From Starks to Saints: Ricky Saints Opens Up About His Journey from AEW to WWE
The professional wrestling landscape shifted significantly in early 2025 when one of All Elite Wrestling’s most charismatic stars made the leap to the global stage of WWE. Now performing as Ricky Saints, the former Ricky Starks has quickly established himself as a dominant force in NXT, capturing both the NXT Championship and the NXT North American Championship shortly after his arrival.
Beyond the gold, Saints has recently addressed the turbulent period leading up to his signing, including a mysterious absence from AEW and the scrutiny that follows athletes who switch between the industry’s two largest promotions.
The Road to WWE: Restlessness and Independent Success
Before debuting in WWE, Saints was a cornerstone of the AEW roster from 2020 to 2025. His tenure there was marked by high-profile success, including winning the Owen Hart Cup, the AEW World Tag Team Championship, and the FTW Championship as part of Team Taz. However, his visibility plummeted following a loss on Collision in March 2024.
Speaking on the Getting Over podcast, Saints described this period of absence as a time of “restlessness.” He explained that as someone used to constantly creating and using his body to perform, being away from the ring was a difficult mental challenge. During this gap, while still under contract with AEW, he continued to compete on the independent circuit, though he noted that clearing dates could sometimes be difficult due to conflicts of interest.
Saints’ final independent appearance occurred on February 7, 2025, where he won the DEFY World title. This served as the final prelude to his WWE NXT in-ring debut on February 25, 2025.
Navigating the “Microscope” of the AEW-to-WWE Jump
Transitioning between major promotions often invites intense fan scrutiny. Saints is not alone in this experience, joining a growing list of AEW alumni in WWE such as Cody Rhodes, Jade Cargill, CM Punk, and Ethan Page.
Saints believes that those who make this specific jump face “unfair criticism.” During his podcast appearance, he argued that while all wrestlers are under a microscope, the scrutiny is often heavier for those coming from AEW. Despite this, Saints maintains a professional distance from the online noise, stating that he respects people’s opinions but refuses to dive too deep into the negativity.
A Legacy of Championship Gold
Ricky Saints’ career has been defined by an ability to adapt and excel across different platforms. His trajectory shows a consistent pattern of championship success:
- Early Career: Began in 2012 on the independent circuit.
- NWA Era: Served as the inaugural holder of the revived NWA World Television Championship starting in 2018.
- AEW Era: Secured the FTW Championship, the AEW World Tag Team Championship, and the Owen Hart Cup.
- WWE Era: Rapidly ascended the ranks in NXT to become a one-time NXT Champion and NXT North American Champion.
What’s Next for Ricky Saints?
Saints is currently positioned as a top contender in the NXT brand. He is scheduled to compete in a high-stakes title match at WWE NXT: Stand & Deliver, facing off against NXT World Champion Joe Hendry, as well as Ethan Page and Tony D’Angelo.
- New Identity: Now performs as Ricky Saints in WWE NXT (formerly Ricky Starks in AEW).
- WWE Debut: Made his in-ring debut on February 25, 2025.
- Accomplishments: Has already held both the NXT and NXT North American Championships.
- Perspective: Views the criticism faced by AEW-to-WWE jumpers as “unfair.”
- Upcoming Event: Set to challenge for the title at NXT: Stand & Deliver.