1/28/2014 RAW

[Hakushi]

If not tonight, then I expect tomorrow being the night the WWE acknowledges Sting at Mania. Maybe not in words, but in actions.
If UNDERTAKER does not show up tomorrow night, it's a good chance we see Sting/Taker at Mania. Taker usually shows up the night after Rumble to start his three month program. I don't think we will see Sting that soon...That being said, I believe that once Sting is able to appear on WWE Programming, the Return of the Taker is the same night. If Taker shows tomorrow, I doubt the Sting match is this year.Thoughts?
Also, does Takers storyline with the SHIELD get buried? Too bad. Although I would much prefer the Sting match, I would like to see his program with the Shield Conclude satisfactorily.

 

[Zycho32]

I can't really see Undertaker continuing his feud with The Shield for the following reasons;

-Taker's removal from Smackdown was during the period when The Shield was being used as a convenient way to remove wrestlers from the storyline for injury recovery.
-In addition, Shield's overall victory over Team HELL NO and Taker by proxy really only served to elevate them further up the ladder, which under normal circumstances doesn't pay to have Taker come back and crush them for vengeance. (It was a lengthy period of absence to the point where Shield is threatening to dissolve, so there's an exception).
-As far as settling scores go, Taker has proven multiple times in the past that he's just as likely to leave one feud behind to settle others (Paul Heyman, Vince McMahon, etc.) as he is to go right for the jugular on his return.
-The logistics are ludicrous, to say the least; assuming Taker's not wrestling in anything prior to Wrestlemania, you either have to have him against just one member of the Shield, or against all three of them. And as important as the Shield are to the overall story, it's still roughly a step down.

As for Sting/Taker, do you remember 2-21-11? Turn back the clock and remember the great reveal, the Johnny Cash tune, the gong, the slow menacing walk to the ring, the removal of the hat and the crackle of thunder... now imagine instead of Triple H returning, imagine it was Sting. Imagine those kids reciting their phrase back in the days of 'Crow' Sting, only for the man to finally emerge, stalk down the ring, get into Taker's face... and they turn to the Wrestlemania sign.

How would it not benefit the WWE to have Taker's return coincide with Sting's arrival?

 

[flyingslugs]

But I do hope Sting will be at Mania and not the next night on Raw (Ill be at Mania again but this time not at Raw)
But when was the last time we had a huge surprise make their debut at a PPV? They seem to save it for the tv shows these days but from what I read online, it looks like the Mania card is set and quite frankly I am not too thrilled with it being the XXX edition.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

Unless Sting was granted an exception and if all the various reports over the years concerning TNA contracts are true, I don't see how Sting could be available for WrestleMania XXX. Last I heard, TNA talents had to sign a 90 day no compete clause as part of their contract, just as WWE talents do. That means they can't show up on the broadcast of another wrestling promotion until those 90 days are up. If Sting's contract with TNA is officially up as of today and the no compete clause is in effect, Sting won't be legally able to make his first WWE appearance until sometime in late April or early May.

As far as Taker appearing, it's possible that he'll show up, though the WWE might wait to save his appearance for the post Elimination Chamber Raw. Reportedly, WWE is bringing in some big stars to be on the show that night as part of the official launch of the WWE Network, which starts right after Raw goes off the air that night.

When it comes to Taker feuding with The Shield, I don't see it happening. If the latest on The Shield is true, then their split isn't set to happen until right at or just after WrestleMania XXX. If he did have a program with them, I highly doubt it'd result in The Shield being buried. Just to clarify things, if they did feud and Taker somehow came out on the winning end, that doesn't mean The Shield's been buried. Also, WWE's spent FAR too much time & effort into consistently booking The Shield to look strong simply to turn around and bury them.

 

[hatehabsforever]

Unless Sting was granted an exception and if all the various reports over the years concerning TNA contracts are true, I don't see how Sting could be available for WrestleMania XXX. Last I heard, TNA talents had to sign a 90 day no compete clause as part of their contract, just as WWE talents do. That means they can't show up on the broadcast of another wrestling promotion until those 90 days are up. If Sting's contract with TNA is officially up as of today and the no compete clause is in effect, Sting won't be legally able to make his first WWE appearance until sometime in late April or early May.

I can't imagine, though, that TNA would not make an exception for Sting in this scenario under the circumstances. Let's face it, he is in all likelihood hanging up his boots in the next year or two. He has probably expressed an interest in having his one Wrestlemania moment, and truth be told, TNA is probably just as happy to be free and clear of his likely onerous contract. As a show of respect for all he has done for them, all he has meant to them, and how loyal he has consistently been to them, I can't imagine they would deprive Sting of his moment if that's what all parties involve really want. That would be the ultimate dick move.

 

[Hakushi]

Fellas, The 90 no compete clause was deemed "Unconstitutional" a couple years ago, interfering with the individuals right to earn. WWE has been getting away with it by paying the talent for that 90 days AFTER they were off programming, but BEFORE their actual dismissal dates (The talents DO have the rights to turn this down, However; I am sure the "wording" coordinates with dates when they sign the contract. My assumption, albeit educated, anyhow I don't think TNA had the leverage with Sting during his contract signing last year to put a clause such as that in there.