REVEALED: Why WWE Changed Ricky Starks' Name To Ricky Saints

Ricky Starks is now Ricky Saints, with the former All Elite Wrestling star changing his name upon arriving in WWE NXT.

Whilst any name change takes a little time to get used to, some fans were surprised at an established star like Starks having to change their name, whilst the likes of Jade Cargill and Ethan Page kept their personas when swapping AEW for WWE. As to why WWE decided to change Starks to Saints, a report from PWInsider simply states that WWE wanted a name they could trademark themselves.

Saints’ arrival in NXT has been well received, with fans mocking AEW CEO Tony Khan over his ‘fumbling’ of ‘Absolute’ during his time in AEW, whilst the NXT locker room has allegedly been very welcoming to Saints since he jumped ship.

Whilst WWE would routinely change established wrestlers’ identities upon their signing with the company, there has been no steadfast rule in place over much of the past decade. Ricky Saints isn’t the only former AEW star to change their name upon arriving in WWE, though, with the former Brian Pillman Jr. becoming Lexis King when he made the switch to NXT in September 2023.

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