Sting speaks of Hardy, WWE rumors and TNA's future

[Zeven_Zion]

Sting on Jeff Hardy: "I love Jeff Hardy. I don’t want to do anything to harm him. He has personal issues, everyone knows that. But some things are true and some are not. What is true is that it all came to a head that week and hit really big that night. I hated what happened because I wanted to give fans a great match. But I realise it had to happen the way it did. And after all was said and done I came to the back and made sure he was OK. He is OK and he’s been talking to people close to him a lot. Jeff is getting stronger. He’s riding 10 miles a day on his mountain bike to get in condition, I hear! Good luck to him."

Sting on WWE rumors:"The whole thing was shocking to me. To make a long story short, it was all down to miscommunication. If you turn the clock back when WWE and Vince bought WCW and wrestling ended the way it ended for me, it was horrible. There was potential for that to happen again this time. The last things I did were the TV tapings for TNA in October and I had every intention of coming back in January this year. But we were not coming to any kind of agreement contractually. We had to work through those things and right up to my return itself, I thought it wasn’t going to happen."

Sting on TNA's future:"I believe that fans will look back on 2011 as special for TNA. Some critics on the internet despise TNA. And as a wrestler, I am never going to be able to please the guys who want to get rid of the dinosaur but I don’t read those things too much. If I did, I’d probably shoot myself! What matters is the crowd in the arena. I think we have to take Impact and PPVs on the road. There have been times which were almost surreal when I’ve thought, wow it’s like time stood still. But as long as we don’t lose sight of reality, our audience will continue to grow."

Source: http://www2.dailystar.co.uk/inthering/view/185231/Sting-is-at-sharp-end/

The Stinger is a class act all around. Thoughts?

 

[rondiesel2005]

To bring more fans in the ratings have to be higher than they should be by now but are they doing that?? no. I think Sting doesn't seem whats the problem with TNA, there is no direction. Storylines seems to be made up day after day instead of planning ahead. A perfect example is the way they gave Anderson the TNA world Title then give it back to Jeff hardy.

Maybe i am kind of glad he didn't go to WWE because look at his recent run as TNA world champion. so far it looks like they putting him in 3 minute matches where he doesn't have to do anything. its either his idea or TNA management. Sting is about Loyalty to TNA, but forgetting the point that the same people that ran WCW out of business are the same people who are running TNA. He acts like he doesn't see a problem. TNA been around for what 9 or 10 years and they still can't get over 2.0 because of TNA's lousy booking. I bet if you ask him who he trust, am sure he going to say Dixie Carter because he believes he is protected by her but who knows

Sting is right they have to take TNA out of the impact zone and same for Pay per views but the direction of the company, what are they trying to do for the future, where do they see themselves in 5 years from now. they thought by bringing Hogan and them other guys were going to help the company but they didn't do the company any good but drag the ratings to .5 remember that night??

 

[Calderownz]

He's pretty spot on with all of his assessments. However, unless that bike is detoxifying Jeff Hardy's body, then it'll only help to make him LOOK like he is in better shape. He needs to make some better life choices, period, if he is going to work with other people's lives in his hands.

That being said, I think he's right on TNA needing to travel more. I loved the Impact! they had when they went on the road. So much better with a much stronger feel.

 

[DeathClutch]

Bottom line is TNA comes off as being on a whim, storylines become hard to follow I find it hard to keep track of where everyone is who's heel and face etc.

Sting in TNA is a boost for TNA for sure but they need structure themselves more and make sure the guys in the main event are sober so cut alcoholic drinks from the backstage area and make talent show up say 12pm for a 7pm start time.

Sting comes off as a class act in the interview and I concur with his assement on WWE has he went WWE would of messed up for some reason WWE did that too A LOT of WCW Talent.

 

[iwinulose]

as posted above, the people who ran wcw into the ground do run tna, tna is seemingly sinking. i do give sting props for being loyal. still believe that his run right now has been kinda poor due to no good matches. tna needs fix some issues so that it can get to the top before they sink.

 

[TellMeWhy]

What is it with everyone on the internet being clones? The people that ran WCW do not run TNA. Hogan didn't run WCW. He was a talent with creative control. Bischoff ran WCW. He doesn't run TNA. He's a creative consultant and on air talent. Vince Russo is a writer and supposedly the head booker. He's the only real relation of being in charge in TNA who was also in power in WCW. Dixie Carter and the Carter Family run TNA with Jeff Jarrett having some pull due to him being founder and having stake. TNA is their company. WCW belonged to Ted Turner. That's not the same people running the company. There is no Kevin Sullivan, no JJ Dillion, or WCW booking committee booking matches in TNA. Ask Larry Zybysko.

TNA is not going to sink. They do questionable things in terms of creative but as a business model, I see no proof that they are going to sink. Ratings are steady, attendance is raising, merchandising is going up, they continue to lnk licensing deals, they are getting more tv deals, and they continue to make a global presence. Why you people with no lives get on the internet and continue to bash TNA just because it's not the way you wanted it to be are all examples of losers.

Sting answered the questions very good. I'm proud that Sting is loyal to TNA and wants to see TNA grow. He believes in TNA. He is a guy I respect and a guy who truly wants to see the business grow and wants talent to have opportunity at more than 1 place. He's sacrificing building his legacy on a bigger stage like WWE to help TNA and help the business in general. Sting for Life!

 

[TheHitMark-SirJoseOle]

as posted above, the people who ran wcw into the ground do run tna, tna is seemingly sinking. i do give sting props for being loyal. still believe that his run right now has been kinda poor due to no good matches. tna needs fix some issues so that it can get to the top before they sink.

You're oversimplifying WCW's end in 2001, just like everyone else on the internet has and always will. From what's been said a case could be made that the company in 1987 when Jim Crockett was still running it, was in far worse shape than they were in 2001. Jim Crockett has overspent and was buying out promotions he probably shouldn't have and overextending the promotion. Now this isn't to say that WCW was doing anything great towards their end, but WCW's biggest problem was too much corporate influence. WCW's programming wasn't the best ratings wise but still better than anything the network was putting out on its two main networks, TNT and TBS.

Had Ted Turner not lost so much influence in the early 2000s with the AOL-Time Warner merger, WCW still might be around today. Again this isn't to say that aging stars like Hogan and Nash wouldn't try to work their way into continued pushes, but I hardly think that they were as big a problem as the non-wrestling people running the show. Just go and look at WCW's numbers from their dying days and you'll see that even back then people were still watching even though it was in nowhere near the numbers of the WWF Attitude era's fanbase, there was still a following for WCW.

But to say that WCW was ran into the ground solely by the people who are running TNA today is preposterous just go back and watch some of the crap WCW was doing back in the early 90s and you'll see that the company as in far worse shape through other eras. The biggest thing that killed WCW was corporate greed. The idea of guys like Kevin Nash, Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan being the sole problems is rather questionable when even they couldn't stop booking decisions like David Arquette winning the WCW World Title, if they had all the influence in the world I bet you that would never have happened.

So in essence if someone like Sting chooses to be with TNA that's his prerogative and I do agree with you that he is loyal but is probably in a position where he might be getting less than stellar matches, but again I can't blame WCW's former top guns for the reason why this happens. It's just the state of the business these days more than anything WWE is a top gun entity and TNA is still a young company that can't and won't compete with a monster like WWE anytime soon. Their ratings they have right now might dip and rise here and there, but they could be in a lot worse of shape.

Anyways man, enjoyed the post but I had to throw some input in there about the perception around WCW because I feel that topic is not as clear cut as the 'net makes it out to be.

 

[GetsHeat]

Frankly, I've lost a lot of respect for the guy. I think Sting is massively afraid of failure. He's so afraid of failure he sticks with TNA because at least it's a sure thing.

He'd rather have to pin a drug addict down, get his neck gouged, have the worst main event in PPV history then have a great program with Taker for WM?

I also think it's bullcrap that WCW guys were buried. Of course the WWF was going to win the Invasion, but look at the quality of that roster, it sucked. You had lower midcarders and a couple of stars like Booker T that did go on to great things. Not to mention the host of stars that jumped shipped like Eddie, Jericho, Benoit, Mysterio, that all went on to have great careers. The only guy who I can think of who didn't get booked to his potential was DDP, and even then he had decent feud with one of the best in the company. But the guy was in his mid 40s and was fighting injuries.

 

[seymore]

I agree with GetsHeat

in response to those who say that tna is not as bad as wcw - i have to disagree. i think tna is in much worse shape - and there are far fewer tna original talents that will ever make it to the wwe (whereas, a solid number of former wcw guys made it big in wwf).

the same guys who helped to ruin wcw are in tna (and not just in tna - but at the top of tna). so what if it isn't exactly the same or the positions these guys held aren't equal to before. they are relying on wwe wash-ups and dinosaurs (as sting put it ) in order to garner whatever little attention they are getting. maybe the business end is doing better - but that is b/c u have ppl that care about the wrestling business who own the company (unlike the time-warner executives who owned wcw - they could care less about wrestling).

wrestling as a whole is in decline (this includes wwe). mma among other things is kicking wrestling's ass. the best part of tna today is the knockout's ass. that wasn't the case with wcw where the nitro girls were a side attraction at best. tna is no competition whatsoever to wwe (at least wcw gave vince a run for his money).

i'm sure whenever things get heat and tense backstage over at wwe, someone remarks to vince - "you could always buy tna"!? and to that, a collective laugh is heard throughout the arena, putting everyone in a good mood and reminding them that having no competition (within the wrestling business) is nice. just don't say "dana white" in front of vince.

as for sting - he is a fraud. he was scared to join wwe unlike the rest of the wcw guys, and now he is getting too old. the whole jeff hardy thing was fake (he wasn't intoxicated - only made to act that way by russo)...but even if it was real - that only further proves what an idiot sting (the wannabe christian) was to stay loyal to tna. his legacy and his hardcore fans is what he should have been loyal to first and foremost...b/c tna isn't going anywhere and sting could not make much of a difference. maybe it is he who is stuck in a place where time is still!

 

[TheMaskedNewton]

You can simply not forget or ignore the fact that Eric, Vince Russo and Hogan were running the WCW, with whatever position they were in. They were the decision makers there and they are the decision makers here, by whatever name called.

Eric Bischof has said on many current interviews that he is not taking decisions in the company. Yet when asked about the Main-Event-Mafia and then the Fortune turning on Immortal, he says that it was Plan B. Hello Eric, how are you supposed to know that? He is clearly avoiding the acceptance of the role despite of being in that role. But still, I think TNA has a lot of potential and I wish they succeed.

Sting definetely comes as a class-act in this interview.

 

[rondiesel2005]

I respect Sting for what he done in WCW, he put on some good matches there before Vince Russo went over there. the issue I have with Sting is that now that he in TNA, it seems like the creative and management team has to be really careful about how they book him and who they put him in the ring with. the only two names u hear in TNA that he had great matches with are AJ Styles and Kurt Angle. Those two names comes up a lot if ask what were Sting's best matches were with.

Let's not forget who is running the show. I am sure we all read reports that Hogan doesn't have a position in TNA yet, but we all can say he has some part with creative control as usual and same goes for Eric Bishoff. Sting says he wanted to go back for the fans which i can understand, but he has to watch out for the way they book his character. They already put him in a match with a guy who they should have kept out of the ring and go get his court issues resolve instead they took the risk anyway

Sting has a weird way of making excuses about why he didn't go to WWE. I am not even going to argue about his excuses because i think he either scared or doesn't know what he wants for himself and his career. TNA's ratings are like up and down. the only way their ratings get high is if they bring in somebody who former WWE superstar and see how far they going to use him then stop watching it. If the stories they on television are boring, the fans are not going to sit through and watch two hours of impact.

Sting as TNA world champion, i don't know what that does for the company because recently he hasn't had a good match yet even on the last pay per view. I am sure when his contract is up, he going to resign with the company and WWE wouldn't waste their time trying to bring him in

 

[Positivity]

As for Sting; he is a fraud. He was scared to join WWE unlike the rest of the WCW guys, and now he is getting too old. The whole Jeff Hardy thing was fake (he wasn't intoxicated; only made to act that way by Russo) But even if it was real; that only further proves what an idiot Sting (the wannabe Christian) was to stay loyal to TNA. His legacy and his hardcore fans is what he should have been loyal to first and foremost. B/C TNA isn't going anywhere and Sting could not make much of a difference. Maybe it is he who is stuck in a place where time is still!

When has Sting ever said that he was too scared to join WWE? He didn't fear Vince McMahon and his company but he didn't want the man to ruin his legacy and his career. Staying away from something for an acceptable reason is a lot different than avoiding something out of fear, you should really start learning the difference. I won't say that he isn't getting old because I'd be lying but what would age really get in the way of? WWE was offering him contracts, and they would have gladly snatched him up. But what you need to realize is that he never came, he never signed on the dotted line. It has never been too late, he always had the option but he never took it because he didn't want to. Simple as that, there doesn't need to be any other reasons. And about his religious beliefs? Honestly bud, stay away from them. I'm not going to comment because Steve Borden has earned freedom when it comes to religion but you've now taken it too far. What has the guy done to you? Because he's had to do something to deserve such a deep hatred. And finally? I'm starting to get the hint that you're just a very sour Sting fan and I guess I find it funny. It's not like Sting retired for gods sake! He's still wrestling and if you let the fact that he isn't wrestling for "your company get in the way, you're not half as much of this hardcore fan as you're making yourself out to be.

Oh and about Jeff Hardy? Wow. I think you actually boggled my mind when I read that, of course, a never ending laughing fit followed. So Jeff Hardy accepted this whole work, one that would pretty much ruin his career and loseforums.wrestlezone.comfans? Oh yeah, totally. And then there was just some total other reason why Jeff has now slipped off of television and why Sting was completely PO'ed when the bell rang. Mhm, totally reasonable. If you don't want to bring on any more laughing fits, I suggest you share with us where you got all of this so very valuable information. Because broski, you are the only one on this whole board who thinks this.

 

[Twiztid Rodimus]

Okay, I haven't spoken on the hardy thing due to it being redundant, we know his issues, and how he is on the road to being a statistic. But this is my issue.

Why don't they just release him? Money, thats why. He sells t-shirts, he's a household name, and they can't make big buisness off of him. The thing is, he has screwed up so many times...ANY other buisness would of had him on his ass a long time ago

As a matter of fact.

MANY wrestlers more talented than him, have been released for far less offenses, yet, here he stays.

I have been a hardy fan for years, I dig his work, the problem I have is that this is just getting ridiculous, and is pretty much not even entertaining anymore,He is a hazard to himself, his opponents, and yes, the company he works in.

I don't speak on TNA often, as its just boring to point out the obvious flaws, but this is one, that cannot be ignored. Riding a bike won't rehab a drug addiction...Sting is just trying to help Hardy save face, and to me, its far too late for that

 

[hardycrunk]

I totally agree with Sting 100% He seems to be spot on with everything he said and I'm glad to see where TNA is headed next.

 

[GrandSword]

Storylines need to make more sense... Sting even said himself last impact. he came back to fight Hogan but is now in a three way title feud with two other faces??? This is poor and typical of the writing team having no real focus..

Yes Sting is a class act and he will always be my favourite wrestler, even though he is a dinosaur I mark out every time he walks inot the arena, and even more so when he has the World title over his shoulder.

 

[seymore]

When has Sting ever said that he was too scared to join WWE? He didn't fear Vince McMahon and his company but he didn't want the man to ruin his legacy and his career. Staying away from something for an acceptable reason is a lot different than avoiding something out of fear, you should really start learning the difference. I won't say that he isn't getting old because I'd be lying but what would age really get in the way of? WWE was offering him contracts, and they would have gladly snatched him up. But what you need to realize is that he never came, he never signed on the dotted line. It has never been too late, he always had the option but he never took it because he didn't want to. Simple as that, there doesn't need to be any other reasons. And about his religious beliefs? Honestly bud, stay away from them. I'm not going to comment because Steve Borden has earned freedom when it comes to religion but you've now taken it too far. What has the guy done to you? Because he's had to do something to deserve such a deep hatred. And finally? I'm starting to get the hint that you're just a very sour Sting fan and I guess I find it funny. It's not like Sting retired for gods sake! He's still wrestling and if you let the fact that he isn't wrestling for "your company get in the way, you're not half as much of this hardcore fan as you're making yourself out to be.

Oh and about Jeff Hardy? Wow. I think you actually boggled my mind when I read that, of course, a never ending laughing fit followed. So Jeff Hardy accepted this whole work, one that would pretty much ruin his career and loseforums.wrestlezone.comfans? Oh yeah, totally. And then there was just some total other reason why Jeff has now slipped off of television and why Sting was completely PO'ed when the bell rang. Mhm, totally reasonable. If you don't want to bring on any more laughing fits, I suggest you share with us where you got all of this so very valuable information. Because broski, you are the only one on this whole board who thinks this.

LOOL. yes, i'm a sour sting fan. i'm angry sting didn't go back to his surfer gimmick at starcade 97 after beating hogan (which btw had a terrible ending - one worse than even the sting/hardy match since that match at starcade was built up over a year).

before i get into the issue of sting's religion and character, let me say that his fear of his legacy being ruined is still a type of fear. no doubt about it. how many wcw guys thrived and had their legacy improved upon by vince?? did u ever hear ric flair or lex lugar or scott steiner complain about their legacy?? heck, guys like booker t and chris jericho and eddie gurriero and beniot (before the murder suicide at least) became legends that they never could have dreamed about in wcw. the whole rise of wcw into a force that could compete with wwe was on account of great wwe guys coming over to blend with the original wcw talents (like sting).

but no - sting's legacy could only have gone UP had he gone to the wwe. and the same is true if he does a short matchup with undertaker or something like that at wrestlemania. he has let many of his fans down by choosing to stick with the inferior company - one that is repeating many of the same mistakes wcw made (even if they aren't on the edge of being bought out like wcw was).

everything else i said i stand by. i'm not preventing sting from having whatever religious views he wants (so he still has that "freedom"). i'm calling him out for comments he has made and things he has said (like being on various christian networks). spreading the gospel or being a morally upright person is completely at odds with being in the wrestling business when u have men like vince mchman and vince russo making decisions. that is just a fact. my criticism goes for shawn micheals as well - or any of these "born again" types who stick with the business after becoming born again!! so i can never ever call sting a class act. a good wrestling personality - sure. but that as far as it goes - steve borden is like all the rest.

pro wrestling is morally bankrupt. it has been for a long time - particularly as a result of the attitude era. the current pg rated product at wwe is more risque than what existed in the 80s (despite all the blood and hardcore wrestling that went on back then). i think you can go back to some bret hart interviews as well where he clearly states that wrestling is not for kids anymore. it isn't. it is a business and they are trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator. why? b.c of the evil of money/capitalism. and also, because judeo zionism is running the show and ruining the morals of people while distracting them as their economy is being plundered and as their sons are being slaughtered in foreign occupations. u think my opinions on the jeff hardy match being a work is out there? well, here is what else is *strongly* believe in...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF1RJ1W5AbE

and yes, that is anwar al-awlaki - considered after bin Laden to be the most dangerous man in the world. but do u deny he is speaking the truth here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUQfcJC3qSI

also, sometimes it is truly an honor to be the "only one" who believes in something. that was the path many of the biblical prophets chose - did they not??

going back to wresting, perhaps it is time for all of us to let go of these babylonian idols. no?