From AEW Standout to NXT Champion: Ricky Saints’ Journey
Ricky Saints, once a fixture of All Elite Wrestling, has rapidly become the centerpiece of WWE’s NXT brand. After signing with WWE in February 2025 following a five-year run in AEW, Saints wasted no time making his mark. Within just seven months, he dethroned Oba Femi at No Mercy to claim the NXT Championship, adding to an already impressive reign as NXT North American Champion earlier in the year[2][4].
His journey, however, hasn’t just been about collecting gold. It’s also been defined by his evolving relationship with the man steering the NXT ship—WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels. Now serving as Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative, Michaels is both the architect and mentor behind the scenes, shaping the next generation of WWE stars[1][3].
Living a Childhood Dream: “It’s Still Surreal”
For Saints, working with Michaels is more than a professional opportunity—it’s the realization of a lifelong dream. “I was a big Shawn Michaels fan growing up, for sure,” Saints admitted during a recent appearance on “The Five Count.” “It’s so funny, every time I see Shawn, I’m just like, ‘Wow, this is crazy. This is Shawn Michaels.’ Every time. It’s a great experience to have because, obviously, you’re learning from a guy who has years and years and years of experience, and he’s been to the very top. If you want to say if there’s a culture shock or anything, that right there, I’m still getting used to because it’s so wild to me.”[1]
That sense of awe hasn’t faded, even as Saints cements his status as a top star. According to a WWE insider, “Ricky still gets that starstruck look when Shawn gives him feedback. It’s a reminder that no matter how high you climb, you never forget your heroes.”
Shawn Michaels’ Mentorship: Creative Freedom With Guidance
While Saints entered WWE with over a decade of in-ring experience, including notable matches against the likes of CM Punk and Chris Jericho in AEW, his transition to NXT has been marked by a surprising level of creative autonomy. Michaels, known for his hands-on approach at the WWE Performance Center, has embraced Saints’ unorthodox style and personality.
“Shawn is awesome, Shawn is great,” Saints said in a separate interview. “I remember one time Shawn pulled me aside and he goes, ‘You know, you’re not a typical babyface, I get it.’ And it’s always good to have that kind of perspective because too often you have someone’s idea of what something is supposed to be and they try and put it on you and it’s like, ‘Yeah, it ain’t working, this is a square, you have a round object here, it’s not meant to happen.’”[2][3][4]
Michaels’ philosophy is clear: “For the most part, he lets me run free because it’s easier to let somebody run free and then wrangle them in as opposed to you’re putting them in a straight box and they don’t have room to move. So I think he appreciates that and I of course appreciate it because that’s all I ever wanted. But I’m not at the point where I’m pushing it to the point where we have network’s call or something like that. Maybe one day. Who knows?”[2][3][4]
A Culture of Trust and Growth in NXT
Insiders at the WWE Performance Center have credited Michaels’ leadership with creating an environment where top prospects like Saints can thrive. “Shawn’s not just teaching them how to wrestle—he’s teaching them how to think for themselves in the ring and on the mic,” one coach shared. The result is a roster filled with confident performers willing to take calculated risks, with Saints as the prime example.
In addition to Michaels, Saints has cited the influence of coaches such as Steve Corino, Terry Taylor, and Johnny Moss, all of whom bring their own expertise to NXT’s developmental system[3]. The collaborative atmosphere has helped Saints channel his competitive spirit into championship success.
Carrying a Chip on His Shoulder
Despite his rapid ascent, Saints admits that his fire is fueled by a desire to prove himself. “Those types of feelings I still harbor because it is true, and it still is something that I’m dealing with every day when I go to the PC or, you know, when I’m talking to someone,” Saints revealed. “The fact is, I don’t want anyone to ever look at me as a lesser thing and then treat me that way. So, I’m always fighting for those things. So, the fire that you see comes from a real place because it’s still alive. I don’t think it will ever go away. And I think the day that it does, I think I’m scr**ed.”[5]
Eyeing the Future: Saints vs. Cody Rhodes?
Saints’ ambitions extend beyond the NXT ring. He has openly discussed the prospect of a high-profile showdown with WWE’s top star, Cody Rhodes—a longtime friend and rival from his days on the independent circuit. “Cody and I go way back. We’ve always known we’d cross paths again, and now that I’m here, the timing feels right,” Saints hinted in backstage conversations.
Sources close to Cody Rhodes echoed Saints’ enthusiasm, noting, “There’s genuine respect and unfinished business between them. If WWE pulls the trigger, it could be one of the most compelling stories on television.”
The Michaels-Saints Formula: The New Blueprint for NXT
Under Michaels’ guidance, Saints has been allowed to break the mold of the traditional NXT protagonist. No longer confined to a single role or archetype, Saints embodies the type of flexibility and authenticity that resonates with modern wrestling audiences. “He’s not your cookie-cutter hero,” an NXT producer commented. “He’s raw, unpredictable, and that’s exactly what Shawn wants for this era of NXT.”
Michaels’ willingness to let Saints “run free,” as he puts it, has paid dividends both in ratings and in the locker room. Saints’ success story is being held up as proof that WWE’s developmental system, when trusted to nurture individuality, can produce bonafide stars ready for the global stage[4].
Backstage Quote: The Respect Is Mutual
In a candid backstage moment, Saints reflected on the unique dynamic he shares with Michaels: “There’s not a day I walk into the Performance Center where I don’t learn something new from Shawn. Sometimes it’s wrestling, sometimes it’s life. I’m still in awe every day, but I know I’m here for a reason. He trusts me to be myself, and that’s all I ever wanted.”
The Road Ahead
With his NXT Championship reign in full swing and the unwavering support of Shawn Michaels, Ricky Saints stands poised to define the next chapter of WWE’s rising stars. As both a student of the game and a trailblazer, Saints’ partnership with Michaels is proving to be one of the most exciting—and productive—mentor-protégé pairings in recent NXT history.
Fans are watching closely as Saints continues to break barriers, with many already speculating about his eventual move to WWE’s main roster. For now, though, Ricky Saints is living his dream—and making sure the world knows exactly who he is.