Sting's Theatrics Are a Welcome Change in WWE's Reality Era

The WWE debut of Sting was one of the biggest moments in wrestling in 2014, but the theatrics the former WCW world champion is bringing with him are a welcome change in the reality era.

While Triple H said kayfabe was dead on The Steve Austin Show (h/t WWE.com), Sting is one of the last vestiges of a time in the industry that was driven by characters, gimmicks and over-the-top spectacles.

In today’s wrestling landscape, there is an emphasis on worked shoots. The idea is that fans should think what they are watching is real, but in reality, it is a scripted segment that comes off organic and makes members of the WWE Universe believe the scenarios.

Triple H and many others have dubbed this generation the Reality Era.

Now more than ever, the wrestling fans who support the product know every intricate detail of the business. With the rise of the Internet, the WWE Universe is fully immersed in the backstage politics and the template used by the company to find success.

Instead of changing his character to kowtow to the changing landscape, Sting has stood steadfast in his gimmick and understands the importance of bringing nostalgia back to wrestling. Sting helps fans remember the moments that made them love the sport in the first place and allows them to suspend disbelief, even temporarily.

Another great example of suspending disbelief is The Undertaker, or in today’s WWE, Bray Wyatt.

Sting was at his best in the 1990s. Whether it was as the young, fan favorite "surfer Sting" in the early '90s or WCW’s Attitude Era hero "The Crow Sting," he was an integral part of the wrestling industry during its most successful time. He is a throwback to a simpler time and deserves credit for not abandoning the theatrics that made him one of the biggest stars in the sport.

Using creepy music, sinister visuals and not speaking for long periods of time, Sting managed to strike fear in the heart of the New World Order and is now doing the same to Triple H and The Authority with very little physical confrontation. While Sting did hit Triple H with the Scorpion Death Drop at Survivor Series, he has only played mind games since.

The theatrics continued on the go-home episode of Raw before the Royal Rumble, in which Sting's theatrical appearance helped John Cena get jobs back for Dolph Ziggler, Ryback and Erick Rowan, infuriating Triple H.

Add in the fact that Sting answered The Authority’s Fastlane challenge on Monday’s Raw by sending multiple men dressed as him to make Triple H think he could appear from anywhere is a throwback to a simpler time. In an entertainment business, Sting and the WWE have the visual presentation of his character figured out.

Most fans would see a modern-day wrestler attempt the same scenario and complain that it’s dated and a tired trope, but the WWE Universe understands the Sting gimmick and can suspend disbelief for the supernatural character.

In a time with a heavy focus on reality and claims to shoot straight with the fans, Sting is one of the few men left in the sport with the clout to continue using a gimmick that thrives in unbelievable situations.

Signing Sting was a major coup by the WWE, but the decision to leave him as the black-and-white version of the character and allow him to use his vintage mind games to scare his WrestleMania opponent has been perfect.

After accepting Triple H’s challenge in a theatrical way on Monday's Raw, the hope is that Sting’s face-to-face confrontation with the leader of The Authority at Fastlane will lead to even more camera tricks and unforgettable moments.

Eventually, the hope is that the theatrics of Sting will be met by the spectacle of The Undertaker, treating the WWE Universe to one of the biggest matches imaginable.

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