Brian Cage recently looked back at one of the most memorable moments of his AEW career — the cinematic match at AEW Revolution 2021. The match featured wrestling legend Sting teaming up with Darby Allin against Brian Cage and Ricky Starks. It was the first cinematic match in AEW history and quickly became a standout moment for fans.
Cage shared his memories of the match, the challenges of filming it, and the reason Sting chose not to continue doing cinematic matches after that experience.
The First Cinematic Match in AEW
At AEW Revolution 2021, Sting returned to in-ring action in a cinematic match format. Instead of taking place in a traditional arena setting, the bout was filmed with special camera work and editing to create a movie-style wrestling experience.
The match featured two teams:
| Team | Wrestlers |
|---|---|
| Team Sting | Sting, Darby Allin |
| Team Cage | Brian Cage, Ricky Starks |
The match ended with Sting and Darby Allin picking up the victory. It became an important moment in AEW history and marked one of the earliest highlights of Sting’s run with the company.
Sting later finished his AEW career on a high note. At AEW Revolution 2024, he teamed with Darby Allin once again and defeated the Young Bucks in his final match.
Brian Cage Shares His Experience
Brian Cage spoke about the match during an appearance on RVDTV and described how special it felt to share the ring with a legend like Sting.
One moment that stood out for Cage was delivering the first powerbomb to Sting during the match. While the move looked powerful on screen, Cage admitted he was nervous performing it because of the responsibility that came with working with such an iconic figure.
He explained that even if everything went perfectly, any injury could still fall on him. Because of that, he tried not to overthink the moment and focused on making the move safe and effective.
Cage said the experience overall was exciting and unforgettable, especially because it was part of Sting’s major return to wrestling action.
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What Made the Cinematic Match Unique
The cinematic style gave the match a very different look compared to normal wrestling bouts. The production included several creative elements that helped turn the match into a storytelling experience rather than just a traditional contest.
Some of the standout features included:
| Production Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Cinematic filming | Movie-style camera work and editing |
| Staged entrances | Dramatic entrances designed like film scenes |
| 360-degree camera shots | Camera angles that captured action from all sides |
| Multiple scenes | Different parts of the arena and backstage areas used |
Cage praised the final product and said the cinematic presentation made the match feel special. He described it as one of the best cinematic wrestling matches he had seen.
Why Sting Avoided More Cinematic Matches
Even though the match received positive reactions from fans, the filming process was demanding.
Cage explained that the match required long hours and multiple reshoots. These repeated takes were physically tough, especially for a veteran performer like Sting.
Because of the physical strain and the long filming schedule, Sting reportedly decided not to take part in many more cinematic matches afterward.
The experience showed that while cinematic matches can look impressive on screen, they can also be very demanding for the wrestlers involved.
A Memorable Moment in AEW History
The AEW Revolution 2021 cinematic match remains one of the most talked-about moments from the early years of the promotion. It helped showcase Sting’s return to wrestling and gave fans a unique style of storytelling inside the ring.
Brian Cage’s reflections provide a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation, care, and respect involved when working with a legendary figure in professional wrestling.
For Cage, being part of Sting’s comeback match and helping create AEW’s first cinematic bout remains a proud moment in his career.







