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

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,

According to a report from Fightful Select, WWE not referencing Starks by name was not a mistake or oversight, but a deliberate decision. While the crowd’s reaction was anticipated, the reasoning behind keeping his name under wraps remains unclear for now.

Ricky Starks turned a few heads with his WWE NXT debut on Tuesday night. The star didn’t take long to appear in the Stamford-based wrestling promotion after his AEW exit was confirmed.

As Ricky Starks officially moves to NXT, this WWE Hall of Famer boldly declares that the grass isn't always greener in AEW.

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.

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.