WOW Magazine,---August 1999, vol. 1, issue 4.
As Sting nears the beginning of his 15th year in the wrestling business, it seems an appropriate time to take a candid look back at the career of this World Championship Wrestling superstar. Since November 1985, Sting has consistently and successfully maintained the babyface role. He has teased heel turns, but never followed through.
Sting has also resisted the temptation to go to the World Wrestling Federation. In this day of high-dollar contracts and surprising defections, it's hard to believe that his wrestler has maintained the same philosophy in the same promotion. The Stinger has had many different faces over the years. He started his career with a tough, Road Warrior-type persona, then he became a colorful, spiked-hair hero. After the nWo inflicted trauma on him, he became a brooding, Crow-like outcast. Since then, he has modified that look, and even incorporated his old personality. Indeed, Sting's career has had its peaks and valleys. Sting has won and lost his share of titles, made alliances and enemies, turned on former friends, and been a target of every major rulebreaker to come through WCW. In his action-packed career, Sting has gone to hell and back, yet he's still thriving after 14 years in professional wrestling. Said broadcaster Gordon Solie, "His (Sting's) dedication to improving himself was amazing, and he always went out of his way to keep himself in top condition. His character possessed a long lasting quality, which is so important in our business." In this exclusive WOW Magazine cover story, we take an in-depth look at 15 high points and 15 low points in Sting's prestigious wrestling career.
STING'S 15 HIGH POINTS
1. Title match with Ric Flair at Clash of Campions 1 (March 27, 1988) Sting had been considered a mid-level, tag team wrestler. He was viewed as a superhero who could fit in with any of the other wrestlers or teams in a "dream" pairing or six-man match. WCW gauged the crowd reaction to the young star and saw main event potential. Following his Starrcade debut in 1987, Sting was immediately pushed into title matches with then-champion Ric Flair, and it was their televised encounter on the first Clash of Champions that would make Sting a superstar. Many see that as the major turning point in his career, as he proved that he was more than looks and muscle. He displayed a raw talent and high-flying ability that won millions of fans, but not quite the world title.
2. First WCW World Title victory (July 7, 1990) With Hulk Hogan in the WWF, the WCW needed someone to counter his popularity. With Sting's popularity at an all-time high, the match seemed perfect. He had remained visible in WCW despite a serious, knee injury that kept him out of the ring for more than five months. Sting seconded Lex Luger in his two pay-per-view title bouts with Ric Flair. He also formed a group to combat the Four Horsemen call the Dudes With Attitudes. The Great American Bash would be the occasion when Flair would pass the torch to his younger competitor. WCW was eager to have a more marketable world champion to combat the WWF and increase its business as well. Sting's title victory represented the dawning of a new era.
3. WCW World Title victory (Feb. 29, 1992) Sting had dropped the world strap back to Flair a year earlier and spent that year competing for and defending the United States title. Luger had won the world title in a ballyhooed bout against Barry Windham. When Flair hightailed it to the WWF, Luger had decided to follow the "Nature Boy", and Sting was given another opportunity to lead the promotion. WCW hoped Sting would be the spark to bring people back to house shows and pay-per-views. Sting's victory was anti-climactic and predictable as word of Luger's imminent departure after the Superbrawl match leaked out to fans. Still, it was Sting's moment to shine again and carry WCW.
4. WCW World Title victory (Dec. 28, 1997) Sting spent 15 months away from the ring in the longest angle in professional wrestling history. For more than a year, Sting brooded. Some say it may have gone on too long, but by neither wrestling nor talking, Sting's popularity actually reached its highest level. For the first time in recent memory, there was actually a sense of anticipation for the Starrcade main event. The focus was on how Hollywood Hogan traumatized Sting with his constant physical attacks and psychological games. Sting was portrayed as WCW's last hope, and he would respond to that by being crowned champion that night.
5. WCW World Title victory (Feb. 22, 1998) In a curious move by WCW, Sting captured the belt from Hollywood Hogan at Superbrawl and would hold it for 24 hours. It was not without precedence, however. If anyone has become accustomed to short stints as champ, it's Sting. It was a culmination of the long feud with Hogan in which Sting had finally vanquished his longtime foe. The trauma was over, and beating Hogan was the medicine for Sting's bruised psyche. In addition, Sting claimed a more decisive victory than in the convoluted finishes at the previous Starrcade and Nitro bouts.
6. WCW World Title victory (April 26, 1999) After months away from the sport on "personal business," Sting returned to the black-and-white look after months in a more colorful hue. The red-faced Sting recited Wolfpac propaganda and adorned himself in red from head to toe. Fans were glad to see the "Crow" Sting return. On the night of his sixth title victory, WCW was obviously eager to make things a tad more exciting on Nitro. As the WWF's Raw continued to outpoint them, WCW needed to find a "cure-all" for what it ailed. Sting winning the strap was a bold move that only added to his legend.
7. WCW World Tag Team Title victory with Lex Luger (Jan. 22, 1996) Sting had held every title in WCW, but the tag team belt had always eluded him. He has been on a constant singles push since 1988, winning titles and staying in the championship hunt. Luger was months into his second WCW stay and had taken on the tweener role. "Where does Lex stand?" was the question asked by WCW announcers. The ongoing angle was whether Sting could trust his championship partner. It was also during this time that WCW re-signed the Road Warriors and the Steiners. Assumptions were made that one of these two teams would grab the gold, as Sting and Luger seemed to be caretaker champions. Still, the reign lasted more than most and brought Sting the Grand Slam of WCW championships.
8. First WCW United States Title victory (Aug. 25, 1991) Even without the world title, Sting was still immensely popular. Luger vacated the U.S. title after winning the world championship. WCW saw the opportunity to keep Sting in main event and semi-main event matches. A tournament was held, and Sting and Steve Austin (considered a dream match today) made the finals. Sting was in a perfect position as the new U.S. champ. He was a champion and a top contender to Luger's world title. It would lead to an inevitable clash between the two men.
9. First UWF Tag Team Title victory (July 20, 1986) For many wrestlers, the first belt is the most special. Even the first promotion that the wrestler competes in is memorable. The Universal Wrestling Federation not only offered Sting a large audience, but also a doorway to WCW. The paint was still fresh on Sting's face when he joined Eddie Gilbert's "Hot Stuff Incorporated." Under Gilbert's guidance, Sting went on the only heel rampage of his career. Gilbert was the teacher and Sting the student, and the duo soon captured the UWF tag team title over The Fantastics.
10. WCW Pay-Per-View debut (Nov. 26, 1987) WCW and the UWF had formed a partnership to co-promote and share wrestlers. WCW was also just entering the pay-per-view industry with the "granddaddy of them all," Starrcade. In the opening bout, Sting teamed with future tag champs Michael Hayes and Jimmy Garvin as the trio faced Eddie Gilbert, Rick Steiner, and Larry Zybysko. Sting wrestled under the brightest spotlight and in front of the largest audience of his young career. While his team was on the losing end, it was the first of many historic pay-per-view appearances for Sting. There would be more victories, not to mention a few titles thrown in for good measure.
11. Wrestling debut (Nov. 1, 1985) His moniker was Flash an he was a member of Powerteam USA, a collection of wrestlers managed by Rick Bassman. The team debuted in Las Vegas, which also served as Flash's introduction to the squared circle. The collection of California-based muscle men was a curiosity that never saw its potential. he group did not stay together long, but Flash found a friend and future tag team partner who wrestled under the name Justice and then Rock. That man was Jim Hellwig, better known as the Ultimate Warrior.
12. Debut with Blade Runners (Nov. 27, 1985) Success was predicted for the men who composed Powerteam USA> When the group disbanded, a few members went into the "Where Are They Now" category. Two others, Flash (Sting) and Rock (Ultimate Warrior) stayed together and formed the Blade Runners. They caught the eye of Bill Watts, who was operating Mid-South wrestling at the time. The two joined the territory and received an immediate push as a tag team that could not be defeated. In their ring debut, they decimated their opponents in 45 seconds. Greatness was predicted, but problems with Hellwig and Watts would defy those predictions.
13. Officially named to the Four Horsemen (Jan. 2, 1990) Sting and Ric Flair had formed a popular tag team that faced the most heinous villains in WCW after more than a year in the WWF, and Ole Anderson joined him. Tully Blanchard opted not to rejoin the promotion and his friends as he embarked on a different purposes. It put him in an elite group of pure wrestlers, and the association ended criticism that Sting was nothing more than a muscular brawler. It also set up the inevitable turn of the Horsemen against him and set up marquee title matches and a second red-hot feud with Flair.
14. WCW World Television Title victory (March 31, 1989) It was only a matter of time before a championship came Sting's way. One year after Sting's incredible Clash title bout with Flair, he received his first WCW gold, the World Television championship. Then-champion Mike Rotundo, who was part of a heel group called The Varsity Club, put up his title and $10,000 if Sting could beat him in the 10-minute time period. Sting had played the underdog role perfectly as he went against the more seasoned Rotundo. With the crowd solidly behind him, Sting did not need all 10 minutes to become the television champion. He is still waiting to collect the money.
15. Iron Man victory (Dec. 13, 1989) If the Clash draw in 1988 made Sting a household name, Starrcade 1989 made him a true superstar. Ric Flair, Lex Luger, and the Great Muta were entered into the "Iron Man" tournament with Sting. The man who could score the most points would come out the victor. Certain values were placed on pins, count-outs, and disqualification victories. Even though he lost his first match with Luger, Sting went on to pin Muta and Flair to win the tournament. It would be Sting's first pinfall victory over Flair after several non-finishes. The predictions made about Sting tow years earlier were finally coming true.
STING'S 15 LOW POINTS
1. Loss of first WCW World Title (Jan. 11, 1991) Sting's first title reign was not supposed to end like this. When all the powers-that-be agreed that Ric Flair would drop the strap to Sting, the torch was to be passed for good, not for the time being. But poor house show business and a lacklustre feud with the mysterious Black Scorpion plagued Sting's title reign. The Scorpion angle was poorly planned and executed, lacking logic and sensibility. Sting was not getting over as a champion like he had as challenger. Fans seemed to love the hunt, but not the capture. Desperate times called for desperate measures, so WCW went back to a proven commodity, and Flair regained the strap at the Meadowlands in New Jersey.
2. Loss of sixth WCW World Title (April 26, 1999) Sting joined the ranks of Andre the Giant and Yokozuna when he lost the WCW title less than two hours after he won it. If you look at his title reigns, they seem to get progressively shorter. His title reign obviously was a ratings tool to draw wrestling fans away from the WWF's Raw. It was a bold move for Nitro, which tends to be too cautious for its own good. Will fans recall that Sting did win a sixth world title? While the moniker of "six-time world champion" sounds good on the surface, the last thing any wrestler wants is for a title reign to be called forgettable.
3. Hogan's Turn (July 7, 1996) After Hulk Hogan established himself as the top heel in WCW, Sting was looked at as the top face that would lead the WCW charge against the New World Order. Sting finally would be out of Hogan's shadow. Things did not quite turn out that way. There was more of a need to reinvent Sting and take him away from his colorful persona, which was perceived by some as out-of-date and growing stale. "Brooding" Sting became the longest (perhaps too long) wrestling angle that had its share of twists and turns, but left fans wanting Sting to finally say something. Sting's popularity was rejuvenated during this sabbatical, but interestingly enough, his heat ebbed when he started wrestling and talking again.
4. Appearance with Robocop (May 19, 1990) Unfortunately for Sting, this brief liaison is on video. As if a Ric Flair versus Lex Luger main event was not enough to sell Capital Combat, WCW added another star to its roster, Robocop. Sting was paired with the metal man to combat the evil Four Horsemen. It is interesting to note that this alliance took place before wrestlers and promoters were more open about the entertainment aspects of wrestling. To say that a movie character could come to the aid of a wrestler is a bit of a stretch. To see the Horsemen cower at the fictional fuzz was downright bizarre. This was one ally that Sting probably would rather forget.
5. Loss of fifth WCW World Title (Feb. 23, 1998) Compared to Sting's sixth championship, this title reign looks like a dynasty. Sting had grabbed the strap from Hogan the night before on SuperBrawl. What was perceived as another chance for Sting to lead the promotion actually turned into a tool to reinvigorate ret Hart's lacklustre WCW tenure and Nitro's losses to Raw. Hart was set to return to heel status, and an event of great magnitude was needed to get the bad Hart over with the fans. The Hit Man interfered in the Nitro rematch between Hollywood Hogan and Sting, costing the champ his title and allying himself with Hollywood's nWo.
6. Firing from the Four Horsemen (Feb. 6, 1990) WCW needed to transfer Sting from Ric Flair ally to enemy. Since Sting was a popular and (more importantly) marketable fan favorite, Flair would have to play his favorite role as the bad guy. At the Clash, Sting had the first and only opportunity to walk out with the legendary Horsemen. But the Horsemen took exception to Sting's acceptance of a title match against their leader. They confronted him, terminated his Horseman status, and assaulted him. Sadly, it would lead to a much more serious incident later on in the night.
7. Patella tendon injury (Feb. 6, 1990) Sting had two hours to let Ric Flair and the Horsemen know that he was giving up his title match. During the main event where the Horsemen were doing battle in a cage, Sting ran out to give his answer. Sting climbed the cage, only to be pulled down by WCW security. When he landed on the floor, he felt something pop. His patella tendon had ruptured. As he was being taken to the back, Sting could not put weight on his injured leg. It would be and injury that required surgery, a five-month layoff, and a delay on his world title push.
8. Six day World Title reign ended (March 17, 1993) American fans did not even get to see this one. WCW was on an extended tour of Europe and wanted to give a boost to business. Sting had captured the title from Big Van Vader in London. Less than a week later, Vader regained the belt. There was no television and very little acknowledgment by WCW. Like the Harley Race/Ric Flair phantom title change, this reign is largely forgotten when fans are counting Sting's world titles.
9. Fake Sting debut (Sept. 9, 1996) See The Undertaker at Summerslam 1994. Imitation was certainly not the most sincere form of flattery. For Sting to be so easily imitated is not exactly a positive reflection on the depth of one's character. The wrestler formerly known as Cobra became Sting, and many so-called insiders fell for it. It would propel Sting to the catwalks of WCW arenas and into the aforementioned, prolonged storyline.
10. U.S. Title loss to Rick Rude (Nov. 19, 1991) Rick Rude had entered WCW with a great deal of fanfare. After a long drought, WCW had claimed a former WWF superstar. At Clash of the Champions 17, the ongoing storyline would be Sting's injury at the hands of WCW World Champion Lex Luger early in the show and how it affected his United States championship match. Sting was signed to face Rick Rude for the U.S. title. He was carted off in an ambulance, and the bout was in question. When Sting finally returned, Rude defeated the injured star, propelling himself into WCW history and Sting on a course to his second WCW World title.
11. The boat explosion (pre-Beach Blast 1993) Perhaps Sting and the British Bulldog could have used Robocop's help. WCW was trying more elaborate storylines to bring attention to its main events. The mini-movie showed the evil Big Van Vader and Sid Vicious plotting to destroy Sting and the Bulldog. Lo and behold, a boat that the two heroes were supposed to be occupying exploded, which brought more guffaws than gasps. Fans did not take the drama seriously, and Sting was viewed more as an attempted murder victim than championship wrestler.
12. WCW International World Title loss to Ric Flair (June 24, 1994) Sting was a world champion again, winning the newly-renamed WCW International World title, formerly the NWA Title. he belt was considered meaning less in the shadow of the WCW championship owned by Ric Flair. A unification was needed to retire the belt, and Sting would be on the losing end. In addition, Sting's bout and loss was overshadowed by a run-in with the newest WCW employee, Hulk Hogan. Sting learned on that night that the Hulkster's shadow loomed large.
13. WCW World Television Title loss (July 23, 1989) A year before Sting would achieve his greatest accomplishment, he would experience a little turmoil. The Great Muta had debuted in WCW and created a sensation with the oft-used undefeated gimmick. The two face-painted warriors sere destined to meet. Sting's World Television title was on the line at the Great American Bash. The two wrestled a fast-paced bout that lived up to expectations. Controversy reigned at the end, however, as two referees chimed in with separated decisions. Sting pinned Muta with his own shoulders on that mat. The title was held up, and Muta would take it in a rematch a month later.
14. Road Warriors turn (Oct. 22, 1988) WCW tried, and failed, to turn Animal and Hawk heel. Sting teamed with the Warriors in a six-man match with the Varsity Club (Kevin Sullivan, Mike Rotundo, and Rick Steiner). He was still riding a wave of popularity from the Clash match with Flair. Surely anyone who would attack Sting would earn the fans' ire, and the Roadies did just that. After the warriors refused to allow Sting in the match, the Stinger tagged himself in and cleared the ring of his foes. Taking exception to this, the L.O.D. assaulted him. Funny enough, not many fans were booing. Once the shock wore off that the Warriors had indeed turned, fans returned to cheering for them. Was it a reflection on the Road Warriors or Sting?
15. Breakup of the Blade Runners (1986) At the time it happened, the breakup of the Blade Runners put Sting's future in doubt. He had been pushed in a Road Warriors-type team. When partner Jim Hellwig had a falling out with UWF owner Bill Watts, Sting was the odd man remaining. Would he succeed as a singles wrestler? Sting was still in his first year and team matches were in forte. Initially, he stayed in tag matches, joining Eddie Gilbert and Rick Steiner. But it was not replicating the magic he had with Hellwig. Soon this large negative became a positive as Sting began to emerge as a singles star.
Thrilling victories and stunning losses. Championships gained and lost. The shifting attitudes of fickle fans and front office personnel. Sting has experienced success, tragedy, and every range of emotion in his storied career. Since his formative years in wrestling, greatness has been predicted for him. Injuries may have slowed him, but he has continued to entertain the masses. Disregard the look. Disregard the color of his face paint. The icon term is thrown around so loosely, yet claimed by so many. By remaining loyal to WCW and resisting the trend to be bad, Sting has become an icon of stability, consistency, and reliability. Here's to 15 more years.
Bill Watts (former wrestler, promoter, booker) on Sting
"Sting came to me at my Mid-South promotion in 1985 with Jim Hellwig, who eventually became the Ultimate Warrior. They were a team called the Blade Runners. I think my greatest ability was to recognize talent and develop it. I never saw anything in Jim Hellwig past the surface. I saw a hunger in Sting, a willingness to pay the price. I put both of them in my very harsh training school, and they both walked out a short time later because of some very rough situations. I sent my right-hand man Grizzly Smith to find Sting.
I wanted him back, but not with Hellwig. Grizzly found him, and I started working with the kid. He was very scared during the workouts. When I thought he was ready, I booked him against me! He was very nervous, but this was my test for him. He never backed down when I told him what the match was going to be. He even came up with ideas and asked if he could call a couple of high-spots in the match. He proved he had the heart I thought he had. I helped Sting develop his gimmick. He had the talent, I just put it under the light and helped him take it to a new level. My attitude was to make him grow or get gone, out of here! He proved he had what it takes. He was on his way to becoming a star. He's a tremendous credit to the industry. A few years went by before we wound up with me as the booker in WCW and he as a top star. Philosophically, we didn't see eye to eye at times, but what I loved was that I would give him a concept for a match, and he would come back to me with ideas that would help every key match of his a true masterpiece. You could always count on Sting. In a dressing room full of egos, agents, and political corporate influences, Sting would be there as a real team player. He had to carry the flag for WCW and he did it perfectly. I have nothing but respect for him."
Broadcaster Gordon Solie on Sting
"I watched Sting regularly when I was a broadcaster for WCW in the late Eighties. He is a much better finished product today than when I first met him. I saw lots of raw talent, and found him to be a very attractive individual to the audience. His dedication to improving himself was amazing, and he always went out of his way to keep himself in top condition. His character possessed a long lasting quality, which is so important in our business. The only weak link Sting had was his interview technique, which I like to think I helped him with. He would listen to all the advice that I, and all the other people would give him, and learn from it. He had no stubborn streak in him about being criticized. On the personal side, he was not very moody, most times in a very good frame of mind with a good sense of humor. I am so very proud to see what he has achieved today."
Japanese Correspondent Koichi Yoshizawa on Sting
"I photographed Sting several times when he came to this country. He was very pleasant because when I asked him to pose for photographs he was very willing. He makes the crowed very excited. They enjoy his personality very much. I wish he would wrestle in Japan much more often."
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