Former AEW Star’s Move Signals Major Shift for WWE’s Developmental System

Summary

– Ricky Starks will sign his WWE contract live on NXT this Tuesday

– WWE has yet to acknowledge Starks by name on TV or social media

– His move raises questions about WWE’s growing recruitment from AEW

Ricky Starks is wasting no time in his next career move. Just days after leaving AEW, he appeared on NXT in what seemed like a major statement of intent from WWE. Now, he’s making things official.

Starks announced on Twitter that he will sign his contract live on NXT, making him one of the highest-profile names to jump from AEW in recent months. WWE has yet to mention him by name, which is an interesting approach considering how they’ve handled similar situations before. When Cody Rhodes returned, there was immediate acknowledgment. With Starks, there’s still a sense of mystery around how they’ll present him.

“The hottest free agent shocked the world last week when I appeared on NXT,” Starks said. “I’ll be watching Vengeance Day on Peacock, and I know you’re probably wondering what’s next. Well, I got the answers for you.”

“This Tuesday live on NXT, in the middle of that ring, I’m going to be signing my official NXT contract, and then you’re gonna have the absolute truth from the man himself.”

Starks had been one of AEW’s most promising mid-card acts but never fully broke into the company’s upper tier. His departure wasn’t entirely surprising—his on-screen presence had dwindled in recent months, and speculation about his next move was ongoing. Now that he’s in WWE, the question becomes whether he starts fresh in NXT or if this is a short stop before heading to the main roster.

It’s a shift as WWE is actively reshaping NXT, incorporating a mix of homegrown talent, veterans from the independent scene, and now former AEW names. Starks’ signing could also signal that WWE is still keeping a close eye on AEW talent, a strategy that intensified after signing Cody Rhodes and Jade Cargill.

With NXT in the middle of a reset, Stark’s arrival is another move that adds to the unpredictable nature of the brand. Whether he’s positioned as a major player or just another signing will depend on how WWE uses him in the coming weeks.

#VengeanceDay is LIVE tonight and I’ll be tuned in but I also know there are some questions that need to be answered…#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/B4N4COQZRE

— Ricky Starks (@starkmanjones) February 15, 2025