Internal Reaction to Ricky Saints WWE NXT Arrival So Far

Ricky Saints, formerly known as Ricky Starks, is already making big moves in WWE NXT, and his transition from All Elite Wrestling to WWE is proving to be a smooth one.

According Chris Featherstone on Backstage Pass, Saints has been “well received backstage in the company,” and despite his fast rise in NXT, he hasn’t drawn any heat behind the scenes.

Saints’ jump to WWE had been in the works for some time, with the former AEW World Tag Team Champion growing noticeably absent from AEW TV over the last year. Now that he’s in NXT, he’s already being positioned for major success. He’s expected to be a key player in the NXT Championship picture, and many believe he’ll reach main-event status in WWE—something that never fully materialized under Tony Khan’s watch.

It’s also no secret that Saints has connections in high places. He’s close friends with CM Punk and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, which could give him an extra boost as he moves up the ranks.

As for his new name, WWE changed it because they wanted a name they could trademark. Saints himself chose the name as a tribute to his hometown, New Orleans, tying it to the city’s culture, football team, and French influence while keeping it similar to Starks.

Saints made his NXT in-ring debut on February 25, teaming up with Je’Von Evans to take down Ethan Page and Wes Lee in tag team action. With a strong debut and a major push on the horizon, his WWE career is already off to a promising start.