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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.

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1975 John Tolos def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 1988 Michael Hayes & Steve Cox def. The Samoan SWAT Team (Fatu & Samu) for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
  • 2005 Lily McKenzie def. Chiquita Suzuki for the SRPW Womens Title
  • 2006 Michael Barry def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 2006 Ryan Davidson became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 2017 Paige Turner def. Erica for the IZW Womens Title
  • 2017 Skyler Fayden def. Riker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 2017 Big Smooth & Zakk Sinizter became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 2022 Shane Taylor def. Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
  • 2023 Red James def. Ozzy Hendrix for the EPW Internet Television 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
  • 09-13 2026 Tuff Love (Cade Lovee & Cole Lung) def. GBA (Drake Gallows & Colton Kinnamon) for the RDW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-13 2026 Nate Bourne def. Ricky Wingrave for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 09-13 2026 Malik Mayfield def. Will Chambers for the UWO Heavyweight Title
  • 09-13 2026 Lunchador def. Max Leon for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-13 2026 Max Leon def. Lunchador 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
09-16
  • Haru Sonada Sep 16th Today!
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  • Dick Brower Sep 17th
  • Bill Irwin Sep 17th
  • Jim Cornette Sep 17th
  • Jake Swayze Sep 17th
  • Colton Kinnamon Sep 17th
  • Titan Yin Sep 18th
  • Billy Robinson Sep 18th
  • Mr. Nabors Sep 18th
  • Angel Reed Sep 18th
  • Cisco Grimaldi Sep 18th
  • Jerry Brisco Sep 19th
  • Adam Asher Sep 19th
  • Yoshiaki Yatsu Sep 19th
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  • Randy Rhodes Sep 20th
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  • Chuck Singer Sep 20th
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  • Jack Brisco Sep 21st
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  • Harley D Sep 22nd
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  • Chief Mike Sep 25th
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  • Angel [2nd] Sep 25th
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