Ricky Starks’ AEW Contract Goes Well Into 2025

Ricky Starks hasn’t been used on AEW TV, but is still under contract.

Ricky Starks recently appeared a Glory Pro Wrestling, ending a wrestling absence of over six months, as well as GCW where he said he was being frozen. It’s led to questions regarding his status in AEW, as well as his wrestling future.

Starks hasn’t been injured, has been cleared to compete, but hasn’t been at recent AEW shows outside of AEW Full Gear since the absence started. Those that we spoke to say he hasn’t been factored much into pitches or creative since then, but he remains under contract.We’re told that his presence backstage at Full Gear was welcomed.

Fightful Select learned via numerous AEW sources that AEW had an option year in the spring of 2024 in which they picked up. This extends Ricky Starks’ stay into the spring or summer of 2025. Those that we spoke to said that prior to the option being picked up, he was hoping to test the open market.

Thus far we’ve not learned of any plans involving AEW and Ricky Starks. He was pulled from GCW shows by AEW, over frustrations surrounding GCW talent Effy taking shots at AEW owner Tony Khan and his father, Shad.

Ricky Starks made an appearance at GCW, where he spoke about being “frozen out” within AEW. On November 26, Fightful reported that AEW had picked up his option last spring and his deal goes into 2025. The same day, he had an interview with Chris Van Vliet that spoke about his absence from AEW TV.

GCW sources confirmed to Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp that Ricky Starks has been pulled from all planned upcoming appearances with the company by AEW. We’re told the decision was made on November 26 and relayed to Starks. We’re told that AEW had taken exception to GCW talent Effy bringing up Shad Khan on a recent podcast, in regards to AEW running Hammerstein ballroom, and Shad effectively paying Tony Khan to stay away. After that, AEW was not interested in having Ricky Starks work GCW.

We’re told that Ricky Starks is able to work indies outside of GCW, but AEW was not interested in effectively paying Starks to wrestle for GCW.

There were some within AEW that had suggested working his GCW appearance into a work, but we’re told that wasn’t the case.

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