Eight months after his last AEW match, Ricky Starks still doesn't have a definitive answer as to why he's being kept off television.
Once one of AEW's rising stars, Starks has not competed for the promotion since late March. In an appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet uploaded this week, Starks reiterated that he remains under contract with AEW and is not injured. For Starks, who is in the prime of his career but had to stay home, the experience was a “mindf*ck.”
“I was home, I was healthy. Never been hurt. I had a stinger. I got a stinger in the match against Top Flight in March. I was examined immediately and everything was fine, but I was just worried at the time,” he said. “So that happened and then I was just at home. And that's about where it's gotten to. I was just at home. It's kind of – it's crazy because I'm in my prime and it sucks when you're so fired up, riding the wave and working and getting things done, and then just being home for so long, you say something like, “Whoa.” It throws it off, you know?
“I am not meant to be at home. I am not destined to be a homebody. At this current stage of my life, I’m not destined to just relax at home and not do what I’ve worked my ass off to do for the last 13 years.”
Starks, 34, said he has theories as to why AEW isn't using him, but he won't express them because he doesn't know for sure.
“I could have a thousand theories about what’s really going on. The fact is, if I don’t have a definitive answer, I can’t just make up an answer for people and just accept it,” Starks said. “Do you know what I’m saying? Would I like to know the exact reason? Secure. Do I have any speculation as to why? Absolutely. But that doesn't help – talking about things I speculate about doesn't help the situation. So I think it's just a matter of – it sucks. It was a very cold day here in Austin. It was a very cold day. It may have been cold in the last nine months, I'm not sure. But luckily I have a sweater and am always ready to provide the warmth.”
We've seen Starks make a few indie appearances during his AEW absence, including last Saturday. He then was backstage at AEW's Full Gear pay-per-view on Saturday night. Starks vs. Matt Cardona is scheduled for a December 14th GCW show. Starks also has a booking for House of Glory on January 17th.
Starks told Van Vliet that he works out and stays in shape. The support he's received from fans has been “unbelievable” – and Starks loves that people still care about him.
Van Vliet asked Starks if he felt like he was being punished by AEW.
“I do not believe that. “I don't think it ever occurred to me: 'You're going to be punished.' Because it doesn't do me any good to think like that, does it?” Starks replied. “I would be depressed and kind of angry. That wouldn’t do me any good.”
The reason for Starks' AEW absence remains unconfirmed, but most fan speculation is based on the assumption that he will end up in WWE at some point. Starks is good friends with WWE stars Cody Rhodes and Jade Cargill, both of whom left AEW to join their current promotion.
Starks was at the WWE Royal Rumble 2023 and WrestleMania 40 supporting his friends. He told Van Vliet that he saw no problem with going to these shows. Starks said he is a wrestling fan and wants to be there for the people he cares about.
AEW signed Starks in 2020 following his debut for the promotion. He is a former AEW Tag team champion and FTW champion.
