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Sports • Wrestling

Ricky Starks

Ricky Starks, also known in WWE as Ricky Saints, is an American professional wrestler.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ricky Starks, also known in WWE as Ricky Saints, is an American professional wrestler. He has wrestled for National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), All Elite Wrestling (AEW), and WWE's NXT brand, where he has held the NXT Championship and NXT North American Championship. He began his career in 2011 and gained recognition in NWA as the inaugural NWA World Television Champion.

Early life and background

Richard Starks was born on February 21, 1990, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He began his professional wrestling career in 2011.

National Wrestling Alliance

Starks gained wider recognition in the NWA, where he became the inaugural NWA World Television Champion. This championship win helped establish him as a rising star in professional wrestling.

All Elite Wrestling

Starks joined AEW in 2020 and became known for his appearances on AEW programming. His accomplishments included winning the FTW Championship, the AEW World Tag Team Championship, and the 2023 Owen Hart Cup.

WWE and NXT

Starks later joined WWE and performed on the NXT brand as Ricky Saints. In NXT, he won both the NXT Championship and NXT North American Championship.

Key facts

  • Starks began his professional wrestling career in 2011.
  • He became the inaugural NWA World Television Champion.
  • He joined AEW in 2020 and won the AEW World Tag Team Championship.
  • He won the 2023 Owen Hart Cup.
  • In WWE's NXT, he became a one-time NXT Champion and NXT North American Champion.
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Canadian context

He has appeared on AEW programming broadcast in Canada, including coverage on TSN’s streaming service.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Ricky Starks?
Ricky Starks is an American professional wrestler best known for his work in NWA, AEW, and WWE’s NXT brand.
What is Ricky Starks' real name?
His birth name is Richard Starks.
What name does he use in WWE?
In WWE, he performs under the ring name Ricky Saints.
What championships has he won?
His major titles include the NWA World Television Championship, AEW World Tag Team Championship, NXT Championship, and NXT North American Championship.
When did he start wrestling?
He began his wrestling career in 2011.

References

  1. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricky_Starks
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, ring names, career summary, AEW and WWE accomplishments.
  2. CBC Radio — https://www.cbc.ca/radio/all-elite-wrestling-ricky-starks-1.6684634
    Supports: Canadian broadcast context, AEW prominence, New Orleans origin, and wrestling career background.
  3. The SmackDown Hotel — https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/wrestlers/ricky-starks
    Supports: WWE/NXT name, brand, and championship information.
  4. Wrestling Republic — https://wrestlingrepublic.com/wrestling-republics-wrestler-of-the-day-ricky-starks/
    Supports: Career background, debut year, NWA title history, AEW run, and notable accomplishments.
  5. Cagematch — https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=14007
    Supports: Ring names, roles, and professional wrestling profile data.