Just one day after his AEW release became official, Ricky Starks has a new home in professional wrestling. The former AEW World Tag Team Champion made his WWE debut on the Feb. 11 edition of WWE NXT,

Ricky Starks has arrived on WWE NXT. Starks made a surprise appearance on the February 11th episode of NXT, entering through the crowd before the steel cage match main event.

A big free agent has made his first appearance on NXT. Shortly before Tuesday’s main event, Ricky Starks appeared in the crowd. They instantly recognized the former AEW star, who wasn’t mentioned

AEW released Ricky Starks and Miro after lengthy TV absences, setting the stage for WWE to add the two stars to their loaded roster.

Starks hasn't wrestled for AEW since March of last year, only wrestling five matches for the promotion in all of 2024. As Ricky revealed in an interview with ourselves last May - and more recently in a Chris Van Vliet chat - he hasn't been injured, he didn't know why he'd not been used more, and he was fit, healthy, and eager to work.

Now known as Miro, WWE's former Rusev was also released from AEW after asking for his release in September 2024. His final match was at Worlds End on December 30, 2023.

Writer and podcast host Dave Meltzer has said that he is "certain" that this recently-released AEW star will be signing with WWE.

After quite literally being released from his contract hours earlier, former AEW World Tag Team Champion Ricky Starks shocked the professional wrestling world by making an appearance on NXT, walking through the crowd to cut a promo on his addition to the roster.

A female WWE star has reacted to Ricky Starks' shocking NXT debut. Jade Cargill took to her Instagram stories and seemed beyond happy over the big news.