Sting Appreciates AEW Roster “Respects Their Elders”

WWE Hall Of Famer Sting has explained how the respect he receives in AEW is one of the main reasons he joined the company.

Whilst the character may have changed somewhat over the years, there can be no denying that Sting has been at the top level everywhere he’s gone. From the early days in Jim Crockett Promotions to becoming a six-time WCW Champion, ‘The Icon’ has constantly maintained his status.

After competing on the last ever edition of Monday Nitro, The Stinger went on to become a four-time TNA Champion before eventually making the move many had wanted and somewhat expected for years, finally joining WWE and debuting at Survivor Series 2014.

Although his run with the company was short, Sting created some memorable moments in WWE including his contest with Triple H at WrestleMania 31. It seemed as if his in-ring career may have come to an end when he suffered a neck injury in a match with Seth Rollins at Night Of Champions 2015, which forced him away from active competition and eventually WWE.

It was at AEW Winter Is Coming in 2020 that Sting returned to professional wrestling, quickly aligning himself with Darby Allin and has since had plenty of standout performances using moves which would be expected out of such a veteran.

Speaking to The Schmo, Sting discussed the main reasons he decided to become All Elite, including the respect he gets from the younger generation.

Of course, this is wrestling, it’s going to be reminiscent of those old days for sure, but it is completely different and new, a whole new generation of wrestlers. I could be dad to more than half the guys here, maybe even granddad. I’m grateful that they have the level of respect that they have for their elders and somebody like me who is trying to come back and play in the game a little while longer.

Love of (the) game and a phone call. You have to have love of (the) game, of course, but Tony Khan called me and asked me if I wanted to come back and play for a little while longer and I said, ‘Alright, let me try this out,’ and here I am.

The Stinger recently had another successful outing to maintain his unbeaten record in AEW, teaming with Darby Allin and Shingo Takagi at Forbidden Door to defeat the combination of The Young Bucks and El Phantasmo.

With thanks to Fightful for the transcription.