View of wrestling ring. Raj Mehta-Imagn Images

AEW fans haven't seen the last of Sting

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Oct 20, 2025 9:23 AM ET

Sting officially retired from wrestling on March 3, 2024. His final match came at AEW Revolution, where he and Darby Allin won the tag team titles against The Young Bucks.

"The Icon" has been seen in the crowd for AEW events since his retirement, but has rarely ventured into an active role. However, at WrestleDream on Oct. 18, Sting was back in the ring once again, as he made a surprise appearance to help Darby Allin against Jon Moxley and "The Death Riders" during an I Quit match.

Sting will always be on hand to help Darby Allin

During his post-event news conference, AEW president Tony Khan addressed Sting's cameo and why he will always be on call to help Allin.

"Sting is still part of AEW and a big part of the family," Khan said, h/t Fightful for the transcription. "...It was very awesome for us to see Sting backstage and have him back appearing in the ring. I had talked to Sting about coming back for something special like this, and he was always open to returning to AEW, especially if Darby ever needed anything."

Sting's appearance ultimately helped Allin secure the win over Moxley. Allin even used the "Scorpion Deathlock" — Sting's signature move — to secure the win.

Sting helps move the needle

WWE's long history is a significant advantage over AEW. Whenever Paul Levesque deems it necessary, he can call on a string of legendary talents to make an appearance. The Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Mick Foley and Dwayne Johnson are just some of the names WWE can lean on.

So, having Sting — a true wrestling legend — on hand to make spot appearances is a huge step forward for Khan's company. Sting may be far past his best, yet he's still capable of causing the crowd to "pop." As we saw with WrestleDream, his appearances can create a viral moment online.

AEW needs those moments. It's the easiest way to get in front of new fans, who may be reluctant to try out a different style of wrestling. Tribalism in the wrestling community often means that AEW gets a bad rep, oftentimes for no reason at all. So, the more good press the company can generate online, the more it will help its growth long-term.

Over time, AEW will need more legends to lean on for spots like Sting's on Saturday. But, at least it is taking another step in the right direction, and that is the most important thing as the company heads into its seventh year.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

More must-reads: