Sting talks what’s next after officially retiring, HOF inductor choices, losing to Triple H at WM

PWTorch editor Wade Keller presents a special Thursday Flagship edition of the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Podcast featuring a WrestleMania 36 Preview with ex-WWE Creative Team member and professional stand-up comedian Matt McCarthy.

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After officially retiring from wrestling at the WWE Hall of Fame on April 2, Sting says he’s contemplating what’s next for him in the wrestling business.

“I’m going to kick back. I’ll pick and choose some events (to appear at), but I won’t be traveling as much,” Sting told Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated. “These grassroots shows remind me of my humble beginnings–even the smell of the building reminds me when I started. It’s an honor to still be in front of the fans.”

Sting book-ended WrestleMania Weekend with appearances for independent promotion Big Time Wrestling, trying to connect with as many fans as possible after WrestleMania Weekend.

“It’s a been a three decade connection with the fans, and I’ve always said I’m very humbled by it. After thirty years, I’m more humbled than I’ve ever been,” Sting said. “I said it at the Hall of Fame, and I’ll say it again–thank you. My hat is off to you. I wouldn’t be here unless for the fans, and that’s not a cliche, it’s true.”

As for his Hall of Fame induction, Sting said Ric Flair made the most sense inducting him. His other two thoughts were Lex Luger or Hulk Hogan, who is on the outside looking into WWE right now.

Sting also discussed the hot topic of whether he should have beaten Triple H in his first WWE match at last year’s WrestleMania. Sting downplayed the match result, saying he was just happy to be at Mania.

“People took the loss personally, but in this business, you have to learn real quick not to take anything that personally. For me, it was a memory just being in Levi Stadium in California, my home state, with that crowd there,” Sting told Barrasso.

“There was so much nostalgia with having DX and the NWO all together at WrestleMania. I can’t tell you how many pictures I’ve signed of all of us in the ring. Fans talked about that and loved it.”