The countdown is on as All Elite Wrestling superstar Sting prepares for his last match next year. "The Icon" announced on October 18 that he will officially retire from wrestling at AEW Revolution on March 3, 2024, at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina.

AEW President Tony Khan is preparing to honor Sting's last match but originally wanted him to participate in next year's AEW All In event.

Sting competed alongside Darby Allin at the recent AEW All In event on August 27. They teamed up to take on Swerve Strickland and Christian Cage in a Tag Team Casket Match. The matchup saw Sting put his body to the limit, including moments like doing a Scorpion Death Drop on Strickland atop a casket.



Sting and Allin won the match, with "The Icon" showing that he can still perform amongst the best in the company. However, Khan believes it was also the beginning of the wrestling legend deciding to end his career.

In an interview with the New York Post, Khan shared that he asked Sting in October if he could compete at next year's event. Unfortunately, Sting knew he was ready to retire within six months.

New York Post's Joseph Staszewski transcribed the following quotes.

"He told me as we approached this ticket on sale that he did not believe he could make it another year in wrestling and have the best chance for a happy and healthy retirement," Khan said. He continued, “He’s doing great right now, and he wants to keep it that way. He plans to keep beating people up and keeping himself healthy."

One of the interesting storylines regarding Sting's retirement is that he is undefeated in AEW. The wrestling legend has 24 wins, and the company has been making it a point to say that he could retire undefeated. Khan spoke about the creative pitch behind making Sting's AEW record a part of the storyline of his retirement.

“It’s been two and half years, you’ve won every match you’ve wrestled, wouldn’t it be cool if you had a chance to finish it undefeated [for three years],” Khan said. He continued, “Somebody could either stop you to take it away from you. The idea that every match he wrestles somebody is trying to take that unbeaten [streak] on the way [out] is exciting.”

It's unclear who could be Sting's final opponent. Fans have speculated that it could be Allin or Ric Flair, but AEW hasn't confirmed who it will be. Regardless, "The Icon" is looking to celebrate the next few months as he approaches his final match.