Steven Borden has taken another significant step in the beginning of his professional wrestling career, making his AEW Dynamite in-ring debut after working several dark matches throughout the year. The son of Sting entered the match alongside Darby Allin, creating an immediate connection to one of the defining partnerships of Sting’s final run as an active wrestler.
It was a notable night for Borden, whose early AEW appearances have naturally brought close attention from fans due to his family name and his resemblance to his father. Sting remains one of the most recognizable figures in the history of the industry, and Borden’s move into the ring comes with expectations that few new wrestlers have to confront at such an early stage.
Jim Ross, who had a front-row perspective on Sting’s rise decades ago, believes the younger Borden has tangible qualities that could help him make a meaningful name for himself. Speaking on Grilling JR, Ross assessed what he has seen from Steven Borden and put his current progress in the context of Sting’s own early years in wrestling.
Ross remembers Sting as a fast learner
Ross’ connection to Sting’s career goes back to the beginning. Before Sting became “The Icon,” before the face paint and the crow-inspired persona, he was a developing talent trying to establish himself in a rapidly changing wrestling landscape. Ross recalled calling many of Sting’s matches during his first two years in the business.
For more background on this topic, read Upper Deck, AEW Launch Rebel Charity Card With All Proceeds Supporting ALS Organizations.
“I saw Sting extensively in his rookie year and second year of the business; called so many of his [matches],” Ross said on Grilling JR.
That background gives Ross an especially interesting perspective as Steven Borden starts finding his footing. The broadcaster watched Sting evolve from an inexperienced performer into a cornerstone attraction, and he noted that Sting’s willingness to learn was an essential part of that journey.
Ross compared Sting’s approach to that of his former Blade Runners partner, the late Ultimate Warrior. While both men became major names, Ross characterized Sting as a quicker learner who took feedback on board. That ability to listen, adjust and improve helped Sting develop far beyond his original presentation as part of a powerhouse tag team.
For Steven Borden, the comparison is not about replicating every part of his father’s path. Wrestling is a different environment now, and Borden will need to establish a style, personality and body of work that is his own. Still, the traits Ross valued in Sting’s formative years — coachability, steady progress and a willingness to absorb experience — remain relevant for any young performer entering television wrestling.
A familiar image at All In: London
Steven Borden has already had opportunities to share meaningful wrestling moments with his father. Ross specifically pointed to an image from AEW All In: London, where Borden was positioned on a ladder. In that moment, Ross said the resemblance between father and son was particularly striking.
“There’s one shot in particular when Steven Borden was up the ladder. ... He, in the face, he looks like his dad,” Ross said on Grilling JR.
That resemblance will inevitably be part of the conversation whenever Borden appears on AEW programming. It is also one reason the audience reaction has been so immediate. There is a visual familiarity that connects him to Sting’s legacy, especially for longtime viewers who watched Sting’s career through multiple eras and promotions.
But a famous resemblance alone does not make a wrestler. The challenge for Borden will be turning that initial recognition into sustained crowd investment. AEW’s roster is filled with established performers and younger talents looking to create their own openings, and television time must ultimately be supported by in-ring growth and a compelling identity.
His Dynamite debut offered a more prominent platform than the dark matches that came before it. Teaming with Allin also placed him beside an established AEW figure with whom Sting shared one of the most important relationships of his final in-ring chapter. The pairing was an effective way to acknowledge the history surrounding Borden without making the entire presentation solely about nostalgia.
Why Ross believes Borden has the physical tools
Ross’ optimism was not based only on lineage or appearance. He also emphasized Borden’s athletic background and physical potential. Borden is a former Division I athlete, a foundation Ross believes can serve him well as he gains experience in pro wrestling.
“He’s a former D1 athlete, he’s got a great frame to put on more pounds and definition. He’s gonna be a player, there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s gonna be a player,” Ross said on Grilling JR.
In wrestling, a legitimate athletic background can help a newcomer adapt to the demanding physical requirements of the ring. It does not eliminate the learning curve associated with timing, crowd interaction, character work or match structure, but it can provide an important base. Ross sees Borden’s frame and athletic profile as assets that could become even more apparent as he continues training and develops his physique.
The phrase “gonna be a player” is a strong endorsement from a commentator who has watched countless prospects enter the business. Ross did not present Borden as a finished product. Instead, his comments focused on the direction in which Borden could be heading. That distinction matters. The early attention may be fueled by Sting’s legacy, but Ross is identifying a set of attributes that could help Borden eventually stand on his own.
Ross went even further in considering Borden’s ceiling, arguing that he could someday develop into one of the primary acts on a weekly professional wrestling television program. That is an ambitious projection, particularly for someone at the earliest stage of a career, but it also reflects the impression Borden has made thus far.
The importance of finding an identity beyond the Sting legacy
Borden’s name will always invite comparisons. That is unavoidable when a wrestler is the child of a performer as influential as Sting. His connection to Sting is a genuine part of his story, and AEW has already used that history in ways that have resonated with fans. The emotional link between Sting and Allin made Borden’s association with Allin an especially natural fit.
At the same time, a long-term career requires more than inheriting an audience’s goodwill. Borden will need to show what differentiates him as an in-ring performer and determine how much of his presentation should lean into the Sting connection versus how much should chart a separate course. The most durable second-generation careers tend to balance respect for family history with a clear individual voice.
There is no need for Borden to solve every part of that equation immediately. His dark match work, followed by the Dynamite debut, suggests a gradual process rather than an attempt to rush him into a finished role. That measured approach allows a young wrestler to gain repetitions, learn how to perform in different settings and become comfortable working in front of increasingly larger audiences.
The response to his early appearances indicates that there is substantial curiosity about where the process leads. Fans have already embraced the visual parallels to Sting and the symbolic links to Allin. Ross’ comments add another layer to that enthusiasm because they come from someone who remembers how much Sting changed from his earliest matches to the star he eventually became.
A promising start, with much still to prove
Steven Borden’s AEW Dynamite in-ring debut was not the conclusion of a story. It was the beginning of a more public stage in his development. He has the advantage of a recognizable name, an athletic background, a strong physical foundation and an immediate point of connection with AEW viewers through Sting and Darby Allin.
Those advantages will create opportunities, but the next steps will define whether he can fulfill the potential Ross sees. More ring time, continued training and the ability to connect with audiences in his own way will determine how far he goes. The expectations are considerable, yet Ross’ assessment suggests they are not based merely on sentiment.
For now, Borden has made an encouraging first impression on a major AEW platform. As he continues to work matches and develop beyond the shadow of a legendary father, the wrestling world will be watching to see whether another Borden can grow into a major television presence.
In pictures
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.