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Closing Time for Sting

Posted: Mar 1st 2024 By: Justin Barrasso

Sting came to AEW to rewrite his final chapter in wrestling.

Even Odysseus would blush at what Sting has endured throughout his career.

A journey that has spanned five decades–including stops in the Continental Wrestling Association, Universal Wrestling Federation, Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling, TNA, and WWE before arriving just over three years ago in AEW–concludes this Sunday. One half of the AEW tag team champions, Sting will team with Darby Allin against the Young Bucks at the Greensboro Coliseum–the site of his 1988 Clash of the Champions bout against Ric Flair–in Greensboro, North Carolina.

No longer will Sting’s last match be remembered as the night in 2015 when he was nearly paralyzed in the WWE’s Night of Champions main event against Seth Rollins. That was an emotional rollercoaster, one where an audible should have been called and Sting should have won. The same should be said for his WrestleMania 31 encounter against Triple H, which marked Sting’s first-ever match in WWE. In case you forgot, that also ended in defeat.

“Losing is good,” said Steve Borden, who will forever be known as Sting. “You’ve got to lose. If you lose right, it gets you over even more.”

Despite the losses, or perhaps because of them, Sting found a way to persevere.

This Sunday at Revolution, a remarkable 39-year odyssey is complete. As Sting approaches this unfamiliar territory of a retirement match, he enters while doing so in a time of grief and sorrow.

Sting is mourning the loss of his father. His suffering was caught on camera, as he needed to deliver a promo for the upcoming Revolution pay-per-view. In what now stands as the final promo of his storied career, Sting looked deep into the camera and told a captivating story with his eyes, lamenting the loss of the man who raised him.

In the midst of the mourning, Sting turned to his home away from home–pro wrestling–and his second family–wrestling fans–in his moment of need.

“My lip quivers thinking about it,” said Borden. “Wrestling fans, they’re in my heart. The Little Stingers aren’t little anymore. They’re adults now. We’ve all grown together. We’ve been through all of this together.

“The relationship with the fans, that’s what brings this to a whole other level. I can’t tell you the amount of conversations I’ve had where someone would tell me that the only relationship they had with their father was watching Sting in WCW, or the ones where people told me they were bullied in school but they watched Sting and he made them feel strong. Can you believe that? I still can’t. The feeling that wrestling fans give me is as great as anything I give them. It blows me away. Hearing that I touched a person’s life, it’s very humbling.”

Only weeks away from turning 65, Borden made the long overdue decision to retire. A seasoned veteran of pro wrestling, he vowed to himself decades ago in TNA that he would do whatever it took to remain relevant in the industry. Whether that meant evolving the character–Joker Sting is a very underrated iteration of the character–or taking unnecessary and unsafe risks in AEW, even jumping off a balcony–he has stayed true to his promise.

This Sunday, take a deep breath and sit down before the main event. Borden has one last memorable ride in mind for Sting that will not be for the faint of heart.

“I want people to walk away saying, ‘How was that even possible?’” said Borden. “I want people to be entertained. I want to elevate AEW.

“I never wanted wrestling to pass me by. That’s why I wrestled the way I did. This Sunday, I’m going to wrestle a way that will make people want to save the tape.”

Sting’s greatest hits includes a new album from his run in AEW, this time as a duet beside Darby Allin. The two have fit together seamlessly, and it is hard to picture one without the other.

“I’m in good hands next to Darby,” said Borden. “It’s been an honor to see him turn into this polished star. I’m grateful my last hurrah was with him. I didn’t teach him much about wrestling other than psychology here or there. Less is more, I taught him that. I taught him that it’s good to lose if you can lose the right way. Overall, he’s got the wrestling down. But I’ve learned so much from him. I couldn’t have been this successful without him.”

During the promo where Sting shared that his father had passed away, he stated, “Family is all that matters.” This is relevant to the storyline, as the Bucks also attacked his grown sons during the tag title victory celebration.

“Bottom line, that promo, it was very difficult,” said Borden. “The heaviness was on me. Of my gosh, the heaviness. It was all real, all sincere, and I’m grateful for the reaction. Tony Khan sent me some high praise. A lot of others did, too. That meant a lot. On behalf of my dad, I’ll accept all those kind words.”

Sting’s family, wrestling fans included, will be filling the Greensboro Coliseum on Sunday, as well as around the globe watching intently as he wrestles his final match. The man who became WCW’s flagbearer, stood up to Ric Flair and The Four Horsemen and later fought off the NWO and Hollywood Hogan, and even fought in enemy territory against Triple H, now takes a swing at the Bucks’ Matt and Nick Jackson.

Carrying wrestling fans in his heart, thankful for the rarified heights they climbed together, Sting fights–for his family–one last time this Sunday.

“The grace of God is upon me,” said Borden. “He used me to touch people, and I’m so grateful for it. And I am fighting for what I believe in. That interview where I said ‘Family is the most important thing’, it’s the most important thing I’ve ever said. I’m fighting for all of my family at Revolution.”

Supplemental Information

Spotlight in History

1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Title
1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Title

Week of Sun 06-14 to Sat: 06-20

06-14 1970 Fritz Von Erich def. Boris Malenko for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
06-14 1982 Fritz Von Erich def. King Kong Bundy for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
06-14 2004 Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) def. Li'l Joe & Al Farat (substituting for Se7en) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
06-14 2008 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
06-14 2008 Nathan Sensation & Striker def. The New Age Syndicate (Shawn Sanders & Scott Sanders) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
06-14 2008 Anarchy [2nd] def. The Enforcer for the SECW Tri-State Title
06-14 2008 Dane Griffin def. Mo'Body Gillespie for the 3DW Violent Division Title
06-14 2009 El Super Colibri became the TAP Adrenaline Champion
06-14 2009 Reckless def. The Canadian Red Devil for the TAP Heavyweight Title
06-14 2009 Shane Morbid def. Jon Cross for the TAP Oklahoma Heritage Title
06-14 2013 Clint Cox became the BPPW Heavyweight Champion
06-14 2014 The Rising (Justin Riker & Abel) def. Psycho Sawyer & Diamond for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
06-14 2014 Omega X (Brett Stopp & X-Static) def. The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
06-14 2025 Pastor Brent def. Dr. Corvus for the WAH Living Hope Title
06-14 2025 Skylar Slice became the WAH Womens Champion
06-14 2025 Military Express (Sgt. Todd & Sgt. Hartman) def. Speeding Bullet (Mike Gunnz & Stephen Nitro) for the NAW Tag Team Titles
06-14 2025 Scotty Rose def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
06-14 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Scotty Rose for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
06-15 1982 King Kong Bundy became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
06-15 2003 Tyler Bateman def. Jef Tiger for the ACW Hardcore Title
06-15 2003 John O'Malley def. Tyler Bateman for the ACW Hardcore Title
06-15 2008 El Culo Intruso def. Dane Griffin for the 3DW Violent Division Title
06-15 2018 Sam Stackhouse def. Abyss for the BCW Buzzsaw Title
06-15 2019 Double D became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
06-15 2019 Prince Mahalli def. Damon Windsor for the WCR Revolutionary Title
06-15 2024 Cade Fite became the TIW No Pressure Champion
06-15 2024 Ozzy Hendrix & Adrian Vega def. The Voiceless Society (Tyler Watts & E-Bone) for the CAPW Tag Team Titles
06-15 2024 The Gatekeeper def. Rick Russo for the EPW All-American Title
06-15 2024 Trench Blythe became the EPW International Champion
06-15 2024 Malachi def. Kevin James Sanchez for the EPW Heavyweight Title
06-16 1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
06-16 1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
06-16 1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Title
06-16 1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
06-16 2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
06-16 2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
06-16 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
06-16 2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
06-16 2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
06-16 2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
06-16 2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
06-16 2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Title
06-17 1957 Billy Raborn became the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
06-17 1958 Bull Curry def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
06-17 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. David Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
06-17 1983 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
06-17 2005 Kenny Campbell def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW X Division Title
06-17 2006 The Party Express (Mitch Carter & Cade Sydal) def. Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
06-17 2008 Kunna Keyoh def. El Culo Intruso for the 3DW Violent Division Title
06-17 2017 Prince Mahalli def. Paul Puertorico for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
06-17 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
06-17 2017 Randy Price def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Title
06-17 2023 Alex Royal def. Justin Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
06-18 1964 Karl Kox def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
06-18 2004 Shane Morbid def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Title
06-18 2004 Codie Mullins def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Title
06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Codie Mullins for the SRPW Hardcore Title
06-18 2004 Pork Chop def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Pork Chop for the SRPW Hardcore Title
06-18 2004 S.K. Fulton def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
06-18 2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. S.K. Fulton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
06-18 2006 Ryan Davidson def. Angel Williams for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
06-18 2011 Michael Barry def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
06-18 2016 Spyder became the SRPW United States Champion
06-18 2016 Skylar Slice became the IZW Womens Champion
06-18 2021 Lady Sensacion became the FIW Women’s Champion
06-18 2021 Rodeo (Chandler Hopkins & Malico) def. Cam Cole & Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
06-18 2022 Duke Cornell def. Blue Bolt for the WFC Prime Title
06-18 2022 Maddox Jones def. Striker for the EPW Heavyweight Title
06-18 2022 Mike Gunns def. Jake Danielsson for the NAW Heavyweight Title
06-19 1977 Fritz Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
06-19 2010 Aaron Neil def. John O'Malley for the IZW Heavyweight Title
06-19 2015 Bree Ann def. Claudia for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
06-20 1972 The Continental Warriors (Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente) def. Tom Jones & Ivan Putski for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
06-20 1977 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
06-20 1987 Barry Windham became the UWF Western States Heritage Champion
06-20 2004 X-Cal def. John O'Malley for the ACW Heavyweight Title
06-20 2009 Dustin Heritage def. Dane Griffin for the IZW Impact Division Title
06-20 2009 BLK-OUT (Montego Seeka & Jermaine Johnson) def. Impact, Inc, (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
06-20 2014 Bree Ann def. Miss Diss Lexia for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
06-20 2021 DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) def. Malik Mayfield & Maui Mike for the ASP Tag Team Titles

06-16

Leslie Lorenzo Jun 16th Today!
Paul Jones Jun 16th Today!
Shawn Matthews III Jun 16th Today!
Brock Landers Jun 16th Today!
Ultimate Warrior Jun 16th Today!
Ted Arcidi Jun 16th Today!
Jef Tiger Jun 16th Today!
Chuck Hinds Jun 16th Today!
Ray Martinez Jun 17th
Mario Galento Jun 17th
Rob Justice Jun 17th
Talos Jun 17th
Bad Boy Jun 18th
Andy Dalton Jun 18th
Bruiser Brody Jun 18th
Cam the CODA Jun 18th
Sashimi Deluxe Jun 18th
Abe Jacobs Jun 18th
Johnny Angel Jun 18th
Top Dollar Bill Jun 19th
Miguel Padilla Jun 19th
Kodi Ocean Jun 19th
Billy the Kid Jun 19th
Canadian Red Devil Jun 19th
Wahoo McDaniel Jun 19th
Mike Two Jun 19th
David Kyzer Jun 20th
Jon Cross Jun 20th
Professor Ito Jun 20th
Koko B. Ware Jun 20th
Jeff the Ref Jun 21st
Phantom Star Jun 21st
Super Star Jun 21st
Milton Winkelman Jun 21st
Rick Russo Jun 21st
Athena Jun 23rd
Gabe Wilder Jun 24th
Juan Sebastian Jun 24th
Don Kent Jun 24th
X-Storms Jun 25th
Kody Lane Jun 25th
Paul Rodriguez Jun 26th
D. K. Bradley Jun 26th
Jax Samuel Jun 26th
Sylvia Richmond Jun 26th
Dan Barnhart Jun 27th
Reckless Jun 27th
Kuda Jun 27th
Jason Kirby Jun 27th
Ignition Jun 27th
Claire Jun 28th
Bill Dromo Jun 28th
Kenny Mack Jun 28th
Doc Hearon Jun 28th
John Tidwell Jun 28th
J. J. Blake Jun 28th
Malico Jun 28th
Boris Malenko Jun 28th
Damian Kincaid Jun 28th
Barbara Galento Jun 29th
Voltio Santiago Jun 29th

1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Title
1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Title

More Look Back In History

Card Results

Current Champions

Native American Wrestling

Openweight Champion
Stephen Nitro

Heavyweight Champion: Michael H
Indigenous Land Champion: Cherokee Kid
Tag Team Champions: Briggs Mafia

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