Steven Borden Jr. – Bio, Age, Height, Football, AEW Wrestling Debut, Sting’s Son, Career, Net Worth & Facts

Steven Borden Jr. is an American professional wrestler and former college football player who is making waves in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as the son of legendary wrestling icon Sting (Steve Borden). After pursuing a football career that took him from junior college to the SEC and an NFL rookie minicamp with the Kansas City Chiefs, Borden Jr. made a dramatic career pivot into professional wrestling in his early thirties. With his imposing 6-foot-3 frame, athletic background, and the guidance of AEW stars like Darby Allin and Adam Copeland, he is now positioned as one of the most intriguing second-generation prospects in the industry.

Quick Facts

Related Wrestling Families: Fans of Steven Borden Jr. also follow Dominik Mysterio (Rey Mysterio’s son), Charlotte Flair (Ric Flair’s daughter), Cody Rhodes (Dusty Rhodes’ son), Bron Breakker (Rick Steiner’s son), and Ava (The Rock’s daughter).

Early Life & Education

Steven Borden Jr. was born in 1992 in Waxahachie, Texas, a city south of Dallas. He grew up as the middle child of wrestling legend Steve Borden (Sting) and his first wife Sue Borden, alongside his older brother Garrett and younger sister Gracie (born in 2000).

Growing up as the son of one of professional wrestling’s biggest icons came with unique pressures and privileges. While his father was headlining pay-per-views in WCW, TNA, and later WWE, Steven Jr. pursued a different athletic path — football. He attended Kilgore Community College in Texas, where he played tight end and put up solid numbers: 11 catches for 181 yards and four touchdowns in his sophomore season.

His performance at Kilgore earned him a scholarship to the University of Kentucky, where he joined the Wildcats football program in 2013.

Career Journey

Football Career: From JUCO to the SEC (2011–2015)

Steven Borden Jr.’s football journey began at Kilgore Community College, where he developed into a promising tight end prospect. Standing at 6’3″ and around 250 lbs, he had the size and athleticism to compete at the highest level of college football.

In 2013, he transferred to the University of Kentucky to play for head coach Mark Stoops. His time in Lexington was a mix of promise and frustration:

• 2013 Season: As a junior-college transfer, Borden played in a rotational role, catching 3 passes for 63 yards and 1 touchdown — a 38-yard score against Alabama State.
• 2014 Season: He seized the starting tight end job during spring practice and started the season opener with 3 catches for 32 yards. However, he managed only one more catch the rest of the year, finishing with 4 receptions for 33 yards and 0 touchdowns. He also missed three games with an undisclosed injury.

Career College Stats:

After going undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft, Borden signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and participated in their rookie minicamp. Unfortunately, he did not make the final roster and was not invited to another NFL training camp.

Following the end of his football dreams, Borden transitioned into the fitness industry around 2021, regularly sharing workout content and training advice on social media.

Wrestling Career: The Family Business (2024–present)

The Spark: AEW Revolution 2024

Everything changed on March 3, 2024, when Steven Jr. stood by his father’s side for Sting’s retirement match at AEW Revolution in Greensboro, North Carolina. Dressed in his father’s iconic nWo Wolfpac attire, Steven Jr. made a dramatic entrance alongside his brother Garrett (who portrayed “Surfer Sting”). During the match, both brothers got physically involved, hitting Stinger Splashes on The Young Bucks to help Sting and Darby Allin secure the victory.

That night, a new career began.

Training and Development (2024–2025)

After Revolution, Steven Jr. decided to follow in his father’s footsteps — a conversation he admitted was tough. On the Von Erichs podcast, he recalled:

“When I told him I wanted to wrestle? Uh, no, that was a tough conversation [laughs]. I was dreading it.”

He began training under Darby Allin — Sting’s final tag team partner and close friend — who became the first person Steven spoke to outside of his father about wrestling. Allin went so far as to let Borden stay at his house and train in his backyard ring.

Additional training came from:

• Adam Copeland (Edge) and his wife Beth Phoenix
• FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler)
• Fred Rosser at the NJPW Academy in Los Angeles

Borden famously remarked that “a lot of wrestling is harder than football.”

In-Ring Debut (October 2025)

Steven Borden Jr. made his professional wrestling debut on October 3, 2025, at an Awesome Championship Wrestling event titled 52W Hardway: Live Wrestling Nights at the 52Walker art gallery in Manhattan, New York. He teamed with JD Drake in a losing effort against Darby Allin and Killer Kross.

Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer assessed the debut positively, noting that Steven Jr. “looked like a very good athlete for someone working their very first match” and even said he looked better than his father did at the same age.

AEW Dark Matches and All In 2026

Following his debut, Borden began working regular dark matches for AEW, often teaming with established talent like QT Marshall. By early 2026, AEW President Tony Khan made developing Steven Borden a “huge priority” for the company.

Khan also licensed “Turbo Charged” — the same entrance music Sting used in his early WCW days — for Borden to use, calling it a “really cool” gesture.

The biggest moment of his young wrestling career came at AEW All In 2026 on August 30, 2026, at Wembley Stadium in London. Steven Jr. appeared alongside his father Sting and helped Darby Allin in his victorious battle against Kevin Knight for the TNT Championship.

By late 2026, reports indicated that Steven Borden was believed to be signed with AEW on a formal contract.

Career Stats at a Glance

Football Career:

Wrestling Career:

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Steven Borden Jr. comes from one of wrestling’s most recognizable families. His father, Steve Borden (Sting), is a WWE Hall of Famer and one of the most decorated wrestlers in history with 10 world championships across WCW, TNA, and AEW. His mother, Sue Borden, was married to Sting from 1986 until their divorce in 2010 after 24 years of marriage.

Sting remarried Sabine in 2015, making her Steven Jr.’s stepmother.

Steven’s older brother Garrett is married to Katelyn Borden, and in late 2025, they welcomed a baby boy — making Sting a grandfather for the first time. Steven’s younger sister Gracie was born in 2000 and got married in 2025, with Steven posting about the “generational weekend” on Instagram.

Marriage and Dating

As of 2026, Steven Borden Jr. is single and there are no public records of past relationships, girlfriends, or dating history. At 34 years old, he appears fully focused on launching his wrestling career.

Life Outside the Ring

Before wrestling, Borden built a career in the fitness industry, leveraging his football background and impressive physique. He maintains an active presence on Instagram where he shares training content and family moments. He is known to be close with his father and deeply respects the legacy he is now carrying forward.

Controversies

Steven Borden Jr. has remained largely controversy-free. The only discourse surrounding him is the inevitable debate about “nepotism” in wrestling — given that his opportunity stems from being Sting’s son. Some fans have questioned whether he would have received AEW attention without his famous last name, particularly since he began wrestling in his mid-30s.

However, AEW veterans like Jeff Jarrett have defended Borden’s work ethic, comparing his late start to legends like Diamond Dallas Page and Batista, who also began wrestling in their 30s and went on to Hall of Fame careers.

Awards & Achievements

While Steven Borden Jr. is early in his wrestling career and has not yet won championships, his achievements include:

• SEC Football Player: Two-season letterman at the University of Kentucky
• NFL Rookie Minicamp Invitee: Kansas City Chiefs (2015)
• AEW All In 2026 Appearance: Featured on one of wrestling’s biggest stages at Wembley Stadium
• Successful In-Ring Debut: Praised by Dave Meltzer as looking better than Sting did at the same age

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“When I told him I wanted to wrestle? Uh, no, that was a tough conversation [laughs]. I was dreading it.”
— On telling Sting he wanted to become a wrestler

“I think, for me, the people that have made the biggest impact on me, starting with Darby. I mean, he’s the first person that I spoke to outside of my dad when I decided to wrestle.”
— On his training mentors

“A lot of wrestling is harder than football.”
— Comparing wrestling to his football background

Favorites

• Entrance Music: “Turbo Charged” (same as his father’s early WCW theme)
• Training Partners: Darby Allin, Adam Copeland, FTR
• Hometown Team: Dallas-area sports teams (grew up in Waxahachie, Texas)
• Family Tradition: Continuing the Borden legacy in professional wrestling

Earnings

Steven Borden Jr.’s estimated net worth in 2026 is between $500,000 and $1 million. His income sources include:

• AEW wrestling contract (reportedly signed in 2026)
• Previous fitness industry work
• Football career earnings (Kentucky scholarship, Chiefs minicamp)
• Potential merchandise and appearance fees tied to the Sting legacy brand

As his AEW career progresses, his earnings are expected to increase significantly.

Interesting Facts

• Steven Jr. was the first commitment of the Mark Stoops era at Kentucky football in 2013.
• He slept in a tent in Darby Allin’s backyard while training to become a wrestler.
• His brother Garrett Borden is also training to wrestle and made his in-ring debut in 2026.
• Dave Meltzer said he looked better than Sting did at the same age in his very first match.
• He uses his father’s early WCW entrance theme “Turbo Charged” in AEW.
• He appeared at AEW All In 2026 at Wembley Stadium, one of the largest wrestling events in history.

Did You Know?

• Steven Borden Jr. did not make his wrestling debut until he was 33 years old — older than his father was when Sting started, but similar to legends like Diamond Dallas Page and Batista.
• He played in the same Kentucky football program that produced NFL stars like Josh Allen and Wan’Dale Robinson.
• His father’s retirement match at AEW Revolution 2024 indirectly launched his own wrestling career.
• He is part of a growing trend of second-generation AEW stars, following in the footsteps of wrestlers like Cody Rhodes and MJF.

Social Media Links

• Instagram: @stevenborden
• IMDb (Sting): Steve Borden on IMDb

Note: Steven Borden Jr. does not currently have verified public Twitter/X, Facebook, TikTok, or YouTube accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Steven Borden Jr.?
Steven Borden Jr. was born in 1992, making him approximately 34 years 8 months old years old as of 2026.

Who is Steven Borden Jr.’s father?
His father is Steve Borden, better known worldwide as the wrestling legend Sting — a WWE Hall of Famer, multi-time world champion, and AEW icon.

Did Steven Borden Jr. play football?
Yes. He played tight end at Kilgore Community College and then for the University of Kentucky Wildcats (2013–2014). He also attended rookie minicamp with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015 but did not make the final roster.

When did Steven Borden Jr. debut in wrestling?
He made his professional wrestling debut on October 3, 2025, at an Awesome Championship Wrestling event in New York City.

Is Steven Borden Jr. signed to AEW?
As of August 2026, reports indicate that Steven Borden is believed to be signed with AEW and has been working regular dark matches and appearing at major events like All In 2026.

Who is training Steven Borden Jr.?
He is primarily trained by Darby Allin, with additional coaching from Adam Copeland (Edge), FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler), and Fred Rosser at the NJPW Academy.

Is Steven Borden Jr. married?
No, as of 2026, Steven Borden Jr. is single with no public dating history.

Conclusion

Steven Borden Jr.’s journey from the football field to the wrestling ring is one of the most unique second-generation stories in professional wrestling. After pursuing his own athletic dreams through college football and an NFL minicamp, he returned to his family’s roots at age 33 — proving that it’s never too late to chase a new passion. With the mentorship of AEW stars like Darby Allin and Adam Copeland, plus the full support of his legendary father Sting, Borden Jr. is positioned to carve out his own legacy in All Elite Wrestling.

If you enjoyed learning about Steven Borden Jr.’s remarkable career transition, share this article with fellow wrestling fans and keep watching — the Borden legacy is far from finished.