Sting's presence in WCW has been the one constant since Ted Turner purchased the company over a decade ago. He has been a marquee player in WCW since Day One, whether he's portrayed a charismatic character with a blond flattop and colorful face paint, or a brooding figure with long, dark hair and ominous black and white face paint.
Not only has Sting, the character, evolved through the years, but so has Steve Borden, the man behind the mask. Borden found himself at a crossroads in his life in the summer of 1998 that's when he reassessed his priorities and became a born-again Christian. In an interview with WCW Magazine, he discussed his faith and how it sometimes conflicts with the wrestling industry. He also addressed questions concerning his enthusiasm for the business and the possible return of blond-haired Sting.
Question: In recent storylines, Sting's heart and passion for wrestling have been questioned. Does Steve Borden still have a passion for the business?
Answer: I think a couple years of difficult times here in WCW have taken their toll on some of the guys, myself included. I've seen so many CEOs, writers and corporate people come and go; we have new people in charge like every quarter. We've made so many mistakes. It's easy to look back and say we should have done this or that, but some of us knew as we went that we were just making too many mistakes. I guess I was affected more than anyone because I'm the only guy that's been here since WCW's inception. I've been here through the really bad times in the early '90s and mid-'90s, and the incredible times, which began around '96 when we put on Nitro.
To finally be on top of the world after so many years of being in second place, and then to lose it all, is very frustrating. And yes, there are many times when you can read it on my face. But as far as the in-ring stuff, I'm trying to give back to a lot of these young guys, and I don't think anyone can argue with me on that point. I've put people over - I've lost on almost every pay-per-view for two years and even on Nitro. There have been times in the last two years when I'm on fire for this business and I'm excited about some of the things that are going on. I think for a 41-year-old guy, I've done some things physically over the last couple years that most guys my age just don't do.
Q: You became a born-again Christian a little over two years ago. Do you mind sharing the details of your conversion?
A: It boils down to waking up one morning and realizing that even with money, an excellent career, power within the wrestling industry, recognition, and a big house with the wife and kids, I was miserable. I was living a lie. All the years of traveling took a toll on my family and me, and it was time to step up and be a husband and a father. The Bible says: "The truth will set you free." Well, the truth set me free. I had really hit rock bottom. I was in the deepest, darkest despair, and I knew there was nothing no man on the face of this earth, no money, no woman, no job, no house, no drug that was going to make me come out of it. I knew it was going to have to be something supernatural, something divine that's when I experienced the true power of Christ.
I surrendered completely, and it was all lifted right off of me. Words could never describe what I'm talking about. I believe that God is bigger than all of us. There are some people that will be absolutely repulsed to hear me say these things. I know there are some people who would say, "Poor guy. He just wasn't strong enough to handle life, so he wimped out and gave his life to Christ." That's not it at all, and God's bigger than all those people that would judge me or poke fun at me.
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