Ricky Starks Says He Is Equal With CM Punk In His Mind

CM Punk and Ricky Starks are set to throw down in the finals of the Owen Hart Foundation tournament on AEW Collision this week. That might be a big match, but Ricky Starks doesn’t seem too concerned about performing against an opponent on CM Punk’s level.

To generate buzz for his big match, Ricky Starks recently made an appearance on Sportsnet’s “The Big Show” with Rusic & Rose. It doesn’t seem that Ricky Starks is too worried, because he has faced opponents on CM Punk’s level before.

“I’m pretty stoked. I’m no stranger to having these types of big opportunities, especially in AEW, and I feel like every time I’ve gotten each opportunity, I’ve knocked it out of the park. So, I don’t think this will be any different. And of course, you know, it’s CM Punk, the biggest name in professional wrestling right now. And what better way to show what I have against that guy, you know?”

Ricky Starks went on to say that he believes that he is on CM Punk’s level.

“There are people who look at certain figures in wrestling as, ‘Oh, this guy.’ They put them on a pedestal, basically. To me, I am shoulder-to-shoulder with CM Punk in my head. We are equals. One thing that I do want to get across to Punk and everyone else, regardless of what has been done in someone’s career and what has been done in AEW, the fact will remain that I am a person that can stand on my own. I can stand shoulder to shoulder with anyone, and I can go toe-to-toe with any single person, microphone, or in the ring, and I feel I’ve proven that with MJF and with Chris Jericho. So, I don’t see this being any different with Punk.”

Ricky Starks has a bright future ahead of him in pro wrestling. Since he is so close to Cody Rhodes, you never know if he might join the American Nightmare soon enough. Right now, he is focusing on Collision, and it’s anyone’s guess how that match will end.

CM Punk and Ricky Starks will battle for the Owen Hart trophy this Saturday. It will be very interesting to see who replaces Adam Cole as reigning winner of that tournament.

Ricky Starks could do a lot in AEW, but does he have a World Title run in his future? Sound off in the comments!