WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes shared a brief but impactful reaction to the crowning of a new champion during a recent event, highlighting his support in just two words. The reaction came after Ricky Saints captured the WWE NXT Championship at NXT No Mercy 2025, ending Oba Femi‘s lengthy reign and stirring excitement among fans and fellow wrestlers alike.
Ricky Saints Clinches WWE NXT Championship Against Oba Femi
At the NXT No Mercy 2025 event, Ricky Saints faced off with Oba Femi for the WWE NXT Championship in a highly competitive singles match. Both competitors showcased exceptional skill and resilience inside the ring, with momentum shifting back and forth throughout the contest. Late in the match, it appeared that Oba Femi was on track to maintain his 263-day title reign. However, Saints managed to reverse the outcome by delivering several decisive DDT moves, ultimately securing the pinfall victory and the championship belt.
Shortly after the match, Cody Rhodes, the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion and a close friend of Saints, took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate the achievement. His succinct message, “Champ Rick,” amplified the significance of Saints’ victory over a formidable opponent like Femi, earning widespread attention among the wrestling community.
The Backstory: Ricky Saints’ Support for Cody Rhodes During AEW Days
Before his rise as the NXT Champion, Ricky Saints, previously known as Ricky Starks, showed his loyalty to Cody Rhodes during a pivotal moment in Rhodes’ career. At WrestleMania XL, Saints appeared in the audience as an AEW wrestler to back Rhodes during his high-profile match against Roman Reigns. This public show of support raised eyebrows, as Saints’ standing in AEW seemed to suffer afterward, sparking speculation about the consequences of his attendance at a competing promotion’s event.
In a July 2025 episode of Cody Rhodes’ podcast,
“What Do You Wanna Talk About?,”
Saints addressed these rumors directly. He clarified that his presence at WrestleMania was purely to support his friend and rejected the notion that it negatively affected his career in AEW. Saints emphasized the importance of genuine friendship beyond professional boundaries.
“I will never let somebody weaponize a friendship against me. If you take that whole situation out of its element and you show someone, ‘Hey, this guy got in trouble—so to speak—for being at his friend’s biggest moment of his career,’ what do you think of that? That’s a beautiful thing. Why should I ever get in trouble? Even to this day, I will ride for somebody—because that’s just in my nature,” he said.
— Ricky Saints, WWE NXT Champion
Future Prospects for Ricky Saints Under WWE’s Guidance
With Shawn Michaels overseeing creative decisions in NXT, many fans and analysts are curious about the direction Ricky Saints’ career will take following his championship win. His victory at No Mercy represents a significant turning point and sets the stage for fresh rivalries and storylines in the NXT brand. Observers anticipate that Saints’ alliance with Rhodes and his own tenacity will be central to upcoming narratives.
Saints’ rise coincides with a moment of notable change within WWE’s developmental territory, as the company strengthens its roster with resilient, dynamic performers. Cody Rhodes’ public endorsement adds credibility and momentum to Saints’ growing stature, signaling both respect and high expectations within WWE.
Champ Rick https://t.co/icsRCPqexU
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) September 28, 2025
