Ricky Saints is a rising WWE NXT star who switched from AEW as Ricky Starks and quickly grabbed titles like the NXT North American and NXT Championships. He’s got that cocky vibe, killer moves, and a record of 158 wins in 256 matches as of 2026 estimates.
Ricky Saints’ Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Richard Starks |
| Ring Name/Nickname | Ricky Saints (Absolute, Stroke Daddy) |
| Date of Birth | February 21, 1990 |
| Age | 36 years |
| Birthplace | New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| Religion | N/A |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6’0″ (183 cm) |
| Weight | 194 lbs (88 kg) |
| WWE Debut | February 11, 2025 (NXT) |
| Trained By | Mr. Mexico II |
| Net Worth | $1.5 million |
| Contract | Signed with WWE NXT |
| Salary | N/A |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Spouse | N/A |
| Children | N/A |
| Instagram Profile | @starkybaby |
Ricky Saints keeps his personal life low-key, focusing mostly on his wrestling grind. No kids or spouse in the picture means he’s all about that single life right now. Fans love peeking at his Insta for behind-the-scenes NXT vibes.
Early Career
Ricky Saints, real name Richard Starks, kicked off wrestling in 2012 after idolizing guys like The Undertaker and Mankind from age seven. He debuted October 14 in NWA Velocity Pro Wrestling, Austin, Texas, in a triple threat loss.
Trained by Mr. Mexico II, he hit Texas indies hard—Anarchy Championship Wrestling, Inspire Pro—racking up titles like ACW Unified (301 days) and stacking experience with four WWE enhancement losses pre-full debut. By 2018, he was ready for bigger leagues.
Professional Wrestling Career
Saints exploded in NWA as inaugural World TV Champ in 2020, holding it two days before jumping to AEW. There, he joined Team Taz, snagged FTW Title for 378 days—the longest reign—won Owen Hart Cup 2023, AEW World Tag Titles with Big Bill (123 days), and battled stars like CM Punk and Bryan Danielson.
Left AEW 2025 after indie runs like DEFY World Champ (21 days). Hit WWE NXT February 2025, nabbed North American Title from Shawn Spears (56 days), NXT Title from Oba Femi (70 days), with 158 wins, 93 losses in 256 matches. Turned heel late 2025, feuding hard into 2026.
Ricky Saints’ Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Ricky Saints’ net worth sits around $1.5 million in estimates. This comes from AEW runs, WWE NXT pay, indie bookings, merch, and early endorsements. With NXT title wins boosting visibility, expect it to climb as he eyes main roster cash. No massive spikes reported yet since WWE switch.
Contract
Specific contract details for Ricky Saints aren’t public. He signed with WWE in early 2025 post-AEW release, assigned straight to NXT brand. AEW had exercised a one-year option pre-departure, but he’s locked in long-term with WWE now—no leaks on length, guarantees, or perks. NXT stars like him often roll on multi-year deals with upside for calls-ups.
Salary
Ricky Saints’ exact salary isn’t out there, but NXT talents pull solid bank in 2026. Base for developmental like him starts around $100K-$200K yearly, per industry reports, with bonuses from title reigns, PPVs, and merch pops.
Main roster jumps to $350K minimum, so his NXT North American and Championship runs likely padded it—think PPV shares from Stand & Deliver, No Mercy. Travel eats some, but wins mean extras. As a top NXT heel, he’s probably mid-six figures total comp.
Career Earnings
| Period | Key Highlights | Estimated Earnings |
| 2012-2018 (Indies/Texas) | Multiple titles (ACW, Inspire Pro), 50+ matches | $200K total |
| 2018-2020 (NWA) | Inaugural TV Champ, tournament win | $150K |
| 2020-2025 (AEW) | FTW (378 days), Tag Titles (123 days), Owen Hart Cup, 150+ matches | $1M+ (peak $200K/year + merch) |
| 2025-2026 (WWE NXT) | North American (56 days), NXT Champ (70 days), 20+ matches, wins vs. Spears/Page/Femi | $400K+ (base + PPV bonuses) |
| Total Career | 158 wins, 10+ titles | $1.75M+ |
Endorsements
Ricky Saints pulls endorsements from his rising star power, though not top-tier yet. Merch sales through WWE shop spike during title runs—North American and NXT reigns moved Absolute tees big.
Early AEW days had brand deals boosting his $1.5M net worth, like media spots and indies. In 2026, expect more as NXT heel draws heat; no big sponsors named, but wrestling adjacents like fitness gear fit his allrounder style. Growth tied to main roster push.
Achievements
| Notable Opponents | Key Matches/Results | Achievements |
| Shawn Spears | Win North American Title (Apr 1, 2025) | NXT North American Champ (56 days) |
| Ethan Page | Tag win debut, title defenses/loss (2025) | NXT Champ (70 days vs. Oba Femi) |
| Oba Femi | Win NXT Title No Mercy (Sep 2025) | FTW Champ AEW (378 days, longest) |
| Bryan Danielson | Losses 2023 strap match | AEW World Tag Champ w/Big Bill (123 days) |
| CM Punk | Win Owen Hart finals (2023), loss Real World | Owen Hart Cup Winner (2023) |
| Powerhouse Hobbs | Multiple wins/losses Team Taz fallout | NWA World TV Inaugural (2020) |
| Chris Jericho | Wins 2023 feud | DEFY World Champ (21 days, 2025) |
| MJF | Loss World Title shot Winter is Coming | ACW Unified (301 days) |
FAQs
1. Who is WWE Superstar Ricky Saints?
Ricky Saints is the current ring name of wrestler Ricky Starks, an American professional wrestler signed to WWE where he performs on the NXT brand. He is known for his calm, confident persona, taekwondo‑based offense, and striking style.
2. What is Ricky Saints’ real name and age?
Ricky Saints’ real name is Ricky Starks, and he is 35 years old. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the United States.
3. How tall and how heavy is Ricky Saints?
Ricky Saints is 6 feet 0 inches (183 cm) tall and weighs 194 pounds (88 kg). He uses this lean but muscular frame to emphasize agility and kicks in his matches.
4. When did Ricky Saints make his professional wrestling debut?
Ricky Saints made his professional wrestling debut in October 2011 and has wrestled for over 14 years across independent promotions, AEW, and now WWE. His experience shows in his technical striking and ring psychology.
5. What notable titles has Ricky Saints won in WWE?
On WWE’s NXT brand, Ricky Saints has won the NXT North American Championship and is a former NXT Champion. These reigns established him as a top singles act in the developmental division.
6. What are Ricky Saints’ signature and finishing moves?
Ricky Saints’ signature moves include the Famous Amos (legdrop bulldog), Roshambo (sit‑out dominator), the Spear, and the Buster Keaton (double underhook facebuster). His finishing repertoire often varies match‑to‑match but centers around high‑impact strikes and power moves.
7. Where was Ricky Saints born and where does he live now?
Ricky Saints was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. He is currently based out of Austin, Texas, where he continues to train and perform while maintaining his social‑media presence from that city.
8. What was Ricky Saints’ career before joining WWE?
Before WWE, Ricky Saints was best known as Ricky Starks in All Elite Wrestling, where he held the AEW TNT Championship and competed in main‑event‑level matches. He also worked extensively on the independent scene, building a reputation for hard‑hitting, technical wrestling.
9. When did Ricky Saints first appear on WWE NXT?
Ricky Saints debuted on WWE NXT on February 25, 2025, teaming with Je’Von Evans for a victorious outing. His arrival was heavily promoted as a major signing from AEW and marked a fresh start under the “Ricky Saints” moniker.
10. What nicknames and personas is Ricky Saints known by?
Ricky Saints is known by nicknames such as “Absolute” and “Stroke Daddy,” reflecting his overpowering in‑ring style and self‑assured personality. As Ricky Starks, he was also billed as a calm‑faced, almost “dorm‑dude” heel, a persona he has refined into his Saints character in WWE.