WWE rebrands Ricky Starks – Why he's now Ricky Saints

UPDATED: Feb 19, 2025 13:45 IST

Ricky Starks has officially signed with WWE’s NXT, debuting his new ring name, Ricky Saints, during the February 18 episode. Saints made a surprise appearance on the February 11 episode, just before NXT’s Vengeance Day, and returned this week to sign his contract in the ring alongside NXT General Manager Ava.

Why WWE rebranded Ricky Starks to Ricky Saints

WWE has rebranded Ricky Starks as Ricky Saints because Starks owns the rights to his original name. To use 'Ricky Starks,' WWE would need a licensing agreement, allowing him to retain control over his identity and potentially earn licensing fees.

A similar situation occurred with Ethan Page, who kept the rights to his ring name despite WWE’s acquisition. However, WWE and Ricky Saints couldn't reach a similar licensing agreement, leading to his name change."

Ricky Saints' NXT introduction and first feud

Before officially signing, Saints exchanged words with Ethan Page, who boasted about his NXT success. Saints sarcastically congratulated Page on his Vengeance Day victory over Je’Von Evans, only for Evans to attack Page from behind, sparking a confrontation.

With the ring cleared, Wes Lee stepped up and challenged Saints to his first NXT match. However, Saints refused to commit immediately and instead signed his contract on his own terms after sending Lee out of the ring.

Later, in a backstage segment, Saints found himself in another heated confrontation with Page, Lee, and Evans. To settle tensions, Ava booked a tag match for next week, pairing Saints with Evans against Page and Lee.

Ricky Saints’ move to WWE after leaving AEW

Saints' WWE signing comes just days after his departure from All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he spent five years. Interestingly, he signed his WWE contract exactly eight years after his first WWE tryout.

Speaking about his AEW exit, Saints revealed that he suffered an injury in March 2024 but recovered quickly. Despite being medically cleared, he was never brought back to TV. He admitted there was little communication regarding his status and eventually requested his release. Saints stated that he was always open to creative ideas and believed his departure was more personal than professional.

Now officially part of WWE, Saints looks to make an impact in NXT, with his first televised match set for next week.