WWE Legend Sting Reflects on His Retirement and Move to AEW

Wrestling enthusiasts are likely aware that many wrestlers often stray from their retirement promises. Nevertheless, Sting appears to have genuinely retired following his AEW Tag Team Championship victory alongside Darby Allin against The Young Bucks at AEW Revolution 2024, marking what seems to be his final match.

This decision comes eight years after Sting’s initial retirement announcement during the 2016 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. In a recent discussion with “Kayfabe Friends,” he shared his emotions during that first retirement and reflected on the moment he received the call to join AEW.

“I did leave it open-ended, pretty much,” Sting remarked. He revealed that he wasn’t entirely ready to retire back then, describing the situation as a mutual agreement with WWE. “Vince [McMahon] wanted me to retire under his umbrella, and at the time, I was okay with that.

It was five-plus years that I was retired. But I came back because, again, like I said in my little speech there, I got that phone call from Tony Khan and Cody Rhodes, and they wanted me to come back and play one more time. So I did. The rest is history.”

When asked about the allure of performing in front of a live audience, especially after his brief appearance at AEW All In 2024, Sting acknowledged that anyone who claims they wouldn’t miss the crowd’s energy is lying. He admitted he would indeed miss the excitement, but emphasized that it wouldn’t be enough to tempt him back into the ring anytime soon.