If you were asked what you thought of Sting’s WWE career so far, what would your answer be? Do you think he was overused or still could have done more? Did WWE put the pressure on him to deliver when he wasn’t ready?
Since 2006, every 6-8 months, rumors would circulate around the internet that Sting was coming to the WWE. WWE had several instances where they built up a “mystery” debut and released cryptic tweets in hopes that Sting would be intrigued and come into the WWE, however it never happened.
Over the last 30 years, Sting has been a part of the National Wrestling Alliance, WCW, and Total Nonstop Action wrestling. When WCW was purchased by Vince McMahon, Sting decided that he didn’t want to join WWE. He decided to take on a new venture in Jeff Jarrett’s Total Nonstop Action (TNA) wrestling. Sting would quickly become one of their top stars due to his name recognition and the matches were able to happen with the WCW roster.
After years of playing the savior in TNA, the thought of joining forces with Vince McMahon and the WWE started to resurface. Thoughts became a reality in 2014 when Sting signed a deal with WWE Games to be in WWE 2K15. This sparked major rumors of when, or if, Sting would appear on WWE television for the first time in his 30 year career. This day finally came when “The Vigilante” made his WWE debut last November at Survivor Series. When Sting made his anticipated arrival, it was unknown the extent of how he would be used. He blew away the collective minds of the WWE Universe when he finally showed his painted face inside the ring.
He engaged in high-profile feuds with Triple H and Seth Rollins over the past year. After suffering a serious neck injury during his bout with “The Architect” at Night of Champions in September, Sting hasn’t been seen or heard from on WWE television. Sting had a solid match with Triple H at WrestleMania 31 and disappeared until just after SummerSlam this year in August where he set his sights on the WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins at WWE’s Night of Champions event on September 20th.
During the match Sting took some nasty falls and took a couple moves that someone his age shouldn’t have taken. Being the professional he is, he powered through and had a great match with Seth Rollins until he took a powerful drop into the turnbuckle and it was obvious that Sting was injured. Sting was able to finish the match and walked out on the ramp, but collapsed as he reached backstage.
After all, he was facing a younger, faster Rollins when he got hurt. Some feel he wasn’t ready and may have been forced into the match prematurely. There has been little mention of his current health and/or if he will ever return. As of right now, the former WCW and TNA Heavyweight Champion isn’t penciled in for WrestleMania 32,meaning once again it looks like his long-talked about showdown with The Undertaker will be put on hold. Sting hasn’t discussed for a match at WrestleMania 32 behind the scenes, but he could still be given a role in some capacity, according to PWInsider.
Before Sting even signed with the WWE, there was speculation concerning an eventual showdown with The Undertaker, but it appears that the match may never happen. The serious injury and the WWE’s unwillingness to risk throwing Sting out into matches again could mean that his career with Vince McMahon’s company is over. Some feel his in ring career may have been wasted against Rollins and should have been properly booked against his dream opponent, The Undertaker.
Sting has a legends deal, so he still has a working relationship with the WWE, but it’s hard to see the company feeling comfortable enough to throw him back into the squared circle after his latest scare. To be honest, this is the only role I feel is suitable for him to return. Please do not bring him back as a manger of some sorts or another crony announcer. His stature and reputation deserve better than that.
The memories for me will still be his NWA battles against Ric Flair, his short stint as the 4th Horseman, and as the crazy leader of the NWO Wolf Pac. The sound of Tony Schiavone saying, “Up in the rafters it’s Sting. Oh my God,” still can be heard crystal clear in my head. Without his presence within WCW, there would have been no Monday Night War. His character symbolizes professional wrestling and I refuse to let a quick, mishandled WWE stint cloud any judgment I may have had.
I personally was not a fan of the Seth Rollins match and still question the timing. It begs the question, “Why even bring Sting to the WWE if he wasn’t going to wrestle the Undertaker?” Either way, it looks as if the illustrious career of wrestling’s most devious, yet exciting characters may be coming to a close. Will we ever see the Vigilante vs. the Deadman? I guess we will never know!
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