Richard Starks, popularly known as Ricky Starks, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand. Born on February 21, 1990, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Starks rose to fame during his time in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) from 2020 to 2025, where he held the AEW World Tag Team Championship and the FTW Championship. He also had a successful run in National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), where he won the NWA World Television Championship.
After his AEW contract expired in early 2025, Starks made a surprise debut in WWE NXT, making waves with his confident persona and in-ring skills. With a wrestling career spanning over a decade, Starks has built a strong fan following and has established himself as one of the most charismatic stars in professional wrestling.
In this article, we will explore in-depth details about Ricky Starks’ net worth, age, height, weight, career, early life, WWE and AEW journey, personal life, relationships, physical appearance, and lesser-known facts.
Ricky Starks Short Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Richard Starks |
| Ring Name | Ricky Starks |
| Profession | Professional Wrestler |
| Hometown | New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | February 21, 1990 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 35 years old |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 194 lb (88 kg) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Wrestling Debut | 2011 |
| Current Status | Signed with WWE NXT (2025–present) |
| Former Promotions | AEW, NWA, Independent Circuit |
Early Life and Career
Early Life & Wrestling Inspiration
Ricky Starks was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, in a single-parent household with two siblings. Growing up, he idolized wrestling legends such as The Undertaker, The Rock, and Mankind, which fueled his passion for wrestling. Despite facing challenges, including racial identity struggles, Starks remained determined to pursue his dream of becoming a professional wrestler.
Independent Circuit (2011–2018)
Starks began his wrestling journey in Texas-based independent promotions, including Anarchy Championship Wrestling and Inspire Pro Wrestling. His early career was filled with enhancement matches in WWE, where he wrestled against Jinder Mahal, Kane, and The Revival. He also made an appearance in WWE Raw (2013), where he was powerbombed through a table by Ryback in a backstage segment.
NWA (2018–2020)
Starks gained national recognition when he signed with National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in 2018. He won the inaugural NWA World Television Championship in 2020 by defeating Trevor Murdoch but lost the title shortly after. In May 2020, his contract with NWA expired, making him a free agent.
AEW Career (2020–2025)
Debut and Team Taz (2020–2022)
Ricky Starks made his AEW debut on June 17, 2020, answering Cody Rhodes’ TNT Championship Open Challenge. Despite losing, he impressed AEW officials and was immediately signed. He later joined Team Taz, alongside Brian Cage and Powerhouse Hobbs, feuding with top AEW stars like Darby Allin, Jon Moxley, and Cody Rhodes.
In July 2021, Starks won his first AEW title, the FTW Championship, and held it for 378 days, making him the longest-reigning FTW Champion in AEW history.
Singles Push and Feuds (2022–2025)
After Team Taz disbanded, Starks began a singles run, feuding with Chris Jericho, MJF, and Bryan Danielson. He won the AEW World Championship Eliminator Tournament (2022) but failed to capture the title from MJF at Winter Is Coming. In July 2023, he won the Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament by defeating CM Punk.
Starks also had a brief AEW World Tag Team Championship reign in 2023, winning the titles with Big Bill before losing them in early 2024.
Departure from AEW (2025)
In March 2025, after contract negotiations with AEW fell through, Starks was quietly removed from AEW’s roster page. He became a free agent with no non-compete clause, allowing him to immediately sign with WWE.
WWE Career (2025–Present)
Ricky Starks shocked the wrestling world when he debuted on WWE NXT on February 11, 2025. Interrupting a live event, Starks cut a fiery promo, declaring himself the “absolute superstar of the future.” His WWE signing marked a fresh chapter in his career, and fans eagerly anticipate his journey in the company.
Family and Relationships
Ricky Starks has kept his personal life private, but it is known that he was raised by a single mother in New Orleans, Louisiana.
| Family Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Mother | Single Parent |
| Siblings | 2 (Names Not Disclosed) |
There are no confirmed reports about Starks’ dating life or relationship status.
Physical Appearance
Ricky Starks is known for his lean, athletic physique, sharp facial features, and charismatic presence in the ring.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 194 lb (88 kg) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Tattoos | No visible tattoos |
| Piercings | None |
Ricky Starks Net Worth & Income Sources (2025 Updated)
Ricky Starks has amassed a net worth of approximately $3 million (as of 2025), primarily from his wrestling career, merchandise sales, sponsorships, and TV appearances.
| Source of Income | Earnings |
|---|---|
| Wrestling Contracts (AEW, WWE) | $1.5 Million+ |
| Merchandise Sales | $500,000+ |
| Sponsorships & Endorsements | $250,000+ |
| Independent Bookings (2024–2025) | $300,000+ |
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | $3 Million |
Lesser-Known Facts About Ricky Starks
- He was trained by Booker T’s wrestling school in Texas.
- He was inspired by The Rock and The Undertaker.
- Before AEW, he worked as an enhancement talent in WWE.
- He won the first-ever NWA World Television Championship.
- He has a finishing move called “Rochambeau.”
- He once appeared in a WWE Raw backstage segment with Ryback.
- He won the AEW Owen Hart Cup in 2023.
- He briefly worked as a commentator for AEW Rampage.
- He was trained at the same gym as The Undertaker.
- His dream opponent is The Rock.
FAQs About Ricky Starks
Q1: When did Ricky Starks join WWE?
A: Ricky Starks joined WWE NXT on February 11, 2025.
Q2: What was Ricky Starks’ biggest achievement in AEW?
A: Winning the FTW Championship and AEW World Tag Team Championship.
Q3: What is Ricky Starks’ net worth?
A: Approximately $3 million.
Q4: Where is Ricky Starks from?
A: New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Q5: Who trained Ricky Starks?
A: He was trained by Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling.
Conclusion
Ricky Starks has proven himself as one of the most talented wrestlers in the industry. With his AEW success and a fresh start in WWE, he is set to become a major star in professional wrestling.
NOTE: This article is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to verify details independently.
