The current status of Ricky Starks in All Elite Wrestling has been a great mystery to his fans and the press. The American wrestler was displaced from the limelight after he and Big Bill took a loss against Sting and Darby Allin. Thus creating doubt about his will to continue in the company. The former AEW Tag Team Champion found himself playing a marginal role for much of 2024, participating in a match on the March 30 edition of AEW Collision before disappearing from the promotion’s schedule.

The Absolute has been positioned as one name that could make the leap to other lucrative destinations in 2024. However, his current boss aims to ensure that Starks remain among his ranks. The AEW president signaled his interest in securing the continuity of the former FTW heavyweight champion. However, according to a former WWE superstar, Ricky Starks may find a new home in WWE pretty soon. Especially if the Stamford-based promotion asks The American Nightmare to help out with the negotiations. Revealing this and much more, here is what former WWE star Ryback had to share.

During the Royal Rumble last year, All Elite Wrestling’s Ricky Starks was seen backstage accompanying Rhodes who that night made his return to the Stamford-based promotion after being away for several months due to a significant injury. However, this wasn’t Stark’s only appearance at a WWE event, as he was also spotted at WrestleMania XL last April. These visits surely led to speculation that something was cooking between the AEW star and the WWE.

And now former WWE star Ryback revealed on his ‘The Ryback Show’ that Cody Rhodes could play a major part in making Starks jump ships. He said, “I like Ricky a lot, and I’m very proud of him. But again, in the size thing and like it’s WWE, it’s a different monster and animal. And I think though WWE would be interested in him through Cody and because taking pieces, select pieces from there, but he’s not had a sustainable run in AEW. Well, you know, it had hiccups along the way, and the injuries have played a factor in that as well.”

Nevertheless, the former WWE Intercontinental champion remarked that Rhodes could be employed as an effective tool to lure Starks to join the WWE.

Ryback suggests Cody Rhodes could act as a formidable tool for WWE to sign Ricky Starks

He further added, “If you think it’s already, if you don’t think this is why WWE wanted Cody, and Cody has the ear, the eyes, and the ears of all the talent there that they could possibly want. And in Cody and WWE, WWE could even talk through Cody, to Cody, to them. To relay how to play things. And it’s not unheard of.” Starks has won several championships in AEW, such as the AEW Tag Team Championship and the FTW Championship. So the WWE would surely be able to utilize his talent.

Ricky Starks, too, admitted to feeling a little frustrated by the lack of creative ideas for him and his lack of presence in AEW. He believes that the promotion was unable to capitalize on his amazing matchup with Bryan Danielson. And that CM Punk leaving the promotion also negatively affected his momentum. So it wouldn’t be surprising to see if he does move to the WWE. What do you think? Will Starks leave AEW? Let us know in the comments.