The problem with Sting's reign

[Tastycles]

I've been looking through the TNA forums for the first time in months, and it seems that the pretty much unanimous that Sting's reign is rubbish, but why do you believe this to be the case? Or are you one of the people that thinks it is a good reign?

There are a few possible reasons for this - for example, the fact that he won it in quite a weak way, the fact that he hasn't defended it cleanly, the fact that he is too old to be taken seriously... the list goes on.

For me it is because TNA is too afraid to turn him fully heel. This is the overarching , because he is associated with heels, and wins dirty, but he is still a facey tweener so ends up looking like a weakling.

They should turn him fully heel, and then he will be like any other heel champion ever, and the reign will be saved to some extent.

The reason he is a tweener is apparently because they wan't him to turn on the MEM and the crowd will forgive him easier, but this is a completely stupid reason to keep him faceish. Do TNA not realise that wrestling fans forgive anything in an instant? The Rock was massively over as a heel and then instantly as a face on more than one occaision, as were numerous big stars.

It's such the cliched answer for how to fix a problem, but in this instance I really do think that they should turn Sting fully heel to try and save the reign. How would you fix it?

 

[TheOneBigWill]

First and foremost I'm one that believes Sting's current title reign is "rubbish" as you put it. Albeit, I can think of quite a few other words to describe it.

The Main reason I honestly believe his reign is pure shit right now, is because he isn't even a focus point. He's a random face in a group. Scott Steiner & Booker T. are receiving more face-time and opportunity to get over than Sting is. Sting is the T.N.A. World Heavyweight Champion, and as such should be the Main focus of that group.

Instead, he's the guy in the background, who hardly ever talks, and never gets involved.. IN ANYTHING! He might as well pack his bags and go cry in the T.N.A. iMPACT!zone rafters. Maybe in another year and a half, people might give a shit about him then.

Another reason, as you put it, is because T.N.A. isn't fully decided on what they want to do. Be it they intentionally keep him as a tweener, for that "fully assumed" face turn on Kurt Angle *yawn* or because *stupid* the T.N.A. creative team actually believes if Sting turns heel, the fans won't instantly jump back to him during a face turn.

Let me just explain it like this.. Sting is to T.N.A., what The Rock & Steve Austin were to the W.W.E. They could all point-blank spit in each fan's face, literally, and a week later attack the top heel and it'd be as if it never happened. So why T.N.A. isn't letting him cross over is beyond me.

Maybe, just maybe they're building it up for Sting to in time turn complete heel, even more dangerous and deadly than the likes of everyone else in M.E.M. I highly doubt it, especially since Kurt Angle is single handedly crippling everyone in sight.. but it's a theory.

Ultimately, Sting is a lost option in this war between young and old. He's holding the most valuable item any Wrestler could want, and 9 times outta 10, it's not even being focused on anymore.

Here's to hoping Hernandez gets another opportunity, or A.J. Styles, or ANYONE who can make the title worth caring about again.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

It's one of several things. Maybe it's because he got his title shot for the belt out of nowhere. Maybe it's because he's the champion yet Kurt Angle is the real leader of his stable. Maybe it's because Kurt Angle, Kevin Nash, Booker T & Scott Steiner are more vocal than him. Maybe it's because you're supposed to buy Rhino as a legit challenger for his belt. Maybe it's because he's defeated the only two options that aren't on his side, that being Styles & Joe. Maybe it's because Sting looks and acts more bored than I do when I watch him.

There are a multitude of reasons.

 

[Khalifa]

First and foremost I'm one that believes Sting's current title reign is "rubbish" as you put it. Albeit, I can think of quite a few other words to describe it.

The Main reason I honestly believe his reign is pure shit right now, is because he isn't even a focus point. He's a random face in a group. Scott Steiner & Booker T. are receiving more face-time and opportunity to get over than Sting is. Sting is the T.N.A. World Heavyweight Champion, and as such should be the Main focus of that group.

Instead, he's the guy in the background, who hardly ever talks, and never gets involved.. IN ANYTHING! He might as well pack his bags and go cry in the T.N.A. iMPACT!zone rafters. Maybe in another year and a half, people might give a shit about him then.

Another reason, as you put it, is because T.N.A. isn't fully decided on what they want to do. Be it they intentionally keep him as a tweener, for that "fully assumed" face turn on Kurt Angle *yawn* or because *stupid* the T.N.A. creative team actually believes if Sting turns heel, the fans won't instantly jump back to him during a face turn.

Let me just explain it like this.. Sting is to T.N.A., what The Rock & Steve Austin were to the W.W.E. They could all point-blank spit in each fan's face, literally, and a week later attack the top heel and it'd be as if it never happened. So why T.N.A. isn't letting him cross over is beyond me.

Maybe, just maybe they're building it up for Sting to in time turn complete heel, even more dangerous and deadly than the likes of everyone else in M.E.M. I highly doubt it, especially since Kurt Angle is single handedly crippling everyone in sight.. but it's a theory.

Ultimately, Sting is a lost option in this war between young and old. He's holding the most valuable item any Wrestler could want, and 9 times outta 10, it's not even being focused on anymore.

Here's to hoping Hernandez gets another opportunity, or A.J. Styles, or ANYONE who can make the title worth caring about again.

Yes you took the words out of my mouth. The main reason why it is rubbish is ebcause it isn't being focused on. I mean this is exactly what happen with the Invasion in 2001. There were a few feuds for the title but it was mainly about the five man tag stuff and the which side is Austin going to be on thing. If they focused on Stings reign he might actually make it decent one. It's all about the main event marfia and teh frontline. As soon as this goes away The titel will mean something again.

 

[klunderbunker]

Literally watching the Hernandez vs. Sting match from Impact and it's absolutely awful for Sting. He was beaten into the ground and looks completely weak. Factor in the aspect that they more or less wasted his FoF case, this was just an awful waste of a match. On top of that Hernandez gets beaten down after the match along with Styles and Homicide, two young guys that could be the future of the company to have 3D of all people make the save? Explain to me what good comes out of this. Sting is completely forgotten in all of this and it turns into the 3D show. This is what's wrong with Sting's reign to me: he's treated like just another guy that can't win a match on his own. The TNA title is supposed to be the top belt in the company but it's losing any luster that it has at all which isn't good at all.

 

[Miko]

Whats wrong with it? I dont know, I think we are all being worked and it's working (yes I said it) to perfection. Sting's looking like an old man who can barely win a match and is too emotional to join in the beatdowns on the Frontline but doesnt have the balls to say that he thinks its wrong. Sting's looking like a guy that doesnt give a shit anymore and just wants to collect his paycheck (he's either a great actor or that is the case).

What do I think this is going to lead too if I am right? your probably not thinking right now. Well my answer is Sting to go back to being a fully blown face, deciding that he is sick of The MEM and stalks them through the rafters or whatever he does in his free-time. In the process of this he is "revitalised" and starts being able to win matches again.

Sounds corny I know but I cant help but think there is a much bigger picture behind all of this. People must think TNA creative are stupid if they think this is all for no-reason. God I hope there is a reason now.

 

[Green Hero]

The problem with Sting title reign is the TNA world title is in many people eyes not a real world title to most fans they much rather see the legend title then the TNA world title because of How many time the TNA world title has change hands have made the title pointless to hold

 

[klunderbunker]

The problem with Sting title reign is the TNA world title is in many people eyes not a real world title to most fans they much rather see the legend title then the TNA world title because of How many time the TNA world title has change hands have made the title pointless to hold

Wow. Where do I start? Of course people see it as a real world title. What do you even mean by that in the first place? There's three real world titles: WHC, WWE Title, and the TNA Title. The Legends title is about as important as the Beer Drinking Title was two years ago, which is to say it's not important at all. It's a prop that might get some value someday, but right now it's below the X title. I would be somewhat suprised if it survives beyond the MEM storyline. And it's changed too much? What are you on? Let's see: Angle, Sting, Angle, Joe, Sting. That's the list of champions since the title's inception, with one of those reigns being 2 days long. Yes indeed, 4 title reigns with any length at all in 18 months is a lot indeed.

 

[Father:_Polley]

Thank you KB for refuting the idiotic allecation that the title has changed hands too many times. I'm beginning to wonder if the guy actually watches wrestling. 3 champions and only one of those reigns was actually pointless (Sting's first). And yes, I agree that the reign has been pointless. In a storyline where the champion isn't actually the focus of the angle, you have to question whether TNA is using him to his best instead of having Angle hogging the spotlight. If Sting would actually be used as a heel in a heel group, or as a rebel against them, he would be more effective. Just do something with him!

 

[Cena's Little Helper]

I strongly disagree that Sting's current reign is problematic. Sting may be a weak champion, but his reign is nonetheless very significant because it calls into doubt the assumption we have about the relationship between a world heavyweight title and the one who holds it.

I think it is wrong (or, at the very least, very dated) to think that a champion brings value to the belt he holds. In my opinion, the belt has a worth in and of itself that its contenders hope will rub off on them. An implication of this is that those who are ideally unworthy of the belt's prestige will nonetheless chase it and resort to unscrupulous means to attain it.

Currently, I think that this is what is occurring with Sting as champ. He doesn't have the belt because he is worthy of it. Rather, he has the belt because he is part of a group whose members will go to any length to keep the spotlight on them. In contrast to Sting, his opponents look strong and domineering, and, given the assumption we hold that wrestling championships are allotted according to a merit system, we believe that Sting should not have the belt because of how weak he comparatively looks.

In the end, I think Sting's current reign is meant to convey to TNA's fans that there are other ways to win the championship than through one's natural ability. And, personally, I think this is a move for the best, as it accords more with reality.

 

[T2KFreeker]

I never thought that this day would come, as I am a HUGE Sting fan, and have been since his NWA days, but this that they are doing with him is garbage. I hope that TNA has something up their sleeves, because where this looks like it's going is total crap. This better be a swerve in the makes. They want to know how to properly make the Champ look like a million bucks in a heel group? Watch old Four Horsemen footage, hell, Jarrett should know something about that since he was a part of the group, damnit. Watch old nWo footage. Not saying t5hat you want Sting acting like Flair or Higan, but present him in the same light and with the same power they had. So far he really hasn't done anything. I don't feel like I am watching Sting when he is in the ring, I feel like I am just watching Steve Borden try and be Sting, and brother, that's not a good thing, it's a bad, bad. B-A-D thing. "IF" this is the best that TNA can come up with then the company is far beyond doomed because people are already beginning to scratch their heads. It's only a matter of time before people get to where they feel like their time is wasted and would rather go back to the lost world of the WWE because it's at least familiar territory.

 

[Monkey_Mania]

I can't believe I am going to say this. Sting should not be champ. As much as I love him and always will. It's obvious his body cannot take the toll anymore to be a Champion. Like Jake said, there is a multitude of reasons. The two main reasons though being...

Sting can not take the toll anymore, and he is not booked like a heel strongly enough. Which of course I am assuming will work itself out. But Sting cannot handle the championship the way he used to. I hate to say it, I really do. Sting should be putting people over now. Not holding a title forever and looking like shit while doing it.



It's a sad day for Monkey.

 

[presto]

The real problem with Sting's title reign is that no one is getting over. If Sting is really old, has bad knees, and can't wrestle no more, it's time to build up a program to let him get a up and coming star over like Andre did with Hogan.

Maybe TNA doesn't really know who they want 'over'. Even though AJ and Daniels could carry the company, the fact that they are small men when compared to others in the ring and the fact that they have done X division work (reserved for quick and smaller guys) really makes TNA management feel that they will not go over in the big man dominated wrestling world.

Joe had a horrible title reign and has become sloppy in the ring and boring in his promos. Rhyno is too one dimensional. Machismo is more X division material. I really think they need to put it on Hernandez but he needs more time to develop mic skills and more movesets in his arsenal.

 

[Stingfan81]

I never thought I would say this being a lifelong Sting fan but TNA has made sting look like a pathetic champion. How TNA has handled Sting's reign and this whole Frontline-MEM storyline shows the incompetence of their booking department. I honestly feel I could write better storyline's than TNA's writers. First of all a half-assed heel turn never works. Just look at Sting's first heel turn in WCW, which if done correctly could have been as successful as Hogan's heel turn to the NWO and maybe bought WCW another 2-3 years. Since Sting has always been a face the best heel turn would have been to do one similar to Stone Cold's heel turn at Wrestlemania 17. Have Sting as champ is a good idea in theory because it gives TNA face recognition as a promotion while competing with WWE. However, Sting's role in the MEM with Kurt Angle should be similar to the two man power trip with Austin and Triple H.... plus other characters. Over the years we have seen anyone can be turned face under the right circumstances so TNA shouldn't concern themselves with turning him face. TNA should be working as hard as possible to make Sting come off as a legimitate heel to where wrestling will tune in and pay hard earned money to see him get his ass kicked only to see him get bailed out like Flair during the Horseman Era or Triple H during the Evolution era. By doing this TNA can create good programs with up and coming stars like Hernandez only to have them come up short which makes fans sympathize with the faces like Jeff Hardy. Also it wouldn't hurt to have Sting wrestle a few time-limit draws to really put these faces over like Flair did for Sting. That way Sting can keep the title and make it legitamite while still putting young faces over with the crowd. Finally, one of these faces will emerge who can carry the company and Sting can drop the strap. Or after letting MEM dominate TNA you can have them implode like Evolution thus creating more storylines.

 

[Starchild]

I saw that a couple people said it and I agree. Being a lifelong Sting fan and he even being one of my favorites ever, I am shocked and appalled that TNA makes him look so bad.
The problem with the whole thing is the focus of the whole storyline. I agree that you should focus on the old vs new thing in an attempt to get the young guys over, but the main focus should still be the TNA WORLD title, something that should really be an accomplishment to say you carried. Right now it's about equivalent with the ECW title and we all know how prestigious that is...
Now when this whole storyline started, it reminded me of that old one from wCw that didn't work and that worried me. But I thought Sting was the one who was gonna make it work. The emotion he came out and spoke with about Joe, Styles, and the like not having respect for them made for great segments. And turning a mega face into a heel..that formula generally works and works quite well. And though the way it happened was questionable, the fact that Sting was champ made it seem like he was gonna lead these guys and carry the storyline. But that has been put on the backburner in order for Kurt Angle to be able to destroy everyone because he is politicing guy in TNA akin to HHH in WWE.

Another problem I have with the whole MEM is the fact that (other than Angle) they are ok not being champion. The name of the group is the Main Event Mafia...shouldn't that mean it's a group of guys that are always in the main event and generally vying for the world title???
Now I understand that they are a stable so they must get along, but I think having tension among all of them, particularly towards Sting right now or if another is the TNA champion in the future because they should all think individually that they are the best and should be champion...particularly because they are heel.
This idea would also help the main problem with Sting's reign as I've stated, because it would put a focus on the world championship.

 

[Mr. TM]

I think the problem is not so much Sting's Title reign, but in fact, the Main Event picture on TNA. The title is no longer the big picture item on TNA, the feud between the Main Event Mafia and The Frontline seems more important at this point. The title is in alright of hands right now, and if Sting does cross the floor, then it'll be an interesting feud with Sting vs someone in the Mafia. If Sting doesn't turn, then he can drop it to whomever will lead The Frontline.

 

[coltster4life]

Alright... I have to agree. This reign with Sting is not so great. While I love watching Sting. He is my absolute favorite. My problem is so much with him but with the creative direction they're taking him. I think a partial heel/partial face hurts his image more than just being neutral. If he was the face of the MEM and leader (since he is the most popular and current champ) it might be better. He's like Flair at this point. He can be whatever he wants. People are gonna love him. Right now... ppl don't know how to act bc he ain't heel and he ain't face. And... honestly... i would have kept the feud with aj and sting going up... And then have him drop the title to him. AJ seems like the most promising young guy in TNA.... But to Sting I do respect and appreciate his years as Champion. I do love that he is the champion. I just wish they were doing something more with him. They've waisted him since he got there.

 

[just2Cme]

Sting is a "saved" christian so he doesn't want to act like a heel by jumping people, disrespecting fans and other such things. He is just playing a part, which is why he speaks abt respect. His friends are just more "physical." Anyway sting has the belt because Booker is not a big enough star to hold the title in this group, so they gave him a title (that he doesn't defend) Angle is the defacto leader so having him have the title is overkill. Nash and Steiner can't move good enough to hold the title.

 

[Broomie]

I don't think the fact that Sting is a Christian is here nor there. HBK is a strong, commited Christian and he's had some great spells as a heel. AJ is as well. Having said that, I do think Sting needs to tirn face if he is to keep the title. As has been said on this thread before, The only real alternatives at present to the title are in the MEM.

What I would like to happen is that the feud between Sting & Angle which is in it's very early stages eventually splits up the MEM and turns Sting face whereby he can fight Angle for the title. Sting keeps the title and then goes on to defend it at least 2 or 3 more times against various opponents before relinquishing it to AJ, Joe or Booker.

But back in the world of what might actually happen, I'd be happy with sting turning face, leaving the MEM and having a feud with Angle. TNA will at least be giving the belt the respect it deserves then.

 

[hman V1]

I cant figure out of Sting is a Heel or a Face, but Either way, he is a valuable asset to The MEM, If he was to go to the Frontline, maybe the MEM could recruit someone like Suicide, or maybe even Team 3D

 

[Junox50]

I think the problem is not so much Sting's Title reign, but in fact, the Main Event picture on TNA. The title is no longer the big picture item on TNA, the feud between the Main Event Mafia and The Frontline seems more important at this point. The title is in alright of hands right now, and if Sting does cross the floor, then it'll be an interesting feud with Sting vs someone in the Mafia. If Sting doesn't turn, then he can drop it to whomever will lead The Frontline.

The way I see it, the title is connected to Sting's whole "respect" angle. For months, he's been saying he was gonna bring respect back into the business. When Samoa Joe held the strap, Sting believed he was tarnishing it with the amount of disrespect he had shown over the prior months. Sting believes that the title has respect as long as someone like him holds onto it. That he means he doesn't want someone like AJ, Joe, or even Angle holding the strap because in his eyes they'd be tarnishing it. The whole story behind this MEM vs Frontline is respect. So, you can argue about Sting's reign not being about the title, but the title is linked to the angle itself.

 

[BBM128]

The way I see it, the title is connected to Sting's whole "respect" angle. For months, he's been saying he was gonna bring respect back into the business. When Samoa Joe held the strap, Sting believed he was tarnishing it with the amount of disrespect he had shown over the prior months. Sting believes that the title has respect as long as someone like him holds onto it. That he means he doesn't want someone like AJ, Joe, or even Angle holding the strap because in his eyes they'd be tarnishing it. The whole story behind this MEM vs Frontline is respect. So, you can argue about Sting's reign not being about the title, but the title is linked to the angle itself.

I guess I never thought of it like that. It just feels like Sting is doing a lot less than most champions. He doesn't cut promos often, he doesn't perform outside of PPV often... He's not as... active as Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, or even Christian Cage's last run as champ in TNA.

 

[Rusty]

I personally like Sting's current reign as the TNA World Heavyweight Champion. The main reason for it is that is that he isn't the main focus of the show, giving the younger guys more air time. Well, it would be nice if that was the real reason why Sting isn't shown much on iMPACT, because the real reason is that Kurt Angle is groomed and treated as the leader of the Main Event Mafia, as well as the TNA World Champion. He is not either of those two things. By this I mean that Angle is hogging up the air time that should either be used for the TNA Frontline and the up and comers, or even Sting, you know the guy that actually holds the TNA World Title!

I must admit, Sting won the title off Joe in a terrible fashion. They have a heel cheat to win the title, on their biggest pay per view of the year. That's something the WWE would never do, because it's just wrong in every way possible. But it made Joe look good, and Sting's title defences are great because the faces come out looking stronger, which is exactly the purpose of this whole Main Event Mafia vs Frontline storyline. If Sting was dominant, then it would be pointless if he beat all the members of the TNA Frontline, cleanly on pay per view. What exactly would that accomplish?

I'm just sick of Kurt Angle looking like he's Mr Untouchable. If there is anyone that is hogging the spotilight from the Mafia side of things, it's Angle. Yes, I know he isn't as old and lazy as the other members of the Mafia, but is it really necessary to have him cut a long promo(s) every week as well as having him wrestle and defeating babyfaces in handicap matches. Sting's title reign has been good so far, I just wished we had less of Kurt Angle though. Sting is doing the right thing though by letting his opponents looking stronger than himself.

 

[coltster4life]

So... I was watching Sting lastnight on Impact and he was moving really good. I mean. Think about... He's a near 50 yearold man running and jumping and splashing. He was working hard. I was very impressed. I think we need to give him some credit for being able to move like that for his age. Even when he was in great shape, he didn't always move that well. Also... Did you see that Frankinsteiner from Scott lastnight? I couldn't believe he could still pull that off.