Predicting the Road to Sting's Potential WWE In-Ring Debut at WrestleMania 31

Sting’s debut in WWE was one of the biggest moments in wrestling history for many fans, but how the former WCW and TNA world champion is handled through WrestleMania 31 will determine his legacy with the company.

As seen from his appearances at the Survivor Series pay-per-view and on the go-home episode of Raw before the Royal Rumble, his presence is already impacting the way hardcore and casual fans look at Sting.

Sting has clearly set his sights on Triple H. He thwarted The Authority’s plan to steal the victory at Survivor Series and helped Dolph Ziggler force Triple H and Stephanie McMahon out of power. In the midst of that match, he also managed to hit Triple H with the Scorpion Death Drop and clearly began a feud that will presumably culminate in a WrestleMania match.

While the WWE Universe believed Sting vs. The Undertaker was a foregone conclusion this year, a WrestleMania match between Sting and Triple H is a great consolation prize.

The feud heated up between the two men on the Raw before Royal Rumble when John Cena had the odds stacked against him in an effort to bring back three unjustifiably fired Superstars. Triple H was going to ensure Cena lost, but Sting once again arrived and provided the distraction needed to help the good guys undermine The Authority.

Now all the focus shifts to Fast Lane. It was announced on the snowed-in version of Raw that Triple H has called out Sting for a face-to-face meeting at the February PPV.

For those fans unfamiliar with the history between former WCW wrestlers and WWE, there has been resentment toward how the wrestlers who came over from the other company were treated upon their arrival.

One of the wrestlers accused of mistreating WCW personnel was Triple H, and regardless of whether it’s true or not, WWE is smart to play off that perception.

Sting was the face of WCW, and squaring off against one of the faces of the WWE during the Attitude Era would be a great callback to the archival footage the company is selling on the WWE Network.

The key at Fast Lane will be having Sting not respond to Triple H’s request until the night of the show. After Triple H takes the ring and runs down the former world champion, Sting could then make his appearance for an epic staredown.

Naturally, the heel stable must beat down Sting and leave a lasting impression. While Cena, Ziggler, Ryback and Erick Rowan can all make the save, the key will be letting Triple H get the better of Sting.

In response to the beatdown, Sting would then begin haunting Triple H and The Authority at every chance he could find.

Whether it’s interfering in matches or surprise attacks in the bowels of an arena, Sting must make Triple H’s life a living hell. By constantly using more appearances to thwart Triple H’s game plan, The Game would grow so frustrated that he calls out Sting for their eventual WrestleMania 31 match.

Add in a possible stipulation—likely something along the lines of the loser either leaving WWE (Sting) or losing power (Triple H)—and the proper booking, and this would undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated matches of the year.

If the WrestleMania 31 match between Sting and Triple H isn’t enough for wrestling fans, the possibility of a year-long build against The Undertaker looms.

There are few experts who would predict Triple H winning this match, and a victory for Sting would likely lead to something bigger.

If The Undertaker isn’t retired and has at least two more WrestleMania events left in him, WWE’s announcement that WrestleMania 32 will take place in Cowboys Stadium could result in Sting vs. Undertaker in 2016.

After beating Triple H at WrestleMania 31, if the long-term plan is for a match at the following year’s PPV, the WWE Universe could end up seeing Sting stand toe-to-toe with The Undertaker at the conclusion of their matches and the subsequent year-long build to their faceoff.

Fighting Triple H will create a great moment for Sting’s career, but the long-term possibility of squaring off against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 32 makes the build to Sting’s in-ring debut even more important.

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