Sting wrestled the final match of his career this past Sunday at AEW Revolution 2024.
The Icon retained the AEW Tag Team Titles with Darby Allin against The Young Bucks in the main event of the show.
On a recent edition of his “The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy” podcast, AEW wrestler Matt Hardy weighed in on Sting’s retirement match this past weekend.
The veteran wrestler also discussed how kayfabe in its original form is dead, and how modern wrestlers can use social media to their advantage.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On Sting’s retirement: “I loved every bit of it. More than anything, I’m happy for Sting. I’m happy that Sting got the chance to tell a story in the correct fashion. He was treated with respect, he was treated with honor, and he was able to go out on his own note, which was fantastic. It was emotional. They told a good ride, they told a good story. Sting looked as great as Sting could possibly look in that match, in those moments. And Darby did a hell of a job carrying his end of the deal too. Kudos, big round of applause to everybody involved. They killed it. Once again, I will applaud [AEW President] Tony Khan for getting Sting there, and sending him out the right way.”
On how kayfabe in its previous form is dead: “Kayfabe to 1997 and earlier, that kayfabe is pretty much dead. Kayfabe from 1997 going forward is just more or less situational things that we can possibly manipulate, possibly manufacture, and do things to keep the crowd guessing. And it’s one of the unique tools that you can utilize in pro wrestling where they’re just not really sure where the lines between reality and fiction lie.”
On tools wrestlers still have with social media: “That’s one of the tools we have to our advantage. I feel like in pro wrestling, and there’s many ways you can utilize that depending on how you promote yourself online, depending how you promote your show on a TV screen, whatever it may be. But there are definitely things there that you can utilize that can be positive for the industry.”
Sting, the iconic professional wrestler, recently had his final match at AEW Revolution 2024. Teaming up with Darby Allin, Sting successfully defended the AEW Tag Team Titles against The Young Bucks in the main event of the show. This retirement match marked the end of an era for Sting, and it was met with praise from both fans and fellow wrestlers.
One wrestler who shared his thoughts on Sting’s retirement match was Matt Hardy, who discussed the significance of the event on his podcast, “The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy.” Hardy expressed his happiness for Sting, emphasizing that he was treated with respect and honor throughout the match. He commended AEW for allowing Sting to go out on his own terms and praised the storytelling and emotional aspects of the match. Hardy also gave credit to Darby Allin for his impressive performance alongside Sting.
In addition to discussing Sting’s retirement, Hardy touched upon the concept of kayfabe in professional wrestling. He noted that kayfabe, which refers to the portrayal of staged events as real, has evolved over the years. According to Hardy, the traditional form of kayfabe, prevalent until 1997, is essentially dead. However, he highlighted that modern wrestlers can still manipulate and manufacture situational elements to keep the audience guessing about what is real and what is scripted.
Furthermore, Hardy emphasized the importance of social media as a tool for wrestlers in today’s industry. He explained that social media provides a platform for wrestlers to promote themselves and their shows in various ways. By leveraging social media effectively, wrestlers can create intrigue and engage with fans, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. Hardy believes that utilizing social media in a positive manner can have a significant impact on the wrestling industry.
Overall, Sting’s retirement match at AEW Revolution 2024 was a memorable event that showcased his talent and allowed him to leave a lasting impression on the wrestling world. Matt Hardy’s comments on the match and the evolution of kayfabe shed light on the changing dynamics of professional wrestling. Additionally, his insights into the role of social media in the industry highlight the opportunities it presents for wrestlers to connect with fans and enhance their storytelling abilities.