Ricky Starks reportedly was denied AEW release after making request

Image: AEW New reporting out in the last 24 hours has Ricky Starks reportedly requesting his AEW release which was then denied by Tony Khan. The news was reported by both Ibou of WrestlePurists on Tuesday and then by Chris Featherstone on Wednesday. Ibou said “things happened” between AEW and Starks that will never be reported, leading to a falling out. He said Starks will wait out the rest of his deal and the situation “is what it is.” Featherstone confirmed the release request, saying it was “due to frustrations with the current creative process and not being used” since March 2024. He added, “I have also been informed that Starks has never turned down any creative ideas throughout his entire 10-month television absence, and he is simply just not being utilized.” When asked during media calls, Khan has never directly addressed why Starks isn’t being used. Starks himself did an interview last year where he also said he wasn’t sure. The date when he requested said release was not reported. Fightful previousl