A year ago, nobody knew what Steven Borden would be. Now Sting’s son is getting chants of “Steve, Steve” in the middle of a Dynamite match in Norfolk, Virginia, and I think the crowd is ahead of the wrestler. That is a good problem for AEW, and a real one, because the reaction he is getting is bigger than what he has shown so far in the ring. It is also the most interesting thing to come out of an otherwise forgettable Dynamite.
🎯 Key Takeaways
- He is more over than he should be: the crowd chanted his name while he threw around ten punches on Dynamite in Norfolk.
- He has been wrestling since October 2025, with his first televised AEW match coming September 9 alongside Darby Allin.
- Size and look are his advantage: Dave says he is taller than Edge, and he looks like a young Sting.
- Gear and name need work, according to Johnny North, and his in-ring work is still basic.
Steven Borden
Why Steven Borden Is Getting Over
Start with the obvious: he looks like Sting. The crowd sees it too. First of all, the guy is gigantic. He was taller than Edge on Dynamite, and Johnny North puts Edge at 6’4 or 6’5. Sting was decently tall himself, and Johnny reminded me that the sons are usually bigger than the fathers, so get ready for that.
The guy is gigantic, first of all. Very athletic looking. His wrestling is kind of basic so far, but I think there is something there.
— Dave Simon, Wrestling Uncensored
The reaction backs it up. In Norfolk, the fans chanted his name while he was throwing about ten punches. It wasn’t a crazy crowd, but they were really into him. That is natural charisma, and you can’t teach it. I said it on the show, and I will say it here: there is something to this guy.
🤔 Did You Know?
His first pro match came in October 2025, so he has been wrestling for less than a year. His first televised AEW match was on the September 9, 2026 Dynamite, teaming with TNT Champion Darby Allin, who has trained him and helped his development.
The AEW Fan Base Factor
Johnny North’s read on the crowd is the smartest part of the conversation. He thinks his heritage helps a lot, because fans want him to succeed. AEW fans are very kind, especially when they know you come from a wrestling background and care about the business. Steven’s roots are in AEW, so the audience treats him like one of their own.
I would add the Sting factor. AEW fans loved Sting, and if you love Sting, you are going to show a certain amount of love and respect to his family. Johnny even wondered whether AEW fans are usually harsher and expecting more, which makes the leeway here more remarkable. He is more over than he should be, and AEW knows it.
What Borden Still Needs
The ring work is the other side of it: it is basic. That is completely normal for a guy with less than a year of experience, and Johnny is not worried about it. Wrestling comes with time, and the shape is already there. What worries Johnny is the presentation.
Johnny North’s first complaint is the gear. It looks like crap, like something a guy who just came off the street would wear, and it does not look credible. I disagreed: take his shirt off and the first thing you say is how jacked he is. Nobody off the street looks like that. Johnny’s answer was that there are a lot of guys like that in Florida, and without better gear he does not stand out. I think he stands out in AEW just because of his size.
The name is his second issue. His name does not pop off as a big star, Johnny says, and you have to do something more with it. I do not hate it. I like the whole presentation with Steve Borden Jr., but I agree there is room to grow.
What Borden Does Next at All Out
The next test is real. At All Out on September 26, Borden teams with Darby Allin against Kyle Fletcher and Kevin Knight of the Don Callis Family in an eliminator match for the AEW World Tag Team Championship. Darby was a tag team champion with Sting, so he could become the first man to hold tag gold with a father-and-son team.
The timing helps him. Darby is the TNT champion and the focus of the story, and Fletcher and Knight are experienced enough to carry a rookie through a match. The risk is real too: a crowd that chants your name in Norfolk does not automatically do it in Chicago, and Borden is being asked to handle a spot that matters. I could be wrong about that concern, because the fans have shown they will meet him halfway.
For background on the AEW landscape going into All Out, see our All In results and grades and our All In card breakdown. Johnny North will have his own news next week, and the Wrestlezone report has the details of his TV debut.
Reality Check: Heritage Opens the Door, Ring Work Keeps It Open
The Reality: A famous name gets Borden a crowd. Only wrestling keeps him one. AEW has been smart to protect him, and the next few months decide whether he becomes a real star or a very well-liked legacy act.
Steven Borden Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Steven Borden?
He is the son of Sting, the AEW and WWE Hall of Famer whose real name is Steve Borden. He began wrestling in October 2025 and has been developed in AEW with help from Darby Allin.
When did Borden make his AEW TV debut?
Borden had his first televised AEW match on September 9, 2026, on Dynamite, teaming with TNT Champion Darby Allin against Mark Davis and Josh Alexander of the Don Callis Family.
Who is Borden facing at AEW All Out?
At AEW All Out on September 26, 2026, Borden teams with Darby Allin against Kyle Fletcher and Kevin Knight in a World Tag Team Championship eliminator match.
Is Borden signed to AEW?
Fightful Select believes he is signed to AEW. Tony Khan said in February 2026 that developing him as a pro wrestler is a huge priority for the company.
Why is Borden getting so many chants?
Fans respond to his size, his resemblance to Sting, and the goodwill AEW fans have for Sting’s family. Dave Simon says he is more over than he should be at this stage of his career.
