Ricky Starks recently opened up about the viral WWE photo he took with his former AEW colleagues.
Starks, who now goes by the name Ricky Saints in WWE NXT, was part of a photo shared by CM Punk in November 2025. The image showed Starks backstage at Saturday Night’s Main Event XLI alongside Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, and Jade Cargill.
During a recent interview with the New York Post, Starks addressed the intention behind the group photo. He explained that he was backstage to watch Jade Cargill compete against Tiffany Stratton when he ran into CM Punk, who asked for a group picture.
“That picture was not based on us wanting to prove a point or anything. I was there to see Jade (Cargill) have her match and it just happened that I saw Punk. It was all just circumstance. It wasn’t like a deliberate thing and Punk wanted a picture, so I said, ‘Hey, why not?’” Saints said.
“I was there with my (NXT) title because I was also taking promo pictures. It just worked out. There was no ill will about it. We all know each other, we all like each other, and it was a cool moment. Look at us, we’re all champions right now. Whatever agenda people want to apply to it is up to them. I doubt anyone really cared over there (in AEW) or over here.” [H/T F4Wonline.com]
Ricky Starks was reportedly originally penciled in to face CM Punk at AEW All Out 2023. However, those plans changed following Punk’s controversial exit from the company after AEW All In 2023. Bryan Danielson replaced Punk as Starks opponent in a strap match at All Out.
At Saturday Night’s Main Event XLI, CM Punk defeated Jey Uso for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship. The show also saw Jade Cargill defeat Tiffany Stratton to capture the WWE Women’s Championship.
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