A Star(ks) Is Born
Last week’s AEW Dynamite featured “Absolute” Ricky Starks breaking out in a big way.
Starks (courtesy of allelitewrestling.com)
I don’t think the fact that I’ve been clamoring for a Ricky Starks push for the past year makes me Nostradamus. The guy has it all - the look, the in-ring ability and the promo skill. Over the last few weeks, it’s become more apparent that Tony Khan and AEW have big plans for him. The fans were dying for a Hobbs and Starks title win at Double or Nothing and even more so weeks later in the triple threat with The Young Bucks and Jungle Express. While it’s a shame that we never got a Hobbs and Starks title run, I’m ecstatic about what comes next for the both of them.
This past Wednesday, after dropping the FTW title to AEWs Cold Hearted, Handsome Devil, HOOK, Ricky cut a passionate promo with his tag partner, Powerhouse Hobbs standing at his side. When Ricky was about halfway through his promo, I was hit with the active thought of, “Oh my God, we’re about to get a face Starks and Hobbs run.” Well, I was half right. Shortly after that thought passed through my mind, Powerhouse Hobbs’ forearm smashed though Starks’ mind as he clobbered him with a brutal lariat and a spinebuster.
It’s clear now that we’re going to see these two in a program that hopefully includes a main card match at All Out this Labor Day Weekend. I generally have disliked tag team break ups, especially when, more often than not, I like both guys but one ends up being Marty Jannetty. This is the first test of Tony Khan’s ability to book a popular tag team break-up where both come out as stars. You’re probably reading this and thinking I’m forgetting Hangman and Kenny, but to me, that was a tag team that was formed as a part of each man’s story, so it was never expected for them to last thus I’m not counting that here.
I cannot put into words how excited I am for face Starks. One of my least favorite phrases in wrestling fandom is that someone, “oozes charisma.” It’s a cliche that has been repeated so often it’s redundant, but I’m unable to think of any other satisfactory phrase to describe Ricky. Every time Ricky talks, people listen. Every time Ricky is in the ring, he shines. This will be a fun ride to see him move to the upper mid card and hopefully into title contention.
Conversely, I look forward to the rise of Powerhouse Hobbs. The first match that comes to mind post-Starks feud is Wardlow vs Hobbs, a true beefslam that should excite any wrestling fan with the potential of that feud. Hobbs has quietly been one of the greatest under the radar signings since the formation of AEW, which is highlighted by CM Punk choosing him as one of the first opponents he wanted to face upon returning to Pro Wrestling.
We talked on the podcast last week that with Triple H now back to running creative and Talent Relations, AEW needs to show a sense of urgency in pushing some of their young stars, as WWE is likely now more of an option for guys that have previously been overlooked. This Hobbs/Starks split and feud is a good sign that Tony and his team understand this need to push some of their stars that are in wait.
Ricky Starks’ time is now and with Ricky at the top, the future of AEW is Absolute.
Danhausen vs. Starks (courtesy of allelitewrestling.com)
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