Ricky Saints, formerly known as Ricky Starks in AEW, revealed details about his move to WWE NXT during a recent podcast with Cody Rhodes, his longtime friend. Saints explained how his transition unfolded earlier this year following a significant phone call from WWE Chief Creative Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque. This conversation marked the beginning of his WWE NXT journey, highlighting the strategic decision behind joining the company’s developmental brand rather than the main roster.
How the Call from Triple H Shaped Saints’ Path
The moment that set Saints’ WWE future in motion came right after he landed in Seattle. He received a call from an unrecognized number, which turned out to be Triple H reaching out personally. Saints described his initial surprise and eagerness to take the call despite the noisy airport environment. Triple H expressed WWE’s interest in bringing Saints onboard, praising his talent and potential. However, the executive hinted that he wouldn’t be placed immediately on flagship shows like Raw or SmackDown, hinting at a more gradual introduction.
“Triple H called me. Just got off a flight to Seattle actually, and he called me and I was just like, ‘Uh,’ because I didn’t know the number, and it didn’t say Stamford [Connecticut, where WWE is headquartered] or anything so I was like who is this? And I always answer it. Even if it’s an unknown, I’ll always answer — I like an adventure. If it’s spam, let’s get to it, baby. I’m cool with it.
“So Hunter calls me. I’m getting off this flight in Seattle and I can barely hear him because the airport is so loud. And he asked me, ‘Hey, would you want to come in? We’re interested, blah, blah, blah. We would love to have you, you’re talented, X, Y, and Z.’ And I was like, ‘Oh yeah, sure, hell yeah.’
“Right as I’m getting on the tram, he says something about like Raw or SmackDown. I was like, ‘Wait, what? What did you say?’ And I was so scared to say, ‘Hey, can you repeat yourself?’ Because I know how it feels. So I said, ‘Yeah Yeah, for sure.’ Basically, what he was saying was, ‘Hey, we’re not going to put you on Raw or SmackDown just yet,’ but it could have been anything. I didn’t know. I was like, ‘Okay, sweet.’” —Ricky Saints, WWE Wrestler
The Importance of Meeting Shawn Michaels and Access to Resources
Another pivotal factor influencing Saints’ choice was the opportunity to meet Shawn Michaels, the head of NXT. This meeting signified the access to mentorship and resources that Saints felt were essential for his growth. He regarded himself as a talent with raw potential who required the right guidance to reach his full capabilities. WWE’s infrastructure, particularly the NXT Performance Center, promised the coaching and environment necessary for his development.
“But he wanted me to meet Shawn. So that was a big thing. I was like, ‘Of course I will. Like, yes, I would love that.’ That’s all I really wanted is just resources. I feel like I’m a rough diamond that just needs a little polishing.” —Ricky Saints, WWE Wrestler
The Contrast Between WWE and AEW Development Systems
In his reflections, Saints acknowledged the strengths of AEW’s wrestling talent and creative environment but noted the limitations of their development capabilities compared to WWE. While AEW has talented staff and utilizes smart wrestling minds, it lacks a dedicated facility like WWE’s Performance Center that focuses on long-term talent cultivation. WWE’s ability to invest time and resources in polishing prospective stars was a decisive factor for Saints during his transition.
Upcoming Challenges and Future Prospects
Ricky Saints is preparing for a key match against NXT North American Champion Ethan Page in a Falls Count Anywhere bout scheduled for this Saturday at the Great American Bash event. This high-profile contest represents a significant opportunity for Saints to showcase his progress under WWE’s tutelage. Meanwhile, AEW will continue building toward its All In Texas event, demonstrating the ongoing competition between the promotions.
Saints’ WWE NXT transition illustrates the broader dynamics of professional wrestling, where access to resources and strategic positioning can influence a performer’s trajectory. As Saints receives guidance from Shawn Michaels and the NXT team, his potential to become a major WWE star remains promising.
