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WWE Interested In Ricky Starks And Other AEW Stars With Expiring Contracts

Posted: Aug 8th 2024 By: Josh Coulson - The Sportster.com

One of the biggest ongoing threads in wrestling so far in 2024 has been WWE letting its Superstars' deals either run out or come very close to expiring before figuring out how to keep them in the company if they want to keep them. Now it seems to be AEW's turn to go through that, and WWE may be looking to fill some of the gaps it has made with All Elite wrestlers who might be looking for a change of scenery. That's according to a new report claiming Ricky Starks is one of the AEW names at the top of WWE's wishlist.

WWE Is Keeping Tabs

PWInsider claims that even though Starks remains under contract with AEW, WWE is interested in signing him, and Starks is interested in moving. Starks hasn't wrestled in AEW since March 30, shortly after which he attended WrestleMania 40. Early reports suggested Starks was off TV recovering from an injury, but he has denied those reports since. He's also a close friend of Cody Rhodes so has likely discussed jumping to WWE with him at the very least.

What isn't known is how long exactly is left on Starks' contract. Even if WWE wants to pick him up, it will have to wait until Starks' current deal is done or for AEW to let him leave the company. The latter seems unlikely with rumors swirling that WWE is waiting in the wings to pick him up. Starks reportedly isn't the only AEW star WWE is keeping an eye on. Daniel Garcia is currently a free agent having still not signed a new deal with AEW, and there's a chance he opts to give WWE a go instead.

All Eyes On The Lucha Bros

Despite an interest in Starks and Garcia's free agency, the most likely AEW stars to join WWE remain Rey Fenix and Penta. The Lucha Bros will reportedly be leaving AEW soon and signing with WWE. The latest on the Lucha Bros signing with WWE is that an offer has been made even though they're still technically under contract with AEW. I'm assuming the tag team has made it known to AEW that they want to leave and has been given permission to entertain an offer from WWE if that's the case.

It's fascinating to see who from AEW has left a mark on WWE's radar. Starks isn't surprising considering his ties to certain people in WWE, and you'd have to think WWE has had an eye on Penta and Fenix since before they became All Elite. Where they will debut if they sign will also be interesting. I can see all three of them having to do some time in NXT, but could also see Starks being brought straight to the main roster as an ally of Rhodes.