Jon Moxley, Malakai Black: Ranking the top 5 AEW Debuts in History

#3. The Icon Sting saves Cody Rhodes on AEW

Sting on AEW

At AEW Winter is Coming, Darby Allin and Cody Rhodes faced Powerhouse Hobbs and Ricky Starks. The babyfaces were victorious but had no time to celebrate as Brian Cage entered the ring and a beatdown followed.

Just as Hobbs was preparing to hit Rhodes with the FTW Championship, the lights went out and a winter-themed video played on the titantron. Not many knew what was going on until Tony Schiavone yelled, "It's Stiiiiiiiing!!!"

.@STING HAS ARRIVED IN ALL ELITE WRESTLING! Watch #AEWDynamite NOW on @TNTDrama pic.twitter.com/NMLGKqdQtX

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 3, 2020

The heels scampered away as Sting, making his first appearance on TNT in nearly 20 years, came face to face with Arn Anderson. He slowly made his way back as snow fell in the arena. The visual presentation of Stinger's debut was stunning and got the entire wrestling universe buzzing. Sting had signed a full-time contract with AEW.

Sting has signed a full-time, multi year deal with AEW pic.twitter.com/pmIrCmu9No

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) December 3, 2020

He would go on to make his in-ring return in an entertaining tag team match alongside Darby Allin against 'Men of the Year' Scorpio Sky and Ethan Page. Under his wing, Allin has become an even bigger star.

The moment, imagery, and the aftermath make Sting's debut one of the best in AEW. One can only imagine how loud the pop would have been had it been a full arena jam-packed with fans.