Backstage Update On Sting's Retirement At AEW Revolution

With Sting having called time on his truly legendary career at AEW Revolution last night, there now comes an update on the Stinger's retirement and how things played out in the lead up to this final match.

As per Fightful Select, it was decided weeks ago that Sting and Darby Allin would be retaining the AEW Tag Team Titles against the Young Bucks at Revolution. Despite this loss, the Jacksons are set to remain in the tag title picture in the aftermath of this latest AEW PPV.

For Darby, he isn't expected to find a replacement for Sting to reign alongside him as the AEW Tag Team Champions. However, that tag title situation is expected to be cleared up "fairly soon".

Despite the major question of whether Sting would go out with one last victory or follow the time-honoured tradition of staring at the lights for his final match, Tony Khan was adamant that the Icon would go out as a champion. As has been clear for all to see during Sting's run with AEW, it was important for management to honour the veteran appropriately.

Where it comes to the placement of this match on the Revolution card, the bout was planned to main event the PPV from "virtually the moment" that Sting announced his intention to retire at Revolution. Likewise, that decision from Sting also caused AEW to replace the original midwest location of Revolution with the Greensboro Coliseum which played such a pivotal part in Sting's legacy. As previously reported, the 64-year-old had a major say in selecting the Young Bucks as his final opponents.

Last week's Hunstville, Alabama-held AEW Dynamite saw talent getting Sting to sign items for them, while some also tried to get one of the baseball bats that were shown hanging from the ceiling backstage. As for backstage at Revolution, Lex Luger, Ricky Steamboat, Scotty Riggs, Magnum T.A., Nikita Koloff, Diamond Dallas Page, and Ric Flair were amongst the names in attendance to show their support for Sting - with most of those shown on camera.

EXCLUSIVE! After #AEWRevolution went off the air, #TheIcon @Sting shared some final words. pic.twitter.com/CnMS8KSksO

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— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 4, 2024

Of course, Sting's sons Steve and Garrett also had a role to play at Revolution, taking on two of their father's old gimmicks as part of the Stinger's entrance. After that entrance, Steve and Garrett walked alongside the ramp to the back, and they returned after the PPV for Sting's off-air speech. Tony Khan was another who came out for that speech, taking the moment to thank Sting as the entire roster paid tribute to the legend.

For those wondering, Fightful notes how they've heard nothing about any additional AEW dates for Sting.