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Ricky Starks looks to be on the verge of becoming a top star in AEW if his current trajectory continues, with him being on the rise ever since his debut with the company, developing from a cocky FTW Champion to an impassioned babyface. However, his wrestling journey started well before AEW, stretching all the way back to when he was an enhancement talent for WWE. Many familiar faces began their career as background characters or jobbers, before eventually finding a platform to make a name for themselves elsewhere and breaking out as a star or at the very least as a recognisable talent.

Ricky Starks Wrestled His First Ever Match In WWE

Whilst most wrestlers build their way up on the independent circuit in order to find themselves on WWE TV, Ricky Starks’ first ever official professional wrestling match actually took place on SmackDown, in a two-on-one handicap match against Jinder Mahal, where Starks and his partner were easily beaten in under a minute. Following on from this appearance, Starks would begin wrestling in the likes of the NWA over the next few years, growing steadily as a performer.

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Jinder Mahal & Ricky Starks WWE Smackdown

He would turn up in WWE not long after though - this time not in a match, but in a backstage segment. Starks played the role of a backstage employee who was pressed, bullied, and intimidated by Ryback. This segment would see Starks showcase his acting props, before being thrown and slammed right through a table to close the segment. Whilst he did his role well in both these instances, it would take Starks until 2016 to make his next WWE appearance.

Ricky Starks Became A Semi-Regular Enhancement Talent For WWE

In 2016, Starks turned up on an episode of NXT, once again as a jobber, despite a rising status in professional wrestling since the last time he was in WWE. Starks and a tag team partner were used to put over Enzo Amore and Big Cass in a quick tag team match which lasted around two minutes. Later on that year, Starks showed up on Main Event - a show which is often neglected by WWE and often ignored by fans. He came up against one of the most recognisable WWE stars of all time - Kane. However, this appearance was short-lived as Starks was completely squashed and beaten with ease.

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Over the next year or so, Ricky Starks would team up with Aaron Solow on the independent scene, becoming an entertaining young duo with plenty of promise. However, when it came to Starks’ next appearance in WWE, they were presented as just jobbers. In January 2018, Starks’ final WWE match would take place as he and Solow teamed up to take on The Revival, in what was another showcase for a full-time WWE talent, with The Revival handily winning in around ninety seconds.

Ryback & Ricky Starks WWE Raw

This loss wouldn’t mark Starks’ final WWE appearance though, as he would return two months later, this time in the role of a US Marshal who was sent out to deal with Roman Reigns in the lead-up to his WrestleMania clash with Brock Lesnar. Starks would be on the receiving end of a beating, as most security personnel often do when it comes to WWE. Not long after this, Starks would officially sign with the NWA, and whilst his appearances on WWE television were minimal, he always did a great job.

Ricky Starks Isn’t The Only AEW Name To Act As WWE Enhancement Talent

With Starks always making his opponents look good, it is likely the reason as to why he became a semi-regular jobber in WWE, returning more often than most do when it comes to enhancement talent. Even though WWE didn’t see him in any sort of prominent role, being an enhancement talent in the world’s biggest professional wrestling company is likely a good experience and something to add to the résumé.

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Ricky Starks FTW Champion

When looking at some of the AEW roster, there are plenty of names who were in Starks’ position once too. The likes of Jon Silver, Alex Reynolds, Matt Jackson, and more were all squashed once upon a time. However, it is clearly not indicative of talent - rather just inexperience and a lack of name value, as Starks has clearly shown since his time as a jobber and as an extra in WWE that he is more than capable of standing on his own two feet as a bonafide star. His time there was likely a learning curve as it would be for any up-and-coming talent, but when looking at the success he has had and the presence he possesses, it could be argued that WWE should have given him an even bigger shot, as they have certainly missed out on someone who is perfect for the world of sports entertainment.