Steven Borden, a former NFL prospect and the son of wrestling legend Sting (Steve Borden), is scheduled to make his professional wrestling debut in October. Borden will compete as part of “52W HARDWAY: LIVE WRESTLING NIGHTS,” a unique event series that combines live wrestling with an art exhibition in New York City’s 52 Walker gallery space.
Before pursuing a career in professional wrestling, Borden had a notable football career. He played tight end for the University of Kentucky and later signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2015. His transition to the wrestling world has been the subject of reports for some time, with news indicating he has been training since last year around the time his father had his last match.
In past interviews discussing his aspirations, Borden has spoken about the desire to honor his father’s legacy while forging his own path, acknowledging the immense pressure that comes with being a second-generation performer. His father, Sting, has also commented publicly on his son’s journey, expressing support for his career change and noting his natural athleticism.
The event for Borden’s debut is centered around an exhibition of wrestling-related drawings by artist Raymond Pettibon and will feature a wrestling ring installed inside the gallery. Live wrestling matches are scheduled to take place on two nights, Friday, October 3, and Friday, October 10, 2025.
The live wrestling portion of the event is being organized by two-time AEW TNT Champion Darby Allin, a friend of the artist Pettibon. Allin will perform in the headline matches on both nights and is also curating the undercard bouts. The press release states these matches are intended to spotlight “up-and-coming figures in the sport,” providing the platform for Borden’s first professional match.
In addition to Borden’s debut and Allin’s matches, the event will feature performances from a number of other wrestlers. The lineup announced for the two-night series includes Killer Kross, AR Fox, Sid Ellington, Kiran Grey, and Timothy Thatcher, with surprise musical performances also scheduled.
The exhibition’s title, “Hardway,” is a wrestling term for when a wrestler bleeds accidentally. The press release notes this concept speaks to the heart of the exhibition, representing a “rupture—where the performative nature of the match is pierced by something raw and truly violent,” blurring the lines between performance and reality.
The debut of a second-generation athlete with Borden’s football background and formal wrestling training is a significant development. The unique setting of an art gallery provides a distinct backdrop for the first chapter of his career as he steps out from under the shadow of his father’s iconic legacy. If you’d like information on how to attend, click here.
