Backstage Notes on Last Night’s AEW Dynamite, Sting’s Appearance & Ted Turner Tribute

As previously reported, last night’s edition of AEW Dynamite was dedicated to the late WCW owner and TBS founder Ted Turner. WCW icon and WWE Hall of Famer Sting also made an appearance during AEW Dynamite, joining Tony Schiavone for a tribute to honor Turner. Dave Meltzer had more details on last night’s AEW Dynamite on today’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.

According to Meltzer, Sting was already scheduled to do promotional work and media for the event in North Charleston, South Carolina, since Sting spent a good part of the early days of his career in the area. However, Meltzer said that Sting was not originally brought in to appear on AEW Dynamite.

Meltzer stated, “Sting was actually not brought in for this show. Sting was — the plan was for Sting to come in and do promotional work in Charleston because they felt that, you know, they’re in the Carolinas and Sting started early in his career working that territory. So they flew Sting in to do media and stuff. And Sting himself asked when he got there, or even before, he goes, ‘I don’t want to be on the show because it’s not my time anymore. I don’t want to take time away from anybody else. I do not want to be on the show.'”

Tony Khan Rewrote Last Night’s AEW Dynamite To Include the Ted Turner Tribute With Sting and Tony Schiavone

He also reported that the sudden passing of Ted Turner earlier in the day is what prompted rewrites for Dynamite by Tony Khan to include the Turner tribute. It was Khan who wanted Schiavone and Sting to appear in the Turner tribute on AEW Dynamite, and Meltzer stated that Sting was happy to do it.

Meltzer continued, “Then Ted Turner dies, he’s [Sting] there, and Tony basically rewrites much of the show, because he felt they needed to open the show, and he had changed things around and everything. And he wanted Tony Schiavone and Sting to do the tribute to Ted Turner, which Sting was happy to do.” He also noted that you could tell from watching the segment that it was “completely unscripted,” stating, “It was completely unscripted in the sense, and you could tell watching it. Like, they just went out there, and they winged it. I thought it was very well done.”

Sting later came out again during AEW Dynamite, celebrating with Darby Allin after Allin retained his title against Kevin Knight in the main event. Meltzer added that Ted Turner “deserved” the tribute last night to “his impact on wrestling.”

If using any of the above quotes, please credit Wrestling Observer Radio, with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.