The Rock and Sting at WM31?

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

- As of this past weekend, Sting still had not signed a contract with WWE. Those in WWE are saying the deal is super close to being done. Right now it's believed they are working on the merchandising part of the deal. The idea, which can change, is that they will not use Sting at WrestleMania XXX but likely will at WrestleMania 31 in California next year.

- WWE's merchandise department were told a while back not to produce any singular merchandise involving The Rock, adding that he could be in group shots but nothing individual. They were also told that Rock would not be back to WWE until 2015 at the earliest. Rock reportedly told WWE officials in August that he would not be doing WrestleMania XXX but has not ruled out WrestleMania 31, which is essentially the same stuff he's been saying publicly.


What are your thoughts on Sting and The Rock being at WM31?

 

[closet_fan]

Sting wrestling at WM31 makes more sense than the Rock coming back. Rock had a close call injury wise after last year's match that likely scared him off in regards to his acting career.

I have no doubt Sting will wrestle if he signs. Still saying if because nothing is set in stone until he signs the dotted line. The WWE doesn't need him this year anyway. They have enough big names from the past. So allowing Sting to get back in shape, wrestle a main event here and there on a PPV or two and keep his character on tv will help him immensely. It will also give the younger generation more time to see what his career was like.

I see Sting coming back and wrestling. Rock had his time. Unless the WWE offers him more than he got from the prior Wrestlemanias, I think he stays away. If he does come back, maybe in a Hulk Hogan-esque role like HH will have this year.

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

Sting wrestling at WM31 makes more sense than the Rock coming back. Rock had a close call injury wise after last year's match that likely scared him off in regards to his acting career.

I have no doubt Sting will wrestle if he signs. Still saying if because nothing is set in stone until he signs the dotted line. The WWE doesn't need him this year anyway. They have enough big names from the past. So allowing Sting to get back in shape, wrestle a main event here and there on a PPV or two and keep his character on tv will help him immensely. It will also give the younger generation more time to see what his career was like.

I see Sting coming back and wrestling. Rock had his time. Unless the WWE offers him more than he got from the prior Wrestlemanias, I think he stays away. If he does come back, maybe in a Hulk Hogan-esque role like HH will have this year.

Rock had his time? LOL. Rock will wrestle at least 4 more WrestleManias, anything less than that would be BS!

 

[AegonTargaryen]

I don't want to see the Rock return because his recent returns ruined 3 wrestlemanias. Buyrates? Sure they were great. But the rock failed to deliver in his match against Cena. Not that Cena is a great athlete. The last time that the rock's wrestling match was fun to watch was against Austin at WM 19. Nothing can bring that magic back. Perhaps The Rock vs Randy Orton in 2004 would've been amazing. But The Rock vs Sting will simply fail to deliver athletically. I'd much rather want two men in their 50s Shawn Michaels and Sting go at it at Wrestlemania because quite frankly, The Rock's assumed passion for the wrestling business didn't render any of his recent matches even remotely good.

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

I don't want to see the Rock return because his recent returns ruined 3 wrestlemanias. Buyrates? Sure they were great. But the rock failed to deliver in his match against Cena. Not that Cena is a great athlete. The last time that the rock's wrestling match was fun to watch was against Austin at WM 19. Nothing can bring that magic back. Perhaps The Rock vs Randy Orton in 2004 would've been amazing. But The Rock vs Sting will simply fail to deliver athletically. I'd much rather want two men in their 50s Shawn Michaels and Sting go at it at Wrestlemania because quite frankly, The Rock's assumed passion for the wrestling business didn't render any of his recent matches even remotely good.

False. The Rock's matches with Cena weren't bad, they weren't bad at all.

He didn't ruin 3 WrestleMania's, WM27 absolutely sucked @$$. The Rock was the only good thing about that WrestleMania, him and the Taker-HHH match.

WM28 was one of the best WrestleMania's in recent memory, one of the greatest WMs in history no doubt.

WM29 sucked badly, nothing to do with Rock. The top 3 matches were extremely predictable.
Triple H coming out of "retirement" for a "retirement match" against Brock Lesnar was terrible and a stupid idea. We all knew HHH was going over.
Also, The Streak vs cm punk? hahahahaha.
Most predictable match in wrestling history. Add to that Paul Bearer's death to the storyline, can the match get any more predictable??


Lastly, Sting and The Rock actually have a history together.

Sting was the only wrestler to rival the most popular star(s) in WCW (nWo) and when he faced them, they broke records (Starrcade 97 Sting vs Hogan: highest PPV buyrate in WCW history)

Rock was the only wrestler to rival the most popular star in WWF (SCSA) and when he faced him, they broke records (WM17 first wrestling ppv to have over 1 million ppv buyrates)

Also, Sting said in an interview he didn't want to join WWF/E because of the incident that happened between Rock and Booker T ( Rock treating then WCW champ Booker T like a nobody and telling him "who in the blue hell are you")

 

[Gavschenko]

I don't think they should face each other tbh, rather see the streak vs the rock that would be a bigger match tbh, the streak is probably the biggest attraction at mania and the rock is a big draw himself, surely this would be the most watched mania in history if that was the main event.

 

[AegonTargaryen]

False. The Rock's matches with Cena weren't bad, they weren't bad at all.

He didn't ruin 3 WrestleMania's, WM27 absolutely sucked @$$. The Rock was the only good thing about that WrestleMania, him and the Taker-HHH match.

WM28 was one of the best WrestleMania's in recent memory, one of the greatest WMs in history no doubt.

WM29 sucked badly, nothing to do with Rock. The top 3 matches were extremely predictable.
Triple H coming out of "retirement" for a "retirement match" against Brock Lesnar was terrible and a stupid idea. We all knew HHH was going over.
Also, The Streak vs cm punk? hahahahaha.
Most predictable match in wrestling history. Add to that Paul Bearer's death to the storyline, can the match get any more predictable??


Lastly, Sting and The Rock actually have a history together.

Sting was the only wrestler to rival the most popular star(s) in WCW (nWo) and when he faced them, they broke records (Starrcade 97 Sting vs Hogan: highest PPV buyrate in WCW history)

Rock was the only wrestler to rival the most popular star in WWF (SCSA) and when he faced him, they broke records (WM17 first wrestling ppv to have over 1 million ppv buyrates)

Also, Sting said in an interview he didn't want to join WWF/E because of the incident that happened between Rock and Booker T ( Rock treating then WCW champ Booker T like a nobody and telling him "who in the blue hell are you")

That Sting interview was a long time ago. I didn't say Sting vs Rock would not be a blockbuster. It would've torn the house down and doubtlessly been a much more of a "wrestling" match with all the iconicity and spectacle deserved of a wrestlemania than Rock versus Hogan was(Was hogan ever really a wrestler who did any more than hulking up, Big boot, Leg drop?). Sting's stinger splash, sting death drop?, and Sting's scorpion death lock going against Rock's sharpshooter, elbow drop and so on. It should've happened long ago for it to become that wrestlemania fabulousness. But in 2014, Sting is 54. The Rock is an acclaimed movie star. The biggest reason why it should not happen is simply that the Rock's return(the second time in 2012) failed to be as magical as his return after 7 years in 2011. There is no way that the rock would not have a lot of Hollywood obligations and focus equally in a 3-month wrestling program leading into Wrestlemania against Sting. Example- Rock vs Cena II. Everything sucked. The promos, the build-up, the match itself being "Twice of Once in a Lifetime". Finally, I'm not so sure if Sting can deliver in the ring half as much as he did 5 years ago.

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

I don't think they should face each other tbh, rather see the streak vs the rock that would be a bigger match tbh, the streak is probably the biggest attraction at mania and the rock is a big draw himself, surely this would be the most watched mania in history if that was the main event.

The Guy who defeated the biggest star of the 80s (Hogan) , 90s (Austin) and 2000s (Cena)

vs

The Guy who is undefeated at WrestleMania.



It would be spectacular especially since Taker and Rock never really had that main event feud.

But honestly I'd enjoy more Sting vs Rock, it's been a dream match for me for a long time but Taker vs Rock seem more realistic.

Honestly, I don't see Sting wrestling one match only in WWE, I think he'll have a run before he faces Taker at WM (probably his last match).

I hope we could see The Rock vs Sting in that run.

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

That Sting interview was a long time ago. I didn't say Sting vs Rock would not be a blockbuster. It would've torn the house down and doubtlessly been a much more of a "wrestling" match with all the iconicity and spectacle deserved of a wrestlemania than Rock versus Hogan was(Was hogan ever really a wrestler who did any more than hulking up, Big boot, Leg drop?). Sting's stinger splash, sting death drop?, and Sting's scorpion death lock going against Rock's sharpshooter, elbow drop and so on. It should've happened long ago for it to become that wrestlemania fabulousness. But in 2014, Sting is 54. The Rock is an acclaimed movie star. The biggest reason why it should not happen is simply that the Rock's return(the second time in 2012) failed to be as magical as his return after 7 years in 2011. There is no way that the rock would not have a lot of Hollywood obligations and focus equally in a 3-month wrestling program leading into Wrestlemania against Sting. Example- Rock vs Cena II. Everything sucked. The promos, the build-up, the match itself being "Twice of Once in a Lifetime". Finally, I'm not so sure if Sting can deliver in the ring half as much as he did 5 years ago.

I think both The Rock's runs in 2011 and 2012 were good honestly and very entertaining, it's just his 2013 run that sucked but that's only because the release of his GI Joe movie got delayed to early 2013 and he was busy with promoting his movies outside of the US, let's hope Rock missing WMXXX means that the next time he'll come back, he'll give it a 100%.

Also, Sting vs Rock would still be great to see today (at least IMO).

Sting probably won't wrestle much in WWE, probably have a couple of matches only before retiring, Rock should be in one of those matches.

Which means Sting will have a lot of time with nothing but to prepare for his matches.


Imagine if Rock turned heel as well in that feud, would be epic.

Kind of like Rock vs Goldberg in '03.

If Rock turned heel, he must face someone REALLY popular like Sting or Taker or else people won't buy him as a heel.

 

[Wripple11]

I just hope that Sting gets back into the best shape he can as I would hate for a young wwe crowd to see and remember Sting now, as opposed to the Sting of old.

 

[shooter_mcgavin]

I said no because of all the guys I want to see Sting wrestle The Rock is not on top of that list. Undertaker would obviously be on that list and even though its kind of late (well 16 years late), it's still a match that would generate interest. And you could make an angle that Sting signed with the WWE so he can be the one to end Taker's streak. Of course he won't but what a legacy would that be.

Others is HBK, another angle where Sting will try to call out HBK out of retirement so it will generate some buzz whether he will fight or not.

Of course there's the current roster Punk, Bryan, Rhodes, Orton, Sheamus, Wyatt, and The Shield members. Sure none of them are at the level of The Rock but I don't mind seeing the younger (well except Batista since he's almost the same age as The Rock) guys get high profile feuds.

 

[HeymanHustler]

I don't know. On one hand, The Rock vs Sting would be an interesting match to see. On the other, I don't want to see The Rock have another match in WWE. I don't see a point in him coming back and I don't know what else he can do for the company that hasn't been done to death with him. Everyone wanted to see him come back so he would face Cena and now they've fought twice (they were great at WM28, but bland in WM29). The only thing I can see him coming back for would be to put over his cousin Roman. Other than that, I have no reason of seeing him in the ring again.

At least with Sting coming in, there's new territory there. We all want to see him face Undertaker, but imagine Sting facing John Cena. Or Triple H. Hell, having Sting have some kind of TNA rematch with Christian sounds fresher than anything The Rock can do in the ring if he came back right now.

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

I don't know. On one hand, The Rock vs Sting would be an interesting match to see. On the other, I don't want to see The Rock have another match in WWE. I don't see a point in him coming back and I don't know what else he can do for the company that hasn't been done to death with him. Everyone wanted to see him come back so he would face Cena and now they've fought twice (they were great at WM28, but bland in WM29). The only thing I can see him coming back for would be to put over his cousin Roman. Other than that, I have no reason of seeing him in the ring again.

At least with Sting coming in, there's new territory there. We all want to see him face Undertaker, but imagine Sting facing John Cena. Or Triple H. Hell, having Sting have some kind of TNA rematch with Christian sounds fresher than anything The Rock can do in the ring if he came back right now.

I couldn't disagree more. Just because you don't want to see The Rock wrestle again doesn't mean that he won't. Honestly if he doesn't have at least 5 more matches, I'll be extremely disappointed.

The Rock is still young to retire, he's 42. In my opinion the perfect age for retirement is mid 40s (45-46), if you're wrestling once a year you can stay longer.

The Rock is still WWE's biggest draw when he's there.

The Rock just came back after a 7 year absence, he shouldn't come back for one more match???!!! WTF are you smoking??

I see Rock wrestling probably 4-5 more Wrestlemanias and if we're lucky a match not at wrestlemania, maybe at Summerslam? Hopefully.




It's funny how you say what is there left for The Rock to do because to me the options are endless.

He can work a program with Randy Orton.
He can put over Daniel Bryan, a guy who is the safest worker (won't injure the rock) as well as a great wrestler who can carry rock to a great match. Bryan said at raw 1000 that one day he'll face the rock, in wwe when they say stuff like that, it happens most of the time so I can definitely see Bryan vs Rock.

He can come back and face Brock in one of the most anticipated rematches in wrestling history. It'll also gain huge mainstream interest and the interest of wrestling fans.

He can challenge for the streak, after defeating 3 faces of 3 generations Hogan Austin Cena, a Taker vs Rock match at mania could be the one of the biggest matches ever.

He can face reigns.

He can win the tag titles with Roman reigns at wrestlemania- they do a storyline where rock misses shows, not being in his cousin's side, reigns defend the titles alone, he loses them, then when the rock comes back reigns beat him and keep him off tv for a Rock vs Reigns match at the next wrestlemania.

He can face sting in one of the biggest matches ever'

He can end Kurt angle's career (kurt mentioned rock as one of the guys who he want to end his career with and him and Dwayne are the best of friends)

He can work as a heel and feud with a face punk: Rock vs Punk III

He can have a one on one match with Batista'


Do you want me to go on?

 

[shooter_mcgavin]

I couldn't disagree more. Just because you don't want to see The Rock wrestle again doesn't mean that he won't. Honestly if he doesn't have at least 5 more matches, I'll be extremely disappointed.

The Rock is still young to retire, he's 42. In my opinion the perfect age for retirement is mid 40s (45-46), if you're wrestling once a year you can stay longer.

The Rock is still WWE's biggest draw when he's there.

I think its a combination of even if he can spike ratings and buy rates is if the investment is worth it. Of course this means the creative team having to commit to his schedule, the amount of money WWE will be paying him to make appearances, etc.

I say his 2 year run in the WWE was worth it for the company but you could see his buzz die down during his run that started at the Rumble. Don't get me wrong he's still super over but the interest he garnered comparing his WM28 match with WM29, the hype at WM29 was significantly less. It makes me believe that any more appearances from The Rock isn't going cause any significant spike up the WWE's business.

I think his 2 year run is the perfect send off to The Rock, a story book ending of making a return reclaiming the title, and losing it at the grandest stage against the current face of the company. I can't imagine WWE coming up with a better narrative for The Rock if was to make future appearances.

 

[Softcore Holly]

After seeing how he struggled last year it's clear that Rock needs to be carried for any future matches he might have, and no offense to the man but I don't think a 55 year old Sting will be up to the task. He's not exactly in the greatest shape himself and in this very late stage of his career he should be the one being carried, not the other way around.

I also don't see Rock coming back for that many more WM either, like perhaps 45-46 might be a good age for a active wrestler to retire but Rock's obviously not a active wrestler. Sure he can stay in great shape for a 40 year old man but that's very different from being in good ring shape. That requires a LOT of effort to get back into it, which will only get harder and harder for the Rock as the years go by and taking another year off really doesn't help him there.

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

I think its a combination of even if he can spike ratings and buy rates is if the investment is worth it. Of course this means the creative team having to commit to his schedule, the amount of money WWE will be paying him to make appearances, etc.

I say his 2 year run in the WWE was worth it for the company but you could see his buzz die down during his run that started at the Rumble. Don't get me wrong he's still super over but the interest he garnered comparing his WM28 match with WM29, the hype at WM29 was significantly less. It makes me believe that any more appearances from The Rock isn't going cause any significant spike up the WWE's business.

I think his 2 year run is the perfect send off to The Rock, a story book ending of making a return reclaiming the title, and losing it at the grandest stage against the current face of the company. I can't imagine WWE coming up with a better narrative for The Rock if was to make future appearances.

The interest wasn't the same because it was awfully predictable that Rock was only being brought back to job to Cena at WrestleMania 29.

He had 0% chance of winning the match.

No Rock fan was excited or interested in seeing that.


Also, skipping WMXXX is a good call. Last year some people were already bored of him so staying away for 2 years instead of one will make people welcome him more than if he came back this year.

 

[lowandmighty]

My thoughts are that sting is too old to be put into these big matches especially against The Rock who is also not young anymore but still a much younger man than Sting.
Its about a 12 or 13 year age gap between them, which is not that much between someone who's 20 and someone who's 32 in wrestling terms anyway but at The Rock and Sting's ages a huge difference.

Sting could be in a tag team match or something. Tag team matches are always more fun anyway. Better to see Sting working with 2 or 3 other guys than just a one on one feud.
Why should one guy get to hog sting?

I also fear the worst for him that Triple H and McMahon will just humiliate him in some way.