Ricky Saints says AEW chip fuels NXT title run, eyes Rhodes clash

Ricky Saints, the reigning NXT champion, said in a recent interview that he still carries a "chip on his shoulder" from his time in All Elite Wrestling and believes a high-profile match with longtime friend Cody Rhodes could happen in time. Saints, who performed in AEW as Ricky Starks before joining WWE earlier this year, described the frustration he feels as a motivating force even after reaching the top of NXT.

Saints said the tension comes from multiple sources, including reactions from fans and how some peers perceive his past work. "Even to this day, I still have a chip on my shoulder, and it's not just from one thing," he said. He added that he sometimes feels colleagues view him as lesser because of his background, and that those feelings follow him to the Performance Center and into everyday interactions. Saints said he channels that frustration into his performances and career drive.

The champion also addressed the long-discussed possibility of facing Rhodes in WWE. The two have a shared history: Saints wrestled Rhodes in his AEW debut and the pair have remained friends since. "I feel like there's so much to it," Saints said of a potential matchup, noting that their...