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The Pros and Cons of Triple H vs. Sting at WrestleMania 31

Posted: Feb 26th 2015 By: Tom Clark - BleacherReport.com

Triple H versus Sting is not exactly the dream match that many fans have spent a virtual lifetime waiting to see, but it's the one they're getting on March 29. That is the night when The Game and The Icon will step into the ring and wage war on the WrestleMania stage. Every story has two sides, of course, and the fact is there are definite pros and cons of these two legends facing off.

On one hand, fans would be crazy to not want this match to happen.

This is a meeting that has never occurred before and one that will likely never happen again. This is The Cerebral Assassin, Vince McMahon's right-hand man, lacing up the boots to work the star at the forefront of the company that tried to take WWE down.

This match would have done phenomenal business during The Attitude Era; a clash of two pro wrestling powerhouses with bragging rights for life. A Sting defection to WWE during that time would have been the most epic moment of the decade, besting any that fans of either company had ever seen to that point.

That moment is happening right now. The fact that Sting has never performed in a WWE ring only sweetens the deal.

And if Sting goes over at Mania, it could bring about the final end of The Authority. Sting has been a thorn in Hunter's side since Survivor Series in 2014 and if The Game cannot dispose of him, then where does that leave his corporate power structure? They could very well turn on him and disband, never to reform again.

No matter what the outcome may be, how can anyone deny these two men will deliver at Mania? This is a great example of two industry legends going at it, giving the crowd a show and entertaining as only they can do. Both Hunter and Sting have been part of many historic pro wrestling matches over the years, and they know what it means to step up and shine. They will give everything they have to ensure that this one not only comes off without a hitch, but that fans are talking about it for years to come.

The bottom line is Sting is one of the good guys. In an industry filled with one sad tale of reckless behavior after another, Sting is the one man who kept his nose clean. He's always been an old-school guy who is company first and company last, giving his best effort every time he steps into the ring. There can arguably be no better ambassador for the business to the rest of the world than Sting.

And he deserves a top-notch WrestleMania moment, not only for himself, but for the legion of fans that have supported him along the way.

But there is a definite downside to this match.

The fact is that Sting versus Triple H does nothing for the next generation. On a night that has seen legends created and legacies born, this match does neither of those things. Sting and Hunter are both past their primes, and this match is basically 10 years too late. There is no long-term impact, no evolutionary moment for WWE in this bout; this is a payday, pure and simple.

This is WWE capitalizing on the star power that Sting's name still holds with longtime fans and using him on a platform that can best make money for them. While there's nothing inherently wrong with that, the truth is Sting is being booked in a throwaway match with a guy who's not even full-time anymore.

Why wasn't Bray Wyatt or Seth Rollins used in this spot? Did it have to be Triple H? What does WWE stand to gain from a storyline perspective by featuring this match at WrestleMania? Sting's presence at the Survivor Series ultimately did not guarantee a total Authority defeat, so why would that change now?

And if a full-time Superstar was not an option for Sting, why in the world wasn't The Undertaker used? He is the most obvious choice, one that fans want to see hook up with The Icon the most. Sting versus Taker is the biggest dream match of all time, and the question is how can WWE house both men in the same locker room on the same night at WrestleMania 31 yet not put them in the ring together?

It's akin to Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan calling each other out back in 1991 but never laying a hand on each other. Why didn't WWE move forward with that match at WrestleMania?

The easy answer is WWE belongs to Vince McMahon and at the end of the day, it's his call. This match is not about giving the fans what they want to see, it's about giving them what he wants to see. And that is something everyone should be accustomed to by now.

Despite which side fans choose, the truth is Sting versus Triple H is happening regardless. WWE will make it work with promos, face-to-face confrontations and dramatic moments on Raw. Building hype is what that company does best, and this match will be no different.

WWE will make fans want to see this one, and the match should be a highlight of WrestleMania 31. Convincing fans this match is best for business is another issue altogether.

Supplemental Information

Spotlight in History

1967 Brute Bernard def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1974 Jose Lothario def. El Gran Markus for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1987 Eric Embry became the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Champion
2008 Dustin Heritage def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
2008 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) def. Nathan Sensation & Striker for the IZW Tag Team Titles
2008 Shawn Sanders def. Kevin Morgan for the OECW Heavyweight Title
2008 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
2009 3rd Rail def. Maniac Mike for the SWCW Hardcore Title
2009 Maniac Mike became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
2014 J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf became the NAW Tag Team Champions
2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf for the NAW Tag Team Titles
2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Running Wolf) became the NAW Tag Team Champions
2020 Dimitri Alexandrov def. O’Brien for the ASP Heavyweight Title
2025 Michael H became the NAW Openweight Champion
2025 Jupiter Jones def. Frankie Lee for the RDW Iron Man Title
2025 Sgt. Hartman def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Sgt. Hartman for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title

Week of Sun 09-13 to Sat: 09-19

09-13 1967 Brute Bernard def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-13 1974 Jose Lothario def. El Gran Markus for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-13 1987 Eric Embry became the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Champion
09-13 2008 Dustin Heritage def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
09-13 2008 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) def. Nathan Sensation & Striker for the IZW Tag Team Titles
09-13 2008 Shawn Sanders def. Kevin Morgan for the OECW Heavyweight Title
09-13 2008 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
09-13 2009 3rd Rail def. Maniac Mike for the SWCW Hardcore Title
09-13 2009 Maniac Mike became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
09-13 2014 J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf became the NAW Tag Team Champions
09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf for the NAW Tag Team Titles
09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Running Wolf) became the NAW Tag Team Champions
09-13 2020 Dimitri Alexandrov def. O’Brien for the ASP Heavyweight Title
09-13 2025 Michael H became the NAW Openweight Champion
09-13 2025 Jupiter Jones def. Frankie Lee for the RDW Iron Man Title
09-13 2025 Sgt. Hartman def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
09-13 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Sgt. Hartman for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
09-14 2007 Dane Griffin def. Montego Seeka for the UWF06 Light Heavyweight Title
09-14 2007 Dane Griffin became the UWF06 Texhoma Champion
09-14 2013 Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
09-14 2013 The Oakhurst Fire Mafia (Chief Mike & Keebler) def. The P. I. N. K. Nation (Ray Martinez & Tommy Toops) for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
09-14 2019 MVP def. Chavo Guerrero, Jr. for the WCR Heavyweight Title
09-14 2024 Original Renegade became the NAW Openweight Champion
09-14 2024 Umbra def. Trench Blythe for the WAH Spotlight Title
09-14 2024 Pastor Brent def. Daniel Aaron Michalles for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
09-14 2024 Jean-Claude def. Eddie LeVaughn for the WAH Heavyweight Title
09-14 2024 Manico def. Billie the Kiid for the NAW Indigenous Land Title
09-14 2024 Jeb Bingham def. Jastin Taylor for the BCW Heavyweight Title
09-15 1969 The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
09-15 1980 Junkyard Dog & Terry Orndorff def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
09-15 1986 Black Bart def. Chris Adams for the WCCW World Title
09-15 2007 Sudden Impact (Sudden Impact 1 & Sudden Impact 2) def. Texas, Inc. (Bernard Funk & Tim Rockwell) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
09-15 2007 Anthony Jackson def. AWOL for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
09-15 2007 Shane Morbid def. Justin Lee for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
09-15 2012 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
09-15 2018 Chavo Guerrero, Jr. def. MVP for the WCR Heavyweight Title
09-15 2019 Chaz Sharpe def. James Southard for the ASP Inter-County Title
09-15 2023 Jastin Taylor def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Heavyweight Title
09-16 1975 John Tolos def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
09-16 1988 Michael Hayes & Steve Cox def. The Samoan SWAT Team (Fatu & Samu) for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
09-16 2005 Lily McKenzie def. Chiquita Suzuki for the SRPW Womens Title
09-16 2006 Michael Barry def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
09-16 2006 Ryan Davidson became the IZW Impact Division Champion
09-16 2017 Paige Turner def. Erica for the IZW Womens Title
09-16 2017 Skyler Fayden def. Riker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
09-16 2017 Big Smooth & Zakk Sinizter became the UWE Tag Team Champions
09-16 2022 Shane Taylor def. Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
09-16 2023 Red James def. Ozzy Hendrix for the EPW Internet Television Title
09-17 1979 The Spoiler & Mark Lewin def. Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
09-17 2004 Bobby Dalton def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Title
09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCB Heavyweight Champion
09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCB Dual Kombat Champion
09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCBW Heavyweight Champion
09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCBW Dual Kombat Champion
09-17 2010 Dane Griffin def. Cody Jones for the NWA-OK Texoma Title
09-17 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Montego Seeka) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
09-17 2010 Michael Faith def. Dane Griffin for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
09-17 2016 Mr. Nasty def. Brian Breaker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
09-18 1967 Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma def. Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
09-18 2005 Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch def. The Hurricane & Rosey for the WWE RAW World Tag Team Titles
09-18 2005 Ric Flair def. Carlito for the WWE Intercontinental Title
09-18 2015 Sons of Texas (Moonshine Mantell & Killer McKenzie) def. The Imperialists (Charlie Haas & Griffin) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
09-18 2021 Thrash def. Jermaine Johnson for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
09-18 2021 Reed def. Thrash for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Heavyweight Title
09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Apex Title
09-19 1979 Mike Sharpe, Jr. def. Mike George for the MSW Mississippi Title
09-19 1982 David Von Erich def. Bill Irwin for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
09-19 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. Michael Hayes & Steve Cox for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
09-19 2014 Simply Irresistible (Matthew Palmer & James Johnson) def. The Dark Circle (Mace Malone & Apoc) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
09-19 2015 Loaded Guns (Jon Cross & Brandon Walker) def. The Rising (Riker & Abel) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
09-19 2015 Brian Breaker def. Clint Cassidy for the UWE United States Title
09-19 2015 Zakk Sinizter def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
09-19 2015 Jon Cross became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
09-19 2019 MVP became the WCR Imperial Champion
09-19 2020 Pastor Brent became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
09-19 2021 Maui Mike def. Thrash for the ASP Mid-American Title
09-19 2021 Brixton Barricade def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
09-19 2021 Malik Mayfield def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP Livestream Title
09-19 2021 Double D def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP 5-Star Title

09-13

K. P. Moore Sep 13th Today!
Poder Oriental Sep 13th Today!
Bobby Starr Sep 13th Today!
Danny Little Bear Sep 13th Today!
Angelina Love Sep 13th Today!
Mr. Olympia Sep 13th Today!
Eddie LeVaughn Sep 14th
Lunatic Lennie Sep 14th
Kelsie Mae Sep 14th
Waddy Young Sep 14th
Bernie D Sep 14th
L. C. Green Sep 15th
Korvin Sage Sep 15th
Daniel King Sep 15th
Spoiler 2000 Sep 15th
Haru Sonada Sep 16th
Bill Irwin Sep 17th
Dick Brower Sep 17th
Rex Mori Sep 17th
Jim Cornette Sep 17th
Colton Kinnamon Sep 17th
Jake Swayze Sep 17th
Billy Robinson Sep 18th
Cisco Grimaldi Sep 18th
Titan Yin Sep 18th
Mr. Nabors Sep 18th
Angel Reed Sep 18th
Jerry Brisco Sep 19th
Adam Asher Sep 19th
Yoshiaki Yatsu Sep 19th
Ethan Page Sep 20th
Randy Rhodes Sep 20th
Boz Sep 20th
Bishop Simon Sep 20th
Justin Lee Sep 20th
Joey Stixx Sep 20th
Greg Valentine Sep 20th
Chuck Singer Sep 20th
Pepper Martin Sep 20th
Jack Brisco Sep 21st
Ricky Morton Sep 21st
Connor Jones Sep 21st
Mike Chacoma Sep 22nd
Red River Brawler Sep 22nd
Doug Somers Sep 22nd
Satine Sep 22nd
Harley D Sep 22nd
Rocco Valentino Sep 23rd
O'Malley Sep 23rd
Cole Crittenden Sep 23rd
Joe Jones Sep 24th
Len Rossi Sep 24th
Connor Crunk Sep 24th
Clayton Bloodstone Sep 24th
Kai Fayden Sep 24th
John J. Bishop Sep 24th
Jason Bruce Sep 24th
Chief Mike Sep 25th
Jimmy Garvin Sep 25th
Toots Estes Sep 25th
Angel [2nd] Sep 25th
Clifton Clinstock Sep 26th
BB Sep 26th
Lone Eagle Sep 26th
Kendo Nagasaki Sep 26th
Chris Matthews Sep 26th
Ka$haNova Sep 26th
Jhamil O$Neal Sep 26th

1967 Brute Bernard def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1974 Jose Lothario def. El Gran Markus for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1987 Eric Embry became the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Champion
2008 Dustin Heritage def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
2008 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) def. Nathan Sensation & Striker for the IZW Tag Team Titles
2008 Shawn Sanders def. Kevin Morgan for the OECW Heavyweight Title
2008 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
2009 3rd Rail def. Maniac Mike for the SWCW Hardcore Title
2009 Maniac Mike became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
2014 J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf became the NAW Tag Team Champions
2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf for the NAW Tag Team Titles
2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Running Wolf) became the NAW Tag Team Champions
2020 Dimitri Alexandrov def. O’Brien for the ASP Heavyweight Title
2025 Michael H became the NAW Openweight Champion
2025 Sgt. Hartman def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Sgt. Hartman for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
2025 Jupiter Jones def. Frankie Lee for the RDW Iron Man Title

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