AEW Star Defends Attending WWE Royal Rumble

AEW star Ricky Starks has addressed the backlash surrounding his attendance at the WWE Royal Rumble 2024. In a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet, Starks opened up about the controversy and defended his decision to support his close friend, Cody Rhodes, during the event.

The Controversial Moment

Starks was caught on video at the Alamodome, heading to a bus just after Cody Rhodes competed in the Royal Rumble. The footage, leaked by an arena worker, quickly sparked debate among fans and AEW peers. Critics labeled his appearance as disrespectful to AEW’s “rival” status with WWE.

“First off, yes, I did go see a friend of mine for his match because it was an hour away,” Starks clarified. “Secondly, they caught me walking to the bus, and thirdly, somebody working at the Alamodome decided to take a video and post it.”

Double Standards in Wrestling

Starks revealed that some veterans compared his actions to a McDonald’s employee walking into a Burger King, a comparison he dismissed as absurd. He noted the irony of veterans criticizing his support for Cody while they openly discuss wrestling storylines and matches on public platforms.

“We have veterans who do podcasts and talk about angles they were in while criticizing me for walking to a bus. That’s crazy,” Starks remarked.

Cody Rhodes Takes Responsibility

Cody Rhodes later acknowledged his role in the situation, stating that Starks’ presence was blown out of proportion. Starks emphasized that his actions were not meant to disrespect AEW but were simply a gesture of friendship.

Moving Forward

Despite the controversy, Starks remains steadfast in his position, stating he would not hesitate to support a friend again under similar circumstances.

This situation highlights the ongoing tension between AEW and WWE, as well as the complexities of loyalty and camaraderie in the wrestling industry. Stay tuned for updates on Ricky Starks’ career as he continues to make waves in AEW.