Wrestling legend Sting has officially announced his retirement, setting AEW Revolution 2024 as his final match.
Steve Borden, better known in the wrestling world as Sting, confirmed the news on Wednesday night's episode of AEW Dynamite. The crowd reacted by chanting "thank you, Sting" and "you still got it" as a show of gratitude for his legendary career in the ring.
Sting, who is 64 years old, shouted out several major wrestling stars, including "the most charismatic human being" Dusty Rhodes and "nature boy" Ric Flair, as he reminisced over some of the big moments from his time as a professional wrestler, spanning back to his 1985 debut with Continental Wrestling Association (CWA).
#TheIcon Sting reminisces about his legendary career!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) October 19, 2023
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@Sting pic.twitter.com/KGHJ1pvQo1
The former world champion previously announced his retirement during his WWE Hall of Fame induction speech in April 2016, where he told wrestlers and fans in attendance that he was ending his career under the "WWE Umbrella" and that he couldn't be prouder, concluding, "this isn't goodbye, but see you later".
Sting sustained a serious injury at WWE Night of Champions 2015, and only recently revealed the extent of his suffering. Speaking on Ric Flair's To Be The Man podcast in April, the WWE Hall of Famer shared that he had "a temporary paralysis" during his ill-fated match in the squared circle against Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
"The power in my legs was just kind of going away. I felt like I didn't have control over them, and I didn't. I had a temporary paralysis, and you know, for a few minutes, I thought I don't think I can continue. I think I'm done," he explained. "Somehow or another, it just kind of came back enough where 'ok, I can do another minute or two.'"
Sting made one appearance on RAW in 2019 for the 70th birthday celebration of Ric Flair before making a surprise AEW return in 2020 after signing a new full-time, multi-year agreement. He has enjoyed a widely celebrated run with the company, but appears to be making this wrestling retirement the definitive one.
Fans have since taken to social media to celebrate his illustrious career in the ring and thank him for the wrestling memories he has created over the decades.
Sting's in-ring segment and announcement that his retirement match will be Revolution 2024 ?#AEWDynamitepic.twitter.com/uuZg2Bbly5
— Jack Cassidy (@RealJackCassidy) October 19, 2023
"The only thing for sure about Sting is my retirement, Revolution 2024, is for sure."
— ?????? (@WrestlingCovers) October 19, 2023
I'm not ready! ? #AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/3LxRSuncpZ
Everything must come to an end here on ? yet it’s surreal that my #1 favorite wrestler, Sting is retiring at 64 years of age after about 40 years (1985-2024) of entertaining millions. Thank you for the wrestling memories (especially the 90’s) @Sting ? ?? be well ??? #WCW #AEW pic.twitter.com/yOI0hgxO7o
— ???? (@iisneel) October 19, 2023
What a love letter to professional wrestling. The love from the fans, the love from the back, the love from Sting, you could feel it as a powerful, tangible thing, all around the world.
— ?Amy Nemmity? (@AmyNemmity) October 19, 2023
I'm so happy we got to experience Sting as much as we did. In wrestling as a whole, and in… pic.twitter.com/B14ulHvu94
Sting’s last match will be at Revolution 2024. Sting’s comeback in AEW has been a hell of a ride. He deserves to go out on his own terms. What a run he’s had! #AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/qor2XH7gBL
— Justin (@JustinThomas97) October 19, 2023
Been a #Sting fan since at least 1994, what a ride it’s been. He will ABSOLUTELY be missed. In my opinion, nobody will ever top the aura of 1998 Sting. Unreal. #AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/D3LQmMqAxP
— Bartley Blackmon (@Bart_The) October 19, 2023
Icon pic.twitter.com/A0VigcIR9g
— Jon Alba (@JonAlba) October 19, 2023
Sting will officially hang up his boots after his final match at AEW Revolution 2024, a pay-per-view event typically held during the first weekend of March.
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on X @AdeleAnkers.
