In his final phase as an active wrestler, Sting was recognized by his iconic black and white face paint and dyed black hair, symbolizing his legendary status. Upon retiring, he maintained the face paint but embraced his natural gray hair and a mature beard. On the “Major Wrestling Figure Podcast,” Sting shared that he aimed to leave fans with this “old man’s” look when he ended his AEW career at Revolution 2024.
Sting expressed, “I actually wanted to retire as an old man’s stab wound,” hinting at one last memorable moment for his fans. He mentioned, “I have enough fans. Another. Just one more,” suggesting a possible final match. In January, he officially trademarked “Old Man Sting” for merchandising purposes, including items like shirts, hoodies, bandanas, and hats linked to wrestling.
Sting’s final bout happened during the Tornado Tag match for the AEW World Tag Team Championship at last year’s AEW Revolution Pay-Per-View. He teamed up with Darby Allin to defeat the Young Bucks, but they vacated the titles afterward due to Sting’s retirement.
Although Sting no longer competes in the ring, he remains active in wrestling conventions and made a brief AEW TV appearance in 2024 during an event in London. There, he came to Darby Allin’s aid after a post-match assault by the Young Bucks and Jack Perry.
Fan Take: Sting’s retirement as “Old Man Sting” marks a respectful farewell to a true wrestling icon, giving AEW fans a powerful moment to remember. His legacy and continued appearances keep the spirit of wrestling alive, inspiring both new and veteran fans alike.
