Starks is pulled on the day of the NXT PLE.
On the 2/11 edition of NXT on CW, there was a surprise appearance from Ricky Starks. He showed up in the stands with a microphone in hand and stated that he was there to turn the place on its head.
Videos and photos of Starks were pushed out onto WWE socials, but he was not mentioned by name other than the official WWE Instagram account tagging him in a post.
On 2/15, NXT is scheduled to present their Vengeance Day Premium Live Event from Washington D.C. and on that day, Starks was going to be in action for the Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling promotion in Buford, Georgia. The promotion issued a statement and noted that Starks is no longer appearing:
Important announcement
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Ricky Starks will not be in attendance on Saturday, February 15th at the Tannery Row Ale House. However, you can still expect the same incredible evening of Georgia’s premier star studded, action packed, family friendly, independent professional wrestling that TCW Live has to offer!
We will see you at the matches!
The day prior to Starks’ arrival to WWE, he was removed from the AEW talent roster page. The last time he wrestled for the company was in March 2024.
Starks had been working independent dates and over the weekend, he captured the DEFY World Championship.
