In a shocking development, former AEW standout Ricky Starks made an unexpected appearance on WWE NXT on February 11, 2025. Starks took advantage of the opportunity to introduce himself to the NXT fans by making his way into the crowd at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
Grabbing a microphone, he proclaimed, “It’s obvious you know who I am. If NXT is the future of professional wrestling, well guess what? You need an Absolute Superstar of the future! If this is the hottest brand, well you need the hottest free agent around, baby.”
He further emphasized his mission to “flip NXT upside-down,” signaling his intent to make a significant impact on the brand.
Starks’ quick emergence in WWE was all the more surprising considering that this debut follows rumors that he was fired from his AEW contract just the day before.
Notably, neither the commentary crew nor WWE displayed Starks’ name on-screen during his debut segment. But during his promo, the live audience chanted “Ricky Starks” in recognition of him right away.
Discussions among fans and commentators have been triggered by this purposeful absence, with some conjecturing that WWE sought to capitalize on the element of surprise and create natural buzz.
According to backstage rumors, the current creative intentions for WrestleMania had an impact on the decision to debut Starks on NXT rather than the main roster. Since the main roster storylines are already mostly established, adding Starks to NXT gives storytellers greater freedom to create engaging tales about his persona.
According to reports, word of his debut spread throughout the Performance Center about half an hour prior to the show’s airing, underscoring the secrecy of his participation.
Reactions to Starks’ debut have been all over the wrestling community. The Undertaker, a WWE Hall of Famer, gave his immediate response, expressing curiosity and hope over Starks’ possible influence in NXT.
An important turning point in Ricky Starks’ wrestling career was his entry into WWE NXT. His presence is anticipated to bring fresh vitality to the NXT roster, since he is well-known for his charm and skill in the ring.
As he works to transform the brand, fans are excited to see how “Absolute” Ricky Starks will handle this new phase and what friendships or rivalries might form.
For a closer look at Ricky Starks’ impactful debut, you can watch the highlight below: