In an unexpected and heartwarming moment on “AEW Dynamite,” wrestling legend Sting received a retirement gift from AEW’s President Tony Khan, which stunningly turned out to be the AEW debut of Ric Flair, known worldwide as "The Nature Boy." Just last week, Sting shared with the world his decision to step into the ring for one final match at AEW Revolution in 2024, drawing a curtain on his storied career.
Following this announcement, it was revealed that Tony Khan had a special surprise in store for the iconic wrestler, set to be unveiled in this week’s episode. The moment arrived amidst an earnest conversation between Sting, Darby Allin, and Tony Schiavone, only to be magnified as Flair’s unmistakable entrance music filled the arena.
The Philadelphia crowd erupted in cheers as "The Dirtiest Player In The Game" made his grand entrance, stepping into the ring to embrace Sting. In a heartfelt moment, Flair expressed his desire to "ride it out with you," leaving fans to speculate about his involvement in Sting’s final moments in professional wrestling.
The extent of Flair’s participation in AEW’s future programming remains a tantalizing mystery.
Unexpected Match Turn
However, the segment took an unexpected turn as Christian Cage, Luchasaurus, and Nick Wayne made their presence felt, setting the stage for a six-man tag match at AEW Full Gear on November 18.
While the segment did not explicitly confirm Flair’s participation in the match, it also left open the possibility of his involvement. Subsequently, the broadcast featured Sting and Allin seeking out Adam Copeland backstage, navigating their ongoing storyline with Cage.
Copeland, caught in a moral dilemma, continues to grapple with the decision to confront his old friend in the ring. Flair and Sting’s rivalry is the stuff of wrestling lore, with their intense battles over the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship in the late 1980s and early 1990s still etched in the memories of wrestling aficionados.
Their feud, transcending wrestling promotions, found its way from WCW to Impact Wrestling in 2011, adding layers to their storied history. This surprise reunion on AEW has certainly rekindled memories of their classic encounters, leaving fans eager to see what the next chapter of this legendary rivalry has in store.