Sting’s WWE journey, initially met with excitement, faced challenges leading to a lackluster run, and Vince McMahon’s historical rivalry with WCW in the 1990s may have influenced it.
Despite his iconic status from WCW, Sting’s debut in WWE at Survivor Series 2014 didn’t translate into a successful tenure.
His first match at WrestleMania 31 against Triple H ended in defeat, with Vince McMahon allegedly instructing announcers to belittle Sting, emphasizing WWE’s triumph over WCW.
During the ARN podcast in 2020, Arn Anderson revealed Vince’s directive to paint Sting as a “minnow in a big pond” during the match, portraying WWE’s superiority over WCW.
This narrative persisted when Sting returned in 2015, challenging Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship but falling short.
Despite being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016, Sting left WWE in May 2020 when his contract expired, joining All Elite Wrestling (AEW) later that year.
Vince’s purported skepticism about Sting’s popularity surfaced in 2022 when Road Dogg shared on Busted Open that Vince acted unaware of Sting and questioned if he was “over” or could connect with fans.
EXCLUSIVE! After #AEWRevolution went off the air, @Sting shared some final words – Full Version pic.twitter.com/FpYV6ivtY1
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 4, 2024
Sting’s career took an unexpected turn as he rejuvenated it in AEW in 2020, making his last appearance at AEW Revolution 2024.
His final match alongside Darby Allin against The Young Bucks resulted in a triumphant retention of the Tag Team titles, providing a memorable conclusion to his wrestling journey.
Despite the challenges and Vince McMahon’s reported reservations, Sting’s resilience and continued impact in AEW demonstrate the enduring legacy of this wrestling icon.
