What If Sting Had Joined WWE?: The 10 Best Matches That Could Have Been

When WCW folded in 2001, its longtime stars like Eddie Guerrero and Booker T made their way over to the WWE.  The ensuing invasion angle wasn’t handled as well as it could have been but did lead to some matches we might never have seen if the two companies had stayed separate. 

One of my favorite wrestlers of the 90’s, Sting, chose not to join his WCW brethren in Vince McMahon’s company.

He decided instead to wander in wrestling limbo for a few years before rolling with TNA. Though I don’t blame Sting for not signing with WWE, I can’t help but think of the great matches we missed out on because of this. 

At the time, Sting was 42 and certainly had some good years ahead of him.  I’ve done my best to imagine the best possible matchups he could have had if he’d “invaded” like everyone else.

10. Vs. Batista

Sting has a history of having great chemistry with bigger men like Vader and Sid Vicious.  It would have been great to have Sting outsmart and outwrestle Batista when he was just breaking into the business. 

Having Flair in Batista’s corner would make for added heat and an inevitable tussle between the old rivals.

Possible highlight: Sting has Batista in a Scorpion Deathlock, Flair slips on a pair of brass knuckles and cracks Sting one in the nose.  Batista goes for the pin.

9. Vs. Edge (Street Fight)

Around the time of the WCW invasion, Edge was just beginning to establish himself as a bona fide singles superstar.  Wrestlemania X8 would have benefited greatly from replacing the Booker T and Edge match with this street fight.

Edge is at his best when using tables and chairs and guard railings.  Sting can brawl just as well as he can wrestle.  Edge always reminded me of a young Sting.  I think this match would have had great potential. 

Possible highlight: Sting goes for the Stinger Splash just as Edge goes for the spear; the two men collide. The ten count begins...

8. Royal Rumble

The Stinger could have been in a possible ten Royal Rumble matches by now.  He could have certainly added some star power, and fans would have liked seeing him win one.

Sting would have been right at home with the fast-paced action of this match.  He might have had to face off against foes of old like Flair or Benoit.  Creative could have fun working out some angles here.

Possible highlight: Hollywood Hogan, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash eliminate someone and are left standing in the ring alone.  The countdown begins for the next wrestler to enter.  3…2…1…It’s Sting! 

 

7. Vs. Brock Lesnar

During Lesnar’s brief run with WWE, he often appeared unstoppable.  A massive, athletic specimen, he would pose quite a challenge for the Stinger.  The buildup to this match could push the underdog angle. 

Could the smaller, older Sting beat this monster?  I would certainly tune in to find out. 

Sting’s ring savvy against Brock Lesnar’s superhuman strength would make for guaranteed fireworks.

 Possible highlight: Lesnar powers out of an attempted Scorpion Death Drop and counters into the F-5.

6. Vs. Triple H (Three Stages of Hell)

This would have to be the culmination of a long, hate-filled feud.  Triple H could request the Three Stages of Hell stipulation as he’s had significant experience in them.  It would be a great chance to utilize Sting's and Triple H’s street fight skills and take advantage of both men’s stamina. 

Plus, you get a cage match within the match.  Sting did his fair share of rocking those with WCW. 

The Three Stages of Hell matches are rare.  Booking one with these two would make it even more special.

Possible highlight: Sledgehammer vs. baseball bat. 

5. Vs. the Rock

This wouldn’t have the crowd reaction that Hogan vs. Rock received, just because fewer casual fans know Sting.  But the match itself would probably be better. 

You have to give two of the best in the business a shot to create magic. 

The promos and mic work leading up to this would be phenomenal.  I think the Rock’s electrifying charisma would push Sting to up his game. 

Possible highlight: The Rock performs a Rock Bottom on Sting.  One…two…kick out.  Flustered, the Rock lifts him again and delivers another Rock Bottom.  Another kick out. The Rock is livid, out of his mind.  He tries for a third.  A three count.  The Rock looks down at the Sting with great respect.   

4. Vs. Chris Jericho (Iron Man Match)

Ric Flair and Sting had some of the most memorable bouts ever.  Not saying that Jericho is Flair, but he does remind me of the Nature Boy in many ways.  I think their chemistry might be similar. 

It’s quite possible that these two had some run-ins earlier on in their WCW days, but I don’t remember any.  Regardless, the WWE incarnation of Jericho, I believe, was far more polished.  He got better as a wrestler and a talker both.  Seeing them trade words would be a treat in itself. 

Making this an Iron Man Match allows for more back and forth, more drama and a few Walls of Jericho reversals into the Scorpion Deathlock and vice versa.

Possible highlight: Jericho goes for the Codebreaker.  Sting catches Jericho’s legs, lets him fall and clamps on the Scorpion Deathlock.

3. Vs. Steve Austin

Back when Steve Austin was indefensibly a “Stunning” Hollywood Blonde, these two did some excellent ring work together. 

Later on, they both underwent a major transformation with their look, each taking on a much more “badass” persona.  This would be a match with the right mix of brawling and technical wrestling, the two men complementing each other well. 

Possible highlight: Much like the Bret Hart/Stone Cold submission match at Wrestlemania 13, the match could start off with both wrestlers throwing a frenzy of fists, rolling out of the ring, a dogfight. 

2. Vs. the Undertaker (Wrestlemania Streak on the Line)

Similar dark styles/personas, icon vs. icon, two of the creepiest entrances ever; would have torn the house down.  I can definitely picture a stare down to end all stare downs at the start of this match. 

Though during Taker’s undefeated Wrestlemania streak he’s had some spectacular matches (HBK,  Orton, Triple H, etc...) he’s also had some washouts.  That means you, Mark Henry.  Sting and the Undertaker certainly could have improved on one of those dud years and deepened both of their legacies.  

Possible highlight: Sting going in for a Stinger Splash and Taker, catching him by the neck for a choke slam. Yes, indeed.

1. Vs. Shawn Michaels

Shawn Michaels and Sting, two of the best ever.  It’s a shame they never got a chance to perform together.  Who knows what their chemistry would have been like, but chances are they would have had some great battles.

Michaels has the amazing ability to turn any match into a classic, going on that incredible run of PWI Match of the Year awards.  Sting has had his share of classics too.  You just know that together they would have found a way to put on one hell of a show.

Possible highlight: Shawn Michaels superkicks Sting, and bits of his face paint go flying into the air