Tony Khan found himself the target of fan chants during NXT this week. In the main event, Ricky Saints, formerly Ricky Starks, made his NXT in-ring debut. He teamed up with Je’Von Evans to face Ethan Page and Wes Lee in a tag team match. As the action moved ringside, fans began chanting, “Tony fumbled,” taking a jab at Khan.
The chant was a clear dig at Khan’s handling of Saints during his time in AEW. Saints was kept off AEW programming for nearly 10 months without a clear reason. He later clarified in interviews that he wasn’t injured during that period, contrary to some rumors. Fans and critics questioned AEW’s decision to sideline him for so long.
By August, reports surfaced that AEW had no long-term plans for the 35-year-old wrestler. In November, Saints was seen backstage at AEW Full Gear, sparking speculation that his issues with the company were resolved. However, this turned out not to be the case, as he remained absent from TV.
Saints finally left AEW earlier this month. Just a day after his departure, he appeared on NXT and quickly signed a contract. WWE had reportedly been monitoring Saints since last year. His debut match on NXT marks a fresh start for the talented wrestler, leaving fans excited about his future in WWE.
Ricky Saints reunited with CM Punk before his match on NXT
Ricky Starks, now known as Ricky Saints, has followed CM Punk’s path from AEW to WWE. The two share a history, having wrestled each other in the past. Their most notable match took place during the 2023 Owen Hart Foundation tournament, where Saints emerged victorious.
Later, Saints challenged Punk for the Real World Championship on an episode of Collision, with Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat as the special enforcer. Punk won that match, and a rematch was planned. However, Punk’s firing after the All In 2023 backstage altercation with Jack Perry canceled those plans. Saints instead faced Bryan Danielson at All Out 2023.
With Saints now signed to WWE NXT, CM Punk publicly supported his move on social media. Saints made his NXT in-ring debut on the February 25, 2025, episode, teaming with Je’Von Evans against Ethan Page and Wes Lee. Fans are eager to see how Saints’ WWE journey unfolds.
