Ricky Saints Shares the Story Behind His WWE NXT Debut
Ricky Saints, formerly known as Ricky Starks in AEW, has become one of the most talked-about wrestlers in the industry after making the jump to WWE earlier this year. Many fans expected him to go straight to WWE’s main roster shows, Raw or SmackDown, but Saints decided to begin his WWE career in NXT, the company’s developmental brand. In a recent podcast appearance, Saints opened up about the phone call that changed everything and explained why he was okay starting in NXT rather than jumping directly into the spotlight on Raw or SmackDown.
During his appearance on Cody Rhodes’ podcast What Do You Wanna Talk About, Saints revealed that he received an unexpected call from WWE Chief Creative Officer Paul Levesque, better known as Triple H. Saints said he had just landed in Seattle and was surprised to see an unknown number calling. He explained that he always answers unknown calls because he enjoys a bit of adventure, even if it ends up being spam.
When Triple H got on the line, he expressed interest in bringing Saints into WWE and praised his talent. The conversation quickly turned to the subject of which brand Saints would be assigned to. Triple H mentioned Raw and SmackDown, but then clarified that Saints would start in NXT to develop his skills further. Although Saints was initially surprised by this, he quickly accepted the offer and saw it as a great opportunity.
Saints admitted that he was a little nervous when he heard he would not be going straight to the main roster. He even hesitated to ask Triple H to repeat what he said because he understood the pressure of such a moment. However, Saints emphasized that he was genuinely excited about the chance to grow and learn in NXT.
One of the key reasons Saints accepted the NXT assignment was because of the opportunity to meet Shawn Michaels, a WWE legend who now plays a big role in shaping NXT talent. Saints called this a major factor and said all he really wanted was access to resources that would help him become the best wrestler he could be. He described himself as a rough diamond in need of polishing, which NXT’s coaching staff is well-equipped to provide.
Saints also explained that while AEW has many smart and capable trainers, WWE’s Performance Center and NXT offer a more established infrastructure for long-term talent development. AEW, as a newer company, tends to use its wrestlers more quickly and does not have the luxury of grooming talent over many months or years. Saints feels that WWE’s developmental system gives him the chance to build a stronger foundation and improve at his own pace.
This Saturday, Saints is set to compete in a Falls Count Anywhere match against Ethan Page, the NXT North American Champion, at the Great American Bash event. Meanwhile, AEW will be running the All In event in Texas on the same weekend.
Saints’ story shows that starting in WWE’s developmental brand can be a smart move rather than a setback for wrestlers who want to refine their skills and get the best possible training. With the guidance of legends like Shawn Michaels and access to top facilities, Saints is well-positioned to make a significant impact in WWE’s future.