The wrestling world has been abuzz with speculation surrounding Ricky Starks’ sudden disappearance from AEW television. The 34-year-old star, known for his thrilling performances, has been absent from screens since the March 30th episode of Collision. While fans were initially worried about an injury scare, Starks himself has clarified that he is healthy and has no idea why AEW has kept him on the sidelines.
Wrestling legend Jim Cornette, a veteran wrestling personality, has weighed in on the situation, offering a provocative explanation for Starks’ sudden absence. Speaking on the Drive-Thru podcast, Cornette posited that Starks’ close friendship with Cody Rhodes might be the reason behind AEW’s seeming indifference towards the former FTW Champion.
Rhodes, who left AEW a few years ago, has maintained a close relationship with Starks, and the two have been spotted together backstage at WWE events. In fact, Starks has often attended WWE matches to support his friend, and Rhodes has reportedly done a lot for Starks and his family. This has led Cornette to speculate that AEW management might be uncomfortable with Starks’ close ties to a competitor like Rhodes, potentially costing him his push in the company.
The situation has taken a more interesting turn with rumors swirling around Starks’ AEW contract, which is reportedly set to expire this summer. Given his recent booking and lack of screen time, it wouldn’t be a surprise if one of AEW’s homegrown talents makes the jump to WWE.
Rhodes himself has expressed his desire to see Starks join him in WWE, which has only added fuel to the speculation fire. While Starks’ future in AEW remains uncertain, one thing is clear: his friendship with Cody Rhodes has become a hot topic in the wrestling world, and fans are holding their breath, waiting to see what happens next. Will Starks make the switch to WWE, or will AEW come crawling back to one of its most talented stars? Only time will tell.
