Despite having an expansive talent pool and several hours of weekly television broadcast, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has confronted hurdles in leveraging its gifted roster.
Over the last few weeks, an intensified clamor from fans for the reappearance of Ricky Starks has been evident, as he has been missing from the AEW scenes for a considerable period.
The last time Starks was seen in an AEW staging was on March 30 episode, during AEW Collision, an event that saw an abrupt shift in the match resolution due to Starks suffering a potential injury.
Since that eventful match, Starks has been open in stating that he isn’t hurt and has voiced documented doubts over AEW’s lack of inclusion of him in their program schedules. Echoing the sentiment of fans, Tony Khan, President of AEW, has expressed his interest in reintroducing Starks on television.
Combat entertainment website Fightful has recently given an update about the current state of Starks with AEW. The sources from within AEW reveal that Starks has refused specific storyline pitches, though this point seems to be contested within internal circles.
Few insiders suggest that Starks refused only one particular storyline idea in recent times, while the number of other rejected concepts is yet to be confirmed.
Reports indicate worries about the adverse public response when Starks wasn’t featured in the AEW All In 2023 event, leading to the emergence of a suspension plotline.
During that phase, Starks was hesitant about participating in tag team activities and showed discontent about the insufficient follow-up of his match with Bryan Danielson. He viewed the end of the last summer as a crucial turning point in his career, with a noticeable slackening in his progress after CM Punk’s exit.
Starks’ handling of potential storylines has sparked mixed reactions within AEW. Some have raised concerns about his unwillingness to adopt suggested creative directions, while others planned to use these openings to promote different personas.
Further reports hint at internal discord within AEW between Starks and the management, especially around communication.
Additionally, contradictory information has come to light about Starks’ future ambitions, including whispers of a possible switch to WWE. However, the specifics regarding his contractual obligations with AEW are uncertain.