We follow iconic wrestler Sting’s career through a retelling of some of his greatest matches!
Here are some matches to check out in preparation for Stings possible return.
Even if he doesnt, its a great journey to take.
Airing againstWrestleMania IV, the NWA intended to make their free event something to talk about.
The crowd certainly felt that way as both Sting and Flair received wild reactions.
The NWA also sought to emulate some of theWrestleManiaformula, adding in a few special stipulations.
First, Flairs manager JJ Dillon was suspended above the ring in a small, steel cage.
There would be a 45 minute time limit to ensure that all the action aired on the TBS SuperStation.
The match would also feature a group of celebrity judges.
Wow, the spectacle!
However, the real spectacle here was the match itself.
If you happen to watch this after reading, dont expect fast, wild action.
Thats not what its about.
It doesnt matter that these things arent coming in rapid succession because every move, every look matters.
There are armbars in this match that are more exciting than someSmackdownmain events.
Ultimately, Ric Flair would retain, but not by pinning or submitting Sting.
Oh, and there were judges too who scored the match too, that was kind of silly.
In 1990, Sting returned with his focus on Flair and his World Heavyweight title.
It also featured awesome, poorly cut-and-pasted pictures of the WCW stars over paintings of the patriots.
1990 was a dream.
Sting entered first, covered in the good ol red, white and blue.
In this entrance, it was clear who the man truly was.
Flair enters as champion, sporting white and blue, himself.
Flair ally Ole Anderson found himself handcuffed to El Gigante.
The Horsemen were out of luck.
Still, both performers exhibit their knack for not only physicality, but perfect ring psychology.
Sting even wins with an inside cradle.
He out techniqued the technician.
Sting was the future of WCW, and the future began that night.
I kind of wish I was kidding with that last one.
The following is a great example of Sting in those less remembered days.
While the belt was on…hiatus, WCW developed their own World Title.
Then, when that Big Gold Belt made its way back, it was deemed the WCW International Championship.
Flairalsocame back and then won the WCW World Heavyweight Title.
Rude, who cheated, was stripped of the title.
Sting refused to take the belt without competing for it and thus this match was born.
OK…now were caught up.
This match was chosen for one element: Vader.
If there was ever a missed opportunity in professional wrestling, it was him.
This was no fault of Stings.
Over their feud, Sting allowed Vaders star to rise along with his own.
Even some of the crowd could be heard cheering Sting Must Die.
Not a technical match by any means, Sting/Vader was brutal.
And then, they signed Hogan.
Flair would lose his belt to the debuting Hogan the next month.
After numerous failed attempts to stop Hogans rampage, Sting did something unheard of.
Sting, now more into his dark persona, would haunt the arenas ofNitro.
For over one year, Sting did not compete in a match.
Until he got THE match.
The crowd had been waiting for Sting and nothing was bigger than that.
Lets be honest though, the match itself isnt all that great.
There is some decent storytelling in the middle, but the finish doesnt make much sense.
An overblown attempt at making it look like nWo business as usual.
What makes it great is what it accomplished at the end.
This match put Sting back in the place he deserved to be.
Sometimes its the match that sends the crowd home happy that makes the most difference.
WCW was at its peak, and then it began to fall.
Sting stuck with the brand through its ups and downs.
As the ship sank, the captain stayed on board.
At least with this match, we have something to talk about.
As you probably figured out, you have tolight your opponent on fireto win one of those.
Not a bad hook.
Seriously, check it out…its ridculous.
It isnt long before both men are on their way back up to the top.
This is where it gets down right goofy.
The lights drop as the gasoline drenched wrestlers near the torch.
The warpainted men exchanged blows for a few moments and then disappeared.
Im pretty sure this would have had more impact if the crowd could see anything.
Vampiro grabbed the torch and lit a man who isclearly not Stingon fire.
Not Sting then takes a really nice front flip off of the NitroVision onto a crash mat.
Welcome to WCW 2000.
By April of 2001, WCW was no more.
First, it is Stings first 1 on 1 World Title match as a real member of TNAs roster.
Second, it is this period that represents TNA at its height of importance.
The match even has Kurt Angle as a special guest enforcer.
TNA was showing their hand and in 2006, it was an exciting reveal.
Sting would gain the belt after powering through a guitar shot and locking in the Scorpion Deathlock.
The man called Sting was back.
Over the next 8 years, Sting would stick with TNA.
He would go through many new variations on his character and occasionally take some time off.
Even with TNAs ups and downs, he remained one of their biggest attractions.
So what does his surprise appearance at the 2014Survivor Seriesmean for Stings future in the WWE?
The truth is very few people know what is going on with The Man Called Sting.
I think we all want it to be at least one more match to add to his great story.
- A version of this article originally appeared on July 14th, 2014.
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