Just when 2020 looks like it is out of surprises, All Elite Wrestling broadcasts one of the most newsworthy episodes of wrestling in recent memory. When was the last time the top title changed hands and it wasn’t even the biggest talking point on the show. After rumours and speculation rose up and then finally died down completely, Sting walked out from the tunnel! Full face paint and baseball bat in hand, the in arena fans and internet fans all went crazy at the debut of The Icon. The biggest question on all fans minds now is what will happen next? AEW need to learn from the mistakes of Sting’s previous employers and treat his use with care. Here is what they shouldn’t do…

Be on TV every week

In the next few weeks, Sting will slot into a storyline somewhere. But if he is featured every week, what happens in six or eight weeks time? Physically will be limited (if any), and there are only so many promo segments and saves that can be done. When Sting made his debut, it was must see TV. Nearly every segment featuring him should be the same. Too many times have wrestling companies signed an established talent and pushed them to the top, in the process leading to overexposure and less TV time for rising stars. Which leads onto the next point…

Give Sting the top title.

It seems obvious but look at WWE earlier this year. The return/debut of a legend gives the initial bump in ratings due to curiosity and online chat. Management recognise the connection and assume that the legend should be made top champion. The return of Goldberg to defeat The Fiend back in February caused major backlash. All story line and momentum of Bray Wyatt was halted and only recently has he been able to get back on track. Also, there is the fact that Sting is 61 years old. No matter his conditioning, the rest of the main roster is half his age. How good of a match can a man in his sixties have. Especially in a company like AEW where they pride themselves on hard hitting in-ring action with crazy high spots.

Have him wrestle lots of matches

As mentioned earlier, if Sting is on TV every week, it is the law of diminishing returns. The more he is exposed, the less special it feels. With his long career, Sting deserves better than to be just another guy in AEW. There is also his history with spinal stenosis. As mentioned before, AEW rarely phone it in with their matches. Nearly every week someone does a death defying maneuver, jumps off something high, or has a dangerous weapon spot. Also, accidents have occurred more than they should have. Think back to the multiple botches involving Matt Hardy and Sammy Guevara. Somebody with spinal issues should not be having these types of matches. Also, Sting should not be having a slow and safe match just for the sake of having a match. This benefits nobody.

Miss a golden opportunity

As seen in The Undertaker documentary The Last Ride, every wrestler wants their perfect retirement match. Arguably, the only wrestler to have a great last match was Steve Austin. Sting’s last in ring match was with Seth Rollins. This was where an unfortunate accident caused injury and forced Sting to retire. This final run in AEW could be Sting’s way of righting the wrong and having a great last match. It doesn’t have to be a one on one match or a traditional match either. Back in his TNA career, some of Sting’s best matches were Lethal Lockdown matches. In these, the younger talent does most of the heavy lifting, and the veterans are in the closing moments. If AEW decided to repeat something like another Stadium Stampede, or the long postponed blood and guts, what better way for The Icon to say his goodbye to his legendary career?

Image Credits

All Elite Wrestling

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