AEW Star Ricky Starks Details Close Bond With WWE Champ Cody Rhodes: Is A Move To WWE A Near Lock?

In a new interview, Ricky Starks detailed the deep bond he has with WWE champion Cody Rhodes, which is something many believe will be the reason why he leaves AEW when his contract expires.

The current situation between Ricky Starks and AEW is confusing at best. Despite being one of the few homegrown stars they have, the former tag champion has not been seen on television in weeks and the gifted wrestler recently admitted that he doesn’t understand why.

To many fans of the industry, the unexpected schism could be the early signs of a strategy wrestling promotions have been using for years. With a performer likely to be leaving soon, companies will take them off TV and not allow the wrestler to take their talents elsewhere on a potential hot streak.

It has been well-publicized that Ricky Starks and Cody Rhodes are friends and that was on full display in April when a video went viral of the AEW star passionately celebrating “The American Nightmare’s” WWE title win in the main event of WrestleMania 40.

However, Starks has not spoken in much depth about their relationship publicly. That is until now.

“The reality of it is that I shouldn’t feel like I can’t talk about a friend that I have. Cody has done more for me behind closed doors and for my family than anyone will ever know,” Starks told What Culture this week. “I don’t have to explain myself or justify any type of relationship I have with someone. But I will just end it to that and say, beyond this wrestling shit, he’s done more for me than I could have ever asked someone to do. So in return, he will always have my loyalty and respect because that is how I as a person, that’s how I operate.