The argument was spawned from a little rumor. On Hit the Ropes Radio, the hosts were discussing the impending retirement of TNA's Sting. They speculated on the significance of Sting's final Bound for Glory pay-per-view, next month.

The conversation then went to the recent revelation from The Wrestling Observer newsletter about Bret Hart possibly being contacted to return to the WWE.

So, what do these two men have to do with one another?

Other than the fact that they are two of the most famous men in the world of wrestling, they both have had their issues with the wrestling world's "Evil Empire," the WWE.

So who would create a bigger buzz if they signed a contract to work with the WWE? This is where the debate became passionate.

 

Sting

Sting had the opportunity to join the WWE in the past, but has spurned Vince McMahon due to the direction of his programming. When every other wrestler in WCW jumped ship to the WWE in the 1990s, Sting stayed loyal to Ted Turner's company.

When WCW was purchased by McMahon, Sting still didn't come over. He toured Australia for a while and joined TNA in 2003. He would win the championship on two occasions and has been the "The Icon" for Jeff Jarrett's company.

Sting's devotion to Christ, being a born-again Christian, leads many to believe that he might never step foot in a WWE ring. Despite all the potential classic encounters the fans can witness such as matches versus the Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, John Cena, and Randy Orton, just to name a few.

The WWE's product has been toned down recently, as they are PG-rated, though I don't see how cross-dressing wrestlers or little girls getting kicked in the face is PG. The PG rating has allowed the WWE to attract new advertisers, so perhaps it can attract Sting.

One of the knocks on the WWE is its strenuous road schedule. Many wrestlers choose TNA because of this. Sting has enjoyed the easier schedule as he is able to spend more time with his family and to his faith.

Current legends like the Undertaker and Shawn Michaels aren't on the road as much as the younger talents in the WWE, so it is possible for Sting to obtain the same deal.

Just imagine, Sting versus 'Taker at WrestleMania 26.

 

Bret Hart

He is the "Excellence of Execution." The master of the Sharpshooter. The best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be. He is the Hitman, Bret Hart.

For the early part of the 1990s, Hart was the man in the WWE. No other man wore pink as confidently as he did.

Whenever someone talks about the greatest wrestlers in history, his name is always at the top of the list. He might not be the most entertaining man when it came to ring work, but he was a master technician. He was also the man who was in the middle of one of the most famous incidents in wrestling lore.

The event: Survivor Series 1997. The place: Montreal, Canada. The opponent: Shawn Michaels. The outcome: a whole lot of pissed off Canadians and an even angrier Bret Hart. 

The Montreal Screw Job became a polarizing issue. If you were a fan of Shawn Michaels', you hated Hart and loved the result of the match. If you were a fan of Hart's then it was the complete opposite. The WWE, and namely Michaels, can't return to our neighbor of the north without hearing the chant "You Screwed Bret."

The "job" was another brick in the road to one of the greatest eras in wrestling. Still, it was an incident that left a bad taste in many mouths. As great as Hart was, and still is, he will forever be attached to that Sunday in Montreal.

McMahon, Michaels, and referee Earl Hebner will always be attached to that Sunday.

Hart would head to WCW where he was misused and later had his career end earlier than expected after a kick from Goldberg.

It was a three years ago that Hart was inducted to the WWE Hall of Fame. Obviously, the animosity has tapered off some, though I'm sure there is still distrust amongst several parties.

Of course, there is this fellow by the name of Shawn Michaels who still works for McMahon.

The WWE currently employs members of Hart's family, Natalya, Tyson Kidd, and David Hart Smith. The fact that those youngsters are in the WWE could make Hart's return an easier one. Whether he is in a managerial or GM capacity, fans would welcome Hart's return.

So, who would create a bigger impact if they were to come to the WWE? The man who was once the franchise of the WCW or the man who was "screwed" over by the WWE?

 

Shane Howard is a member of Hit the Ropes Radio Show. You can check out the web site here. HTR Radio airs every Wednesday at 6 p.m. ET. Be sure to join the Facebook group as well (click here). Also check out FOW for your wrestling news, as well as my work there.

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