logo
Ricky Saints Confirms Current NXT Star Is Also Working As A Coach In WWE

Ricky Saints Confirms Current NXT Star Is Also Working As A Coach In WWE

Yahoo07-06-2025

Ricky Saints is learning quite a bit in NXT.
WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard spoke with Saints at WrestleMania Media Day about his journey to NXT. Saints may be new to WWE. However, he has more than a decade of experience in the wrestling business, including stops in the NWA and AEW. When asked if there's a match that gives WWE fans a good idea of who he is as a performer, he had two in mind.
Advertisement
'Maybe the one in NXT would be when I won the [NXT North American] title [from Shawn Spears in April 2025]. That'd be a top one,' Saints said. 'Anything beyond that, me versus Bryan Danielson for sure.'
Saints, as Ricky Starks, competed in two singles matches against Bryan Danielson in AEW. They first squared off in a No Disqualification Strap Match at All Out 2023, and later had a brutal Texas Death Match on the September 23, 2023, episode of AEW Collision.
Ricky Saints confirms Shawn Spears is coaching in NXT
Ricky Saints was also asked if there was anyone in WWE that became a positive influence that he perhaps wasn't expecting to learn from. Saints disagreed with the sentiment and said everyone he's worked with has taught him a lot, including Shawn Spears.
Advertisement
'No, because I feel like that discredits them,' Saints explained. 'Every person that has come to me and talked to me — Terry Taylor, Fit Finlay, Matt Bloom — have been nothing but a wealth of knowledge. Shawn Spears also is a coach there and is very knowledgeable once you listen. For all his faults, he does have some good knowledge as well.'
Saints agreed that Spears might be underappreciated by some. Fans have gotten a better look at what Spears offers in his return to NXT. Spears continues to wrestle in NXT too, as a member of The Culling stable. His last match was a six-man tag team match at WWE Battleground 2025.
Watch our full interview with Ricky Saints below:
The post Ricky Saints Confirms Current NXT Star Is Also Working As A Coach In WWE appeared first on Wrestlezone.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Countdown to Kickoff: Dillon Radunz is the Saints Player of Day 77
Countdown to Kickoff: Dillon Radunz is the Saints Player of Day 77

USA Today

time2 hours ago

  • USA Today

Countdown to Kickoff: Dillon Radunz is the Saints Player of Day 77

Saints Player of the Day Dillon Radunz could be a key contributor and bolster the New Orleans offensive line. Sunday marks 77 days before the 2025 regular season opening game for the New Orleans Saints. They'll open their 59th NFL season by hosting the Arizona Cardinals. Kellen Moore takes over as head coach for the Saints, who stumbled to a 5-12 record in 2024. Offensive lineman Dillon Radunz, a newcomer to the Saints, wears No. 77 currently. Radunz is our Saints Player of the Day, as we take a closer look at his background and career. At Becker High School in Minnesota, Radunz was an all-state selection in football and broke his school's record in the shot put. He'd take those skills to North Dakota State, a dominant FCS program. With the Bison, Radunz missed most of his freshman year with a knee injury. He'd rebound to be an all-conference choice in each of the next three years as the Bison won three consecutive FCS championships. In 2019, Radunz also received 1st Team FCS All-American accolades. Covid forced North Dakota State to cancel all but one of their games in 2020. Despite that, Radunz still performed well in postseason and pre-draft workouts. It was enough to convince the Tennessee Titans to select him with the 21st selection in Round 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft. As a rookie, Radunz played in 12 games and started one at left tackle. He'd see even more playing time in 2022, making four starts at tackle in his 11 games and appearing in nearly 50% of Tennessee's offensive snaps. Moving to guard in 2023, Radunz started 11 of his 16 games played with 79% of the offensive snaps. He was a fixture at right guard in 2024, starting 15 games and playing 95% of the Titans offensive snaps. Hitting free agency for the first time in his career, the Saints signed Radunz to a one-year contract this offseason. New Orleans, which played poorly up front a year ago, has a vacancy at their left guard spot. Trevor Penning, a first round choice in 2022, has been taking snaps there this offseason after his struggles at tackle. Most assume that Penning will be the team's starter at left guard. While he should be considered the favorite, don't count out Dillon Radunz. Remember that this is an experienced blocker who has started 26 games the last two years on the inside. At the very least, Radunz should provide the quality depth that has been severely lacking on the New Orleans offensive line.

Matt Cardona Makes John Cena Post After Getting Called Out During Smackdown
Matt Cardona Makes John Cena Post After Getting Called Out During Smackdown

Yahoo

time10 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Matt Cardona Makes John Cena Post After Getting Called Out During Smackdown

Matt Cardona Makes John Cena Post After Getting Called Out During Smackdown originally appeared on Athlon Sports. WWE Undisputed Champion John Cena and TNA Wrestling superstar Matt Cardona broke the professional wrestling fourth wall over the past two days. Advertisement It all started during Friday's episode of WWE's weekly show, 'SmackDown,' where Cena faced off against Ron Killings in the main event. Ultimately, Cena lost the match by disqualification because he hit Killings in the head with his championship belt. Then, CM Punk, a longtime rival of Cena's, came out to engage in a brawl with him that ended with Cena slamming Punk through a table. As Punk laid through the broken table in pain, Cena created his own version of Punk's infamous 'Pipebomb' segment from 2011, where he let his feelings be known about his longtime rival. As Cena's segment continued, he decided to give a shoutout to three former WWE superstars: Claudio Castagnoli (Cesaro), Nic Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler) and Cardona (Zack Ryder). This caused the crowd to burst into cheers, and Cardona issued a response to the moment on X. Advertisement 'Hey @JohnCena,' Cardona posted on Friday along with an old photo of himself and Cena on Saturday from his time in the WWE. However, the callout is not a surprise because the WWE started a multi-year partnership with TNA Wrestling in January, allowing both promotions to have their wrestlers to compete in each other's companies. So far, the partnership has been primarily focused on WWE's developmental show NXT, where TNA superstars such as Joe Hendry and TNA Knockout World Champion Masha Slamovich have competed in several matches. Meanwhile, Punk is expected to challenge Cena for the WWE Undisputed Championship at the Night of Champions pay-per-view on June 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Advertisement Related: WWE Releases Unexpected Superstar After John Cena Match This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.

Released WWE star ‘hopeful' they can orchestrate AJ Lee return
Released WWE star ‘hopeful' they can orchestrate AJ Lee return

Yahoo

time15 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Released WWE star ‘hopeful' they can orchestrate AJ Lee return

The post Released WWE star 'hopeful' they can orchestrate AJ Lee return appeared first on ClutchPoints. Fans have been waiting years for the WWE return of AJ Lee, and the recently released Cora Jade thinks she may be able to make it happen. Advertisement Speaking to Chris Van Vliet, Jade stated she believes she or former NXT Women's Champion Roxanne Perez could get Lee out of retirement. 'It has to be one of us,' Jade quipped. 'I know if I can't, Roxanne can. Between one of us, I think we can do it,' Jade said. 'Whether it's her or me, I don't know which one it's going to be, but remember that it's going to be one of us. To clarify, Jade is 'making a hopeful prediction.' Nothing is guaranteed, and Lee may never lace up her boots again. We will have to wait and see if it happens. Cora Jade was recently released by WWE after over four years with them. During her career, she was a one-time NXT Women's Tag Team Champion with Roxanne Perez. Advertisement Since being released, Jade has reverted back to her Elayna Black ring name. She is currently competing on the independent circuit. Will AJ Lee return to WWE? Currently, it does not appear Lee is going to come back to WWE anytime soon. The closest she has come to an in-ring return was filming wrestling scenes for Heels. She has ventured into other mediums since her retirement. Lee was featured in Sacramento, a new movie starring Michael Cera and Kristen Stewart. However, nothing is impossible. Her husband, CM Punk, did the unthinkable in 2023 and returned to WWE. He was away from the company and wrestling altogether for several years after his initial leave. Advertisement In between his WWE tenures, Punk tried his hand at UFC and also joined their biggest competitor, AEW. Punk was with AEW from 2021-23 before returning to WWE. So, never say never. However, with every passing year, it becomes increasingly unlikely she will ever return to the ring. Hopefully, Jade or Perez make it happen. Related: WWE makes Happy Gilmore 2 MJF request to Netflix Related: WWE star Charlotte Flair can't believe we're getting NBA Finals Game 7 'on the Lord's day'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store