Will Hobbs Recalls His Reaction To Sting’s AEW Debut, Meeting Sting Backstage

Sting returned to TNT for the first-time since the end of WCW on December 2, 2020 when he made a surprise appearance on AEW Dynamite. 

Sting came out during a segment that saw Team Taz lay a beating on The Nightmare Family, running off the group consisting of Powerhouse Will Hobbs, Ricky Starks, Taz, and Brian Cage. 

Speaking to Chris Jericho on Talk is Jericho, Hobbs recalled his emotions being in the ring as Sting made his debut. 

“Sting was my dude [growing up]. Not until a couple of hours before,” Hobbs said when asked if he knew about Sting showing up. “I still didn’t see him. [I wondered] if he was going to appear on the screen or what. When he came out and the snow was coming down, I kid you not, I was looking around and yelling ‘Oh my God!’ It was so loud out there. I remember watching WCW and when Sting would come out, how the NWO would [react]. I got goosebumps. It’s one of the top moments in the company and I was part of it.”

When asked about his meeting with Sting backstage, Hobbs said, “He came up to me and thanked me. I’m like, ‘Thank you. You were a big influence in my childhood.’ He said that meant a lot and looked me in the eyes and I truly appreciated it. I had gotten into my grandma’s makeup kit and put my own little facepaint on.”

Hobbs then went on to say his grandma would make him “go get the switch” for a whooping after he was caught going through his makeup. 

Sting is set to get back in the ring at AEW Revolution when he teams with Darby Allin in a street fight against Ricky Starks and Brian Cage. 

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