Ricky Saints, who was previously known as Ricky Starks in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), is scheduled to make his in-ring debut on WWE NXT in a much-anticipated event.

Saints’ reunion with his former AEW coworker, CM Punk, sparked excitement among wrestling fans prior to this momentous occasion.

The Reunion

A key player in the Saints’ wrestling history, CM Punk, expressed his excitement about the team’s move to the WWE. Punk highlighted their friendship and respect for one another by adding a laughing emoji as a caption to a video of Saints’ NXT debut on his Instagram story.

The two wrestlers’ close relationship, developed during their time in AEW, is highlighted by this public endorsement.

Saints’ Transition to WWE

A new chapter in Ricky Saints’ professional wrestling career has begun with his move to the WWE. Saints requested his release from AEW television after a spell of absence, stating that he wanted better opportunities and had personal reasons.

He took the ring name “Ricky Saints,” which pays homage to his New Orleans heritage, when he joined the WWE. “I’m a product of New Orleans first and foremost, and I want to pay respects to that,” Saints clarified in an interview.

Upcoming In-Ring Debut

On February 25, 2025, Saints will make his WWE NXT in-ring debut in Cincinnati, Ohio. He will compete against Wes Lee and fellow former AEW star Ethan Page alongside Je’Von Evans.

Fans are excited to see Saints’ performance in the WWE setting, so this match is highly anticipated.

Reflections on AEW Departure

Saints explained his departure from AEW, citing a variety of circumstances, including CM Punk’s departure and internal politics.

He stated, “You could say it was [CM] Punk leaving and things kinda fell apart… Or you could say it’s that Ricky didn’t play the politics well enough.” Despite these hurdles, Saints is confident about his future in WWE.  

Conclusion

In the wrestling community, Ricky Saints and CM Punk’s reunion ahead of Saints’ WWE NXT in-ring debut has created a lot of buzz.

Fans are excited to see what kind of impact Saints will have in WWE as he sets out on this new journey with the help of seasoned pros like CM Punk.

For a closer look at Ricky Saints’ official NXT contract signing, watch the video below: