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Sting to make first convention appearance since retiring face paint

Posted: May 13th 2026 By: Joseph Currier

Sting is ready to start taking convention bookings again after retiring his iconic face paint.

In 2025, Sting embarked on a year-long convention tour where fans could meet him in full “war paint” and costume for the last time. He’s taken a break from conventions for the first part of 2026 but has now been confirmed for WrestleCon in Minneapolis this July.

“Our first guest announcement for Minneapolis is the Icon Sting! His first appearance after retiring the war paint will be in Minnesota,” WrestleCon announced. “He will be appearing exclusively on Friday July 31st from 4pm-8pm (Day 1).”

WrestleCon is being held at the Hilton Minneapolis during the same time that the city is hosting WWE SummerSlam weekend. For his appearance at the convention, Sting is advertised with a look from his Main Event Mafia run in TNA.

Despite retiring it for conventions, Sting still wears his face paint and gear when making appearances for AEW, where he’s popped up a couple of times recently. Sting was there for Darby Allin’s AEW World Championship win on April 15 and for the company’s tribute to Ted Turner on Dynamite last week.

Sting retired from the ring with his final AEW match happening in March 2024. His sons Steven Borden and Garrett Borden are both now pursuing careers in the ring, with Steven already regularly competing in dark matches for AEW.