Ricky Saints WWE SmackDown Debut Plans

Published: 1 hour ago by SP3 | Last Updated: 1 hour ago by SP3

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On the April 28 episode of WWE NXT, Shiloh Hill defeated Ricky Saints in what was billed as the farewell match for Saints on the brand.

On the May 1 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, Saints will make his official main roster debut.

Considering his accomplishments on NXT over the past year, it would make sense for Saints to be used in a major way when he makes his debut on the blue brand.

Here are seven Ricky Saints WWE SmackDown debut potential plans.

7. Turning babyface

At the end of 2025, Ricky Saints turned heel for the first time in WWE after spending several months as one of the top babyfaces on NXT.

Saints has thrived in his heel role on the roster and has been positioned as one of the most important characters on Tuesday nights.

However, Saints making the move to Friday Night SmackDown could lead to him switching things up a bit to find his place on the blue brand.

Ricky turning babyface could see him being the opposition for an established heel character on SmackDown like Drew McIntyre, The Miz or Solo Sikoa.

6. Rivalry with Carmelo Hayes

CARMELO HAYES lost the United States Championship to Sami Zayn on the March 27 episode of SmackDown

On the March 27 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Sami Zayn defeated Carmelo Hayes to win the WWE United States Championship.

Since then, Hayes has found himself on the outside looking in on the title picture after reigning as champion for several months.

Looking to get back into contendership, Hayes could lay out his own open challenge to face anyone on the roster now that the United States Championship Open Challenge isn’t a thing, which could lead to Ricky Saints answering the call.

Saints facing off with Melo would make for an intriguing battle between the two men that could help them both make their presence felt on SmackDown.

5. Starting his own stable

Ricky Saints and Ethan Page had a rather brief but entertaining alliance during their final months in NXT

Ricky Saints is someone who is no stranger to factions throughout his pro wrestling career.

The former NXT Champion has formed several different partnerships and alliances from his time in Team Taz in AEW to his tentative pairing with Ethan Page in NXT.

Looking to establish himself in his new home, Saints could potentially form a new stable in his own vision.

Whether it be with former allies from AEW and NXT or some stars needing a new direction on the blue brand, Saints could lead the way for a new faction that can reach the top and help his own ascent up the ladder.

4. Reuniting with Royce Keys

Back in All Elite Wrestling, Ricky Saints joined Team Taz and would soon form a partnership with Powerhouse Hobbs.

Over the next year, Saints and Hobbs made for an intimidating partnership that came close to winning the AEW World Tag Team Championships.

Now all these years later, both Saints and Hobbs, now known as Royce Keys, find themselves on WWE SmackDown together once again.

With both men looking for a fresh start on the blue brand, Saints and Keys could reunite to take the tag team division by storm.

3. Joining forces with Jade Cargill & her new faction

Another former AEW star that Ricky Saints could rekindle their connection together is Jade Cargill.

Both Saints and Cargill have been clear that they are real life best friends who have been supportive of their individual careers.

Bringing their real life friendship to WWE TV, Saints could help to further enhance the new faction that Cargill has been building on Friday Night SmackDown.

Joining B-Fab and Michin, Saints could help his friend get back to the top of the SmackDown women’s scene, while Jade might look to position Ricky as a main event level male talent that can match her success.

2. Challenging Trick Williams for the WWE United States Championship

At WWE WrestleMania 42 Night Two, Trick Williams defeated Sami Zayn to win the United States Championship.

After capturing the gold, Williams alongside Lil Yachty announced that the US Open Challenge was now over.

However, this shouldn’t stop new stars from making their intentions known that they want a shot at Trick’s title.

This could lead to Ricky Saints debuting to rekindle his rivalry with Trick from their time on NXT together and look to take his newly won title sooner rather than later.

1. Betraying & attacking Cody Rhodes

Ricky Saints made his debut in All Elite Wrestling against Cody Rhodes, with the two still being friends to this day

Another former AEW star who is a longtime friend of Ricky Saints from their time in the company together is Cody Rhodes.

Seen on reality shows and social media connected to one another, Saints and Rhodes have made their friendship no secret whatsoever.

With Saints wanting to make a statement on his first night, he could go right to the top and make an example out of the Undisputed WWE Champion.

Saints betraying and attacking Rhodes would show everyone that the former NXT Champion is willing to look past his friendship to take down the top star on SmackDown and wants to become champion.