Report: Backstage Reaction To Sting's AEW Debut

Sting appeared on TNT for the first time since March 26, 2001, on last night's "Winter Is Coming" edition of AEW: Dynamite.

The Icon made the save for Cody Rhodes, Dustin Rhodes and Darby Allin by chasing off Team Taz. He then stared down each man individually, including Arn Anderson.

Tony Schiavone later revealed Sting had signed a multi-year deal with All Elite Wrestling and the promotion tweeted out their usual #AllElite post.

Fightful Select reported the initial reaction backstage from AEW talent was one of "shock and excitement." Several wrestlers had no idea The Franchise was signing with the company and didn't know he would be at Daily's Place when they arrived at the venue. Many also didn't know the extent of Sting's involvement with AEW until just before his debut.

Most didn't see Stinger backstage during the afternoon, but others had heard he would be making an appearance on Dynamite.

Sting's appearance wasn't a complete surprise to everyone, though. One name in AEW told Fightful they had known about the signing "for a while."