Details on if Ricky Starks' shocking non-AEW appearance was approved, backstage reaction at Full Gear - Reports
Ricky Starks had a big day on Saturday as AEW presented its sixth annual Full Gear pay-per-view later that night, featuring the crowning of a new champion and more memorable moments. While Starks was present at the PPV he also appeared at a rival event, shocking the wrestling world. Backstage sources have now revealed the story of what went down the past weekend.
The Absolute hasn't wrestled for AEW since late March, and his last match was at a BTW indie event in late May. The 34-year-old is still signed to the Jacksonville-based promotion and is healthy, but there has been no real explanation for his absence. Starks made a surprise appearance at GCW Dream On this Saturday at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, NJ. After interrupting and eventually dropping Jimmy Lloyd to a big pop, the star vented about refusing to stay home to get frozen out or watch his career dwindle.
In fueling speculation on Starks' AEW status, the 2023 Men's Owen Hart Cup winner promised to return to his origins, adding that Game Changer Wrestling was the perfect starting point as one of the hottest promotions around. The New Orleans native then dodged a sneak attack, dropping Lloyd with a Spear for another pop. An update from PWInsider has provided more details on the seemingly approved appearance and also stated that Starks was backstage at Full Gear as well.
Full Gear marked the first time Starks has been at an All Elite Wrestling event in some time. While his GCW appearance earlier in the afternoon had to be seemingly pre-approved by officials of the Jacksonville-based company, the report came with no firm update on his potential return to AEW TV.
Ricky Starks was said to be warmly greeted backstage on Saturday. The appearance at Dream On was a surprise to many within AEW and GCW. During the promo with Lloyd, Starks was insulted with a line about how he was needed in catering at the nearby Prudential Center, which is where Full Gear was being held.
Ricky Starks set for upcoming matches
Ricky Starks is scheduled to wrestle another match in early 2025. It remains to be seen if Starks will return to the AEW ring this year, but he is now set to make his House of Glory debut, which is confirmed along with tonight's in-ring return at GPW.
HOG has announced Starks' debut for Friday, January 17 at their Watch The Throne event. The show will air live on Triller TV from Logan Square Auditorium in Chicago. It wasn't clear if Starks would wrestle that night, but the former FTW Champion is featured front-and-center on promotional material.
Ricky Starks will return to the ring later tonight in St. Louis at the Wrestle-Pocalypse event from Glory Pro Wrestling. Starks will wrestle Kody Lane, who he confronted at a GPW event in October to set up tonight's match.