1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,920 Speaker 1: This is absolute Ricky Starks, and you were looking at 2 00:00:03,360 --> 00:00:10,080 Speaker 1: one of the best damn wrestlers, sports entertainers, movie actors, mottos, 3 00:00:10,960 --> 00:00:16,720 Speaker 1: philanthropists and all else above right now. And don't forget, 4 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:19,480 Speaker 1: I want you to watch all Up this Sunday live 5 00:00:19,560 --> 00:00:24,320 Speaker 1: from Chicago, Illinois. Don't forget. You're watching this on one place, 6 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:32,520 Speaker 1: only in one place, that is the Battleground Podcast. Why 7 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:35,400 Speaker 1: from the parts Unknown Studios. 8 00:00:35,280 --> 00:00:37,919 Speaker 2: Into the Dumble battle Brown Down. 9 00:00:38,760 --> 00:00:45,120 Speaker 1: Battle Ground, the Battle Round, the battle Ground. 10 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:48,920 Speaker 3: Welcome to the Battleground Podcast, your place for all things 11 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:50,320 Speaker 3: pro wrestling. 12 00:00:51,640 --> 00:00:57,680 Speaker 1: The Battle Road, the Battle Round, now making their way 13 00:00:57,720 --> 00:01:02,040 Speaker 1: to the microphones. Give it up for your host. 14 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:10,280 Speaker 3: What's up you guys? Welcome back into iHeartRadio's official wrestling podcast, 15 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:12,480 Speaker 3: the Battleground Podcast. And this week is a big week 16 00:01:12,520 --> 00:01:16,440 Speaker 3: for wrestling fans, uh, most notably for AEW fans. And 17 00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:19,720 Speaker 3: of course you've got ae w all Out that's happening 18 00:01:19,959 --> 00:01:21,360 Speaker 3: this week, and of course you can get it on 19 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 3: pay per view, you can watch it on Bleacher And uh, 20 00:01:24,319 --> 00:01:25,800 Speaker 3: we've got a guy that's been on the show and 21 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:28,320 Speaker 3: a lot has changed since the last time we talked 22 00:01:28,319 --> 00:01:31,800 Speaker 3: to the one and only Ricky Starks. Joins us on 23 00:01:31,840 --> 00:01:36,000 Speaker 3: the show. The area is look at that absolute, absolute 24 00:01:36,120 --> 00:01:38,480 Speaker 3: Ricky Starks. I mean, last time we talked to you, 25 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:40,160 Speaker 3: you were just kind of getting your feet wet into 26 00:01:40,200 --> 00:01:42,720 Speaker 3: aew And it's been a little over a year or 27 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:46,240 Speaker 3: so and things have changed since then. So how are 28 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:48,200 Speaker 3: you doing heading into aw all Out? 29 00:01:48,520 --> 00:01:52,160 Speaker 1: I'm feeling really good. Actually, I have revenge on the mind, 30 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:57,720 Speaker 1: and I think this is a big test to not 31 00:01:57,760 --> 00:02:03,200 Speaker 1: only myself, but a good indicator of how much further 32 00:02:03,240 --> 00:02:05,680 Speaker 1: I'm going to go, especially with all Out being the Sunday. 33 00:02:06,240 --> 00:02:08,679 Speaker 3: Yeah, and it's it's gonna be wild, and I kind 34 00:02:08,680 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 3: of want to, I guess talk about this real quick. 35 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:14,120 Speaker 3: Go take a step back. What was the experience like 36 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:16,440 Speaker 3: being the face? And I'm gonna say this. You were 37 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:21,160 Speaker 3: the face of Team Taz until the group kind of dissolved, right. 38 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:26,080 Speaker 1: I mean, hey, it is what it is. It was 39 00:02:26,120 --> 00:02:30,679 Speaker 1: great for what it was, and you know, I've kind 40 00:02:30,680 --> 00:02:33,919 Speaker 1: of moved past that. That's beyond, that's behind me now. 41 00:02:34,680 --> 00:02:39,920 Speaker 1: But being the face of Team Taz is great just 42 00:02:39,919 --> 00:02:42,440 Speaker 1: for the simple fact that if no one else was 43 00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 1: going to step up, then someone had to that type 44 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:46,000 Speaker 1: of thing. 45 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:49,840 Speaker 3: Right, And I mean it was great watching you just 46 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:52,440 Speaker 3: become I mean, we already knew you were a superstar 47 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:54,320 Speaker 3: from going back to like the days in n W 48 00:02:54,520 --> 00:02:56,480 Speaker 3: A and then you came to a W like me 49 00:02:56,600 --> 00:02:59,360 Speaker 3: and my co host Eli, who couldn't be here. Uh, 50 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:03,280 Speaker 3: we were like superstar written all over Ricky Starks like 51 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:07,120 Speaker 3: this guy, I guarantee you within the next couple of years, 52 00:03:07,480 --> 00:03:10,080 Speaker 3: we'll have championship gold. Now you got the FTW, but 53 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:15,000 Speaker 3: we're talking bigger pitcher. We're talking ae W Championship. We're 54 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:17,919 Speaker 3: talking about the you know, getting more gold around your waist, 55 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:21,440 Speaker 3: not tag team championship that's beneath Wicky Starks. We're talking 56 00:03:21,480 --> 00:03:25,720 Speaker 3: about the big deal, big gold championship. Felt for AW. 57 00:03:25,760 --> 00:03:30,480 Speaker 3: But you know, besides anger, was their disappointment in the 58 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:31,560 Speaker 3: way the group ended. 59 00:03:33,520 --> 00:03:38,680 Speaker 1: I don't think so. You know, obviously we had I 60 00:03:38,680 --> 00:03:41,680 Speaker 1: think the catalyst of all of it was Hobbes for 61 00:03:41,840 --> 00:03:45,640 Speaker 1: being frank here. But I don't think there was disappointment 62 00:03:45,640 --> 00:03:47,200 Speaker 1: at all. I think it was time to move on. 63 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:50,560 Speaker 1: And I mean, if you look at it now, doesn't 64 00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 1: seem to be much of any type of loss with 65 00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:59,280 Speaker 1: the group or with you know, the FW Championship. As 66 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:02,000 Speaker 1: we can see that as it's being promoted a lot 67 00:04:02,040 --> 00:04:06,360 Speaker 1: more now, it's being showcase a lot more than it 68 00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:08,960 Speaker 1: was when I was champion, So you know, it's cool 69 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:10,720 Speaker 1: to see that in that regard. 70 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:13,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, for sure. And of course you got your hands 71 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 3: full this week and on Sunday aw all out. If 72 00:04:15,960 --> 00:04:19,000 Speaker 3: you're in the Chicago area, you can grab tickets aew 73 00:04:19,120 --> 00:04:21,160 Speaker 3: ticks dot com, but you can also watch it on 74 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:23,080 Speaker 3: pay per view and if you're outside the country, you 75 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:26,320 Speaker 3: can watch it on Fight I do believe. So Dynamite 76 00:04:26,880 --> 00:04:29,280 Speaker 3: recently in New Orleans back in April and you were 77 00:04:29,279 --> 00:04:32,640 Speaker 3: given literally the heroes welcome, Like that was the loudest 78 00:04:32,640 --> 00:04:36,280 Speaker 3: pop I've ever heard on TV. Can you describe that 79 00:04:36,440 --> 00:04:39,400 Speaker 3: evening and the pop you received and was that like 80 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:40,840 Speaker 3: a top five moment for you? 81 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:44,400 Speaker 1: It was, honestly it was. It was a great reaction, 82 00:04:44,640 --> 00:04:48,240 Speaker 1: a great reception. Literally that arena was eight minutes from 83 00:04:48,279 --> 00:04:54,320 Speaker 1: my old home, my childhood home. Yeah, it's such a 84 00:04:54,360 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 1: special moment to reflect on, just because my family was there. Reaction. 85 00:05:01,920 --> 00:05:05,440 Speaker 1: I felt like that was really the moment of you know, 86 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:09,920 Speaker 1: just telling people higher ups backstage, like look, this is 87 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:14,360 Speaker 1: this is what you got on your hands, and I'm man. Yeah, 88 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:17,440 Speaker 1: even beyond that, you know, there's always gonna be some 89 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:21,240 Speaker 1: type of asterisk next to certain things that happened to 90 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 1: you in life, you know, positive things, and even beyond 91 00:05:25,640 --> 00:05:27,760 Speaker 1: not being in my hometown, I was still getting those 92 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:31,560 Speaker 1: those same reactions. So it was very very cool. It's 93 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:35,040 Speaker 1: hard to really summarize in my feelings of what I felt. 94 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:37,320 Speaker 1: I do remember going back to the hotel and like 95 00:05:37,400 --> 00:05:40,240 Speaker 1: just hitting my shower and just kind of crying a 96 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:45,279 Speaker 1: bit because of the full circle type ordeal, you know, 97 00:05:45,800 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 1: being I only watch rest of my entire life, so 98 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:50,640 Speaker 1: to do that and then come back and wrestle on 99 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:52,720 Speaker 1: my hometown was just bizarre. 100 00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:56,400 Speaker 3: It was insane, Right, what did what did your family? 101 00:05:57,000 --> 00:05:59,320 Speaker 3: What was their reaction about to the whole evening? 102 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:02,560 Speaker 1: They loved it. They had so much fun. They it 103 00:06:02,600 --> 00:06:05,599 Speaker 1: was a blast to see me perform. I think that 104 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:07,880 Speaker 1: was their first time, all of them, well, it would 105 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:10,280 Speaker 1: be the second time, but that was their second time 106 00:06:10,320 --> 00:06:15,080 Speaker 1: altogether seeing me perform live in such a bigger, you know, 107 00:06:15,120 --> 00:06:17,839 Speaker 1: a bigger setting. I think the first time they saw 108 00:06:17,880 --> 00:06:21,320 Speaker 1: me was at some convention show in Vegas where I 109 00:06:21,320 --> 00:06:24,600 Speaker 1: wrestled Sam Maycavara and before me and Samy Gavara went out. 110 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:28,040 Speaker 1: They showed a twenty Guy tribute video package of all 111 00:06:28,040 --> 00:06:31,080 Speaker 1: the people that passed away and kind of killed the crowd. 112 00:06:31,160 --> 00:06:33,400 Speaker 1: So that was their first intro to see me wrestle. 113 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:37,400 Speaker 1: But yeah, I'm glad that we can change. 114 00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 3: That for sure. For sure, and of course they got 115 00:06:39,279 --> 00:06:43,160 Speaker 3: to witness it and it just went completely nuts at 116 00:06:43,240 --> 00:06:46,640 Speaker 3: that show. So let's kind of focus on what's happening 117 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:48,960 Speaker 3: in the current day right now. I mean, you and 118 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:52,200 Speaker 3: Hobbs quite the duo, even competing for the world tag 119 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:55,839 Speaker 3: team titles not too long ago. What was your initial 120 00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:59,120 Speaker 3: thought of Hobbs and what drew you two together? 121 00:07:00,320 --> 00:07:02,839 Speaker 1: Well, I think what drew together was just the the 122 00:07:03,040 --> 00:07:08,400 Speaker 1: addition of teams has off the bet. But but uh, 123 00:07:08,839 --> 00:07:13,160 Speaker 1: you know, Hobbs is a he has a I don't 124 00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:16,520 Speaker 1: not explain. He has a very strong presence sometimes and 125 00:07:17,120 --> 00:07:21,760 Speaker 1: he's you would think he's this evil, menacing guy on 126 00:07:21,840 --> 00:07:24,400 Speaker 1: the front, but then on the back end, he's like 127 00:07:24,560 --> 00:07:29,040 Speaker 1: he's actually very intelligent and very caring. So you know, 128 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:32,320 Speaker 1: I think that's what really helped out that whole type 129 00:07:32,320 --> 00:07:34,920 Speaker 1: of tandem between me and him, And then there was 130 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:39,120 Speaker 1: there was a genuine friendship between me and him, so, 131 00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:41,800 Speaker 1: you know, stuff like that. But as you can tell, 132 00:07:41,840 --> 00:07:44,760 Speaker 1: what happens in wrestling is that people get a little 133 00:07:44,760 --> 00:07:49,280 Speaker 1: bit greedy or they feel a little bit more what's 134 00:07:49,320 --> 00:07:53,560 Speaker 1: the word like self deserving of things, and they they 135 00:07:54,040 --> 00:07:57,440 Speaker 1: create these scenarios in their head that isn't true or real, 136 00:07:57,680 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 1: you know, or the paranoia sets in and you can 137 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:03,120 Speaker 1: see it from the top all the way to the bottom. 138 00:08:03,800 --> 00:08:05,880 Speaker 1: And that's one of the worst things to happen in wrestling, 139 00:08:05,960 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 1: is to have paranoia just creep into your mind like that. 140 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:12,680 Speaker 1: And once that happens, it's kind of a you know you, 141 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:14,640 Speaker 1: kind of self destrug. 142 00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:17,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, and that's not good heading into Sunday because it 143 00:08:17,840 --> 00:08:20,080 Speaker 3: seems like you guys know each other very well and 144 00:08:20,120 --> 00:08:22,640 Speaker 3: it seems like you might have the kind of upper 145 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 3: hand on this. So of course all Out is this 146 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:28,000 Speaker 3: Sunday live at Chicago and an all pay per view. 147 00:08:28,440 --> 00:08:31,240 Speaker 3: Your match is one of the most personal ones of 148 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 3: the night. What can we expect to see from about that? 149 00:08:34,960 --> 00:08:38,480 Speaker 3: Good Old Jr? Has said very well, could steal the show. 150 00:08:39,760 --> 00:08:42,360 Speaker 1: Well, I mean you can expect a lot of passion 151 00:08:42,440 --> 00:08:46,400 Speaker 1: from me. I think there's a lot of revenge that 152 00:08:46,600 --> 00:08:50,240 Speaker 1: I want to get out is you know, beyond that too. 153 00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:52,040 Speaker 1: I think there's a point that I want to prove 154 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:55,400 Speaker 1: a point of because I made a tweet not too 155 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 1: long ago, i want to say, earlier this year, where 156 00:08:57,320 --> 00:08:59,440 Speaker 1: I said I will never be left off the pay 157 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:02,400 Speaker 1: per view again, and I meant that, and so far 158 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:07,960 Speaker 1: I have stepped true to my word, and I think 159 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:11,080 Speaker 1: this is the moment to really prove, like, you know, 160 00:09:11,960 --> 00:09:14,520 Speaker 1: at the end of the day, I am Ricky Stars 161 00:09:14,600 --> 00:09:17,400 Speaker 1: and I have a lot of value. I have a 162 00:09:17,440 --> 00:09:21,480 Speaker 1: lot of value within myself and what I provide, and 163 00:09:21,520 --> 00:09:25,800 Speaker 1: I think due to the fanfare too, you can't deny that. 164 00:09:26,760 --> 00:09:29,079 Speaker 1: And so eventually what's gonna happen is the fans are 165 00:09:29,080 --> 00:09:32,160 Speaker 1: going to revolt and they're going to turn and they're 166 00:09:32,160 --> 00:09:36,320 Speaker 1: gonna say, hey, we demand this guy. We demand to 167 00:09:36,360 --> 00:09:38,640 Speaker 1: see this guy every week. We demand to hear this 168 00:09:38,720 --> 00:09:42,800 Speaker 1: guy talk. And when that happens, it's kind of too late, 169 00:09:42,960 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 1: you know, Yeah, the bulls are off. So pay per 170 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:50,000 Speaker 1: view this Sunday all out. It's a time for me 171 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:52,600 Speaker 1: to really showcase who I am and what I'm about 172 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:57,960 Speaker 1: in a singles individual setting a role, you know. So 173 00:09:57,960 --> 00:10:00,559 Speaker 1: I'm looking forward to it. In that regard, the card 174 00:10:00,640 --> 00:10:03,600 Speaker 1: is stacked, but she's come on, it's me. 175 00:10:04,160 --> 00:10:06,040 Speaker 3: We already know what's going to steal the show. And 176 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:09,440 Speaker 3: I mean, I sit back and think back to that 177 00:10:09,679 --> 00:10:12,640 Speaker 3: very emotional promo that you that you had on TV, 178 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:15,920 Speaker 3: and like, I'm getting goosebumps thinking about it. Like you 179 00:10:15,960 --> 00:10:18,920 Speaker 3: could see the pure emotion in that promo that you 180 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:20,520 Speaker 3: cut right there in the middle of the ring getting 181 00:10:20,520 --> 00:10:24,280 Speaker 3: prepared for this match, and I'm just like, dude, has it, 182 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:27,079 Speaker 3: Like we have established it numerous times. Everybody has said it. 183 00:10:27,559 --> 00:10:31,480 Speaker 3: You have it. You are definitely a superstar. And I mean, 184 00:10:31,559 --> 00:10:33,160 Speaker 3: the rocket's going to be strapped to your back. 185 00:10:33,400 --> 00:10:37,240 Speaker 1: It's an emotional thing to talk about my neck because 186 00:10:37,240 --> 00:10:40,920 Speaker 1: I don't think people really understand understand the severity of it. 187 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:43,280 Speaker 1: And I don't give a shit when anyone says to 188 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:47,120 Speaker 1: me that was a very a very personal and scary 189 00:10:47,120 --> 00:10:50,120 Speaker 1: thing that happened to me, and especially when you weren't 190 00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:55,120 Speaker 1: even I wasn't even in control of that, So that 191 00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:57,240 Speaker 1: that's the scary part of it, having it taken away 192 00:10:57,280 --> 00:11:01,000 Speaker 1: from you and you not be in control of the situation. 193 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:03,600 Speaker 1: So when I talk about it, that's why I rarely 194 00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:06,440 Speaker 1: like to talk about it because of it being so personal, 195 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:10,760 Speaker 1: because you know, this is really all I have in 196 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:14,000 Speaker 1: a sense, I didn't play any sports where I didn't 197 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:17,560 Speaker 1: do anything else. I'll need did wrestling. And to kind 198 00:11:17,559 --> 00:11:20,319 Speaker 1: of feel like when I, you know, broke my neck, 199 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:24,600 Speaker 1: to feel like, hey, you didn't even have a chance 200 00:11:24,640 --> 00:11:26,800 Speaker 1: to come off the line and now you're already out 201 00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:29,559 Speaker 1: that right there is scary and I don't really expect 202 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:33,000 Speaker 1: people to relate to that. But fuck man, that Ah, 203 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:35,640 Speaker 1: let's let's get onto something else. 204 00:11:36,200 --> 00:11:39,319 Speaker 3: Yeah, for sure. Uh So you know, with with all 205 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:42,679 Speaker 3: the uh the you know, after you settle your your 206 00:11:42,760 --> 00:11:44,520 Speaker 3: deal with Hobbs, you get through that, you beat him, 207 00:11:44,520 --> 00:11:45,880 Speaker 3: and we're gonna ahead and say you're gonna beat him 208 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:48,280 Speaker 3: cause we know of course, do you throw your name 209 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:50,360 Speaker 3: in the hat for a world championship match? 210 00:11:50,440 --> 00:11:53,080 Speaker 1: Absolutely so, do you. 211 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:55,600 Speaker 3: So we are we uh, because we've established we're not 212 00:11:55,640 --> 00:11:57,680 Speaker 3: going after the T and T title. We're not gonna 213 00:11:57,720 --> 00:12:00,400 Speaker 3: try to go after a tag tie too. 214 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:02,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, but we're going for the aw world as well. 215 00:12:04,440 --> 00:12:04,920 Speaker 1: Have both. 216 00:12:05,720 --> 00:12:08,600 Speaker 3: I mean you could possibly you could beat the belt collector. 217 00:12:08,679 --> 00:12:11,880 Speaker 3: I mean Kenny did it. Yeah, I mean why not 218 00:12:11,920 --> 00:12:12,480 Speaker 3: have both belt? 219 00:12:12,840 --> 00:12:14,719 Speaker 1: Why exactly. 220 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:17,000 Speaker 3: So I I see that, and I see, you know, 221 00:12:17,040 --> 00:12:19,040 Speaker 3: you kind of keeping your eye on that main event 222 00:12:19,160 --> 00:12:21,720 Speaker 3: of you know, what's gonna happen with Moxley, who's gonna 223 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:24,640 Speaker 3: come out there, What's what's gonna happen there? And I think, uh, 224 00:12:24,720 --> 00:12:26,880 Speaker 3: you know, Ricky Starks and Moxley's gonna be a fun 225 00:12:26,920 --> 00:12:29,160 Speaker 3: match to watch for that aw World Championship. 226 00:12:29,880 --> 00:12:35,480 Speaker 1: I agree, I think, uh. Also, you know, before the 227 00:12:35,520 --> 00:12:38,760 Speaker 1: injury of Punk, I really had my sights set on 228 00:12:39,640 --> 00:12:42,720 Speaker 1: getting a shot at Punk, and I still think that 229 00:12:42,760 --> 00:12:46,080 Speaker 1: can happen as well. But I feel like either guys 230 00:12:47,400 --> 00:12:52,640 Speaker 1: in this scenario I would obviously farewell with and hang 231 00:12:52,679 --> 00:12:55,160 Speaker 1: in there. There's no doubt about that in my mind. 232 00:12:56,120 --> 00:12:59,720 Speaker 3: That those Starks and Punk, Starks and Moxley or Starks, 233 00:12:59,760 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 3: Punk and Maxley in a triple threat that's gonna be killer. 234 00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:04,920 Speaker 3: And put it on a pay per view, Tony, I 235 00:13:04,960 --> 00:13:07,120 Speaker 3: know you're watching this and listening to this, so put 236 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:10,360 Speaker 3: it on a pay per view right now. So something 237 00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:14,040 Speaker 3: that's interesting. And of course we being fans of wrestling, 238 00:13:14,080 --> 00:13:18,200 Speaker 3: and you see all the chatter on the IWC about 239 00:13:18,320 --> 00:13:22,600 Speaker 3: the backstage environment that's been a big topic lately after 240 00:13:22,679 --> 00:13:24,920 Speaker 3: hearing everybody talking about it, you could tell that there's 241 00:13:24,920 --> 00:13:27,839 Speaker 3: something different than what people are reading online. What has 242 00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:30,680 Speaker 3: the locker room been like since you joined AEW and 243 00:13:30,679 --> 00:13:33,559 Speaker 3: what is your response to the good old IWC chatter 244 00:13:33,559 --> 00:13:34,960 Speaker 3: about issues behind the scenes. 245 00:13:35,640 --> 00:13:40,560 Speaker 1: Well, the locker room has definitely changed. I mean, where 246 00:13:40,559 --> 00:13:44,720 Speaker 1: we were once really really close, we've expanded that and 247 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:47,040 Speaker 1: we're still closed, but we just have more people in 248 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:49,440 Speaker 1: the family now, more people that sit at the table. 249 00:13:51,840 --> 00:13:57,920 Speaker 1: I definitely think that the drama of the backstage stuff, 250 00:13:59,120 --> 00:14:02,840 Speaker 1: while it does is you know, peak the interest of 251 00:14:02,840 --> 00:14:06,960 Speaker 1: people online and whatnot. I fucking hate it. And the 252 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:10,120 Speaker 1: reason I hate it is because it kind of overshadows 253 00:14:10,120 --> 00:14:14,839 Speaker 1: some of the stuff that happens on TV, and for 254 00:14:14,920 --> 00:14:19,520 Speaker 1: that I'd rather not be involved with it. You know. Yeah, 255 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:22,520 Speaker 1: but we have people backstage who have loose lips, and 256 00:14:22,680 --> 00:14:25,880 Speaker 1: that's what happens. And now we have created the scenario 257 00:14:25,880 --> 00:14:31,280 Speaker 1: where we just have all the rumors and speculations because 258 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 1: that's all it is. I promise you what you read 259 00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:36,720 Speaker 1: is not is not necessarily true. 260 00:14:36,760 --> 00:14:39,040 Speaker 3: Right, And of course you can't believe everything you read 261 00:14:39,080 --> 00:14:42,480 Speaker 3: on the internet. You just see stuff people, there's something 262 00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:43,120 Speaker 3: going on there. 263 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:45,280 Speaker 1: You know in this day and age, people do, especially 264 00:14:45,320 --> 00:14:49,720 Speaker 1: if the the main credible sources nowadays is TikTok or Twitter. 265 00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:53,760 Speaker 3: So yeah, that's where everybody gets their information. Now. Of 266 00:14:53,760 --> 00:14:57,200 Speaker 3: course we're talking of Ricky Stark's absolute Ricky starks aw 267 00:14:58,080 --> 00:15:00,640 Speaker 3: all Out is happening this Sunday. You could still grab 268 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:03,360 Speaker 3: tickets aw tics dot com ticket Match, you can watch 269 00:15:03,360 --> 00:15:06,080 Speaker 3: it on pay per view. So this is kind of 270 00:15:06,080 --> 00:15:08,160 Speaker 3: a fun question we'd like to ask everybody. Since Tony 271 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:12,080 Speaker 3: has coined this forbidden door talk, he's gonna coined that phrase, 272 00:15:12,560 --> 00:15:14,680 Speaker 3: do you want to showcase your talents in places like 273 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:18,200 Speaker 3: New Japan, Triple A or other incredible companies around the world. 274 00:15:18,440 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, for sure, New Japan. I've gone on record 275 00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:26,800 Speaker 1: to say the night though, would be very great opponent 276 00:15:26,920 --> 00:15:31,720 Speaker 1: to have, you know, in Mexico. If this was like 277 00:15:34,240 --> 00:15:36,560 Speaker 1: eight years ago, ten years ago, I would have definitely 278 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:39,120 Speaker 1: said lasamble. But I can do that now since he 279 00:15:39,160 --> 00:15:44,120 Speaker 1: already works for aw so that those would probably be 280 00:15:44,160 --> 00:15:47,000 Speaker 1: the main one, main ones that I would think of. 281 00:15:48,320 --> 00:15:51,080 Speaker 1: I'm trying to think of some other ones forbidden Door 282 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:57,320 Speaker 1: style New Japan primarily. That's really yeah, that's really it. 283 00:15:57,680 --> 00:16:01,400 Speaker 1: I'm not big into like the you know, the oh 284 00:16:01,480 --> 00:16:04,840 Speaker 1: I'm gonna cross over here and rest with That's all right, 285 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:08,280 Speaker 1: it's all whatever. I feel like, whatever happens in terms 286 00:16:08,280 --> 00:16:12,040 Speaker 1: of who I come across, that's what was meant to be. Yeah, 287 00:16:12,040 --> 00:16:14,720 Speaker 1: but it's cool, noneless to see somebody's matchups that people 288 00:16:14,720 --> 00:16:17,800 Speaker 1: come up with or that have actually happened, especially for 289 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:19,320 Speaker 1: our last we've been indoor pay review. 290 00:16:19,880 --> 00:16:22,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, so we're we're. Those are exciting things because I mean, 291 00:16:22,360 --> 00:16:24,360 Speaker 3: as fans, you can always sit here all day long 292 00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:25,920 Speaker 3: and pick up dream matches. 293 00:16:25,560 --> 00:16:27,160 Speaker 1: And I mean, yeah, I used to do it all 294 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:27,640 Speaker 1: the time. 295 00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:30,200 Speaker 3: I mean, you play in the video games, your dream matches, 296 00:16:30,240 --> 00:16:32,600 Speaker 3: and now now with aw having a video game out, 297 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:35,000 Speaker 3: you can that's gonna be fun as well. Once that 298 00:16:35,080 --> 00:16:38,400 Speaker 3: game happens. I keep seeing all the leak well not 299 00:16:38,400 --> 00:16:40,080 Speaker 3: the league photos, I keep seeing all the photos in 300 00:16:40,120 --> 00:16:43,640 Speaker 3: the video game playing. I'm like, this looks great, all right. 301 00:16:44,120 --> 00:16:45,880 Speaker 3: And of course, me being a video game nerd like 302 00:16:45,920 --> 00:16:48,760 Speaker 3: I'm I've already pre ordered it through Amazon and everything else. 303 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:50,640 Speaker 3: I'm just waiting for it to get through the PS five. 304 00:16:51,760 --> 00:16:55,280 Speaker 3: But we asked our listeners to ask questions for Ricky 305 00:16:55,320 --> 00:16:57,160 Speaker 3: Starks and this is the fun part of the show. 306 00:16:57,560 --> 00:17:01,000 Speaker 3: So one of our listeners, Shelley C, who is at 307 00:17:01,160 --> 00:17:03,840 Speaker 3: Shelley Speak Easy on Twitter, had this to ask you. 308 00:17:03,840 --> 00:17:06,560 Speaker 3: You major aw pay per view debut at All Out 309 00:17:06,560 --> 00:17:09,159 Speaker 3: twenty twenty and now two years later, you're having your 310 00:17:09,200 --> 00:17:11,960 Speaker 3: first singles match on pay per view at All Out 311 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:14,280 Speaker 3: twenty twenty two. Fast forward two years from now to 312 00:17:14,320 --> 00:17:17,440 Speaker 3: All Out twenty twenty four. Where do you see yourself 313 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:19,920 Speaker 3: in all elite wrestling and where would you have hope 314 00:17:19,960 --> 00:17:22,320 Speaker 3: to have achieved hope to have achieved by them? 315 00:17:23,600 --> 00:17:28,840 Speaker 1: Oh? Man, that's a great question. Well I think it, 316 00:17:29,960 --> 00:17:32,240 Speaker 1: you know, by twenty twenty four, I think I will 317 00:17:32,280 --> 00:17:37,520 Speaker 1: definitely be a world champion and definitely being contention for that. 318 00:17:37,840 --> 00:17:42,320 Speaker 1: Definitely would be on a big stage wrestling, you know, 319 00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:46,879 Speaker 1: for the title, defending it or not defending it, you know, 320 00:17:47,240 --> 00:17:52,280 Speaker 1: competing for it and winning it. But yeah, that's where 321 00:17:52,280 --> 00:17:54,399 Speaker 1: I kind of see myself, Like I don't see it. 322 00:17:54,560 --> 00:17:58,160 Speaker 1: I don't see you know it. Honestly, twenty twenty four 323 00:17:58,240 --> 00:18:00,680 Speaker 1: is kind of a long time. Why she just didn't 324 00:18:00,680 --> 00:18:05,320 Speaker 1: give me twenty twenty three, But I digress. But no, 325 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:09,119 Speaker 1: I think by twenty twenty four I'll be I'll be 326 00:18:09,200 --> 00:18:12,639 Speaker 1: primed up, be ready. I just hate the idea of waiting, 327 00:18:12,800 --> 00:18:13,200 Speaker 1: that's all. 328 00:18:13,880 --> 00:18:16,040 Speaker 3: I don't blame you there. Well, speaking of waiting, I 329 00:18:16,080 --> 00:18:17,240 Speaker 3: don't want to take up too much of your time. 330 00:18:17,240 --> 00:18:19,439 Speaker 3: I know you got to get ready to get this weekend. 331 00:18:19,560 --> 00:18:21,560 Speaker 3: So one last thing before I let you go. Where's 332 00:18:21,560 --> 00:18:24,120 Speaker 3: the best place people can find you at online social media? 333 00:18:24,160 --> 00:18:26,520 Speaker 3: Where's the best place you want to tell people? Easy? 334 00:18:26,760 --> 00:18:30,520 Speaker 1: Okay? So before I start, it, says Ricky Stark. And 335 00:18:30,560 --> 00:18:33,359 Speaker 1: I was in control of putting my display name it, 336 00:18:33,400 --> 00:18:35,800 Speaker 1: and I promise you I did add the S, so 337 00:18:35,840 --> 00:18:38,400 Speaker 1: I don't know why it did not show up there. 338 00:18:38,680 --> 00:18:42,920 Speaker 1: But you can find me on Twitter at starkman Jones, 339 00:18:43,840 --> 00:18:45,600 Speaker 1: or you can find me on my Instagram, which is 340 00:18:45,600 --> 00:18:49,919 Speaker 1: a little bit more aesthetically pleasing. And that's that starky babing. 341 00:18:50,760 --> 00:18:52,400 Speaker 1: Those are the two spots you can find me if 342 00:18:52,400 --> 00:18:55,800 Speaker 1: it doesn't have my verified check to it. Do not 343 00:18:55,880 --> 00:18:59,240 Speaker 1: respond to those asking for you to send the money 344 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:02,440 Speaker 1: or whatnot, because I don't want to hear you complain 345 00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:04,520 Speaker 1: on Twitter about how you got ripped off by this 346 00:19:04,560 --> 00:19:09,359 Speaker 1: fake account when you know, yeah, the blue check's there, 347 00:19:09,840 --> 00:19:11,800 Speaker 1: the blue check is there, and that is the purpose 348 00:19:11,840 --> 00:19:16,439 Speaker 1: of the blue check is to make sure we filter 349 00:19:16,560 --> 00:19:19,160 Speaker 1: out these fake accounts looking for money. I will never 350 00:19:19,320 --> 00:19:23,160 Speaker 1: ask any fan or anybody for money, even if I'm 351 00:19:23,200 --> 00:19:26,720 Speaker 1: at my last dollar. Okay, just put that in the 352 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:31,040 Speaker 1: sheets for me. You'll never hear hanhandle for money. 353 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:33,600 Speaker 3: You heard it right there. So if it's not a 354 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:36,439 Speaker 3: blue check mark and it's in your DMS, just completely 355 00:19:36,680 --> 00:19:40,639 Speaker 3: ignore it, don't look at it, don't even respond to you. 356 00:19:41,040 --> 00:19:42,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, just report it. 357 00:19:44,040 --> 00:19:46,399 Speaker 3: Well, absolute Ricky Starks. It's honing to have you on 358 00:19:46,440 --> 00:19:48,480 Speaker 3: the show again. Of course we had you on not 359 00:19:48,560 --> 00:19:50,439 Speaker 3: too long ago. A lot of things have changed for 360 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:52,920 Speaker 3: the good and uh looking forward to you getting that 361 00:19:53,040 --> 00:19:55,679 Speaker 3: dub on Sunday against Powerhouse Hobbs and then you go 362 00:19:55,760 --> 00:19:59,840 Speaker 3: on to claiming gold and get that aw World championship 363 00:19:59,840 --> 00:20:03,919 Speaker 3: though World supremacy, Yes, sir, taking over the world. 364 00:20:04,720 --> 00:20:07,719 Speaker 2: We hope you enjoyed today's episode of the Battleground Podcast. 365 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:10,359 Speaker 2: Make sure you give it five stars and a nice review. 366 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:12,920 Speaker 2: To stay up to date with the show, follow them 367 00:20:12,960 --> 00:20:27,520 Speaker 2: at Battleground Podcast on Instagram.