Ricky Starks Casts Doubt on Tony Khan’s Blessing for WrestleMania Appearance

Ricky Starks might have attended WrestleMania 40 with what he thought was Tony Khan’s blessing, but now he’s questioning whether his AEW boss really meant it.

The AEW star, known for his tight bond with WWE’s Cody Rhodes, joined other AEW talents like Dustin Rhodes, QT Marshall, and Aaron Solo in a private box at the mega-event. While it initially seemed like everything was cleared with Khan, Starks now admits there’s room for doubt.

Speaking with Chris Van Vliet, Starks shed light on the situation. “I was in the box, I was enjoying myself. You know who else was in the box with me? Dustin, QT Marshall, Aaron Solo,” Starks explained. “These fans had footage of me celebrating, there was no issue about that. There was no issue at all, only because before I had went, Tony already said, ‘Hey, it’s okay.’ So there was no issue.”

However, Starks then added a twist, suggesting he’s not entirely certain Khan meant what he said. “Now, if he didn’t actually mean that, okay, I don’t know—that’s different.”

Starks’ WrestleMania appearance has drawn comparisons to his controversial visit to the 2023 Royal Rumble, where he was spotted backstage supporting Cody Rhodes. That incident sparked backlash and rumors that Tony Khan banned AEW stars from attending WWE events. This time, though, Starks says he sought permission in advance, but his new comments cast doubt on just how clear the green light was.

For Starks, attending WrestleMania was a personal decision he doesn’t regret, even as speculation continues. “I was happy to be there,” he affirmed, standing firm despite any potential fallout.

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