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TNA: Sting's 8 Greatest NWA/WCW Opponents of All-Time

Posted: Mar 1st 2012 By: mikeiles

The Stinger pulled a fast one on us last Thursday night after he teased us on Twitter that he was "done," which led to all of us expecting a retirement speech.

This is wrestling, remember. Sting found his mojo, his war paint and everything else he could muster to challenge Bobby Roode, which is what Roode wanted all along.

Well, he teased us, and now, he will face the TNA Champion at Victory Road. This should be more spirited than the last time Sting challenged an opponent at this PPV. Just ask Jeff Hardy.

At some point, the 52-year-old champion many times over, being the only man to hold the NWA, WCW and TNA World Titles in his career, will call it quits, and the wrestling gods will clear a space on their Mount Rushmore of the 10 greatest of all-time. But when we look back on his career, there were many who gave Sting the chance to shine.

I remember a young Stinger in 1988 (yes, we all know the story) who challenged a world champion named Ric Flair to a 45-minute draw in the Clash of Champions (maybe the best match ever seen on free television). It solidified Flair as a god in terms of wrestling, and the youngster sold for Flair and likewise.

At that moment, Sting was a superstar.

Some of his greatest moments were at the hands of the NWA/TNA hierarchy. Here are some of his greatest opponents of all-time.

Rick Rude

This could have been better than it was.

Rude was a perfect match for Sting, and while they fought over gold, their barbs back and forth were great.

Sting brought out some greatness in Rude and helped elevate him to a higher level.

Rude should have been a world champion many times over.

Lex Luger

They were the best of friends.

Then they were enemies.

Then...well, this is wrestling.

The two were virtually equal in all capacity, except Sting was a world champion many times over. Sting played Batman; Luger was Robin.

Hulk Hogan

Sting vs. Hogan was not the Sting vs. Hogan of now. But Hogan hid behind the NWO before the Icon in black got his hands on him for good.

This was the taboo match. Good vs. Evil. Friend vs. Foe. It all became part of the NWO/WCW subplot.

And for a solid year, Sting did not wrestle, then exacted his revenge.

The Giant

Big Show was billed as Andre the Giant's son, and he came on the scene to challenge Hogan first. He teamed with Sting on many occasions before he jumped to the NWO (didn't everyone?).

Even at 6"4" and 265 pounds, Giant looked like a giant against Sting.

But the battles raged on. And Sting fought through the big man and won.

Arn Anderson

Personally, I would have loved to have seen more of this.

Anderson fought everyone. Sting took on everyone. I think these two could have had a feud much like Flair and Sting. But creative wanted it some other way.

Arn Anderson was one of the toughest men to get in a wrestling ring. He is what someone like a Bobby Roode strives to be today.

Vader

When Vader was the WCW champion, he was the baddest man on the planet and took on everyone.

Good thing the NWO never got a hold of him. Leon White was his own man, and no one made him shudder.

He had some classic matches with Sting and Flair, and the three of them tried to fight each other and the NWO at the same time.

Barry Windham

When they were friends and tag team partners, Windham, Sting and Lex Luger could have been one of the best face stables in wrestling history.

But Windham had too much talent not to be a world champion. And when he joined the Horsemen, it was his way of conceding that he could not beat Flair, so he joined them.

Windham also gave Sting all he could handle.

Ric Flair

You knew we would not leave him off this list.

Flair basically made Sting and taught him to wrestler and sell.

The only thing Sting had trouble with was drawing as a champion. Even though he was popular and loved by fans, he did not draw like Flair did. Heck, nobody drew like Flair did.

But Flair is Sting's best opponent.

Supplemental Information

Spotlight in History

1965 Don Kent def. Red McKim for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
1981 The Great Kabuki def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
1999 Big Daddy Moore def. Rocco Valentino for the OPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
1999 The Casualties of War (Malice & Shrapnel) def. Red Eagle & Night Hawk (subbing for Thunderwolf) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
1999 Kid Flash def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
2004 Michael Barry def. Brandon Groom for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
2010 Wage def. Bernie D for the IZW Impact Division Title
2026 Boom Boom Groom def. Neo Genesis for the ASP WTF Title

Week of Sun 09-20 to Sat: 09-26

09-20 1978 Jose Lothario def. Assassin 1 for the TSW Louisiana Title
09-20 1985 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) def. The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
09-20 2008 Michael Barry def. Angel Williams for the IZW Heavyweight Title
09-20 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
09-20 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
09-20 2009 Jermaine Johnson def. Ky-ote Joe for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
09-20 2013 Mike Foxx def. Tim Storm for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Title
09-20 2013 Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) def. The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
09-20 2013 The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) def. Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
09-20 2014 Kevin Morgan & became the IZW Tag Team Champions
09-20 2014 Jordan Jacobs def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
09-20 2014 Claudia def. Bree Ann for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
09-20 2014 The Brotherhood (Kyng Benjamin & Akuma Jones) def. A. C. Slaughter (Aaron Anders & Clint Cassidy) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
09-20 2014 Fuel def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE Heavyweight Title
09-20 2025 Gideon Vane became the EPW International Champion
09-20 2025 Miles Bane became the NAW Openweight Champion
09-20 2026 Neo Genesis def. T. J. Spade for the ASP WTF Title
09-21 1954 Johnny Valentine def. Joe Christie for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-21 2002 Shadow of Death def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
09-21 2012 Tim Storm became the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
09-21 2012 Kyra Maya became the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
09-21 2013 Nasty Swag (Robert Lee & Ace Archuleta) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
09-21 2019 Slice & Kill (Skylar Slice & Killista) def. The Proclamation (Ethan Cole & Reed) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
09-21 2024 Brandon Warhawk def. Seth Daniels for the UWE Apex Title
09-21 2024 Fuel def. Killbane for the UWE Heavyweight Title
09-21 2024 Party Bird Crew (Smitty & Birdman) def. Black Flag Rising (Anarchy [2nd] & Faded Ghoul) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
09-21 2024 Super Crash Brothers (Badger James & Trench Blythe) def. Party Bird Crew (Smitty & Birdman) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
09-21 2026 T. J. Spade def. Will Chambers for the CAPW Heavyweight Title
09-22 1971 Bill Watts def. Dusty Rhodes for the TSW North American Title
09-22 2001 Jenna Love became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
09-22 2001 Justin Lee def. Dexter Hardaway for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
09-22 2012 Crossfire Morrison def. Drake Gallows for the SWCW Hardcore Title
09-22 2012 Kareem Sadat def. Crossfire Morrison for the SWCW Hardcore Title
09-22 2023 Tommy Prince became the TexPro Dynasty Champion
09-22 2023 Nashoba became the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
09-22 2023 Skidz def. Nashoba for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
09-22 2023 Oscar Amazing def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
09-22 2026 Billie the Kiid def. Neo Genesis for the ASP WTF Title
09-22 2026 Neo Genesis def. Billie the Kiid for the ASP WTF Title
09-23 1974 Tex McKenzie & Johnny Valentine def. The Blackjacks (Blackjack Mulligan & Blackjack Lanza) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
09-23 1975 Jose Lothario def. Billy Graham for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-23 2000 Grenade def. Ichiban [2nd] for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
09-23 2016 Xavior became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
09-23 2016 Nikki Knight def. Skylar Slice for the MSWA Ladies Title
09-23 2016 Psycho Mike def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
09-23 2017 Kikutaro def. Ryan Davidson for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
09-23 2017 Dusty Gold def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
09-23 2017 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Womens Title
09-23 2017 Double D def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Title
09-23 2017 Drake Gallows def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Buzzsaw Title
09-23 2017 Xavior def. C. J. Ward for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
09-23 2017 The Omega (O’Brien & O’Malley) def. The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
09-23 2023 Skidz def. Oscar Amazing for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
09-23 2023 Koko def. Dan Webber for the UWE Heavyweight Title
09-23 2023 Sweetness (Cappuccino Jones & Romeo Reese) def. Southern Aristocracy (Eddie LeVaughn & Anthony Wild) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
09-23 2023 Killbane def. Leo Fox for the UWE Apex Title
09-24 2002 The Professionals (John Zorthos & Julian Wolfenbarger) became the ACW Tag Team Champions
09-24 2016 Ricky Starks def. Ky-Ote for the IWR Revolutionary Title
09-24 2022 London Calling (Dutch Hagen & Richie Adams) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
09-24 2022 Martin Justice def. Tyler Watts for the EPW International Title
09-24 2022 Logan Knight def. Kareem Sadat for the EPW All-American Title
09-24 2022 Olivier Vegos def. Danni Bee for the NCWO Women's Title
09-25 1965 Don Kent def. Red McKim for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
09-25 1981 The Great Kabuki def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
09-25 1999 Big Daddy Moore def. Rocco Valentino for the OPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
09-25 1999 The Casualties of War (Malice & Shrapnel) def. Red Eagle & Night Hawk (subbing for Thunderwolf) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
09-25 1999 Kid Flash def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
09-25 2004 Michael Barry def. Brandon Groom for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
09-25 2010 Wage def. Bernie D for the IZW Impact Division Title
09-25 2026 Boom Boom Groom def. Neo Genesis for the ASP WTF Title
09-26 1978 Terry Latham & Ricky Fields def. Seigfried Stanke & Kurt Von Hess for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
09-26 1984 Adrian Street def. Terry Taylor for the MSW Television Title
09-26 2004 John O'Malley def. Mr. Brown for the ACW Hardcore Title
09-26 2009 Jeremy Quinn III became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
09-26 2014 Paul Puertorico def. Matt Majestic for the SRPW United States Title
09-26 2020 Brian Dixon def. Ethan Cole for the BPW Lion Heart Title
09-26 2020 The Ritual (Samedi & Shadow Gemini) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
09-26 2025 Riley Grinn def. Tommy Dean for the BUW No Pressure Title

09-25

Angel [2nd] Sep 25th Today!
Toots Estes Sep 25th Today!
Chief Mike Sep 25th Today!
Jimmy Garvin Sep 25th Today!
Kendo Nagasaki Sep 26th
Jhamil O$Neal Sep 26th
Ka$haNova Sep 26th
BB Sep 26th
Chris Matthews Sep 26th
Clifton Clinstock Sep 26th
Lone Eagle Sep 26th
Ben Miller Sep 27th
Alec Bisogno Sep 27th
Angel Camacho Sep 27th
Tyler Cordingley Sep 27th
Billy Ray [2nd] Sep 28th
Scott Lee Sep 28th
Tommy Prince Sep 28th
Rip Tyler Sep 28th
Trey Count Sep 28th
Kamille Sep 28th
David Sammartino Sep 29th
Bang Bang Bennett Sep 29th
Skandar Akbar Sep 29th
Ann Casey Sep 29th
Seth Coburn Sep 30th
Marlboro Slim Sep 30th
Kidd Riggs Sep 30th
Lady Starwind Sep 30th
Raymon Downey Sep 30th
Fred Urban Sep 30th
Hector Guerrero Oct 1st
Cold Blooded Chris Oct 2nd
Waldo Von Erich Oct 2nd
Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
Funnybone Oct 2nd
James Southard Oct 2nd
Mike Foxx Oct 2nd
Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
Don Fargo Oct 3rd
Crystal White Oct 3rd
Johnny TV Oct 3rd
Abyss Oct 4th
P. Y. Chu-Hi Oct 4th
Bobby Fulton Oct 4th
Violent V Oct 4th
T-Arsenal Oct 4th
Jay Strongbow, Sr. Oct 4th
Dick Hutton Oct 4th
Studd Lee Oct 4th
Tim Geohagen Oct 4th
Joaquin Wilde Oct 5th
Dennis Heflin Oct 5th
Rip Oliver Oct 6th
Paloma Starr Oct 6th
Smash Oct 6th
Mr. Nasty Oct 6th
Spike Oct 6th
Terry Orndorff Oct 7th
Nelly Rivers Oct 7th
Rhino Oct 7th
Tennessee Rebel Oct 7th
Frankie V Oct 7th
Ripper Collins Oct 8th
Brett Irons Oct 8th
Judy Martin Oct 8th
Travis Harkrider Oct 8th
Moonshine Oct 8th

1965 Don Kent def. Red McKim for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
1981 The Great Kabuki def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
1999 Big Daddy Moore def. Rocco Valentino for the OPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
1999 The Casualties of War (Malice & Shrapnel) def. Red Eagle & Night Hawk (subbing for Thunderwolf) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
1999 Kid Flash def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
2004 Michael Barry def. Brandon Groom for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
2010 Wage def. Bernie D for the IZW Impact Division Title
2026 Boom Boom Groom def. Neo Genesis for the ASP WTF Title

More Look Back In History

Card Results

Current Champions

All Star Pro

Tag Team Champions
Team Barricade

Heavyweight Champion: Gatekeeper
5-Star Champion: Will Chambers
Livestream Champion: Mitch Onyx
WTF Champion: Boom Boom Groom

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