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Ricky Starks ‘All in’ As He Progresses to Main-Event Status in AEW

Ricky Starks ‘All in’ As He Progresses to Main-Event Status in AEW

Posted: May 22nd 2022 By: Justin Barrasso

In a finish that stands as one of AEW’s more important moments so far this year, Ricky Starks pinned Jungle Boy last week on Dynamite.

That result set up the tag title match at the Double or Nothing pay-per-view later this month, as Starks and Powerhouse Hobbs team together in a three-way against Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland and reigning champions Jurassic Express. But the victory meant even more to Starks, who is trying to reach beyond his limit to fulfill his destiny.

“That’s more than just one match,” said Starks. “I was happy with it, and I was surprised how much positive feedback I received about my intensity. But my goal is to prove every week and become a constant presence on top of the company.”

That main event mindset has guided Starks over the past two years in AEW. A conversation with former AEW EVP Cody Rhodes helped spark a specific thought process for Starks, the reigning FTW champion who has thrived in the ring as part of Team Taz.

“I had this conversation with Cody,” said Starks. “He asked me, ‘What are your goals?’ I’d always had broad goals, but Cody wanted me to focus on specific goals.

“My first goal is to become TNT champion, and I want to raise the level of the title. I want to represent as a biracial kid, showing people who look like me that they can reach their goals, too. I want to main event a pay-per-view, I want to be AEW champion. Similar to Britt Baker or MJF, I want to be that one at the top. That’s my ultimate goal.”

While his career started a decade ago, Starks never reached the top of the indies or became a must-sign prospect. He signed with AEW during a disadvantageous time amid crowdless shows at the height of the pandemic, debuting in June of 2020 during Rhodes’s open challenge for the TNT title, following a brief-yet-meaningful run in the NWA.

Starks reached what was then the highest point of his career when he became the NWA Television champion in January 2020. He defeated Eddie Kingston, Matt Cross, Tim Storm and Trevor Murdoch in the tournament at Hard Times to become the new champ, then cut the promo of his life to properly punctuate the victory.

“That promo signified a lot,” said Starks. “I came straight from the ring to do the interview, and Eddie was back there–and my eyes kept darting off to Eddie. I was excited, I was full of adrenaline, and I was mad. My ceiling was already hit in the NWA, and I’d realized that. I was frustrated by that. I wasn’t a big name on the indies, and I haven’t forgot how that felt. Since then, I haven’t lost that hunger. It is all genuine, and it all came out that night during that interview.”

Despite appearing destined to become the NWA world champion, Starks lost the TV title less than two months later and then left the promotion in May 2020. Soon after, he signed with AEW, and his drive has remained firmly embedded in all of his work.

“I was left unread in the indies,” said Starks. “No one really cared to bring me in, even though I had so much to offer. I’d see others with names give these dog s--- matches and not even care. To this day, it still drives me. I went from sleeping on a floor to sleeping on a couch to sleeping in a car. I didn’t do it for nothing. I am going to influence the landscape of wrestling to change.”

Prior to AEW, Stark’s run in pro wrestling was less than illustrious. But it helped define the charismatic performer currently starring in the ring on Dynamite and part of the broadcast team on Rampage.

“It wasn’t that long ago when I moved to St. Louis back in 2014 and I was living on a mattress on a living room floor,” said Starks. “Then I moved back to Texas and didn’t have a place to stay, so I was sleeping in my 2000 green Honda Accord. Thankfully, it had cloth seats. Then I was able to stay on my friend’s couch while I was a gymnastics coach. By the grace of God, the NWA came. Then I left, and I had less than $10 in my bank account when I wrestled Cody in AEW. But I wouldn’t change my past. It wasn’t easy to get here, but my past still shapes me.”

Throughout this ongoing pursuit of excellence, as well as the constant grind to reach this point, Starks never allowed self-doubt to cripple his ability. Pulling from his past experiences, Starks has found the magic formula to presenting himself as a star every time he appears on camera.

“I’m giving this 1,000%,” said Starks. “Not everyone does that, but I’m going to make myself the way I want to be—the way I need to be. I’m doing more than wrestling. I’m building people’s trust. I look at commentary as a good challenge, and that’s what I’m all about. I’m a full-time wrester doing commentary. I’m blessed to talk, and that’s a gift, but I want to be known as a wrestler.

“When I’m on, people know they’ll be entertained. Wrestling is what I love. I’m giving myself, raw and vulnerable, in the ring. You can’t fake a genuine, emotional connection. At some point, who gives a s--- about the flips. It’s all about that connection. As long as I’m breathing, I’m going to do everything I can to fulfill and exceed that promise to give everything I have and more. I am all in.”

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1967 Brute Bernard def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1974 Jose Lothario def. El Gran Markus for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1987 Eric Embry became the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 2008 Dustin Heritage def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 2008 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) def. Nathan Sensation & Striker for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 2008 Shawn Sanders def. Kevin Morgan for the OECW Heavyweight Title
  • 2008 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
  • 2009 3rd Rail def. Maniac Mike for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 2009 Maniac Mike became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 2014 J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf for the NAW Tag Team Titles
  • 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Running Wolf) became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 2020 Dimitri Alexandrov def. O’Brien for the ASP Heavyweight Title
  • 2025 Michael H became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 2025 Jupiter Jones def. Frankie Lee for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 2025 Sgt. Hartman def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Sgt. Hartman for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title

Week of Sun 09-13 to Sat: 09-19

  • 09-13 1967 Brute Bernard def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-13 1974 Jose Lothario def. El Gran Markus for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-13 1987 Eric Embry became the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-13 2008 Dustin Heritage def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-13 2008 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) def. Nathan Sensation & Striker for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-13 2008 Shawn Sanders def. Kevin Morgan for the OECW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-13 2008 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
  • 09-13 2009 3rd Rail def. Maniac Mike for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-13 2009 Maniac Mike became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 09-13 2014 J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf for the NAW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Running Wolf) became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-13 2020 Dimitri Alexandrov def. O’Brien for the ASP Heavyweight Title
  • 09-13 2025 Michael H became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-13 2025 Jupiter Jones def. Frankie Lee for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 09-13 2025 Sgt. Hartman def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-13 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Sgt. Hartman for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-14 2007 Dane Griffin def. Montego Seeka for the UWF06 Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2007 Dane Griffin became the UWF06 Texhoma Champion
  • 09-14 2013 Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-14 2013 The Oakhurst Fire Mafia (Chief Mike & Keebler) def. The P. I. N. K. Nation (Ray Martinez & Tommy Toops) for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-14 2019 MVP def. Chavo Guerrero, Jr. for the WCR Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Original Renegade became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-14 2024 Umbra def. Trench Blythe for the WAH Spotlight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Pastor Brent def. Daniel Aaron Michalles for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-14 2024 Jean-Claude def. Eddie LeVaughn for the WAH Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Manico def. Billie the Kiid for the NAW Indigenous Land Title
  • 09-14 2024 Jeb Bingham def. Jastin Taylor for the BCW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 1969 The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 1980 Junkyard Dog & Terry Orndorff def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 1986 Black Bart def. Chris Adams for the WCCW World Title
  • 09-15 2007 Sudden Impact (Sudden Impact 1 & Sudden Impact 2) def. Texas, Inc. (Bernard Funk & Tim Rockwell) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 2007 Anthony Jackson def. AWOL for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2007 Shane Morbid def. Justin Lee for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 09-15 2012 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2018 Chavo Guerrero, Jr. def. MVP for the WCR Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2019 Chaz Sharpe def. James Southard for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 09-15 2023 Jastin Taylor def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 1975 John Tolos def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 1988 Michael Hayes & Steve Cox def. The Samoan SWAT Team (Fatu & Samu) for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-16 2005 Lily McKenzie def. Chiquita Suzuki for the SRPW Womens Title
  • 09-16 2006 Michael Barry def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2006 Ryan Davidson became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 09-16 2017 Paige Turner def. Erica for the IZW Womens Title
  • 09-16 2017 Skyler Fayden def. Riker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2017 Big Smooth & Zakk Sinizter became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 09-16 2022 Shane Taylor def. Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2023 Red James def. Ozzy Hendrix for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 09-17 1979 The Spoiler & Mark Lewin def. Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 09-17 2004 Bobby Dalton def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCB Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCB Dual Kombat Champion
  • 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCBW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCBW Dual Kombat Champion
  • 09-17 2010 Dane Griffin def. Cody Jones for the NWA-OK Texoma Title
  • 09-17 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Montego Seeka) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 09-17 2010 Michael Faith def. Dane Griffin for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-17 2016 Mr. Nasty def. Brian Breaker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-18 1967 Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma def. Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2005 Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch def. The Hurricane & Rosey for the WWE RAW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2005 Ric Flair def. Carlito for the WWE Intercontinental Title
  • 09-18 2015 Sons of Texas (Moonshine Mantell & Killer McKenzie) def. The Imperialists (Charlie Haas & Griffin) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2021 Thrash def. Jermaine Johnson for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-18 2021 Reed def. Thrash for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-19 1979 Mike Sharpe, Jr. def. Mike George for the MSW Mississippi Title
  • 09-19 1982 David Von Erich def. Bill Irwin for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-19 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. Michael Hayes & Steve Cox for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2014 Simply Irresistible (Matthew Palmer & James Johnson) def. The Dark Circle (Mace Malone & Apoc) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2015 Loaded Guns (Jon Cross & Brandon Walker) def. The Rising (Riker & Abel) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2015 Brian Breaker def. Clint Cassidy for the UWE United States Title
  • 09-19 2015 Zakk Sinizter def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-19 2015 Jon Cross became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-19 2019 MVP became the WCR Imperial Champion
  • 09-19 2020 Pastor Brent became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-19 2021 Maui Mike def. Thrash for the ASP Mid-American Title
  • 09-19 2021 Brixton Barricade def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
  • 09-19 2021 Malik Mayfield def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP Livestream Title
  • 09-19 2021 Double D def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP 5-Star Title
09-13
  • Angelina Love Sep 13th Today!
  • K. P. Moore Sep 13th Today!
  • Danny Little Bear Sep 13th Today!
  • Bobby Starr Sep 13th Today!
  • Poder Oriental Sep 13th Today!
  • Waddy Young Sep 14th
  • Kelsie Mae Sep 14th
  • Eddie LeVaughn Sep 14th
  • Lunatic Lennie Sep 14th
  • Bernie D Sep 14th
  • L. C. Green Sep 15th
  • Korvin Sage Sep 15th
  • Daniel King Sep 15th
  • Spoiler 2000 Sep 15th
  • Haru Sonada Sep 16th
  • Colton Kinnamon Sep 17th
  • Bill Irwin Sep 17th
  • Jake Swayze Sep 17th
  • Dick Brower Sep 17th
  • Jim Cornette Sep 17th
  • Rex Mori Sep 17th
  • Cisco Grimaldi Sep 18th
  • Angel Reed Sep 18th
  • Billy Robinson Sep 18th
  • Mr. Nabors Sep 18th
  • Titan Yin Sep 18th
  • Yoshiaki Yatsu Sep 19th
  • Jerry Brisco Sep 19th
  • Adam Asher Sep 19th
  • Ethan Page Sep 20th
  • Randy Rhodes Sep 20th
  • Justin Lee Sep 20th
  • Bishop Simon Sep 20th
  • Boz Sep 20th
  • Joey Stixx Sep 20th
  • Greg Valentine Sep 20th
  • Chuck Singer Sep 20th
  • Pepper Martin Sep 20th
  • Jack Brisco Sep 21st
  • Ricky Morton Sep 21st
  • Connor Jones Sep 21st
  • Mike Chacoma Sep 22nd
  • Red River Brawler Sep 22nd
  • Doug Somers Sep 22nd
  • Satine Sep 22nd
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  • O'Malley Sep 23rd
  • Cole Crittenden Sep 23rd
  • Joe Jones Sep 24th
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  • Chief Mike Sep 25th
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  • Angel [2nd] Sep 25th
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  • BB Sep 26th
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