AEW Collision taped last night at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia wrapped up with a heartfelt tribute to ‘Hot Stuff’ Eddie Gilbert.
AEW President Tony Khan took the mic to speak about Gilbert’s impact on the wrestling world and his ties to the venue. Doug Gilbert, Eddie’s younger brother, Tommy Rich, and Jeff Jarrett were present during the ceremony. Each person shared something personal associated with Eddie. Doug thanked AEW for honoring his late brother, while both wrestlers remembered their time together with Eddie in professional wrestling, and thanked fans for their support.
Sting made his first AEW appearance since retiring from the ring one and a half years ago. The WWE Hall of Famer walked out to a roaring ovation and spoke softly but with feeling. He credited Eddie Gilbert for giving him his first big break and teaching him the art of wrestling psychology. Sting said he owed much of his success to Eddie’s guidance and thanked the fans for chanting ‘Thank you, Eddie.’ He joked he would have liked a ‘Hot Stuff’ chant, but was moved by the tribute. After a final salute to Gilbert’s memory, Sting raised a fist and exited to a standing ovation. The segment closed one of the most emotional nights in recent AEW history.
Sting was brought out after the AEW Collision taping at the 2300 Arena to pay tribute to Eddie Gilbert.
Doug Gilbert, Tommy Rich, and Jeff Jarrett were present as well.
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— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) September 12, 2025
A WWE Legend Returns to Honor a Friend
The presence of Sting added a layer of gravitas to the tribute, reminding fans of the deep bonds in the wrestling community. His appearance showed that even in retirement, a true legend can still make a powerful statement. The decision to include wrestling icons connected to Eddie’s past, Doug Gilbert, Tommy Rich, and Jeff Jarrett, framed the segment as more than a tribute and made it seem more personal.
Fans at the 2300 Arena witnessed history as Tony Khan honored a pioneer in the business. The crowd’s chants of gratitude echoed through the building long after the show ended. With this surprise appearance, Sting made headlines after his unbeaten run in AEW. The last time he stepped in a ring was on March 3, 2024, with Darby Allin. He defended the Tag Team titles against The Young Bucks.
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