NXT Champion discusses his rise, AEW departure, and Minnesota’s wrestling legacy
Summary
Ricky Saints says NXT’s upcoming St. Paul show is key for younger talent to grow
He reflects on his journey from AEW to WWE and learning under Shawn Michaels
Saints aims to make history in NXT before eventually targeting WWE’s main roster
WWE’s NXT Champion Ricky Saints is ready to bring the gold to Minnesota when the brand returns to the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul on November 13. Speaking ahead of the event, Saints reflected on his career journey, his goals, and what it means to perform in front of a passionate Midwest crowd.
“I’m very excited to get the word out and make our way over to St. Paul,” Saints said. “It’s been years since NXT has been there, and I think it’s really important for the younger talent to get in front of new crowds. It helps them find out what works, what doesn’t, and it keeps things fresh.”
The Texas native shared that he enjoys the cooler Minnesota weather and fondly recalled visiting the Prince Museum in Minneapolis during a previous trip. But beyond sightseeing, Saints said he feels a personal responsibility as one of NXT’s leading names. “When the tide is high, all ships rise. I want to make sure the people of St. Paul know NXT is coming to town.”
Since joining WWE less than a year ago, Saints’ career has skyrocketed. He captured both the North American and NXT Championships in just eight months, a run he attributes to relentless work ethic. “I’m not surprised by the success,” he said. “I’ve worked extremely hard for it. It’s not about ego, it’s about effort.”
Before joining WWE, Saints made a name for himself in AEW, but the transition, he says, wasn’t overwhelming. “There were some adjustments, different people, different structure, but nothing too shocking. At this point, I’ve been around long enough to adapt.”
One adjustment that still amazes him, however, is working alongside Shawn Michaels, who oversees NXT’s creative team. “Every time I see Shawn, I’m like, ‘Wow, this is Shawn Michaels,’” Saints admitted. “He’s been to the very top, and learning from him is incredible.”
Looking ahead, Saints remains focused on elevating NXT while setting new goals. “I’d love to win the Tag Team Titles and become a Triple Crown Champion. For now, I just want to be the best NXT Champion I can be.”
As for dream opponents, Saints listed Seth Rollins, Dominik Mysterio, Carmelo Hayes, and a long-awaited rematch with Cody Rhodes among the names he’d like to face. Still, he doesn’t dwell on fantasy matchups. “I never make a list because I don’t want to get mad if it never happens,” he joked.
While the St. Paul card is still being finalized, Saints teased that fans can expect surprises. “Every time we do a live event, we like to have a few surprises, it keeps the crowd buzzing. I think the Minnesota fans deserve that after five years.”
