Sting's status with TNA.

[D Mac]

According to a report by The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Sting was not at the TNA TV tapings last week in Orlando following the Hard Justice PPV. He didn't come to TV due to the company talking with Sting about a new contract. This is why they taped the backstage footage of Sting with Kevin Nash.

The feeling at this point is that they must have a deal finalized for 2009 with Sting in the next few weeks and both sides have to be in agreement or they can't move on and script key parts of the angle they are doing now without knowing how long they have him for. Sting, who turns 50 early next year, was believed to be earning in the $600,000 range this last year for working basically a part-time schedule.

It should be noted that TNA President Dixie Carter wanted Sting back this year when others within the company felt his price wasn't worth what he brought to the table. Carter's belief was that having Sting with the company gives them prestige and helps them make business deals, even though his pay rightfully isn't justified based on the effect he has had on ratings and PPV buyrates. Some have noted that his pay really shouldn't be an issue anymore though considering the company can afford him now than in the past.

Sting is financially secure at this point in his career and having made lots of money during his WCW days he has used it to invest in real estate holdings in Southern California among other things. He doesn't need to wrestle at this point in his life, but given the money he was offered and the light schedule with TNA, many have described his situation as having the best of both worlds where he can have lots of free time and still remain active in the business. The belief right now is that if Sting doesn't agree to another deal with TNA then they obviously won't go any farther with the role they appear to be teasing right now, especially turning him heel and going out in that fashion. If he does stay it is possible they will go forth with plans for him as a heel since they will have more time to develop it. Of course, he has to agree to these plans in the first place as noted a few weeks ago.

[BigDaddyCool]

Whatever.

[screech]

Sting is totally worth the money.

[Mooияakeя™]

Seriously wonder if he has ever considered just one stint in WWE to see what it's like etc.

Has he ever said why he hasn't joined them? I won't say "won't join them" in case it's just a case of they never wanted him.

Maybe he jsut wants to be known as the best superstar not to have joined WWE or something shit like that.

[Anybody Thrilla]

He's 50. He can fuck right off.

[BigDaddyCool]

He has a problem with WWE being amoral or some bullshit.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Is that a word?

[BigDaddyCool]

Yes, look it up.

[Nowhere Man]

As much of a Sting mark I was back in the day, it's high time for him to pack it in. He's too old, he's been too old since coming back to TNA, and frankly there's just nothing left for him to do aside from take up air-time from talent who could really use it more. That, and a heel Sting would probably be just as awful now as it was when they tried it in '99, if not worse.

[ozzman6669]

I want him to go to WWE for only one reason, just imagine the build-up of a feud between Crow Sting and Undertaker, the mind game from both side would be great!!

[Theo Dious]

Is that a word?

Great, BDC gets called on using a real word. Irony at its finest.

[Theo Dious]

The feeling at this point is that they must have a deal finalized for 2009 with Sting in the next few weeks and both sides have to be in agreement or they can't move on and script key parts of the angle they are doing now without knowing how long they have him for.

Pfft, scripting in advance? TNA really ARE amateurs.

[Mercury Bullet]

I love Sting but it is time for one of two things to happen:

1) Call it a career

2) Go to WWE for about a year or so for a last run at glory, and then call it a career

[Theo Dious]

And, oh yeah, Dixie Carter is hot.

[Kane Knight]

He has a problem with WWE being amoral or some bullshit.

Which is more than a little ironic.

[KingofKings]

Seriously wonder if he has ever considered just one stint in WWE to see what it's like etc.

Has he ever said why he hasn't joined them? I won't say "won't join them" in case it's just a case of they never wanted him.

Maybe he jsut wants to be known as the best superstar not to have joined WWE or something shit like that.

Basically from what i have read he didnt want to go WWE in the WCW days because he wanted to stay loyal to them.

When WCW was bought he had a contract that Vince couldnt force him to wrestle, and with Stings personal problems anyway wanted a break from wrestling, so he just let his contract run out, and got paid for sitting on his ass, why not lol.

When he wanted to return he disagreed with certain storylines WWE were using, saying they were wrong for the kids watching and stuff, so looked elsewhere.

He also didnt trust Vince, he thought Vince would burry him and ruin the hard work he had done in his career. I remember him using Booker T as an example in the invasion angle, where he was on the mic to the Rock, and the Rock did his hand thing and said 'Who the hell are you'.

WWE have tried to get him a few times, and nearly came to an agreement on a few occasions.

Bit long but you asked lol.

[Indifferent Clox]

Sting/ HBK
Sting/ Edge
Sting/ Undertaker
Sting/ Triple H
Sting/ Orton
Sting/ Batista
Sting/ Cena
Sting/ anyone would be a money feud.

[Rammsteinmad]

To be honest the main match I'd like to see is Sting VS Shawn Michaels.

[screech]

Turning him heel would [most likely] fail just like it did the first time. On the other hand, if he doesn't resign this angle goes to shit (I know I know "it's already there"). I want him to stay because I'm interested in seeing how this thing goes, but I can see a fuck up if/when he turns.

[Super V]

Seriously wonder if he has ever considered just one stint in WWE to see what it's like etc.

Has he ever said why he hasn't joined them? I won't say "won't join them" in case it's just a case of they never wanted him.

Maybe he jsut wants to be known as the best superstar not to have joined WWE or something shit like that.

He's afraid they'd damage his character. Using The Rock saying that he'd never heard of Booker T during the InVasion angle as an example.

[TerranRich]

Yep, there's an interview where Steven Borden (sans makeup) mentions this fact about Booker T, and it rang so true with me that I understood immediately why he would not want to go to WWE at the time. I was pissed off at the time when they did that to Booker.

But I don't think they'd ever do that now, especially to Sting. Never know, though.

[Vastardikai]

I've never really been a Sting fan.

But:

I'd pay to see him in three feuds:

Undertaker (because it'd be epic.)
Shawn Micheals (because it'd be a good match.)
Edge (to put him over.)

[Mercury Bullet]

Okay, kill two birds with one stone here...Sting goes to WWE and has an epic feud with Taker, culminating in an epic match at Wrestlemania where both retire afterwards.

[CYCLOPTERSAURUS]

This is such a stupid angle anyway. If lights go out and a black bat is in the ring, that automatically means it was Sting? When they kept doing that stupid bat thing I thought it was just gonna be Nash behind it all so he could feud with Joe, but then they actually showed Sting in the rafters so I don't know what the hell the point of that was. It seems insane to turn Sting at this point in his career.

[Vastardikai]

It seems insane to turn Sting. But this IS Vince Russo we're talking about: The mastermind behind the last Sting Heel Turn. Which, I should point out, failed horribly.

[TerranRich]

This is such a stupid angle anyway. If lights go out and a black bat is in the ring, that automatically means it was Sting? When they kept doing that stupid bat thing I thought it was just gonna be Nash behind it all so he could feud with Joe, but then they actually showed Sting in the rafters so I don't know what the hell the point of that was. It seems insane to turn Sting at this point in his career.

TNA, masters of obviousness.

[The Genius]

undertaker (ministry of darkness era) vs sting (1997 crow gimmick) would have been amazing.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Am I the only one who would actually be interesting in a Sting heel turn? I mean, I didn't watch WCW back in the day, so I don't know how horrible his last one was, but this is a different Sting. All they have to do is play up the way he really is: He's a great wrestler who should be stepping aside for younger guys, but is taking so much money for not showing up to work half the time.

I mean, it'd be so much more refreshing than the face "shouldn't be going over the younger talent, but is" Sting we have now.

[Mooияakeя™]

He's afraid they'd damage his character. Using The Rock saying that he'd never heard of Booker T during the InVasion angle as an example.

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[Sebastian]

If Sting ever wants to be remembered as a real serious superstar, he should go to the WWE while he is still able to go at it in the ring.

[Xero]

WWE isn't the only one to make someone a "real 'serious' superstar".

Not saying TNA does, but Sting's past makes him a "superstar"/legend and if he never goes to WWE he'll still be considered a "superstar".