Early Wrestling Career
Steve Borden was born on March 20, 1959, in Omaha, Nebraska. Growing up, Borden played football and basketball and then pursued a career in bodybuilding. Though he was initially uninterested in professional wrestling, Borden became enamored with the sport after being brought to a WWE event starring Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and The Iron Sheik.
Sting began his pro wrestling career in 1985. He wrestled across the West Coast independent circuit in promotions like the CWA and the UWF. During his independent career, Sting formed a tag team with Jim “Justice” Hellwig, better known as WWE’s Ultimate Warrior.
Sting’s Rise To Stardom
One of the most pivotal matches of Sting’s career came at the inaugural Clash of the Champions PPV produced by WCW and Jim Crockett Promotions. Sting wrestled Ric Flair for the NWA World Championship and fought to a 45-minute time-limit draw.
Sting then became one of the most popular babyfaces of WCW. Fans loved him for his wrestling abilities, along with his colorful facepaint and neon ring attire. The fun-loving surfer Sting went on to become the WCW United States Heavyweight Champion and WCW World Heavyweight Champion.
Feud With The NWO
Following the formation of the nWo in 1996, Sting underwent a drastic transformation. He switched out his color attire for intimidating black gear and donned dramatic black and white face paint. This new gimmick was inspired by the 1994 film, The Crow, and was suggested by Scott Hall.
With this gimmick change came a darker, brooding hero who fought back against the nWo’s control over WCW. His popularity exploded, dwarfing the already immense popularity of his former surfer persona. In 1998, Sting joined the babyface offshoot of the nWo, the Wolfpac.
Sting remained a member of the WCW roster until the company officially went under in 2001. He underwent contract negotiations with WWE but ultimately chose not to join the promotion as the majority of his peers did.
TNA And WWE Tenures
In 2003, Sting signed his first contract with Total Nonstop Action. He made his debut for the company on June 18 and immediately became a fan favorite once again. At Bound for Glory 2006, Sting defeated Jeff Jarrett for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, bringing him to the top of the mountain in TNA.
Sting remained a staple of the TNA roster for the next several years; he became a four-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion and was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame in 2012. He departed from the company in January 2014, bringing his eleven-year tenure to a close.
On November 23, 2014, Sting made his long-awaited WWE debut at the annual Survivor Series by attacking The Authority. He consequently entered a few with the faction, honing in on the group’s leader Triple H. At Night of Champions 2015, Sting’s in-ring career came to an abrupt end due to a neck injury sustained in a match against Seth Rollins. Sting announced his retirement as a result and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016.
All Elite Wrestling
On December 2, 2020, Sting made his surprise AEW debut. He then formed a tag team with TNT Champion Darby Allin. Sting defied all odds by returning to in-ring action in March 2021, coming back from what was once thought to be an insurmountable injury.
On October 18, 2023, Sting announced his imminent retirement from in-ring competition at Revolution 2024.
