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Ricky Starks is speaking out about the backlash he faced after attending WWE’s Royal Rumble last year to support his friend Cody Rhodes. While the move seemed harmless, Starks revealed during an interview with Chris Van Vliet that some of his peers in AEW took issue with his presence, calling it disrespectful to the business.
Starks explained his intentions, stating that the Rumble was just an hour away and he wanted to cheer on Cody Rhodes, who was wrestling that night. However, the trip became a controversy when a worker at the Alamodome captured him on video heading toward a bus. The footage leaked online, sparking criticism.
“First off, yes, I did go see a friend of mine for his match because it was an hour away. Secondly, they caught me walking to the bus, and thirdly, somebody working at the Alamodome decided to take a video and that screenshot and post it,” Starks shared.
Despite respecting wrestling traditions, Starks admitted he was frustrated by the double standards. He recalled a veteran comparing his visit to a McDonald’s employee showing up at Burger King, an analogy Starks found laughable given how some veterans openly discuss storylines and matches on podcasts.
“Mind you, Chris, I am very respectful of wrestling traditions and hierarchy, but the very minute I am disrespected, you do not get that back. I remember a veteran telling me, ‘You think a McDonald’s worker gonna go across the street to Burger King, that’s such a bad look on the business.’
And I’m like, we have veterans that do podcasts, where they openly talk about the storylines they’re in currently, how they did a match, and they’re telling me that walking to a bus on security footage, that is more disrespectful to the business than them being on a podcast and being like, ‘Well, this is the idea that we had about this angle.’ Give me a break, y’all are crazy.”
Cody Rhodes later took responsibility for the situation, acknowledging that his friend’s attendance was blown out of proportion. Starks, however, stands firm, believing he did nothing wrong by supporting a friend.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
What do you think of Ricky Starks’ defense? Was attending the Royal Rumble a harmless gesture, or should he have stayed away? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
November 26, 2024 6:08 am
Subhojeet, a professional wrestling fan for over 20+ years, found his passion during the Monday Night Wars. With expertise honed over decades and a broad spectrum of interests including TV, movies, anime, novels, and music, he offers insightful analysis and coverage. Respected in the industry, Subhojeet keeps fans informed and engaged with his knowledge and perspective.
