The Future Of Sting Amid TNA Uncertainty
With all of the questions, skepticism and controversy surrounding the current state of TNA Wrestling, the question that I have is one that is not being addressed by the IWC or TNA themselves. That question is really quite simple.
What about Sting?
Remember Steve Borden, the most tenured active professional wrestler today? Remember the two United States Championships (remember when the belt actually meant something?), or the four tag team championships? Or how about the NWA title reign, his six WCW World Titles reigns and capturing the TNA World Title four times?
Remember The Stinger?
Well, I haven’t. I’ll never forget seeing Sting alongside Jim Helwig (Ultimate Warrior) as the Bladerunners in the old UWF as a kid and how they had a ominous presence that even the Road Warriors and Demolition didn’t have. He moved on to have brilliant 5-Star matches and feuds against legends Ric Flair and Larry Zbyszko. He’s been a teammate of the late-Eddie Gilbert, the Fabulous Freebirds and an ally (and eventual victim of the Road Warriors. This is a man who has stood beside TNA Wrestling since 2003, and was even the first (and only) inductee into the TNA Hall of Fame. He’s a friend and mentor in the locker room and has provided balance to the TNA locker room since the day he arrived. Jeff Jarrett knew what he was doing when he convinced Sting to abandon the idea of finishing in the WWE by bringing him in and keeping him there. However, with no current direction and the disastrous New Main Event Mafia run, is it time for Sting to jump to WWE?
I was once an opponent of Sting joining the WWE because I thought Vince and Triple H would work to bury him, likely underneath a Tombstone by The Undertaker at a future Wrestlemania. Although I am against a WM job to Taker, I have realized that, with proper booking, Sting could end his historic career with the WWE, where the exposure is there, the audience is there and the money is there. TNA poses to many unsure questions for Sting to properly plan his departure as an active wrestler. A true legend, Sting needs to go out on top. Not necessarily with gold around his waist, but with the respect he deserves after nearly 30 years in the ring. TNA is not in the position to offer such a sendoff.
However, WWE could use this as a momentum for Wrestlemania. If not a match against the Undertaker, how about Sting vs. Chris Jericho or Sting vs. HBK in Hardcore for Christ match? Or think of Sting vs. Ziggler or maybe CM Punk. What about retiring the US Title after Sting vs Dean Ambrose? The possibilities are endless, especially if you consider a RAW debut squash against Heath Slater! Ah, I could see it now…..
The upside to signing with WWE would be too much for Borden to resist, considering the state of TNA. WWE knows what the financial upside to signing Sting would be tremendous and with legends making appearances on a part-time basis (HBK and Bret Hart), the time is now for WWE and The Stinger to come together. I’m not saying that Vince should give Sting the WWE Title, in fact I would be against that as much as I would be against another Hulk Hogan title reign (ugh, just the thought is sickening) I would just like to see him go out the way he came in.
Not on the proverbial ‘Top,’ but with all the respect he has worked so hard for, the same respect he rightfully deserves. If TNA can’t offer that, Steve Borden should move on.