from renowned wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer, his expectations for the match, and his in-ring style.
When asked about Meltzer’s five-star rating, Starks expressed his appreciation for the recognition. He stated, “It was cool that Dave [Meltzer] thought that highly of my match. It’s pretty cool, I guess. A little cool thing to put in my hat there.” This acknowledgment from Meltzer signifies the quality and impact of Starks’ performance in the match.
Starks also discussed his initial lack of expectations for the All Out match. He admitted, “Overall, I thought the match — while going into it, I didn’t really, I don’t know, I didn’t have much expectations.” However, he emphasized that the match allowed him to showcase his true abilities as a competitor and solidify his position as a top talent in AEW.
Regarding his in-ring style, Starks acknowledged that it may not appeal to everyone but expressed satisfaction in knowing that there are fans who appreciate his work. He said, “I work very hard. I know my style may not be for everybody… But I feel like there’s some people out there that do like me, and I’m cool with that.” Starks emphasized his dedication to giving his all in every match and taking punishment when necessary.
Starks also touched on the importance of earning respect from fans and fellow wrestlers. He mentioned his victory over Wheeler Yuta at WrestleDream as a significant moment in gaining recognition. However, he acknowledged that winning everyone’s respect is an impossible task. Starks stated, “I’m not wrestling to try to win the respect of everybody, right? I feel like that is an impossible task… but I would at least hope if I don’t earn someone’s respect, at least I have someone who says, ‘One thing he does is he works very hard. He does not phone it in.'”
The podcast interview provided fans with a deeper understanding of Starks’ mindset and dedication to his craft. It showcased his humility and gratitude for the recognition he has received while also highlighting his determination to continue working hard and delivering compelling performances.
Ricky Starks’ match with Bryan Danielson at AEW All Out 2023 was undoubtedly a standout moment in his career. As he continues to evolve as a wrestler, fans can expect more captivating performances and memorable matches from this rising star in the world of professional wrestling.