Ricky Saints believes that tribalism in pro wrestling can be a good thing.
After five years in AEW, Ricky Saints signed with WWE in 2025 and has quickly become a top star in NXT. Having been part of both companies, Saints has experienced both sides of tribalism between the promotions’ online fandoms. While some wrestlers think the behaviour of these fans is inherently negative, Saints appreciates their passion.
Speaking on the Battleground Podcast, the former NXT Champion first explained he doesn’t encounter the same tribalism outside of social media.
“I think it’s a little bit more sensitive and touchy just for the fact that we’re all on social media, so it’s a little more saturated. But then, when you actually go out into the crowds and you go to these live events — like in Nashville, no one cared.
“There were people who were fans of me from AEW, people who were fans of me from NWA, people who are fans of me now. They all mesh, they all share a commonality.”
“If You Ain’t Got Passion For Your Team, Then What Are You Doing?” – Ricky Saints On Tribal Fans
Saints went on to say he even thinks it’s “kind of cool” that fans have a stake in certain companies and wrestlers.
“I do think that it is kind of cool, to a certain degree, that people have such an ownership and stake in a specific company or a specific wrestler. I like the fondness of that, because if you ain’t got passion for your team, then what are you doing?”
Ricky Saints is set to challenge Joe Hendry for the NXT Championship at Vengeance Day on March 7th. Hendry accepted the match on the February 17th edition of NXT after getting revenge on the star for his attack the previous week.
H/T to F4WOnline for the above transcription.
