WWE, TNA and Sting: One Fan's Consistently Perplexed Opinion

Sting had what seemed to be the perfect opportunity this year to finally sign with the one wrestling promotion he has never worked for.

We all know the infamous promos WWE began running on TV featuring a dark figure wearing black boots, walking toward a lonely house in the rain at night. Almost immediately, speculation began online that the mysterious shadow was indeed Sting, and this was being done in anticipation of the biggest matchup in recent history.

Sting vs. The Undertaker at WrestleMania 27. What more do you need to for an instant classic?

Of course, Sting never signed with WWE, the match at WrestleMania never happened, and all we are left with as fans is an endless “what if” debate, that will rage until the end of time.

But, why? Why did Sting choose not to sign with Vince McMahon?

In recent interviews, Sting claims that the biggest reason why is the one he has always stuck to. He simply does not believe that WWE would do right by him.

When WWE purchased what was left of WCW back in 2001, some of the remaining talent from the notoriously badly managed company were given new contracts. One of the contracts had Sting’s name on it, all it needed was his signature.

But, after seeing the way The Rock completely disrespected Booker T on the air, that sealed the deal for Sting.

For Sting, this was all he needed to see that WWE was not interested in putting over anyone from the company that was directly responsible for beginning a war. The war was nasty, underhanded, and WCW did everything in its power to shut McMahon down.

The pro wrestling business may have evolved somewhat from the mafia-like atmosphere that existed in the '70s and '80s, when promoters were territorial by nature and vindictive by necessity, but the facts in this case are black and white.

WCW tried to put WWE out of business, and anyone who worked for that company would not be given an inch of opportunity at success under McMahon.

Sting is a professional, he came up in the territories, he knows the deal. So, he remains the ultimate legend who never laced up the boots under the WWE banner.

That much of Sting’s argument against going to WWE I totally understand. It makes sense, I get it.

But, what I don’t understand, and what perplexes me, is something that I did not, until very recently, deduce for myself.

Sting has also been on the record as stating that the content historically presented in WWE does not coincide with his own personal ethics.

In a 2006 interview with Slam Wrestling, Sting said the following:

“My religious views would affect my role in a particular storyline. I am looked up to by my young fans, and I won’t jeopardize my integrity.”

Okay, give me a minute, let me soak that in.

Alright, so, Sting, who is a professed born-again Christian, has an issue with the way WWE presents itself, and the content that is shown to fans on a weekly basis. But, what about the company that Sting currently works for, TNA?

Impact Wrestling often features, in life-threatening doses, many storylines, and characters, that Sting, by his own statement of values, should have a problem with.

Incredibly sexy and sensual Knockouts, who wear very revealing gear, and grind on the second rope and curse at each other from the start of the program to the end. The word "b!tch" is used, overused and thrown around from the mouths of female heels and babyfaces, alike.

The men’s division is more of the same, with, “I’m going to kick your ass,” “get your ass down here,” and, “you son of a b!tch.” used by so many workers that it seems Stone Cold’s gimmick is being criminally infringed upon.

Add to this the buckets of blood that are spilled nearly every time the cameras are turned on, and I find myself facing one glaringly painful reality.

TNA is attempting to recreate the Attitude Era of the WWF, with a bit of ECW extreme style thrown in for good measure.

And, this is the company that Sting wants to work for, featuring subject matter that will not jeopardize his integrity?

Now, a couple of points before anyone starts losing their mind and climbing the nearest water tower aiming for my head.

One, I am not slamming TNA. I am firmly on the record as stating that while I do watch the product, I am personally not impressed with it.

Two, I am not questioning Sting’s faith. What is in a man’s heart is between him and God.

I can merely go on what the facts are, as presented before me, and considering what Sting has said, I am left in serious doubt as to why he is currently not cashing a WWE paycheck.

WWE is, for better or worse, not the same company that existed during the Monday Night War. Gone is the excessive bad language, nearly naked women and sexually charged storylines. Blood is at a bare minimum, reserved only for huge main event matches, if it even happens then. This environment seems to be the perfect home for a man who is tired of playing the silly immature ratings game.

He is good friends with Shawn Michaels, a fellow Christian and lifelong WWE commodity. He has other friends in the company as well, not the least of which are two other former TNA employees, Kevin Nash and Booker T.

The WCW buyout was 10 years ago, there is no reason to believe that Sting would be buried by WWE for a war that is long since over. Finally going to WWE would be a dream come true for fans of the business who have loved and supported the guy for years.

Yet, Sting remains a TNA employee. Did he make the right decision?

We can only speculate as to what we believe would have been the best option for his career, but only Sting knows that for sure. WWE’s road schedule is more intense than TNA, it makes sense for Sting, at his age, to stay put. It is, after all, his call.

I suppose I will go back to my endless head scratching at the situation, and retain the image I have in my mind of Sting standing across the ring from Undertaker. Or Triple H. Or, Randy Orton. Oh, crap, there I go again.