Sting retired from in-ring competition at AEW Revolution in March 2024, capping off a career that spanned nearly four decades. Following a run that saw him retire undefeated in AEW, “The Icon” recently reflected on how his time in the promotion compared to his tenures in WWE and TNA.
Speaking in an interview with Going Ringside, Sting discussed the environment in All Elite Wrestling. He credited AEW President Tony Khan for the success of his final chapter, which saw him team extensively with Darby Allin.
“They’re all different in some ways, but the thing that I liked about AEW was it just felt like my brand. It felt like home to me. He [Tony Khan] was the best. He was phenomenal, treated me like gold the whole way through. If it wasn’t for Tony, I wouldn’t have had the run that I had, and Darby, my partner.”
A Historic Final Run
Sting made his AEW debut at Winter Is Coming in December 2020, marking his first appearance on TNT since the final episode of WCW Monday Nitro in 2001. Over the next three years, he formed a partnership with Darby Allin, serving as a mentor to the younger star while proving he could still perform at a high level.
The duo went on an undefeated streak that lasted until Sting’s retirement. At Revolution 2024, Sting and Allin defeated The Young Bucks in a Tornado Tag Team Match to retain the AEW World Tag Team Championship. Sting won the match for his team by forcing Matthew Jackson to submit to the Scorpion Deathlock, allowing him to retire as a champion.
Recent Appearances
Although retired from active competition, Sting has signed a multi-year non-wrestling contract with AEW as of October 2024. He has continued to make sporadic appearances for the company when storylines call for it. Most recently, at WrestleDream on October 18, 2025, Sting made a surprise return to aid Darby Allin during his “I Quit” match against Jon Moxley. He used his signature baseball bat to fend off Claudio Castagnoli and PAC before removing Marina Shafir from ringside, helping to even the odds for his former partner.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Going Ringside with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
