WWE News: Sting Announces Ring Return By Joining AEW; Role Remains Unclear

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) continues to add big names to its roster, but its latest acquisition is a big one.

Sting, whose real name is Steve Borden, made a surprise appearance in the December 2 episode of AEW Dynamite that aired on TNT. It would later be announced that the 61-year-old signed a multi-year deal with the promotion, Wrestling Inc. reported.

Sting made his debut in the post-match encounter involving the duo of AEW TNT Champion Darby Allin and Cody Rhodes and the group of Ricky Starks and Powerhouse Hobbs.

With mayhem ensuing after that bout, the lights went out with the multiple-time world champion emerging from the darkness. Footage of that can be seen in the social media video tweet below.

It was a shocking development as the whole pro-wrestling scene knew that Sting had hung his booths for good.

After suffering a legitimate neck injury when he faced Seth Rollins for the WWE Championship in 2015. He announced his retirement in April 2016 during the WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Though it appears that Sting has some unfinished business in the squared-circle, AEW is expected to observe a more cautious approach as overlooking the wrestling's icon well-being could lead to dire consequences.

AEW may shed more light on the matter next week as Sting will reportedly be back on Dynamite to make his first public address as a new member of the roster.

The move to AEW was something most had speculated on. After WWE severed its ties with Sting a few months ago, many believed that he was headed to another organization.

That grew even louder when WWE stopped selling Sting merchandise and took out his profile on the official website.

The Omaha, Nebraska native was wearing his new t-shirt on Dynamite when he debuted. That is not the only piece of merchandise that AEW dropped for "The Stinger" as they released an entire line of official Sting apparel.