It’s been quite a while since Ricky Starks has been on AEW programming, causing many to wonder about the former tag team champion’s status. If you ask the man himself, you won’t get a satisfying answer.
In a recent interview with WhatCulture, Starks was asked why he hasn’t been present on AEW programming for weeks. When questioned about whether he will appear at the upcoming Double or Nothing pay-per-view from the promotion, his response was “I don’t know.”
“Every time I always predict something to go some way it doesn’t go that way,” Starks told WhatCulture. “And it kind of just leaves me being like ‘Well, we’ll just figure out and see.’ I really have no clue [why I’m not on TV]. It’s just a very interesting time, I feel like. I wish that I was on Dynasty, I wish I was on these things. I think at a certain point, just for my own sanity, I can’t go too crazy about it because the proof is in my work and my effort that I’ve constantly given. [I have] constantly given 1000 percent effort. It’s not in my control. I think that’s the biggest lesson I can have, is that things are just not in my control. But the things that are, I try my hardest.”
Many assumed that Starks was off TV due to a potential injury from a late March against Top Flight. However, Starks has denied that this was the case. Despite the worrying finish to their match on Collision two months back, Starks said he was never injured and that the incident was just a scare.
Starks held the AEW Tag Team Championships alongside Big Bill earlier this year before dropping the belts to Darby Allin and Sting. It’s unclear if the recent tag champs are still a duo, as Bill has gone on to join Chris Jericho’s “Learning Tree” faction. Starks mentioned in his chat with WhatCulture that he thinks the duo has split.
Starks mentioned outright that he doesn’t know why he’s not on TV currently, and also talked about the outpouring of support that he has received from fans who miss his presence.
“I have no answers. People ask me all the time, ‘Well why aren’t you…’ I don’t know. It does suck, obviously, to not be on TV. But, the support in people online and people sending messages is very, very sweet and endearing.”
Later in the interview, Starks discussed attending Wrestlemania 40 and seeing his friend Cody Rhodes headline the massive event. You can watch the full conversation here.
