Following the end of WCW, there was some belief that current AEW star and former 14-time World Champion Sting could’ve signed to WWE. Today there are mixed opinions on this which in part comes from WWE building some goodwill among internet fans with NXT and now the main roster booking.
Eric Bischoff Wasn’t Surprised That Sting Didn’t Go to WWE After WCW Purchase
Bischoff is very familiar with Sting as the two worked together throughout WCW’s run and its peak and were reunited in TNA years later. Since he handled creative, he also has familiarity with how Sting approached the business—or rather how he approached the business at the time.
On 83 Weeks, Bischoff explained why he wasn’t surprised that the Stinger didn’t sign on with WWE:
“But I wasn’t surprised because — I don’t want to speak for him — but because Sting was so guarded, I don’t want to say he didn’t trust people, but I don’t think he had a lot of confidence in how he would be used or utilized in WWE. Look, he had a couple conversations over the years with WWE, but he never pulled the trigger. I think it was because he just couldn’t get himself to trust the process, I guess, in WWE. He just didn’t feel comfortable, so it didn’t surprise me.” (h/t: Wrestling Inc)
This seems like the most accurate explanation. Previous explanations involved Sting not liking the edgier content in WWE as a born-again Christian which is mildly reasonable. Even though things toned down when the Attitude Era ended, WWE still stuck to the eye candy approach and edgy moments popped up here and there as needed.
Also, Sting lived through 1999-2001 WCW, I don’t believe the content was that big of an issue. Bischoff’s statement does tie into the Sting dodging WWE because of how other WCW talent were booked. While he’s Stinger and can expect to be booked better than say DDP—which was criminal mishandling—that isn’t always the case.
Of course, there was a window when he could eased in for a year and gotten his Undertaker match in while both were still in shape. During the Ruthless Aggression era, Sting on SmackDown could’ve worked since it didn’t have the high focus on entertainment. Folks wrestled on SD and while he wasn’t the athletic, early 90s Stinger, that version of the brand could’ve been fine for him. It was good enough for The Undertaker and Hulk Hogan, anyway.
Creative handling can result in a superstar missing out and regretting it but at the same time, creative has to show that it won’t mess up regularly. It goes towards the goodwill of the company and trust in their handling of talents.
If anything, Sting could’ve asked for a filthy amount of cash just as his regular contract with an inconvenience fee or had a clause where if the booking isn’t beneficial or well-received the Sting Tax has to be paid out.
Why do you believe Sting signed with WWE so late and do you believe the company could’ve done anything besides pay more money and agree to a short contract to get him? Let us know in the comments.
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