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Ricky Saints: NXT in-ring debut was ‘a love letter to all the people that rode for me’

Posted: Feb 27th 2025 By: Joseph Currier

Tuesday night was an emotional experience for Ricky Saints.

The former Ricky Starks made his official WWE in-ring debut in the main event of NXT last night, teaming with Je’Von Evans in a victory over Ethan Page & Wes Lee. The finish of the match was Saints earning his first NXT pinfall over lee.

In a backstage promo after the show, Saints reflected on how much this moment meant to him. He admitted to being emotional and called this a fever dream that he never wants to wake up from.

“Wild, absolutely wild,” Saints said about the reaction he received from the NXT crowd. “You know, my story isn’t that ‘not told’ as they say. It’s pretty well known at this point, and I think I’ve overcame a lot of things just to make it in this moment. My first time that I came here, I didn’t know what I was going to expect. The second time I showed up at NXT, didn’t know what to expect. But this time was different. I knew what was going to happen. Old Ricky never died. While I thought I put him to bed, guess what? He woke up on his own two feet and he was ready to go — energized, charged up, like a 100 percent iPhone, you know what I’m saying?

“If there was ever any doubt about me, tonight proved otherwise. If you have been sleeping on me for the past 14 years, we might as well call you a Tempur-Pedic [mattress]. One thing’s for certain, I always show up and show out. I deliver every time… And I thought tonight was probably more appropriate for where I’m at in my life. And I am an emotional man, I’m not afraid to admit that. But tonight felt like a fever dream that I don’t ever wish to wake up from.

Continuing his promo, Saints expressed how honored he is to be in NXT. He reiterated that his goal is to be “the man” in NXT and headline every PLE.

“I don’t think that I ever envisioned my life ending up this way, but, damn, at least I can freaking say that I made it through. Every sh*t that was out there — and I’m sorry to curse, but I made it through,” Saints said. “I stood there with my head held high and my chest puffed out because I knew what I wanted and I knew who I was. And that will never change. And there will be no man nor woman that makes me forget that. Tonight was a love letter to all the people that rode for me. And most importantly, tonight was a memory — a reminder should I say, to the old Ricky. And more of a letter of what’s to come to the new Ricky, and the future Ricky. And I think you’ll like that guy too, as well.”

Just one day after being let out of his AEW contract, Saints debuted for WWE on the February 11 episode of NXT. There was then a contract signing last week where his new NXT name was revealed. The contract signing was interrupted by Page and Lee, setting up last night’s main event.