The Mania hangover ends with a bang
The post-WrestleMania era is always a volatile period for the WWE roster. After the dust settled at Allegiant Stadium, the rumor mill shifted from match results to roster moves. We already saw the first wave on Raw, where Sol Ruca and Ethan Page made their presence known to the Monday night audience. Now, all eyes turn to the blue brand for the April 24 edition of Friday Night SmackDown.
A report from WrestleTalk suggests that WWE is planning six major debuts across the week. With two already in the books, four spots remain for tonight's broadcast. The name at the top of every internal sheet and betting site is Ricky Starks. The 'Absolute' one has been the subject of intense speculation for over eighteen months, and the timing finally aligns for a career-defining jump.
From the collision to the blue brand
Starks' trajectory has been one of the most frustrating and fascinating stories in the industry. He went from being a cornerstone of the NWA reboot to a breakout star in AEW. His strap match against Bryan Danielson at All Out 2023 proved he could hang with the best in the world. He took a brutal beating, showing a level of grit that many critics thought he lacked. It was a 15-minute masterclass in storytelling and physical sacrifice.
However, the latter half of 2024 and most of 2025 saw Starks drift into the background. His television time plummeted, and he became the poster child for the 'rotation' policy that has hindered many mid-card talents. While he never lost his charisma, his momentum was actively sabotaged by a lack of consistent creative direction. Rumors of his contract expiration have circulated since January, and his absence from recent major events was a loud signal that his time was up.
The Cody Rhodes connection
It is no secret that Starks shares a close bond with Cody Rhodes. He was spotted backstage at numerous WWE events over the last two years, often supporting his friend during the 'finish the story' saga. This relationship is more than just a social media talking point. Rhodes has a significant influence on the current creative direction of the company, and he understands the value of a performer who can command a microphone.
Starks fits the modern WWE mold perfectly. He is a high-fashion, high-energy talker who understands the nuances of character work. He doesn't just play a wrestler; he carries himself like a superstar before the bell even rings. SmackDown needs that kind of arrogance. With the brand occasionally leaning too heavily on the Bloodline drama, a fresh, self-centered heel like Starks could provide the necessary contrast.
Why this promotion suits him
WWE is currently a producer-driven machine that rewards discipline and promo consistency. Starks has spent years honing his ability to deliver 90-second soundbites that land. In AEW, he often had to fight for oxygen in a crowded roster of workrate-first athletes. In WWE, his ability to cut a focused, logical promo will be his greatest asset. He understands how to play to the hard camera and how to sell a rivalry without needing a 20-minute spotfest.
On SmackDown, he would likely find himself across from guys like LA Knight or Grayson Waller. Those are the programs that would define his first year. Imagine a verbal exchange between Starks and Waller. Both men are masters of the annoying, punchable persona. Starks brings a slightly more sophisticated edge, often leaning into the 'Absolute' branding with custom suits and a swagger that feels earned rather than manufactured.
The technical breakdown
In the ring, Starks is an explosive athlete who prioritizes impact over volume. He uses a beautiful spear that rivals the best in the business. It is a horizontal blast that catches opponents mid-transition, often leading directly into his finishing sequence. His Roshambo—a sit-out facebuster—is a high-impact move that looks devastating on any size opponent. He hit it on Big Bill multiple times during their tag team run, proving his functional strength is deceptively high.
He also employs a rolling elbow that he can pull out of nowhere. It isn't just about the moves, though; it is the spaces between them. Starks is a master of the arrogant cover, often pinning opponents with one foot or a casual drape of the arm. These small details are what WWE producers look for. They want characters that 'pop' on screen, and Starks has been popping on screen since his days in the NWA studio.
A needed dose of skepticism
Not everyone is convinced that Starks will be an immediate main-event player. There is a legitimate concern that he might get lost in the shuffle once the initial novelty of his jump wears off. We have seen other 'hot' free agents struggle to find their footing after the first month of television. Starks is not a giant, and in a land of monsters like Bron Breakker and Jacob Fatu, he will have to work twice as hard to look like a physical threat.
His 2025 was essentially a lost year. He hasn't had a high-profile, televised singles match in months. There is always the risk of ring rust or, more accurately, 'creative rust.' If he debuts tonight and doesn't immediately strike a chord with the casual audience, he could find himself in the same mid-card limbo he just escaped. WWE's roster is deeper than it has been in decades, and there is no room for passengers.
Probability and expected timeline
The probability of Ricky Starks appearing on SmackDown tonight is 85%. All the signs point to a deal being finalized. He has been off television long enough for a non-compete clause to have expired, and the post-WrestleMania SmackDown is the traditional home for the 'big' signing. Sol Ruca and Ethan Page were the appetizers; Starks is the main course.
If he doesn't show up tonight, the only other logical window is the upcoming Backlash event in France. However, WWE usually prefers to get these debuts on domestic television first to maximize the initial crowd reaction. The Allegiant Stadium crowd might be gone, but the fans in the arena tonight will be just as rabid for a new face. Expect him to interrupt a major segment, likely involving a top-tier babyface who is looking for their next challenge.
The expected impact
If the deal goes through, Starks provides SmackDown with a much-needed injection of personality. He is a 'plug-and-play' star. You can put him in a title feud on day one, and it feels believable because of the way he carries himself. He bridges the gap between the traditional wrestling fan and the modern, style-conscious viewer. His arrival would signal that WWE is still the primary destination for the world's most charismatic performers.
The long-term impact will depend on his first ninety days. If he is allowed to be the arrogant, sharp-tongued version of himself, he could easily become a fixture of the Friday night main event scene by the end of the summer. The 'Absolute' era in WWE is no longer a matter of if, but when. And 'when' looks an awful lot like tonight.
