When Ricky Starks received a call from Triple H regarding a potential opportunity with WWE, he initially suspected it was a joke. While he was in Seattle, Triple H reached out to express WWE’s interest in him, though not for an immediate spot on the main roster.
In a recent discussion with his longtime friend Cody Rhodes, Starks shared his journey from free agency to pursuing NXT Gold.
“Triple H called me just after I landed in Seattle. I was taken aback at first; I didn’t recognize the number and thought, ‘Who is this?'”
“So, the Hunter calls me, and I can barely hear him over the noise in the airport. He asked, ‘Hey, do you want to come in?’ and then mentioned that they were interested in me and praised my talents. I replied, ‘Oh, absolutely, of course,’” – Ricky Starks reflecting on the conversation with Cody Rhodes.
Starks was startled when Triple H posed another question.
“While I was on the tram, he asked something like ‘Raw or SmackDown?’ and I just froze, thinking, ‘Wait, what? Could you repeat that?’ I was hesitant to ask him to say it again, but I ended up saying, ‘Yeah, yeah, definitely.’”
The invitation from Triple H also included a meeting with Shawn Michaels, the eventual NXT North American Champion.
“Essentially, Triple H conveyed that they weren’t ready to place me on Raw or SmackDown yet, but he wanted me to meet Shawn (Michaels). I sensed that they viewed me as a rough diamond in need of some polishing.”
To watch the complete interview, click here:
Since making his debut in February 2025, Ricky Starks has become a significant presence in WWE NXT, winning the NXT North American Championship from Sean Spears on April 1. He faced a harsh defeat against Ethan Page, who injured him during their intense rivalry on May 27.
After recuperating, Starks triumphed in a grueling gauntlet match against the Vanity Project Trio on July 8 and is now poised to face Page again in a Falls Count Anywhere match at the Great American Bash on July 12.
Fan Take: This news is significant for NXT fans as it showcases the promotion’s commitment to nurturing new talent and providing opportunities to emerging wrestlers. Ricky Starks’ journey reflects the ever-evolving landscape of WWE and hints at more thrilling matches ahead that could redefine the competition in NXT.
