Scott's Mailbag
Rants

Let Him Free

By Scott Keith on 22 January 2025


I can't be the only one who is sick and tired of the same Ricky Starks report that makes it way around the internet every month. Nothing has changed, it's just the same news with a new wrinkle. But the fact that it is a constant in the news cycle should mean something to Tony. Why not either use the guy and try to capitalize off the fre press, or let him go to WWE. It's getting ridiculous, and its not doing Tony any favors when there is already so many other negatives out there about AEW right now. Holding Ricky hostage is a scumbag Vince move, and there is literally no argument anyone can make otherwise to prove Tony is doing the right thing.

I understand all the people trying to discredit Ricky by putting negative stories out there to make him look like the bad guy, like he turned down creative, he is difficult, he refused to job, but if that was truth it be more a reason to let him go and not renew him. He asked Tony not to pick up his option for 2024, that's on Tony for still doing it and then being surprised he isn't happy to be there. But even then Ricky showed up to work and did what was asked. It's not his fault Edge made himself look bad calling him a midget Rock. It's not Ricky's fault someone shared a photo of him backstage at the rumble either. And the last thing you can say is he refuses to job, cause all he has done in AEW is jobs.

He honored is contract, so this isn't the same as a Fenix or someone else trying to get out of their deals. If Tony had no plans for him he should have let him walk and not renewed his contract just to hold him back from WWE. The amount of crying the IWC has done about this same stuff when Vince did it, but now defending Tony, is as hypocritical as it gets. What are your thoughts, is Tony the bad guy here?



I think Tony is definitely the bad guy if he picked up the option against Ricky’s wishes and then had nothing for him in creative. Obviously things are likely more complex in real life but that’s kind of a scummy move if that’s how it played out.