AEW has encountered challenges utilizing its extensive talent roster despite having multiple hours of weekly television.

In recent weeks, fans have expressed a strong desire to see the return of Ricky Starks, who has been absent from AEW programming for several months.

Starks’ last appearance was on the March 30 episode of AEW Collision, during which he suffered an injury scare, leading to a change in the planned match outcome.

Since that match, Starks has publicly stated that he is not injured and expressed uncertainty regarding AEW’s decision not to involve him in programming. Meanwhile, AEW President Tony Khan has publicly expressed his desire to bring Starks back to television.

Fightful has now shared an update on Stark’s status with AEW. According to sources within the promotion, Starks has turned down specific proposed storyline ideas despite conflicting accounts.

Some sources claim that Starks declined only one storyline pitch in recent months, while the extent to which he rejected other ideas remains to be determined.

According to reports, there were concerns regarding fan reaction when Starks was not booked at AEW All In 2023. This led to the development of a suspension storyline.

Additionally, at that time, Starks was reluctant to be part of a tag team and was dissatisfied with the lack of follow-up to his match with Bryan Danielson. Starks perceived the conclusion of last summer as a pivotal moment in his booking, noting a slowdown in his momentum following CM Punk’s departure.

Criticism has emerged within AEW regarding Starks’ approach to potential storylines. While some within the company have expressed disappointment at his reluctance to engage in proposed creative directions, others involved in the storytelling process had hoped to use these opportunities to elevate different characters.

Further reports suggest that there’s been internal disagreement within AEW regarding communication between Starks and the management.

Moreover, conflicting information about Starks’ aspirations has surfaced, with speculation that he may be considering a move to WWE. However, the specifics of his AEW contractual status remain unknown.

Source: eWn