Sting

Sting is a former American professional wrestler and powerlifter who last wrestled for AEW. His real name is Steve Borden and he has been one of the biggest superstars while working outside WWE. The Icon was considered to be the face of WCW and TNA. He also had a brief career in WWE. Sting retired from wrestling in 2024 at the age of 64 after his final match at AEW Revolution 2024.

Also Read: How many matches did Sting have in WWE?

Early Life

Steve Borden was born on March 20, 1959, in Omaha, Nebraska. During high school, he was interested in football and basketball. Later, he pursued a career in bodybuilding and also co-owned Gold's Gym Health Club. He was not interested in professional wrestling and did not have access to a television set to watch it. However, he once went to a WWF event featuring Hulk Hogan, British Bulldogs, Andre The Giant, and Iron Sheik and was fascinated by the industry. It wasn't until he turned 26 that Borden competed in wrestling at a professional level.

Professional Wrestling Career

Early Years (1985-1987)

Borden began his career wrestling as Flash with The Ultimate Warrior. They teamed up for many promotions before signing with WCW.

WCW (1987-2002)

Rise to Stardom (1987-1991)

After arriving in the company, he established himself as a rising star. Sting feuded with The Four Horsemen and faced them for their championships frequently. After the stable, he feuded with The Road Warriors but couldn't claim the championships. In 1989, Sting had an alliance and joined The Four Horsemen. After becoming the number one contender for the world title, he and Flair had some tension among the stable. Prior to facing Flair, Sting got injured, which cost him his championships opportunity. He was used on-screen even though he was injured.

At The Great American Bash, Sting defeated Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. He lost the title back to Flair at Starrcade. In 1991, Sting defeated Steve Austin to win the vacant WCW United States Championship. He lost after 86 days to Rick Rude at Clash of Champions XVII.

WCW World Heavyweight Champion (1991-1995)

At Super Brawl II, Sting defeated Luger to win his first WCW World Heavyweight Championship. At The Great American Bash, he lost the title to Vader due to an injury. At Halloween Havoc, Sting won the title back from Vader. Sting and Vader exchanged titles on numerous house shows during their feud. In April, Sting won the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship from Rick Rude. Sting lost the title in a unification match where Flair turned heel and won. At The Great American Bash, Sting won the WCW United States Championship in a tournament. After feuding with Flair and Hogan, Sting lost the title to Kensuke Sasaki.

NWO (1996-1999)

In 1996, Sting changed his look and teamed up with Luger to win the WCW World Tag Team Championships. During the summer, Sting was the first superstar to stand up against The Outsiders. At Bash at The Beach, Sting, Luger, and Savage lost to The Outsiders as Hulk Hogan teamed up and formed the NWO. At Fall for Brawl, Team WCW faced Team NWO. NWO set Sting up and Team WCW acted on it. Sting showed up as the last member of Team WCW and a fake Sting joined Team NWO. After Fall for Brawl, Sting changed his look, which was inspired by the movie, The Crow. NWO tried to persuade Sting to join their stable, but he declined. At WCW Uncensored, Sting finally joined WCW and attacked NWO. At Starrcade, Sting defeated Hulk Hogan for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.

In 1998, Sting lost the world title and joined The Wolfpack. At Slamboree, Sting and The Giant won the WCW Tag Team Championship. Sting had a rivalry with Bret Hart, which he won. By 1999, The Wolfpack and NWO had faded away.

Various Feuds (1999-2002)

After NWO, Sting had various feuds with Rick Steiner, Jeff Jarrett, Scott Steiner, Bret Hart, Goldberg, Hulk Hogan, Lex Luger, and Kevin Nash. During the last years of the company, Sting won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on two more occasions. After they sold the company, Sting did not go to WWF. He left the company after his contract expired in 2002.

TNA

TNA World Champion (2003-2008)

Initially, Sting signed a deal to appear four times a year. After a year, he signed a contract with TNA and officially came out of retirement. Sting's first major feud was with Jeff Jarrett. Sting feuded with Jarrett for over six months and declared his intentions to win the world championship from Jarrett. At Bound for Glory, Sting defeated Jeff Jarrett to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Sting lost the title to Abyss and feuded with him. After several failed attempts, Sting could not defeat Abyss for the title. After feuding with Christopher Daniels and AJ Styles, Sting challenged Kurt Angle for the title.

At Bound for Glory, Sting defeated Kurt Angle for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. After losing the title to Kurt Angle, Sting took some time off to be with his family. After his return, Sting joined Team Cage at Lockdown and won. At Bound for Glory, Sting defeated Samoa Joe to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

Main Event Mafia and Joker (2008-2011)

After Bound for Glory, Kurt Angle, Booker T, Kevin Nash, Scott Steiner, and Sting created the Main Event Mafia. At Lockdown, Sting lost the title to Mick Foley. At Sacrifice, Sting became the new godfather of Main Event Mafia when he defeated Kurt Angle. After Slammiversary, Sting was kicked out of the stable. He challenged AJ Styles for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship and lost at Bound for Glory. After his return, Sting turned heel by attacking Hogan. At Lockdown, he joined Team Flair and lost. After Bound for Glory, Sting started targeting Immortal. He knew Hogan was up to something and feuded with the stable. At the end of 2010, Sting took some time off.

In 2011, he returned and defeated Jeff Hardy for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. After losing the title, he debuted his new joker persona, which was inspired by The Dark Knight. Over the year, Sting feuded with various Immortal members and lost the title. At Bound for Glory, Sting defeated Hogan, which disbanded the stable, and they reverted the powers back to Dixie Carter.

Final Feuds (2012-2014)

During his last years with the company, they announced him to go to the Hall of Fame. He spent the year feuding with Aces and Eights and teamed up with Bully Ray at Bound for Glory. After their loss, more new members of Aces and Eights appeared. At Lockdown, Team TNA defeated Team Aces and Eights. After losing to Bully Ray for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship at Slammiversary XI, he set out to form a new Main Event Mafia. They successfully took out Aces and Eights and they disbanded. Sting feuded with Magnus and EC3 before his contract expired with the company.

WWE (2014-2020)

Sting made his WWE debut at Survivor Series by assisting Team Cena. After Survivor Series, Sting challenged Triple H. At WrestleMania 31, Sting lost to Triple H. After a few months of absence, he appeared on RAW and challenged Seth Rollins. At Night of Champions, he lost to Seth Rollins because of an improper buckle bombe. Sting retired from wrestling after that event. After a few sporadic appearances, Sting entered the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016. In 2020, they released Sting from his contract.

AEW (2020-Present)

Sting made his AEW debut during Winter is Coming. His first feud was with Team Taz. He took Darby Allin as his protege to face the stable. At Revolution, Sting and Darby Allin defeated Ricky Starks and Brian Cage. We often see Sting and Darby in tag and six-man tag matches. Sting usually accompanies Allin during his matches. Their next feud was with The Men of The Year. At Double or Nothing, Sting and Allin defeated Page and Sky. Sting was last seen teaming up with Allin and CM Punk against the Pinnacle. At Revolution, Sting teamed up with Darby Allin and Sammy Guevara and defeated Andrade Hardy Family Office.

At AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door, the two alongside Shingo Takagi defeated The Bullet Club. Over the next few months, Sting and Allin defeated the likes of House of Black (Buddy Matthews and Brody King), Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal, Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara & a few other known superstars. At WrestleDream 2023, Sting supported Darby Allin while he challenged Chrisitan Cage for the AEW TNT Championship. Allin failed to win the gold and the two stars were attacked by Cage, Luchasaurus and Nick Wayne before they were rescued by a debuting Adam Copeland.

On the October 18, 2023 episode of Dynamite, Sting announced that he was going to retire from pro-wrestling in 2024 after competing in his last match at Revolution 2024. Sting is teamed up with Allin and Copeland defeated Cage, Luchasaurus and Nick Wayne at Full Gear 2023. In February 2024, Sting and Darby Allin defeated Big Bill and Ricky Starks to win the AEW World Tag Team Championship. The AEW EVPs became the Number One contender for the Tag Team Championship and challenged the champions at AEW Revolution.

Sting competed in his last ever match at the event. The legend Ricky Steamboat took up the spot of the timekeeper, and Sting was assisted by Ric Flair, and Sting's two sons Steve Borden and Garrett Borden dressed as Sting's Wolfpac and Surfer persona. Sting and Darby Allin won the match and the title was then vacated.

Sting Net Worth 2024

As per various sources, Sting is worth around $10 Million in 2024. Click here to learn about the net worth of the Icon in detail.

Sting Family

Click here to learn about former AEW Wrestler Sting in detail

Jeff Borden - Brother

Sting has a younger brother named Jeff Borden. He is not involved in pro-wrestling whatsoever. The two Borden brothers are both very private with their personal lives. However, Jeff has been a vocal about his love and support for his brother.

Sabine Borden - Wife

Sting got married to Sue Bordon in 1986 and spent 24 years together before parting their ways in 2010. He then married Sabine Borden in 2015. She is a personal trainer. She has two daughters from her previous marriage.

Also Read: Who is Sting married to?

Children

Sting and his previous wife Sue Borden had three kids together - two sons and a daughter. Their daughter Gracie was born in 2000 and their two sons are Garrett Lee and Steven Borden Jr. Sting does not has a child with his current wife Sabine Borden.

Also Read: Who is the daughter of Sting the wrestler?

Championships and Accomplishments