Booker T Gives AEW Star Tips for Success in WWE – TJR Wrestling

Booker T believes a current AEW star could follow in the footsteps of another former All-Elite name in WWE.

Ricky Starks may have a contract with AEW well into 2025, but that apparently doesn’t mean he’ll be on TV during that time frame.

Starks hasn’t appeared on television since March, repeatedly denying he was injured and rejecting the chance to return to work. Despite being on the sidelines, the company has secured an option in the star’s contract to retain him for the immediate future.

While it’s something of an open secret that WWE has an interest in Starks, his contract situation means a potential deal will have to wait. Rey Fenix ​​​​has also been linked with a move to WWE and has been in a similar situation, meaning he will remain with AEW until 2025.

Booker T believes Ricky Starks would excel in NXT

During a recent episode of his Hall of Fame podcast, NXT announcer Booker T expressed his opinion on Starks and was full of praise for the star. Booker said that while he hasn’t seen many Starks in the ring, he doesn’t understand why he can’t have a similar impact as another former AEW star Ethan Page.

“Do I think he would fit in NXT? Naturally. Like Ethan Page, I think he can make a big difference to the squad. Simply because he is very charismatic. “He’s a guy who has an edge,” Booker T said.

I didn’t really get a chance to see Ricky Starks go out there and do much in the ring. But like Ethan Page, I hadn’t seen much of him when he came to NXT. However, he showed me very, very quickly – almost immediately – what he was worth.

I said, “This guy comes at the right time when guys like Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes are breaking into the main roster.” I say this is a guy who can fill that hole. He did it very, very well. So if a guy like that came along, I think he could do the same thing.”

After signing with WWE in May 2024, Ethan Page immediately found himself in the main event, winning the NXT Championship at Heatwave in July. The former AEW and TNA star lost the gold medal to Trick Williams on October 1, with CM Punk scoring the pinfall.

Meanwhile, Page will compete in the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge on the December 7th deadline. The winner becomes the number one contender for the NXT title.

H/t to Wrestle Zone