Ricky Saints: WWE | SmackDown | Age | Is Gay | How Old Is | Height

Ricky Saints has quickly become one of the most talked-about names in WWE. Fans who followed him before his WWE arrival already knew about his charisma, microphone skills, and in-ring confidence. But since appearing under the ring name Ricky Saints, his popularity has surged even further.

Searches for his WWE status, SmackDown role, age, height, and personal life have all climbed as his profile continues to rise. His recent move to the blue brand placed him in front of an even bigger audience, and many wrestling fans now want to know more about the man behind the “Absolute” swagger. As of May 2026, Saints officially made his main-roster debut on WWE SmackDown, confronting Cody Rhodes before wrestling his first televised main-roster match.

This detailed profile covers everything fans are searching for — his WWE journey, SmackDown debut, age, height, and frequently asked questions.

Who is Ricky Saints?

Ricky Saints is the WWE ring name of Richard Starks, an American professional wrestler born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Before joining WWE, he built a reputation across major promotions, where his natural charisma and polished promo ability made him stand out.

Even before reaching WWE’s main roster, Saints had already earned the respect of wrestling fans because of his blend of athleticism, timing, and personality. He is one of those rare performers who can command attention simply by speaking.

That skill translated quickly when he entered WWE in 2025. After appearing first in NXT, he adapted to the new ring name Ricky Saints and soon became one of the brand’s most notable personalities.

WWE career: From NXT to SmackDown

When Ricky Saints arrived in WWE, many fans immediately recognized him as a performer capable of moving fast up the ladder.

He made his WWE debut on NXT in February 2025. It did not take long before he began making an impact. He quickly established himself as a confident, sharp-tongued competitor who could carry both matches and segments.

His NXT run proved highly important.

During his time there, he captured the NXT North American Championship and later the NXT Championship, showing that WWE viewed him as more than just another signing. He became a featured talent in major NXT storylines and consistently delivered strong performances.

For many wrestlers, NXT is a testing ground.

For Ricky Saints, it became proof that he could thrive in WWE’s system.

The move to WWE SmackDown

The next major chapter came in spring 2026.

WWE aired a vignette teasing Ricky Saints’ main-roster arrival, and on the May 1, 2026 episode of SmackDown, he officially debuted.

His debut was memorable.

He interrupted WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, instantly signaling that WWE intended to present him as a meaningful addition rather than a background roster member.

Later that night, Saints wrestled Rhodes in his first SmackDown match. Although he lost, the debut still generated major buzz because it immediately placed him in the orbit of the world-title scene.

That alone says a lot about how WWE sees him.

Ricky Saints on WWE SmackDown

Ricky Saints now competes on SmackDown, and that move could be a major turning point in his career.

SmackDown has long been one of WWE’s flagship platforms. For a wrestler with Saints’ speaking ability, confidence, and camera presence, it offers the perfect stage.

His first appearance showed exactly why.

He did not look overwhelmed.

He looked comfortable.

That is often the biggest early sign of future success on the main roster.

Many wrestlers need months to settle into WWE television at the highest level. Saints looked like he belonged immediately.

Whether WWE positions him as a heel, antihero, or future title contender, his first SmackDown night made one thing clear: he is not on the roster to stay in the background.

How old is Ricky Saints?

One of the most searched questions online is simple: How old is Ricky Saints?

Ricky Saints was born on February 21, 1990.

That means he is 36 years old as of 2026.

In wrestling terms, 36 is often considered an excellent age.

Why?

Because it typically combines:

• physical prime-level performance,
• years of experience,
• sharper promo ability,
• stronger character understanding.

That combination often produces the best overall version of a performer.

Ricky Saints appears to be entering exactly that phase of his career.

He has already accumulated years of ring experience, and now he has reached WWE’s biggest stage at a point where he looks especially polished.

Ricky Saints height

Another popular fan search is: How tall is Ricky Saints?

Ricky Saints is billed at 6 feet 0 inches (183 cm).

That places him in a solid middle ground by WWE standards.

He may not be among the giant heavyweights, but his build gives him versatility.

His height works well because:

• he looks believable against larger opponents,
• he moves naturally in athletic sequences,
• his body language and confidence often make him appear even bigger on screen.

In modern WWE, height alone rarely determines star power.

Presence matters more.

Ricky Saints has plenty of that.

Why fans are paying attention to Ricky Saints

There are many talented wrestlers in WWE.

Not all of them stand out immediately.

Ricky Saints does.

1. Elite promo ability

Saints has long been praised for his microphone work.

He sounds natural, not rehearsed.

That makes a huge difference in wrestling, where personality often matters as much as athleticism.

2. Main-event confidence

Even in short segments, he projects confidence.

That quality was obvious during his SmackDown confrontation with Cody Rhodes.

3. Strong wrestling fundamentals

He blends athletic offense with good pacing and timing.

That makes him adaptable against different opponents.

4. Natural charisma

Some performers feel like stars the moment they appear.

Saints has that trait.

All of those factors help explain why fans are already talking about his long-term WWE ceiling.

Is Ricky Saints gay?

This is another frequently searched question.

As of now, Ricky Saints has not publicly identified himself as gay in any official WWE profile or widely documented public statement.

Like many public figures, online speculation exists, but speculation should not be treated as fact.

Unless a wrestler personally confirms something publicly, it is better to rely only on verified information.

At present, there is no widely confirmed public statement from Ricky Saints declaring that he is gay.

What makes Ricky Saints different in modern WWE?

Modern wrestling is crowded with athletic talent.

What often separates stars from good wrestlers is identity.

Ricky Saints has a clear identity.

He knows how he wants to present himself.

That matters.

His character feels confident, stylish, and sharp. He carries himself like someone who expects attention rather than someone asking for it.

That trait often translates well on WWE television.

Wrestlers who can make fans care quickly tend to rise faster.

Saints appears capable of doing exactly that.

Could Ricky Saints become a major WWE star?

It is still early.

But the ingredients are there.

He already has:

• a recognizable personality,
• championship credibility from NXT,
• main-roster exposure,
• strong speaking ability,
• natural television presence.

His immediate placement opposite Cody Rhodes was particularly notable.

WWE does not usually introduce a new main-roster talent in that position unless it sees value there.

That does not guarantee a world-title run.

But it does suggest WWE believes he can matter.

And in wrestling, that first impression can be extremely important.

Ricky Saints quick facts

Final thoughts

Ricky Saints has arrived in WWE with real momentum.

His move from NXT to SmackDown signals that WWE sees long-term value in him.

At 36 years old, with strong promo ability, solid in-ring skills, and natural charisma, he looks like a wrestler who could become a significant part of WWE programming over the next few years.

His SmackDown debut instantly created buzz.

That is usually the first sign of someone worth watching.

If WWE continues giving him meaningful television time, Ricky Saints may soon move from promising newcomer to established WWE star.

FAQs about Ricky Saints

What is Ricky Saints’ real name?

Ricky Saints’ real name is Richard Starks.

How old is Ricky Saints?

He is 36 years old as of 2026. He was born on February 21, 1990.

How tall is Ricky Saints?

Ricky Saints is billed at 6 feet 0 inches (183 cm).

Is Ricky Saints on WWE SmackDown?

Yes. Ricky Saints officially debuted on SmackDown on May 1, 2026.

Is Ricky Saints gay?

There is no widely confirmed public statement from Ricky Saints identifying himself as gay.

Did Ricky Saints win titles in WWE?

Yes. During his WWE run, he captured both the NXT North American Championship and the NXT Championship.

Why is Ricky Saints getting attention in WWE?

Because of his charisma, strong promo skills, confident presentation, and immediate SmackDown spotlight.