Oklafan.com v5 Beta > Columns

Home
Columns

Sting

Posted: Feb 28th 2024 By: Darby Allin

I have no idea who came up with the saying “don’t meet your heroes,” but they probably spent time in the wrestling business. For whatever reason, this business has a way of bringing out the worst in certain people — especially on their way out. When some wrestlers get to the end, that’s when you see a lot of bitterness and selfishness and just all-around piece-of-shit behavior. And really those guys are products of an environment. They saw the guys before them take instead of give, so they feel entitled to pass that down. It’s a shitty cycle.

When I got paired with Sting, I didn’t know what to expect. It’s funny — for weeks they had me up in the rafters, and I wasn’t sure why. You’d think I would’ve put two and two together, but I didn’t. I was just like, “Sit in the rafters? OK cool.” But then at some point someone said, “Yo….. you know why we’re doing this, right? Sting’s coming.” And I just remember thinking how crazy that sounded. Like, I couldn’t process it. STING? And in his first show back…. he’s going to have a staredown with ME? Haha what the fuck.

An hour before the show, Cody pulled me aside. He was like, “Alright. Sting’s here. I want you to meet him before you go out there.” Then he walked me over to Sting’s trailer. It happened so fast, I barely had time to remember how nervous I was. But there was nothing to be nervous about. We started talking through the segment, and it was actually wild: there was no ego from him, no big-timing, no This is how it’s gonna happen, kid. None of that. If anything, it was the other way around. He was asking me how it’s gonna happen, and if I was OK with this, this and this, and if everything was cool. We’re talking about a guy who’s headlined some of the biggest shows ever, made shitloads of money, been on top longer than I’ve been alive. He’s showing up for this massive return. And his main concern is that I’m feeling comfortable. A 27-year-old nobody who he’s probably thinking jacked half his look. I was just like, WHAT IS HAPPENING. THIS IS INSANE. HOW IS STING SO NICE.

That was December of 2020 — the start of this amazing ride.

And now that the ride’s almost over, I can tell you for sure: Sting really is that dude. For the last three years, no matter what situation we were in, he’s always been the same person I met in that trailer. And I think that’s part of why he’s done so well here. He could have easily come to AEW and just said, Fuck off I’m Sting, hit a Scorpion Death Drop or two and gone home. People still would’ve loved it. The checks would’ve cleared. Seriously, Sting had nothing to prove to fucking anyone. But he worked his ass off and he proved something anyway. To the fans, to the locker room, to the business, and I’m guessing most of all to himself. Not in some bullshit “you’ve still got it” way. But in this much more powerful way of like…. taking back what was stolen from him. Which is the right to retire on his own terms.

He went out and fucking did that.

I respect him so much for it.

And now we’re here.

Sting’s dad passed away recently, which you probably know — only a couple of weeks before his final match. You probably also know that Sting’s sons have been a part of this story we’ve been telling over the last month and a half. And I’ve been thinking a lot about that as the match has gotten closer. I’ve been thinking about what a legacy is, and what a career is, and even what a life amounts to. For someone like Sting, it’s impossible to wrap your head around. The guy has been loved by literally millions of people, across five decades. He’s wrestled Ric Flair, who was born in 1949…. and Nick Wayne, who was born in 2005. There’s this hugeness to it that’s so insane. But what’s special about Sting I think is how he hasn’t let that hugeness define him. Moment to moment, person to person — he’s just lived his life, decided what’s important to him, and cared.

He’s cared about what it’s meant to be a man of faith. And his father’s son. And his kids’ father. And a co-worker to each wrestler he’s worked with. And “The Icon” to each fan who’s bought a ticket to a show. And for the last three years? He’s cared about what it’s meant to be my mentor, my partner, my friend. He’s cared about what it’s meant to be all of that — deeply. And with some fucking integrity.

That’s Sting’s legacy to me.

And that’s what we’re celebrating on Sunday.

But we’re also celebrating Sunday on Sunday. Man, I know it’s such a small part of Sting’s career in the big picture, this one match, but I’m so glad it’s happening. And I’m so glad Tony Khan paired us together, and that he’s giving Sting this incredible sendoff. So many guys end their careers on the worst possible note. Either the business embarrasses them, or they embarrass it, or both. It’s depressing. Like I said — wrestling can be a shitty cycle. And if there’s one last chapter of Sting’s legacy that gets written, I hope it’s this: Cycles can be broken. The wrestling business, it actually can treat older wrestlers with respect, and not spit on them on their way out. And older wrestlers, they actually can give instead of take. They can go out with grace and not like a bitch.

Before the match, I’m going to tell Sting the same thing I’ve been telling him this whole time — which is HAVE FUN. That’s it. That’s the one rule. Nothing else matters.

After the match, I’m going to tell him the only thing there’s left to say: Thank you.

I didn’t just get to meet a hero, I got to find out he’s a hero worth having.

It was an honor, truly. It’s been the time of my life.

To paraphrase Tony Schiavone —

It’s fucking Sting.

Supplemental Information

Spotlight in History

2003 John O'Malley def. Tyler Bateman for the ACW Hardcore Title
2003 Tyler Bateman def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
2008 Kevin Morgan became the OECW Heavyweight Champion
2014 Spike became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
2019 C. M. Burnham def. Antonio Vega for the ASP Inter-County Title
2019 Murder Squirrel became the BPW 365 Champion
2019 Karnage def. Murder Squirrel for the BPW 365 Title
2024 Brandon Groom became the BPW Lion Heart Champion
2025 Drake Gallows def. Billie the Kiid for the ASP Heavyweight Title
2025 C. M. Burnham def. Brixton Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
2025 Brixton Barricade def. C. M. Burnham for the ASP All Time Title

Week of Sun 07-26 to Sat: 08-01

07-26 1968 Fritz Von Erich became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
07-26 2020 Thorne the Hunter def. Dexter Hardaway for the ASP 5-Star Title
07-26 2024 Will Chambers def. Colton Kinnamon for the UWO Dojo Division Title
07-26 2025 Clover Botello def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
07-26 2026 Bang Bang Bennett def. Vincent Cross for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
07-26 2026 Vincent Cross def. Bang Bang Bennett for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
07-27 2003 John O'Malley def. Tyler Bateman for the ACW Hardcore Title
07-27 2003 Tyler Bateman def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
07-27 2008 Kevin Morgan became the OECW Heavyweight Champion
07-27 2014 Spike became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
07-27 2019 C. M. Burnham def. Antonio Vega for the ASP Inter-County Title
07-27 2019 Murder Squirrel became the BPW 365 Champion
07-27 2019 Karnage def. Murder Squirrel for the BPW 365 Title
07-27 2024 Brandon Groom became the BPW Lion Heart Champion
07-27 2025 Drake Gallows def. Billie the Kiid for the ASP Heavyweight Title
07-27 2025 C. M. Burnham def. Brixton Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
07-27 2025 Brixton Barricade def. C. M. Burnham for the ASP All Time Title
07-28 2002 Terry Montana def. Shadow of Death for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
07-28 2007 Shane Sanchez def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
07-28 2007 Montego Seeka def. Eric Rose for the UWF06 Light Heavyweight Title
07-28 2007 D Money def. Al Farat for the UWF06 Heavyweight Title
07-28 2017 Dean Lambert def. Father Padge for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
07-28 2017 Gemini [2nd] def. Korvin Sage for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
07-28 2017 Phoebe def. Killista for the MSWA Ladies Title
07-28 2017 C. J. Ward def. Prince Mahalli for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
07-28 2024 Brandon Barricade def. Brixton Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
07-28 2024 Brixton Barricade def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
07-28 2024 C. M. Burnham def. Brixton Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
07-28 2024 Brixton Barricade def. C. M. Burnham for the ASP All Time Title
07-29 1974 Arman Hussein def. Bull Ramos for the TSW North American Title
07-29 1978 Ernie Ladd became the TSW North American Champion
07-29 1979 Bruiser Brody def. Mark Lewin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
07-29 1985 Brian Adias def. Gino Hernandez for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
07-29 2000 Northern Threat (Luc Lapointe & Jean Paul) became the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
07-29 2003 Payton Scott & Ty Magnus became the ACW Tag Team Champions
07-29 2003 Angel Williams & Brandon Bishop def. Payton Scott & Ty Magnus for the ACW Tag Team Titles
07-29 2005 Chiquita Suzuki def. Leather for the SRPW Womens Title
07-29 2005 Anthony Jackson became the TPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
07-29 2005 Romero Contreras became the TPW Heavyweight Champion
07-29 2017 Erica def. Robyn Reid for the IZW Womens Title
07-29 2017 Legion (Rob Cabella & Shawn Shields) def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
07-29 2017 Brandon Groom became the BPPW Oklahoma Champion
07-30 2016 The Initiative (Clint Cassidy & Abel) def. Jon Cross for the UWE Tag Team Titles
07-30 2022 N'Zane def. Tego for the EPW Internet Television Title
07-31 1959 Mickey Sharpe & The Black Panther def. Frankie Kovacs & Jerry Miller for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
07-31 1964 Karl Kox def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
07-31 1987 Tony Atlas def. Abdullah the Butcher for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
07-31 1999 The Millenium Warriors (Red Eagle & Thunderwolf) def. The Casualties of War (AWOL & Shrapnel) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
07-31 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the 3DW Dual Kombat Champion
07-31 2011 3rd Rail became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
07-31 2015 Brock Landers became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
07-31 2021 Rob Cabella became the WAH Spotlight Champion
07-31 2021 Brawler Morrison became the WAH Living Hope Champion
07-31 2021 Rejecs LM (Dr. Corvus & Elijah Sparks) def. Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
07-31 2021 Sam Stackhouse def. Cody Burns for the WAH Heavyweight Title
08-01 1979 Angelo Mosca def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Brass Knucks Title
08-01 1980 Kerry Von Erich & Sweet Brown Sugar def. Stan Stasiak & Tim Brooks for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
08-01 1980 El Halcon def. Gino Hernandez for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
08-01 2009 Running Wolf became the 412PE Heavyweight Champion
08-01 2009 Blue Thunder & The Unknown became the 412PE Tag Team Champions
08-01 2009 Drake Gallows def. Chris Chaos for the BYEW Heavyweight Title

07-27

Tom Simon Jul 27th Today!
T. J. Muniz Jul 27th Today!
Eric Rose Jul 27th Today!
Johnny Idol Jul 27th Today!
Jack Van Bebber Jul 27th Today!
Matt Borne Jul 27th Today!
Nova Phoenix Jul 27th Today!
Herb Calvert Jul 28th
Sammy Guevara Jul 28th
Brixton Barricade Jul 28th
Luke Brown Jul 28th
Brian Lakewood Jul 28th
Butch Malone Jul 28th
Tim Woods Jul 28th
Dan Webber Jul 29th
Billy Starr Jul 29th
Antonio Vega Jul 29th
Betty Boucher Jul 29th
Ace Archuleta Jul 29th
Boss Campbell Jul 29th
Bobby Whitlock Jul 29th
Scott Steiner Jul 29th
Oliver John Jul 29th
Derek James Jul 30th
Kid Kash Jul 31st
Wayne Black Jul 31st
Trey Bearhill Jul 31st
Floyd Maystorm Jul 31st
Eric the Red Aug 1st
Jimmy Golden Aug 1st
Dale Robinson Aug 1st
Everett Rattan Aug 1st
Joel Deaton Aug 1st
Capt. Rowdy Aug 2nd
Jack Vaughn Aug 2nd
Amanda Barricade Aug 2nd
Tim Rockwell Aug 2nd
Gorgeous George, Jr. Aug 2nd
Ronnie Morton Aug 3rd
Altar Boy Sanchez Aug 3rd
Haystacks Calhoun Aug 3rd
Karl Gotch Aug 3rd
Bull Ramos Aug 3rd
Ellis Bashara Aug 4th
Tyson Jaymes Aug 4th
Roy Dunn Aug 4th
Stormi Renee Aug 4th
Alaskan Aug 4th
Glen Steel Aug 5th
Stan Lane Aug 5th
Samedi Aug 6th
Timothy Johnston Aug 6th
Grizzly Smith Aug 6th
Jimmy Valiant Aug 6th
Marti Belle Aug 7th
Joshua Smith Aug 7th
Latrell Upton Aug 7th
Taro Myaki Aug 7th
Taras Bulba Aug 8th
Cade Fite Aug 8th
Malice Aug 8th
Johnny Z Aug 8th
D. J. Fivestar Aug 8th
Scotty Charisma Aug 8th
Steve O Aug 8th
Rage Logan Aug 8th
Marion McGee Aug 8th
Zakk Sinizter Aug 8th
Josh La Rue Aug 8th
Nick Hudson Aug 9th
Justin Sane Aug 9th
Dave Donovan Aug 9th
Sam Adonis Aug 9th
Mike Iles Aug 9th
Tommy Sharpe Aug 9th
Giganto Aug 9th

2003 John O'Malley def. Tyler Bateman for the ACW Hardcore Title
2003 Tyler Bateman def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
2008 Kevin Morgan became the OECW Heavyweight Champion
2014 Spike became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
2019 Murder Squirrel became the BPW 365 Champion
2019 Karnage def. Murder Squirrel for the BPW 365 Title
2019 C. M. Burnham def. Antonio Vega for the ASP Inter-County Title
2024 Brandon Groom became the BPW Lion Heart Champion
2025 C. M. Burnham def. Brixton Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
2025 Brixton Barricade def. C. M. Burnham for the ASP All Time Title
2025 Drake Gallows def. Billie the Kiid for the ASP Heavyweight Title

More Look Back In History

Oklafan.com v5 Beta

Sting

Posted: Feb 28th 2024 By: Darby Allin

Supplemental Information

Spotlight in History

Card Results

Tag Cloud

Top Viewed Bios