Sting’s recent retirement announcement at AEW Revolution rocked the wrestling world, leaving fans and fellow wrestlers reflecting on The Icon’s illustrious career. However, Sting’s retirement had an unexpected ripple effect on another wrestling legend, The Undertaker, who reflected on its impact on a potential comeback match.
The Undertaker, who hung up his boots in 2020 after an iconic career culminating in a memorable match against AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36, recently opened up about his thoughts on a potential comeback. During a Q&A session on his Patreon platform, The Deadman playfully said that Sting’s retirement had dashed hopes of a comeback match for him.
He stated, “Well, I mean, if Sting hadn’t retired, maybe. He ruined the whole thing. I got new knees and he went and had to go and retire… Oh my gosh, we’re going to get so much heat for that.”
The idea of The Undertaker and Sting facing off in a match had long been a dream scenario for fans, especially after their brief appearances together in WWE in 2015. Despite the tempting prospect, the match never materialized.
Sting’s recently reflected missed opportunity for a match with The Undertaker
In a recent conversation with Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports, wrestling icon Sting opened up about the regret of never having faced The Undertaker in WWE, expressing his belief that the match, if executed properly, would have been a historic moment in the industry.
He stated, “I think if it was done right, it could have been a night, for sure, everyone would remember and never forget. They would be talking about it to this day. But it just was not going to happen. I thought, ‘Well, maybe if I get my foot in the door, we’ll see what happens.’ So I got my foot in the door.
“We did a WrestleMania with Triple H and then Vince [Vince McMahon] called and said, ‘Hey, I want you to have a world title match with Seth. Would you be willing to do that?’ ‘Yeah, I’d be willing to do that.’ Still, in hopes that somehow I could get in there with Taker,” he added.
Sting’s tenure in WWE included only four matches, beginning with his debut against Triple H at WrestleMania 31. It’s worth noting that the same show featured The Undertaker facing the late Bray Wyatt in a match, further fueling fans’ desire for a clash between Sting and The Deadman.
Even after his initial matches in WWE, Sting remained hopeful for a showdown with The Undertaker, expressing interest in a cinematic-style bout in 2020. However, Vince McMahon showed no interest in showcasing this dream match.
Despite the disappointment, the legacies of The Undertaker and Sting, two of wrestling’s most iconic figures, remain unblemished.