Ricky Saints, who won the DEFY title just a couple of weeks before making his debut on NXT, has surrendered the title as he is not allowed to wrestle for other promotions while under a WWE contract.

Saints, still using his Ricky Starks name then, won the title from KENTA on February 7 and never had a title defense.

“I wanted to give a quick message to the fans of Defy. It is an honor and privilege to be your Defy World Champion, and it was a big goal of mine to do just that when I defeated KENTA,” Saints said in a video uploaded on social media.

“But unfortunately, when opportunity knocks, I must answer. And as everyone probably knows by now, I definitely answered that knock and it is bittersweet because I have to relinquish the Defy World title,” he continued.

The promotion announced that a new champion will be decided at their upcoming Super 8XGP tournament on Saturday, March 15.

DEFY AFTERMATH

SAT. MARCH 15th | WA HALL

DEFY SUPER 8XGP will crown a new DEFY World Champion! Participants and matches will be announced soon.

Do not miss this historic event!

Tickets: https://t.co/gf7u4WnJdY pic.twitter.com/KiLUexkf0t

— DEFY Wrestling (@defyNW) February 28, 2025