Ricky Saints‘ departure from AEW was referenced on the March 25th episode of WWE NXT.
NXT North American Champion Shawn Spears confronted Saints while he was speaking with Vic Joseph for a sit-down interview. He highlighted how he had given Saints advice over the years before he told Ricky that he was the same guy that he left “a year ago.” He then criticized Saints’ arrogance and said that he created a line of enemies everywhere he went.
After Saints made it clear that he intended to challenge Spears for the title, Spears told him that if it didn’t work out in NXT, he could “go back.” Spears then said that they both knew that Saints had burnt every bridge, seemingly referring to Saints’ departure from AEW.
This. Was. INTENSE. @starkmanjones and @ShawnSpears didn't hold anything back! ?#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/NII70fJE9L
— WWE (@WWE) March 26, 2025
Saints, formerly known as Ricky Saints, had been with AEW for several years. He had been absent from AEW programming for the majority of 2024. The company reportedly exercised a contract option to extend his deal, but his absence continued. He finally left the company in February 2025 and signed with WWE. He made his NXT debut on the February 11th episode of WWE NXT, and he has been a featured member of the roster ever since.
