Steve Borden Jr., the son of legendary Hall of Famer Sting, is officially set to make his in-ring debut. In a move that has surprised many, his first match will not take place in a traditional wrestling arena but will instead happen inside a New York City art gallery in early October.

The event, which is being curated in part by Sting’s own protege, Darby Allin, adds another layer of significance to the debut. The former AEW TNT Champion is organizing the wrestling portion of the show, making it a full-circle moment as he ushers his mentor’s son into the business. Borden Jr.’s first foray into the squared circle will be part of a unique exhibition that blends the worlds of high art and professional wrestling.

Steve Borden Jr.’s Debut: Details on the “Hardway” Art Exhibition

Borden Jr. will step into the ring as part of the Hardway exhibition at the 52 Walker gallery. The show is centered around the works of artist Raymond Pettibon and will feature a wrestling ring installed inside the gallery for live matches scheduled on the evenings of October 3 and 10. Get tickets here.

Darby Allin will be competing on both nights and is curating the undercard bouts, which will spotlight up-and-coming talent, including Borden Jr. The event will also feature live music and work from wrestling specialist and designer Charlie Ramone.

From NFL Prospect to Wrestling Trainee: Borden Jr.’s Athletic Background

Wrestling fans got their first taste of Steve Borden Jr.’s incredible athletic ability during his father’s retirement match at AEW Revolution last year. Flanked by his brother Garrett, Borden Jr. got involved in the action, paying tribute to his father by dressing in a classic “Surfer” Sting look. What truly turned heads, however, was the unbelievable height he achieved while delivering a Stinger Splash in the corner.

His explosive leap, a product of his background as a former NFL prospect, generated a massive buzz and led to widespread encouragement for him to begin training for a career in the ring. He has been training ever since that night, preparing for this official debut.

What is the “Hardway” Wrestling Art Show?

The exhibition’s title, Hardway, is a classic wrestling term for when a performer is busted open by an accidental, legitimate blow, causing real bleeding. The press release notes this concept speaks to the heart of the exhibition, exploring the blurred lines “between truth and falsehood, danger and safety, performance and reality.”

The show will feature drawings by Pettibon that scrutinize and satirize American culture through the lens of professional wrestling’s stylized characters and violence.

Who is Artist Raymond Pettibon?

For those unfamiliar with Raymond Pettibon, his involvement is a significant part of what makes this event so unique. Pettibon is a legendary figure in the American punk rock scene. His distinctive and often unsettling single-drawing ink-on-paper illustrations became the visual identity for the hardcore punk movement of the late 1970s and 80s.

He is most famous for designing the iconic four-bar logo for the band Black Flag, fronted by his brother Greg Ginn. He also created the album art for Sonic Youth’s landmark 1990 album, Goo. His work bridges the gap between outsider art and high culture, making his focus on professional wrestling a fascinating subject for a gallery show.

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