Wrestling fans have been holding out hope that Sting will return to WWE for one last appearancethis time to induct his longtime friend and former tag team partner, Lex Luger, into the Hall of Fame. Now, the ball is in Tony Khans court, and the situation is way more complicated than just a yes or no.
According to Dave Meltzer in the March 20 edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, From what we understand, Luger asked for Sting and WWE was fine with it. That put the ball in Tony Khans court. The AEW boss is now faced with a decision that puts friendship, loyalty, and business strategy on a collision course.
AEW has allowed similar situations in the pastmost notably when Billy Gunn appeared on WWE programming for the 2019 Hall of Fame induction of D-Generation X. But that moment ended with Triple H mocking AEW as a pissant company, which still lingers in the minds of many involved.
This isnt the first time WWE has wanted to feature someone under contract elsewhere. When Ric Flair was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a member of the Four Horsemen while signed to TNA, Dixie Carter struck a deal for Christian to appear on a TNA show. That backfired. As Meltzer put it, Christian made it so obviously clear he didnt want to be there and it did TNA no good at all.
Meltzer floated several possibilities AEW could explore if they do allow Sting to appear, including asking WWE to acknowledge the favor or make a mutual business concession. He wrote, AEW should start a Hall of Fame soon with Sting and Danielson and perhaps other historical figures they see fit AEW could even ask WWE to plug a major AEW show, or Levesque apologize for the Billy Gunn remark as an olive branch.
Meltzer added that Tony Khan may want to go public with the situation, stating something like, We were asked, but because of what happened with Gunn, were only asking in return for something. That way, fans know exactly where the lines are being drawn, and whos responsible if it doesnt happen.
Whether Sting ultimately shows up to induct Luger depends on how far AEW is willing to bendand whether WWE is willing to offer anything in return. One things for sure: this potential Hall of Fame moment is already stirring up some serious behind-the-scenes drama.
Do you think AEW should let Sting appear at WWEs Hall of Fame to induct Lex Luger? What would be a fair trade? Drop your thoughts in the commentswe want to hear from you.
