Jun 25th 2026 11:32pm

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

WWE Excelling at Timing Sting's Appearances, Harnessing His Mystique

WWE Excelling at Timing Sting's Appearances, Harnessing His Mystique

Posted: Jan 20th 2015 By: Ryan Dilbert - BleacherReport.com

Sting's Raw debut was only the second time that WWE has pulled that ace from its sleeve. Each time, his arrival has felt momentous, like an elusive superhero emerging from the shadows when he is most needed.

In Sting, WWE has the rarest of opportunities. A star born and grown elsewhere comes ready-made, both established and novel. The company has so far maximized the asset that is Sting.

The dark vigilante has elevated the WWE's product with huge moments as it pushes toward a major WrestleMania match between him and Triple H. The second of those came on the last Raw before the Royal Rumble.

Monday's Raw looked as if it were going to end with another "John Cena overcomes the odds" story. It ended up being something far superior.

With his WWE title match on the line, with Dolph Ziggler, Ryback and Erick Rowan counting on him to get them reinstated, Cena had to battle not only Kane, Big Show and Seth Rollins but J&J Security at ringside and an angry tyrant in Triple H. As it turned out, this was not a means to make Cena look like Superman but to make Sting's debut more powerful.

Crows cawed. The Dallas crowd roared. Sting tore through the curtains.

His appearance stunned The Authority, distracted Rollins and allowed Cena to get the most improbable of victories. Sting didn't have to throw a single blow. His presence alone changed the WWE landscape once more.

Triple H wanted revenge, to wrap his hands around Sting's throat. In a flash, though, the former WCW and TNA world champion was gone, faded back into the darkness like some caped crusader from a comic book.

Chalk that up as WWE going 2-for-2 with two home runs with Sting thus far.

His WWE debut came at a major pay-per-view, interrupting the main event and ousting The Authority. WWE hurt the significance of that effort by bringing back The Authority so soon, but that emergence into this new world was still one of 2014's best moments.

This time around, he first stepped onto the Raw stage with the stakes plenty high again.

That's part of the beauty of WWE's plan so far. Sting has only appeared when The Authority's abuse of power is set to reach its highest levels, when the spotlight is brightest.

WWE has not thrown him into any typical wordy segments. In fact, he hasn't said anything since arriving. His silence allows his aura and history to speak for him, to further ramp up the anticipation of what's to come.

Officials did the opposite with Batista last year. WWE underwhelmed with how it presented Batista after four years away from the ring. It simply welcomed him with a standard introduction and had him come out and talk.

He claimed he would win the world title, but there were no reverberations from his arrival. He made no major impact in that moment.

With Sting, WWE has rightfully revered the fans' desire to see him make his move to the company.

There have been no warm-up feuds or tomato cans in his path. He went straight to the top tier, where he belongs. His first two appearances have seen him anger Triple H, thwarting the executive's sinister plans and evening the odds for the good guys.

On Monday night, an enraged Triple H circled around the ring before grabbing a microphone and howling Sting's name. There couldn't be a clearer sign that those two are headed for a showdown at WrestleMania.

Whether one thinks that's the right match or not, there's no denying its scale. It belongs on the WrestleMania stage and pits Sting against one of WWE's biggest names. It allows him to battle a future Hall of Famer without depending on the uncertain health status of Undertaker.

The buildup to Triple H vs. Sting began at Survivor Series. Monday's Raw thrust that story forward.

WWE has so far administered doses of Sting at just the right time. His legend has felt massive. His impact has been immediate.

Should WWE maintain this pace and keep the narrative around Sting taut, fans will be shaking with anticipation by the time he steps through the ropes at WrestleMania.

 

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

1
The Spotlight: Greg Valentine

The Spotlight: Greg Valentine

Over a career that spanned more than three decades, Valentine became one of the most respected and feared competitors in professional wrestli... Read More

All Columns

1

Spotlight in History

  • 2011 Sam Stackhouse def. Shane Morbid for the BYEW Heavyweight Title
  • 2011 The Sons of Ireland (Devan Scott & Shane Scott) def. The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the BYEW Tag Team Titles
  • 2011 Chris Chaos became the BYEW Caution Champion
  • 2011 The Future Hall of Famers (John O'Malley & Brad Michaels) def. Bernie D & Aaron Neil (subbing for Max McGuirk) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 2016 Brian Breaker def. Zakk Sinizter for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 2017 The Cub Scouts (Grizzly Gates & Brock Landers) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions

Week of Sun 06-21 to Sat: 06-27

  • 06-21 1982 Junkyard Dog def. Bob Roop for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
  • 06-21 1987 Al Perez def. The Dingo Warrior for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 06-21 2003 Kitty def. Manservant for the TPW Womens Title
  • 06-21 2008 Tim Rockwell def. El Super Colibri for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 06-21 2008 Li'l Joe def. Xavior for the GPCW Cruiserweight Title
  • 06-21 2014 Buster Cherry def. Havoc for the SWCW All-American Title
  • 06-21 2024 Big Sed def. Sam Adonis for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
  • 06-21 2025 Dan Webber became the LCW Lionheart Champion
  • 06-22 2005 Phillip def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 06-22 2018 Joe Cuedo def. Brock Baker for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 06-22 2024 Pastor Brent def. Daniel Aaron Michalles for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 06-22 2024 Daniel Aaron Michalles def. Pastor Brent for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 06-22 2025 Billie the Kiid def. Dan Webber for the ASP Heavyweight Title
  • 06-23 1972 Billy Red Lyons def. The Spoiler for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 06-23 1980 Mr. Hito & Mr. Sakurada def. Jose Lothario & Tiger Conway Jr. for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 06-23 1982 Ted DiBiase def. Junkyard Dog for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
  • 06-23 1984 Gino Hernandez became the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-23 1989 The Stud Stable (Robert Fuller & Brian Lee) def. Jeff Jarrett & Mil Mascaras for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
  • 06-23 2001 Big Daddy Moore def. Adam Lacroix for the OPW Oklahoma Television Title
  • 06-23 2001 Grenade became the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-23 2009 Joshua Michael & Epic became the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-23 2023 Dustin Tibbs def. Thrash for the WFC Prime Title
  • 06-24 1972 Stan Stasiak def. Red Bastien for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 06-24 1974 Bull Ramos def. Rip Tyler for the TSW North American Title
  • 06-24 1977 John Studd became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-24 1985 The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) def. The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 06-24 2000 Great Bolo [2nd] def. Ichiban [2nd] for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 06-24 2000 Ichiban [2nd] became the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-24 2005 Spoiler 2000 became the NWA-U Television Champion
  • 06-24 2006 Prophet SteVens became the AACW Television Champion
  • 06-24 2007 Matt Garza became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 06-24 2016 Dynamic Shields (Justin Dynamic & Shawn Shields) def. Terry Montana & Mighty Mouse for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 06-24 2016 Seth Angel def. Steven Cruze for the ComPro Showtime Title
  • 06-24 2016 Adrian Dell def. Nathan Estrada for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 06-24 2017 Drake Gallows became the ASP Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-24 2017 Excellence Personified (Duke Swellington & Dustin Heritage) def. Shawn Hendrix & Aaron Anders (substituting for Anthony Andrews) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 06-24 2017 Dynamic Shields (Justin Dynamic & Shawn Shields) def. Big Smooth & Zakk Sinizter for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 06-24 2018 Shawn Sanders def. Chaz Sharpe for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 06-24 2018 Canadian Red Devil def. Adam Patrick for the ASP Mid-American Title
  • 06-24 2020 Warren Powers def. Giganto for the BPW 365 Title
  • 06-24 2023 Stage Dive Mafia (Rook Tyler & Axel Savage) became the BCW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-24 2023 C. M. Burnham def. Lunchador for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 06-24 2023 Lunchador def. C. M. Burnham for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 06-25 2011 Sam Stackhouse def. Shane Morbid for the BYEW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-25 2011 The Sons of Ireland (Devan Scott & Shane Scott) def. The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the BYEW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-25 2011 Chris Chaos became the BYEW Caution Champion
  • 06-25 2011 The Future Hall of Famers (John O'Malley & Brad Michaels) def. Bernie D & Aaron Neil (subbing for Max McGuirk) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-25 2016 Brian Breaker def. Zakk Sinizter for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 06-25 2017 The Cub Scouts (Grizzly Gates & Brock Landers) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 06-26 1961 The Bolos (Great Bolo 1st & Mighty Bolo) became the TSW Southwestern Tag Team Champions
  • 06-26 1987 Frankie Lancaster & Eric Embry def. The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
  • 06-26 1999 Tarantula def. Original Renegade for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 06-26 2005 Li'l Joe def. Phillip for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 06-26 2009 Brandon Groom def. The Handsome Spoiler for the TOPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 06-26 2009 Kevin James Sanchez def. Bobby Starr for the BYEW Entertainment Title
  • 06-26 2021 Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese) def. Los Loco Moscas (Elijah Sparks & El Greengo Loco) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
  • 06-26 2025 Microman def. Mini Abismo Negro for the EDW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-27 1969 Wahoo McDaniel & Thunderbolt Patterson became the WCCW American Tag Team Champions
  • 06-27 1971 Johnny Valentine def. Toru Tanaka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-27 1976 Jose Lothario def. The Mongolian Stomper for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-27 2009 Randy Price def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 06-27 2009 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
06-25
  • Kody Lane Jun 25th Today!
  • X-Storms Jun 25th Today!
  • Jax Samuel Jun 26th
  • Paul Rodriguez Jun 26th
  • D. K. Bradley Jun 26th
  • Sylvia Richmond Jun 26th
  • Jason Kirby Jun 27th
  • Kuda Jun 27th
  • Dan Barnhart Jun 27th
  • Reckless Jun 27th
  • Ignition Jun 27th
  • John Tidwell Jun 28th
  • Boris Malenko Jun 28th
  • Kenny Mack Jun 28th
  • Malico Jun 28th
  • Bill Dromo Jun 28th
  • Damian Kincaid Jun 28th
  • J. J. Blake Jun 28th
  • Doc Hearon Jun 28th
  • Claire Jun 28th
  • Barbara Galento Jun 29th
  • Voltio Santiago Jun 29th
  • Killaman Jaro Jun 29th
  • Kenneth Caine Jun 30th
  • Ed Lewis Jun 30th
  • Terry Funk Jun 30th
  • Tim WarCloud Jul 1st
  • Sung Yung Kang Jul 1st
  • Jake Hollister Jul 1st
  • Li'l Joe Jul 1st
  • Wrangler Rhett Jul 2nd
  • Dalton Smith Jul 2nd
  • Crowson D. Calhoun Jul 2nd
  • Rex Andrews Jul 2nd
  • Joe Sloan Jul 3rd
  • Rachael Starz Jul 3rd
  • Ray the Bae Jul 3rd
  • Arman Hussein Jul 3rd
  • Blake Wilson Jul 4th
  • Greatest American Bolo Jul 4th
  • Bob Sweetan Jul 4th
  • Bree Ann Jul 4th
  • Barry Windham Jul 4th
  • Roland Kirchmeyer Jul 5th
  • Richard Pierce Jul 5th
  • Little Tokyo Jul 5th
  • Terry Kage Jul 5th
  • Dalton Bragg Jul 6th
  • Sandor Kovacs Jul 7th
  • Steven Sterling Jul 7th
  • Toby Keith Jul 8th
  • Thunderbolt Patterson Jul 8th
  • Tuck Davion Jul 8th

More Look Back In History

Card Results

1