With negotiations in place for Sting to work for WWE I felt
the need to reflect upon the storied career of The Man Called Sting.
Sting’s biography on the new WWE Network by leaving that information alone.
After all we want to read about the wrestler Sting and not so much the person
Steve Borden, right?
Let’s turn the clock back to 1985 when Borden started wrestling
in the Continental Wrestling Association (CWA) with a bleach blond flattop, rat
tail, and face paint and called himself Flash Borden. While in CWA he was
partnered with Jim Hellwig as The Freedom Fighters. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6pFj_dRiQY
) Since they were unable to get over as babyfaces they turned heel, changed
their team’s name to the Blade Runners, and changed their own characters to
Sting and Rock. Unfortunately, the Blade Runners fizzled in CWA so they moved
on to the Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF).
Championship Wrestling (WCCW), Sting remained and joined the Hotstuff and Hyatt
International stable captained by “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert and Missy Hyatt.
Partnered with Gilbert, Sting won the UWF tag team titles twice in 1986 and once
with Rick Steiner in 1987.
Sting’s days as a heel ended when he was attacked by Gilbert
during his match against Terry Taylor. “Gentleman” Chris Adams rescued him then
questioned his loyalty. Sting chose to align himself with Adams and became a
babyface.
was recognized as a rising star by booker “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes. In
order to showcase Sting, Dusty partnered him in a six-man tag match with
Michael P.S. Hayes and Jimmy Garvin against Gilbert, Steiner, and Larry Zbyszko
at Starrcade ’87. (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3u38c_sting-the-freebirds-vs-r-steiner-l_sport)
From there his star
shined brightly during his segments on World Championship Wrestling. Regularly
he would excite the crowd with what would become his trademark howl.
Additionally the Stinger Splash and Scorpion Deathlock (sharpshooter) became
his trademark moves. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmBFZqZ4d4Y)
faced his toughest challenge to date—NWA World Champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair.
Their 45 minute match ended in a time-limit draw and is considered a ****1/2 to
***** classic. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeCECLyF8vs)
Throughout the rest of 1988 Sting was embroiled in feuds
with the Four Horsemen among others. At the Great American Bash he teamed with
“The Russian Nightmare” Nikita Koloff to wrestle against NWA World Tag Team
Champions Tully Blanchard and Arn Anderson to a time-limit draw. At Starrcade
’88 Sting teamed with Rhodes to face the freshly heel-turned Road Warriors for
the World Tag titles but only won by disqualification (DQ). (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npNaYbpnBig)
Rotundo for the NWA World Television title. He would hold the title until the
Great American Bash in a fantastic match against the Great Muta. Due to a
controversial finish the title was held up. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2WfqXNwQ0U
)
During the main event Sting rescued former adversary Flair
from a post-match beating orchestrated by Terry Funk and Muta. Sting and Flair
would settle that feud with a victory in a Thunderdome cage match at Halloween
Havoc. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAMY_swXQHM)
Subsequently Sting joined Flair, Arn, and Ole Anderson as a member of the Four
Horsemen.
Iron Man tournament making him the #1 contender for Flair’s World title. Consequently
this did not sit well with the other Horsemen, and Sting was summarily booted
after a vicious beating during Clash of the Champions X. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2W63rYGcQI)
In the show’s main event Sting attempted to climb the cage
to get to Flair; however, he suffered a severe knee injury which not only knocked
him out of action for several weeks but also cost him his title shot at the
WrestleWar ’90 PPV. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN_yLrCvHYM)
event to show support for his friend Lex Luger. Nonetheless Ole Anderson
attacked him causing Luger to lose the match by countout. Sting would be
tormented again by the Four Horsemen at the Capitol Combat PPV although he
would astonishingly be rescued by RoboCop! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuAKfG9JOns)
Finally upon his recovery Sting defeated Flair for the NWA
World title at the Great American Bash. While the victory seemed predictable the
pop for Sting was tremendous. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI2fN_4s8YI)
At Halloween Havoc Sting defended the World title against Sid Vicious. In a
mysterious twist it appeared that Sting had been pinned; nevertheless, Sting
re-emerged from the back having been tied up and defeated Sid.( http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4of8m_halloween-havoc-1990-sting-vs-sid-v_sport)
In addition to those shenanigans Sting also
dealt with an enigma called the Black Scorpion.
Black Scorpion in that they didn’t cast the character properly. Originally the
character was supposed to be played by Al Perez. In fact Perez challenged Sting
at Clash of the Champions XII under the Black Scorpion disguise; however, he
quit the promotion before the angle ran its course. Jeff Ellis and The Angel of
Death filled in as the Black Scorpion at house shows. But for Starrcade ’90
Flair stepped in to fill the shoes of the Black Scorpion and was unmasked after
the cage match with Sting to blow off this hokey feud. (http://www.wwe.com/videos/sting-vs-the-black-scorpion-starrcade-1990-nwa-world-heavyweight-championship-st-26025573)
Less than a month later Sting dropped the NWA World title to
Flair in East Rutherford, NJ, but the loss didn’t take anything away from his
shining stardom. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dGtW31X83s)
In fact at the inaugural SuperBrawl he teamed with Lex Luger to challenge the WCW
Tag Team Champion Steiner Brothers in what turned out to be one of the greatest
matches in wrestling history. (http://www.wwe.com/videos/the-steiner-brothers-vs-sting-and-lex-luger-26009312)
in a Russian chain match at Great American Bash ‘91. In August he won the
vacant US title by beating “Stunning” Steve Austin in the tournament final (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x71bnf_sting-vs-steve-austin-u-s-title-cli_sport)
and would hold the title until Clash of the Champions XVII when he lost to
“Ravishing” Rick Rude. (http://www.wwe.com/videos/sting-vs-rick-rude-clash-of-the-champions-november-19-1991-26055937)
At Starrcade ’91 Sting won the Battlebowl battle royal and
the prize of the #1 contender’s spot to the WCW World title. He would face Lex
Luger at SuperBrawl II and win his first WCW World title. (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3ssoz_sting-vs-lex-luger-wcw-title_sport)
Interestingly the victory occurred while Sting was involved in a feud with Dangerous
Alliance managed by Paul E. Dangerously. The feud culminated in a WarGames match
at WrestleWar ’92 which was both a bloodbath and a classic. (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xz7btc_01-92-05-17-wargames-wrestlewar_sport)
would have legendary encounters—Big Van Vader. Sting would lose the WCW World
title to Vader at the Great American Bash. Rebounding quickly he defeated
Cactus Jack in a thrilling match at Beach Blast. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai0oOwQZ_XA)
Later that year at Halloween Havoc Sting would be included
in what some would call a “dream match” with Jake “The Snake” Roberts; however,
WCW supposedly didn’t gimmick the wheel. (http://www.dailymotion.com/playlist/x142i3_JustPosting_halloween-havoc-1992/1#video=x6pomq)
So they faced off in a Coal Miner’s Glove match, but the dream became a
nightmare in spite of Sting’s victory as the match felt flat. At Starrcade ’92
Sting would avenge his earlier loss to Vader in the final of the King of Cable
tournament.
World title from Ron Simmons and challenged Sting to a strap match at
SuperBrawl III. Although the title was not on the line Vader defeated Sting. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihwAbLHpMRw)
Later that summer Sting was associated with Davey Boy Smith in a banal mini-movie
to hype their match against Vader and Vicious. (http://www.frequency.com/video/wcw-beach-blast-1993-countdown-show/108371839/-/5-885)
At SuperBrawl IV Sting was intertwined in a six-man
Thundercage match with “Flyin’” Brian Pillman and “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes
against “Stunning” Steve Austin, “Ravishing” Rick Rude, and “Mr. Wonderful”
Paul Orndorff. Sting’s team won; however, Rude slammed the cage door on Sting’s
face and gave him a Rude Awakening. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUPUwUGeJDU)
International World title. Sting beat Rude for said title in April, but “lost”
in May in a match that ended up costing Rude his career. In lieu of being
handed the title, Sting defeated Vader at Slamboree to fill its vacancy. (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5mduq_slamboree-1994-sting-vs-vader_sport)
For Clash of the Champions XXVII WCW wanted to unify their
World titles and pitted Sting against WCW World Champion Flair. Using excellent
psychology on the part of Sherri Martel, Flair defeated Sting. (http://www.wwe.com/videos/ric-flair-vs-sting-clash-of-the-champion-xxvii-wcw-world-and-international-champ-26009634)
Doom (which included another US title reign) Sting met Flair again on the very
first Monday Nitro but lost by DQ due to interference by Arn Anderson. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fk7Dr3Qfsw)
As a result of the interference Flair asked Sting to assist him in a tag team
match against Pillman and Anderson at Halloween Havoc.
Considering the history of bad blood Sting had with Flair
since ’88 he remained skeptical. Surprisingly he gave Flair one last chance
being the nice guy that he is. However nobody ever accused Sting of being smart
allegedly. So, in an angle considered old school even for 1995, Sting tagged
with Flair, but Flair turned on him recreating the Four Horsemen with Brian Pillman,
Arn Anderson, and Chris Benoit. Definitely
check this out: (http://www.wwe.com/videos/ric-flair-sting-vs-arn-anderson-brian-pillman-halloween-havoc-1995-26009446)
War 3 the bad blood continued to flow until Starrcade where Sting would meet
Flair and Luger in a great triangle match to determine the #1 contender to the
WCW World title. (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1a488r_sting-vs-ric-flair-vs-lex-luger-wcw-starrcade-1995_sport)
By 1996 Sting began altering his appearance by growing his
hair longer and darker but maintained the face paint. While tagging with Luger
they traded the WCW World Tag Team titles with Harlem Heat. But the best was
yet to come.
WCW and wanted Sting, Luger, and “Macho Man” Randy Savage in a tag match at
Bash at the Beach. In a match that changed wrestling history Hulk Hogan who
seemed to be rescuing the WCW wrestlers turned heel and became the leader of
the nWo. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO9zxsRzN-M)
Following the formation of the nWo Sting was being courted to
become a member. In fact, the nWo orchestrated a ploy to con WCW wrestlers into
thinking Sting had become a member and attacked Luger; however, Sting was being
impersonated by Jeff Farmer. Since Sting felt he had been besmirched by fellow
WCW wrestlers he walked out in the middle of the WarGames match against the nWo
at Fall Brawl. (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x74rxa_wargames-fall-brawl-1996-part-2_sport)
became a “free agent.” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dit0sfMCYpI)
Sting would not reappear to the WCW audience until October 21 when he attacked
nWo Sting with his new move The Scorpion Death Drop—an inverted DDT and turned
down the offer to join the nWo. Sting’s appearance changed further in this
episode as he donned a black trench coat and wore white face paint with black
markings.
As 1997 began Sting joined “blackballed” Randy Savage in the
ring on Nitro to oppose the nWo. On subsequent Nitros Sting and Savage would be
seen in the rafters leading up to SuperBrawl. At the event Savage turned his
back on Sting and joined the nWo. (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x15yu25_hollywood-hulk-hogan-vs-rowdy-roddy-piper-wcw-heavyweight-title_sport)
the nWo. In an epic moment his allegiance to WCW had been cemented. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcMHSvnbS28)
With the exception of the buffoonery played by Commissioner JJ Dillon everyone,
including the audience, knew Sting wanted to face Hogan. Knowing it had quite
the marquee matchup WCW did everything in their power to keep the two goliaths
from meeting until Starrcade.
Meanwhile Sting periodically repelled from the ceiling to
assist WCW in their war against the nWo. Most times he succeeded; however,
other times they got the best of him. Sting became so popular that WCW decided
to create a mask for Sting fans. These masks would prove to be extremely
popular insomuch as the nWo masqueraded as Sting in high-profile matches. (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1nz3s_hogan-vs-piper-hh-97-prt2_sport)
faced a conundrum. Eric Bischoff, President of WCW at the time, was known for
creating controversial storylines. By December of 1997 WCW’s main competitor, the
World Wrestling Federation (WWF), had unceremoniously turfed Bret Hart out of
the promotion weeks prior to Starrcade creating a tremendous amount of
controversy for themselves in an attempt to garner attention as well as ratings
and away from WCW.
A clean finish by Sting over Hogan was the logical choice
but not the proper choice in order to create controversy in order to keep the
paying customer around longer. In theory this makes sense while in practice the
controversy contained mixed signals. Let’s go over the particulars:
Hogan’s butt for 10 minutes, and winning the WCW World title in dominant
fashion, Sting simply walked through the entrance, received the brunt of the punishment
of the match, and was pinned due to a “fast count.” Second, referee Nick
Patrick allegedly “forgot” to make it a fast count; therefore, it looked like
the match was over.
Third, Bret Hart debuted for WCW as a special guest referee
for the Bischoff-Zbyszko match. Upon seeing the “injustice” of the questionable
pin Hart decked Patrick, restarted the match, and counted Hogan’s submission to
give the WCW World title to Sting. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhZbjpZQ4S8)
To make matters worse WCW purposely “ran outta time” (tm Tony
Schiavone) keeping the audience watching at home in suspense for the debut
episode of WCW Thunder. Lastly, due to the controversial finish in this match
Dillon vacated the WCW title until SuperBrawl VIII. (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4nnx9_nitro-29-12-1997-sting-vs-hulk-hoga_sport)
All in all an 18-month storyline that should have concluded with Sting looking
strong and triumphant instead made his character really weak because of all of
the extra-curricular activity spun within.
Regardless, at SuperBrawl Sting successfully regained the
WCW World title but again did not dominate Hogan. In a unique twist Savage, who
had been a major player in the nWo, interfered on his behalf tainting Sting’s
win. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CKeFvwA4zU)
champion by questionable means the WWF crowned a new World champion at
WrestleMania XIV clean as a whistle further destroying the credibility of
Sting’s title reign.
In an effort to improve said credibility and maintain strong
ratings, Sting repelled from a helicopter at WCW Spring Break Out ’98 in
Panama, City Beach, FL. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwa4kQI3nZ4)
But the following month at Spring Stampede Sting lost the title to Savage due
to interference by Kevin Nash. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF2hvZgcMYE)
Sting joined their group alongside Luger and Konnan comprising the nWo
Wolfpack. To better suit his Wolfpack affiliation Sting wore red face paint
instead of white. Meanwhile Bret Hart joined the nWo Hollywood faction and
attempted to psyche out Sting by first associating with him and then double-crossing
him. Their differences would be settled at Halloween Havoc. Sadly Sting lost in
another disappointing dream match where Bret put Sting on the shelf for the foreseeable
future. (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xakn9b_bret-hart-vs-sting_sport)
Sting would not return to WCW until March 1999 once again in
white and black face paint. The next month at Spring Stampede he wrestled in a
four corners match for the WCW World title against Hogan, Diamond Dallas Page
(DDP), and champion Flair. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc2YtxTB27U)
Fifteen days later on Nitro in a great match and ratings ploy Sting would
defeat DDP for the title (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xl9443_sting-vs-diamond-dallas-page_sport)
only to lose it back to him in a four-way match that included Goldberg and
Nash. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkGjL0hYogM)
Previously in the year Hogan turned babyface and won the WCW World title, but
Sting questioned his integrity. The two squared off at Fall Brawl where Sting
turned heel for the first time since 1985 and won his last WCW World title. (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xnctxo_sting-vs-hulk-hogan_sport)
In spite of his heel turn the WCW fans didn’t want to
support Hogan in their feud thus making Sting’s turn a flop. Exit Eric Bischoff
and enter Vince Russo. What would transpire for Sting would be storyline over
substance as the rematch for Halloween Havoc became Russo’s first worked shoot
in WCW. Hogan came out in street clothes and laid down for Sting rather than
wrestle him. (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x21p1y_hogan-vs-sting-hh-99_sport)
match and lost. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBUey17ES1o)
Remarkably, the title would be vacated on Nitro and a tournament to crown a new
champion was announced. Expectedly Sting would enter the tournament and defeat
Brian Knobs, Meng, and Luger to reach the semi-finals at Mayhem.
In the semi-final Sting lost to Hart due to Luger’s
interference. After the match he shook Hart’s hand to become a babyface again.
(http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3kqgp_wcw-mayhem-1999-sting-vs-bret-hart_sport)
At Starrcade he would face Luger, and despite losing, in a shocking swerve he
showed some intelligence. Sensing Elizabeth’s disloyalty Sting gave her a can,
supposedly of spray paint, but when she turned on him she sprayed silly string
at him instead. (http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/pictures/1999123p018.jpg)
Sting beat Vampiro. However, at the Great American Bash Sting lost in a Human
Torch match as a stuntman played Sting and was set on fire. (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xkn5ua_sting-vs-vampiro-human-torch-match_sport)
To say 2000 was a bad year for WCW storylines is like saying the people who
flew on the Hindenburg had a bad day.
On March 26, 2001 the final episode of WCW Monday Nitro aired.
In the main event Sting faced his long-time nemesis Flair in a lackluster match
with a predictable finish. In spite of that it was a nice nod to WCW history
and the two legends that made WCW great. (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x555nb_ric-flair-vs-sting-last-nitro-ever_sport)
of his contract with AOL/Time-Warner. In 2002 and 2003 Sting spent time in
Australia working for WWA. He would claim the WWA World title on December 13,
2002 but lost in a unification bout to NWA World Champion Jeff Jarrett on May
25, 2003.
From there Sting would sign with TNA. Although his initial
stay was brief, he would return in early 2006 to wrest the NWA World title from
Jarrett. At Hard Justice Christian Cage turned heel and cost Sting the title. However,
at Bound for Glory, Sting successfully defeated Jarrett to win his second NWA
World title. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JeY7XSQg2c)
Only 24 days later he would lose the title to Abyss.
ways with the NWA. Later that year at Bound for Glory Sting met Kurt Angle for
the TNA World title. Despite interference from both Karen Angle and Kevin Nash Sting
pinned Kurt Angle and became champion. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOnBYWHpFpk)
Again Sting’s title reign was short due to a loss to Kurt Angle at the next TNA
taping. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGclwfRBVL4)
In 2008 “The Icon” Sting won the TNA World title from Samoa
Joe with the help of Kevin Nash at Bound for Glory. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfN7RPvuxO4)
Amazingly Sting would hold the title for 189 days until he lost to Mick Foley
at Lockdown 2009 in a “Six Sides of Steel” match. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4becmaXrvM)
the TNA World title but lost when AJ Styles pinned Angle. Thereafter Styles
offered Sting a title match at Bound for Glory and won in a well-worked match.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvVijzazQ_A)
On January 4, 2010 during a live edition of Impact Sting was
shown in the rafters in the same fashion as his 1997 stint in WCW. On August 5
Sting donned the nWo Wolfpack red face paint in support of Kevin Nash. On March
3, 2011 Sting defeated Jeff Hardy to win the TNA World title for a third time. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apMyZXAMsQY)
Victory Road against Jeff Hardy. Disastrously Hardy was in no condition to
wrestle that night. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V6ulxTRSDc)
At times Hardy looked lost and confused especially after he suffered the pin. Sting
would hold the title until he lost to Mr. Anderson at Slammiversary in June. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK0VGinSEe8)
By this time Sting adopted a more menacing persona similar
to the Joker from The Dark Knight.
His surname would be adjusted to “The Insane Icon.” In fact Styles, James Storm,
Frankie Kazarian, and Robert Roode (dubbed Fortune) along with Angle dressed as
clowns to assist Sting in winning the TNA World title from Mr. Anderson on July
14. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3YWfB4_KeU)
Angle at Hardcore Justice. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw2rhNCBmcI)
On June 10, 2012 Sting was announced as the first member of the TNA Hall of
Fame and enshrined on October 6 at Slammiversary. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eh5IY-_ONc)
For over 25 years Sting entertained fans all over the world
whether it was in the NWA, WCW, WWA, or TNA. While he may not have been the
most technically gifted performer Sting’s charisma and high-impact style carried
him to legendary status. I certainly hope that upon his introduction to WWE
fans that they realize just who “The Icon” truly is.
For more information on me please visit http://rockstargary.com.