Sting, Nikki Bella and Latest WWE News and Rumors from Ring Rust Radio

Ring Rust Radio is the best wrestling show on the airwaves, and this week was no different. With strong opinions on Sting, Nikki Bella and more, this is where you need to go to get all of your weekly WWE nuggets.

Bleacher Report featured columnists Mike Chiari, Donald Wood and Brandon Galvin give the lowdown on everything going on in the wrestling world. TNA and former WWE star Tyrus (aka Brodus Clay) also joined the show to offer his inside perspective on the business.

With another unpredictable episode of Ring Rust Radio in the books, you can't afford to miss another second of the action. Catch us live every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET (some language NSFW) or follow us on Twitter @RingRustRadio.

We may just read your questions and comments live on the air. Visit our website at RingRustRadio.com. You can also email us here: [e-mail].

Some language NSFW.

Upcoming Guests/Events

Sept. 15: WWE Hall of Famer Bob Backlund

Sting Plays Mind Games with Seth Rollins

The rivalry between Sting and WWE world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins continued on Raw in the form of the Vigilante taking Rollins' statue hostage. With the handpicked face of the Authority being wrapped up in two matches, the Icon took advantage of the situation by pushing the statue into a garbage truck, where it was subsequently crushed.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Is Sting Being Presented Properly?

The story arc involving Sting teasing doing something to Rollins' statue throughout the show wasn't unlike an angle that would have played out on Raw during the Attitude era. Stone Cold Steve Austin often defaced property, and the fans ate it up. Sting's actions didn't have that same type of vibe, though, as the writing team focused too much on trying to make Stinger look comical rather than serious about taking Rollins' title.

WWE also did something similar with Rollins throughout the show, as he was made to look like a joke for the most part. Rather than putting the world title on a pedestal and developing an intense feud over the company's top prize, the feud has been turned into a punchline of sorts. The Raw angle focused almost solely on the statue rather than the championship, which isn't ideal with Night of Champions rapidly approaching.

Ring Rust Radio's Take

There was a ton of excitement among most WWE fans when Sting signed with the company, and much of that stemmed from the notion he would be presented similarly to how he was in WCW.

While Sting enjoyed a great deal of success with his surfer gimmick, his most iconic persona was undoubtedly Crow Sting. He maintains that same look, but nothing else about the current version of Sting is reminiscent of that magical time in his career.

Sting is instead using over-the-top comedy in the same way he did in TNA, which didn't resonate particularly well with most fans. Allowing Sting to be a largely silent, mysterious figure who lurks in the shadows and strikes against Rollins and the Authority was the best route to take. WWE went a different way, and it hasn't been great thus far.

Rumor Mill

Backstage news on Sting's Raw appearance (PWInsider via WrestlingInc.com)

Nikki Bella to Defend Divas Championship Against Charlotte on Raw

One week after Charlotte became the No. 1 contender to the Divas Championship in a Beat the Clock Challenge, it was announced she would receive her title match on the go-home edition of Raw prior to Night of Champions rather than the pay-per-view itself, which means Nikki Bella's attempt to become the longest-reigning Divas champion in WWE history is in jeopardy.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Will Nikki Become the Longest-Reigning Divas Champ?

Nikki is now just one title defense away from surpassing AJ Lee as the longest-reigning Divas champ ever. WWE has seemingly wanted to erase AJ from the record books throughout this process, but the added twist of Charlotte having a chance to stop it creates some doubt.

Along with Sasha Banks, Charlotte has been presented as the most dominant Diva in the division, which means something will have to go awry in order for her to not win the title.

That could happen in any number of ways. The easiest would be for Nikki to get herself intentionally disqualified. That would be an obvious move for a heel to make and would preserve her record, but it would also allow a rematch to take place at Night of Champions. Since all the pieces fall into place, that seems to be the likeliest scenario at this point.

Ring Rust Radio's Take

While a DQ finish seems like a clear front-runner, WWE has a chance to kick-start the Divas revolution in a big way if it is willing to get creative. One idea to consider would be to run an angle that sees Charlotte get knocked out before the match and is thus unable to compete.

That would lead to finger-pointing at the heel trios of Team Bella and Team B.A.D., but it could ultimately be revealed that a jealous Paige was responsible.

WWE seems to be subtly teasing a Paige heel turn, and that may be the key to making sure the Divas revolution is a success. Paige turning on the NXT Divas she advocated would be a great story, and it seems likely to happen whether WWE runs a whodunit angle or not.

Regardless of how WWE gets there, look for Nikki to retain the Divas Championship on Raw before having to put it on the line once again six days later.

Rumor Mill 

Backstage news on NXT Divas plans (Wrestling Observer Newsletter via WrestlingInc.com)

RRR Interview with TNA's Tyrus

After several years in WWE as Brodus Clay, Tyrus made the leap to TNA last year. He has been involved in many of the company's top angles alongside TNA World Heavyweight champion Ethan Carter III ever since and gone back to his roots as well. Tyrus recently sat down with Ring Rust Radio and discussed what the transition to Impact Wrestling has been like for him.

Question on Everybody's Mind: What's Next for Tyrus?

Few would have ever expected Tyrus to have success in WWE with a gimmick predicated largely on dancing, but that is precisely what he did as the Funkasaurus. After he transitioned away from that character, though, he was slowly phased out until his eventual release.

Tyrus had no shortage of options at his disposal because of his immense size and substantial charisma, but he ultimately loved what he saw in TNA:

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The biggest thing to me, and I had the opportunity to sign with other companies, it was the overall professionalism. A big thing to me was to be able to be in a situation where I could speak my mind freely especially when it came to my character. Get the actual right feedback and not have too many chefs in the kitchen and allow me to be me. They didn't plug me with a bunch of false promises and wild stories.

Dixie said we would like to have you here and just do your thing, and that was enough for me. I enjoy the family atmosphere and everyone in back is very close with one another. I fit in right away and the locker room is just outstanding here.

"

The talented star has been front and center in TNA for the past year, and now EC3 is the world champ, he is often utilized in the main event picture, which is a big step up in comparison to how he was positioned late in his run with WWE.

Ring Rust Radio's Take

Now Tyrus is firmly entrenched in TNA, the focus is starting to shift toward what he may be able to accomplish as an individual. He has thrived as EC3's bodyguard. However, he possesses the skill set needed to be successful as a singles star as well.

While it remains to be seen what TNA has planned for him, Tyrus has some ideas with regard to how he could potentially take that next step:

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The one thing I have learned in trying to be successful in this business is timing. Sometimes you are a fly on the wall, but really you have your own personal agenda. You have to play the game the way that they play it.

It's always been my plan whether it's been to be a tag team partner and get the tag team gold or a singles championship, that's always been my mindset and that's what I train for, and I'm willing to work my ass off to put myself in that position.

Sometimes with politics being what it is, sometimes you have to sneak in underneath their noses, then, all of a sudden, they can't do anything about it.

"

Although EC3 is TNA's top guy, there is plenty of room for others to emerge. Tyrus is among those who may get that opportunity, and based on what he was able to accomplish in WWE under difficult circumstances, there is reason to believe there are big things in his future.

Ring Rust Radio's Season 9 Fantasy WWE Standings

1. Joe Arcidiacono: 195

2. Donald Wood: 110

3. Brandon Galvin: 82.5

4. Mike Chiari: 35

For more wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio. Catch the latest episode in the player below (some language NSFW).

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