WWE veteran explains real reason why Tony Khan is not letting Ricky Starks leave AEW - "It's going to be awkward"
Ricky Starks is currently stuck in AEW limbo. He has not been released from the promotion and has not been used in recent months. A WWE veteran explained why Tony Khan is not releasing The Absolute.
Jim Cornette is the latest to comment on Ricky Starks' situation. The former AEW World Tag Team Champion has been one of the company's most entertaining acts. Despite his skills in the ring and on the mic, All Elite Wrestling has not capitalized on this. Starks has not been seen on TV since March 2024.
Many believed he was injured, but The Absolute One debunked those rumors and denied the rumors of him leaving the Jacksonville-based promotion. After not being used on TV for a while, Starks took matters into his own hands and appeared at a GCW show, where he aired his frustration. However, Tony Khan has put a stop to this, which has raised a lot of eyebrows.
Speaking on his Drive-Thru podcast, Jim Cornette explained that Tony Khan is keeping Starks on payroll so he doesn't sign with WWE. He further said that the AEW boss tries to avoid confrontation with people by keeping them at home and sending them paychecks, which also makes him feel good.
"Yeah, see that's the thing is I don't know that it's as much of a business strategy for Tony Khan to keep people away from the WWE when the WWE would want to sign him as much as it is. He wants to avoid the confrontation with people and when they're away from him and he can feel good that he's sending him a check and they're making their money but he doesn't have to talk to them, he doesn't have to deal with them. If it's going to be awkward for him, then that's I think a bigger motivation for him than 'Oh, I don't want the WWE to have these guys' and they just want to get out of there because it didn't fit what they wanted to f***ing do." [From 28:40 to 29:25]
Matt Hardy commented on Ricky Starks' contract situation
The whole situation with Ricky Starks has the wrestling world scratching its heads. He was one of their top stars a year ago, with victories over CM Punk, Chris Jericho, and more. However, despite entering 2024 with a huge momentum as the AEW World Tag Team Champion, Starks being kept away from TV has raised many eyebrows.
Even Matt Hardy addressed the situation on his Extreme Life podcast. The veteran said that Ricky Starks signed a contract, so if Tony wants to keep holding him to it, there is nothing anyone can do, as it always happens in pro wrestling.
"As far as guys being there under contract, I guess if there is a dispute and maybe someone voices an opinion that is contrary to your company or saying he doesn’t want to work there or whatever it may be, once again, I don’t know any of this, but I get Tony Khan holding someone under contract until the end of their deal, I mean, if they’re being paid, it is what it is. You signed a contract. That happens in business all the time, so that’s nothing new in pro wrestling." [H/T: Fightful]
It will be interesting to see if Ricky Starks will make his return to AEW anytime in the near future.