WWE: 10 Great Would-Be Rivalries for Sting

When Vince McMahon bought World Championship Wrestling many wrestlers jumped on the bandwagon to take their business and craft up north. While there was plenty of success in the ring with new talent (Chris Jericho, Booker T, etc.), there was still something missing from the package.

Something that would make the acquisition complete—Sting.

Sting (Steve Borden) never signed a contract to wrestle under the WWE banner, so many WWE fans have never witnessed his ability. There are many wrestlers from the past 10 years and today that would have loved to get their hands on the icon.

His size and ability created nightmares for opponents for opponents 10 years ago. Now in the fall of his career though, he is quite robotic and predictable. Superstars of today—Randy Orton, Triple H and The Undertaker—would be hard-pressed to have a great match with him.

Here is a look at current WWE wrestlers who could provide a great rivalry for The Stinger.

10. CM Punk

A risk taker and a showman, Punk's mental games would play right into Sting's wheelhouse.

This could be one of the best feuds of all time. Punk is quick, agile and stronger than he is given credit for. Sting would have to work on grounding the superstar with quick chops and raw power.

9. Wade Barrett

This match is more about raw power than anything else. Barrett would work quickly to maximize his strengths to wear Sting down with attacking his legs and back.

Sting, who has faced the likes of Lex Luger, The Giant and Hulk Hogan, would capitalize on his speed and quickness to keep Barrett in the corner for much of the match to wear him down.

8. Alberto Del Rio

Arrogance can only get you so far. But in this match, I see Del Rio actually having an advantage over Sting in wearing his arms down and trying to mat-wrestle him.

He loses the power competition to Sting, but in this case, agility and quickness probably wins out.

7. Mark Henry

Classic case of a bully in the schoolyard; Henry is overpowering, menacing and would use all his strength to beat Sting into the mat.

But because he is mechanic and cannot move like Sting, Henry would have a hard time dealing with knife-edge chops in the ring or the faster Sting hitting him with the Stinger Splash.

6. Jack Swagger

I love this matchup. Swagger is brash and young, and likes to pick fights with the likes of Jerry Lawler and Booker T. He needs a little attitude adjustment.

Sting loves it when a kid comes into his yard and tries to take what is his. While Swagger has a great amateur background and is confident, he cannot fight the mental fight and the experience that stands before him.

5. Batista

The Animal v. the icon—has a Wrestlemania feel to it.

The Animal cannot mat wrestle and would push Sting all around the ring. But Sting would rely on quick feet and experience in battling bigger, stronger men.

This is a match where Batista (when he comes back to WWE) could be compared to Vader back in WCW. It would take skill, quickness and trickery to defeat him.

4. R-Truth

The man who thinks he is the most overlooked wrestler in the business gets to see the business side of Sting.

This is actually a great matchup for R-Truth, who is faster and more agile. While Sting outweighs him by approximately 20 pounds, that will not make a difference in the match. This is one where R-Truth should be able to hold his own in the ring, mat wrestle with Sting and wear him down.

3. John Cena

I know every WWE fan wants to see this one, the icon vs. the champ, because they are actually a lot alike in style and ability.

Cena is quicker, Sting is stronger—but experience is key.

Cena is not the technical wrestler Sting is, but Sting is not the showman Cena is.

A classic draw.

2. Christian

I like this matchup because Christian is a badass, and Sting loves to battle opponents like him.

Christian is younger, faster, more agile and may use the ropes in the match. Sting will try to quickly ground Christian, a classic mistake.

This could be a draw, but I think Christian would prevail in the end.

1. Sheamus

The Irish superstar is big and strong like Lex Luger, powerful like Vader and unrelenting.

The power and size of Sheamus is something Sting has faced before. But the confidence and the cockiness of beating icons in the past may get into Sting's head.

Sheamus provides the best competition for Sting right now. While many believe Sheamus is not a champion-caliber opponent, tell that to Randy Orton, Triple H and Christian.