Ricky Starks shocked fans by debuting in WWE NXT on the February 11, episode, close to a year after his final appearance for AEW. On Busted Open Radio, The Undertaker was a guest and shared his live reaction to Starks’ WWE NXT debut.
“I’ve seen him a few times here and there. I’ve always had great conversations with him. He’s such a good kid, such a respectful kid. So that [Starks’ NXT debut] caught me completely off guard.”
While The Undertaker and Starks have yet to share the screen, the Phenom recalled meeting Starks in the gym when training for his WrestleMania 32 Hell in a Cell showdown with Shane McMahon.
“I noticed this kid is there every day and [he] doesn’t say anything, really respectful. As the training went along and we needed different spotters and different help, he was always right there.”
During their meet-ups in the gym, Starks shared that he was trying to break into the business and The Undertaker gave him some pointers about “different things.” Years later, the pair would reconnect as Starks would train with Michelle McCool ahead of her appearance in a Women’s Royal Rumble match.
Starks’ arrival comes after a mixed relationship with AEW that saw the 2023 Men’s Owen Hart Cup winner go unused for months despite being cleared to wrestle. Now, Starks has joined those who’ve left WWE for AEW and is ready to make an impact in WWE NXT.
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