Sting Signing With All Elite Wrestling Could Be a Game-Changer

Turns out when All Elite Wrestling promoted a “Winter is Coming” edition of the weekly Dynamite show, it wasn’t to debut Jon Snow or the Night King. It was to usher in Sting, an industry icon.

.@STING HAS ARRIVED IN ALL ELITE WRESTLING!
Watch #AEWDynamite NOW on @TNTDrama pic.twitter.com/NMLGKqdQtX

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 3, 2020

His arrival, face painted his signature black and white, sent shockwaves during an early December episode. His last appearance on TNT was in 2001 against Ric Flair, during the last edition of World Championship Wrestling’s Nitro. After WCW closed, Sting carried on for more than a decade with a new company called Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (Impact Wrestling). Then, in 2014, following much courting, WWE landed Sting, though a neck injury stopped him in his tracks. His latest WWE contract ended in the summer, leaving the question what was next. AEW has given us the answer. 

The 61-year-old’s “multi-year contract” could be a game-changer. It remains to be seen what AEW plans to do with Sting, but he brings a recognizable brand identity, much like Hulk Hogan did after he jumped ship from WWE to WCW in 1994. 

Sting can also bring a rub to emerging talent including Allin, an important step when you’re trying to build stars form the ground up. The first interaction between the veteran and the TNT champion brought an additional level of intrigue. In its relatively short existence AEW has a track record of utilizing well-known figures in strategic and effective ways. We’ve seen it with Arn Anderson managing Cody Rhodes, Jake Roberts backing Lance Archer, Vickie Guerrero aligning with Nyla Rose and Tully Blanchard advising Shawn Spears.

AEW

Then there is the question if we’ll witness Sting lace up the boots or get physical at all. There’s lots of fantasy booking going on and renewed interest. I, like many, am looking forward to watching how this plays out. It is indeed showtime! 

AEW Dynamite, Wednesdays, 8/7c, TNT