What If It Had Been Sting To Leave WCW in 1991?

[Tenta]

Just something that really popped into my head as I was watching my old tapes. Let's rewind the clocks back a while, to 1991. WCW was run by the "most untalented mother fucker in the history of the world", so says Dusty Rhodes, Jim Herd. Herd wants to change Ric Flair's gimmick, because he feels Flair's too old to be the face of his company. Mind you, Flair was just the draw of the company; The face of WCW has been, and always will be, Sting to me. He was the one that, even while Flair was gone, made sure WCW didn't sink, along with Luger and Vader. It was Sting that had his famous feud witrh Vader, even putting over Vader in the feud, probably the most selfless move in the history of WCW. Not that being the most selfless move in WCW is much, but still, Sting was the face of WCW. Flair, though, was the champion. And Jim Herd released Ric Flair, the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, and made it a situation which Ric Flair could bring the WCW Title to WWE programming, and mock WCW in a subtle way. Which, mind you, that was exactly what had happened. But what if it wasn't Sting that had left? What if Ric Flair, the World Champion, stayed on with WCW, and it was Sting who was the one to leave WCW? How would the course of wrestling history be changed? What if it had been Sting to leave WCW in 1991?

I'll be brunt in my opinion that, frankly, I feel WCW could have potentially folded. The fact is, before Flair left, they were grooming Lex Luger to be the new World Heavyweight Champion in WCW. Some will tell you WCW would have been just fine with Luger as champion, to which I will disagree. I have never been sold on Lex Luger as World Champion. Period. His best run with WCW culminated in that five day run as champion, because he couldn't draw the crowd for a long term like Hollywood Hogan. Sure, you can argue he was supposed to win the WWE title, and getting drunk and blabbing to reporters. The truth appears to be that storyline was written to at The Royal Rumble, and Bret Hart was going to be the guy after that event. Lex Express my ass; Lex Luger is a horrible champion. Now, with that in mind, WCW's business would have folded with Flexy Lexy as champion. There was always something compelling to the Sting/Vader feuds, partially because they not only added drama, but they also offered fantastic matches. Luger/Vader? A battle of sheer power and power, and Vader can only hold his own in such a match. Call me wild, but a feud with Luger/Vader just wouldn't sell tickets. Flair/Vader was great as a one off match; it could never be bought as a long term feud, because it just isn't believable Flair could hold the upper edge on Vader for a year's long time. You can argue with me all you want, but in terms of business, WCW is absolutely sunk business wise without Sting, and furthermore, Hogan and Flair don't have contacts, so you could even argue if Flair didn't come to WWE, Hogan would have never come to WCW.

As for Sting? Probably a huge name, I really do believe so. Maybe he would have been repackaged, he had a huge habit of doing that. But Sting had something Terry Taylor never had, and something Ricky Steamboat didn't, and that was raw charisma. All of them were great workers, but Sting had the energy the likes of which would have gotten him damn over in WCW. Sure, it would have taken a while, because Vince would have destroyed any idea we had of Sting, because that's how he rolls. But eventually, the talent would win out, and even in the era of mega faces, Sting would have been over. A multiple time world champion? Perhaps not. Damn over, worked fantastic matches, and a title run? Perhaps, yes.

I've rambled enough. I'll let more ideas out as you all bounce more ideas. Still, what if Sting left WCW in 1991, instead of Ric Flair?

 

[jmt225]

It's fun to think about, but the more I do, the more I start to think just how bad it would have been.

Since Sting wouldn't have been WCW Champion and have the luxury of being able to bring that title belt with him, I think Vince would have completely repackaged the guy, and made him heel.

Now, what kind of heel? Who knows? Maybe one who goes on to get The Undertaker's character? It's possible. Or maybe... maybe Vince says the hell with this WCW bastard... he's going to be a jobber in my company. Each scenario in my opinion is highly possible.

Now, in a perfect World, what would have happened is Sting would have gone to the WWF as Sting, and become the most over babyface on the entire roster and become the face of the company until the Attitude Era (of course, he would have drawn much more during that period than what the WWF actually drew). But WWE is not a perfect World (or should I say "universe"? ), so it leads me to believe that ultimately, no matter what, Sting would have debuted with a new character, as a heel. He wouldn't have gotten the treatment Flair got, no chance in hell, but maybe it's possible he would receive something like what The Undertaker got, or maybe even the push Psycho Sid received around this time. Who knows? But it's definitely interesting to ponder.

As far as WCW... with no Sting, they don't stay in business for as long as they do. No chance. Sting was their ultimate babyface. When it was the Four Horsemen taking over the company... Sting was their ultimate challenger. When it was Japan taking over the company... Sting was their ultimate challenger. When it was the nWo taking over the company... Sting was their ultimate challenger. When people think WCW, if Sting isn't the first name that comes to mind, then they don't know jack shit about professional wrestling.

 

[Tenta]

Now, what kind of heel? Who knows? Maybe one who goes on to get The Undertaker's character? It's possible. Or maybe... maybe Vince says the hell with this WCW bastard... he's going to be a jobber in my company. Each scenario in my opinion is highly possible.

Now, in a perfect World, what would have happened is Sting would have gone to the WWF as Sting, and become the most over babyface on the entire roster and become the face of the company until the Attitude Era (of course, he would have drawn much more during that period than what the WWF actually drew). But WWE is not a perfect World (or should I say "universe"? ), so it leads me to believe that ultimately, no matter what, Sting would have debuted with a new character, as a heel. He wouldn't have gotten the treatment Flair got, no chance in hell, but maybe it's possible he would receive something like what The Undertaker got, or maybe even the push Psycho Sid received around this time. Who knows? But it's definitely interesting to ponder.

I'm only really going to dispute on of these matters, JMT, as I feel you're spot on for everything, aside from Sting's odds in WCW. Yes, we both know how Vince works. He would have probably given Sting a new gimmick, and erased our memories of all Sting has accomplished at that point. That said, while Sting was pretty damn accomplished at this point, it wasn't like he couldn't be repackaged, to me. At the time, he had one NWA Title win, the likes of which was a pretty awful reign. This was, after all, The Black Scorpion angle. That said, I really do feel Sting would have had a new gimmick, but that Sting was talented enough to pull it off, and add a new dimension to the gimmick. Sure, by that point he was only asked to be the face painted surfer boy, but I do feel with the right direction, he could have pulled off anything. Yes, Vince typically embarrassed WCW guys, Terry Taylor be damned. But Sting was more talented than Taylor, he was more talented than Tony Atlas. He may have been more talented, dare I say it (I dare, I dare) than Ricky Streamboat, and that would have eventually won out, to me.

I see what you mean, but I really do feel Sting could have pulled off a repackaging. With ease

 

[jmt225]

I see what you mean, but I really do feel Sting could have pulled off a repackaging. With ease

I know what you mean, man.

Hell, in my opinion Sting pulled the greatest repackage of all time when he turned into the Crow Character. That was a completely different Sting, and he made it work. It speaks volumes of how talented the man is.

My problem though is that I think in the WWF back then (and in WWE today for that matter), you aren't given lee-way to make your own choices to your character unless you're already an established star in the company. And since Sting would have undoubtedly been looked at by Vince as a "WCW guy," then A) I think Sting would have been given a shitty gimmick and B) Even if it was something Sting could make work, he wouldn't be given the chance to; he would have to go Vince's way, which as we both know isn't always the right way.

Now, say what you want about Shane Douglas being a crybaby and what not, but I'll never forget a story he told that while he was the Dean character in the WWF, one day he had to cut a series of promos, and he thought they were awful. Not the promos themselves necessarily, but the way he had to deliver them. So all day they keep reshooting these promos, and Shane finally decides he's going to switch it up and do it a better way. He does it, and Vince shits on him and says, "No, I like the other way better."

I'm not saying Vince was wrong or right for this, but it proves that it's his way or the highway if you're new to that company, and my point is that Sting wouldn't have been given the leisure to make a new character work himself, which ultimately would have been his downfall. Sting is a guy who can march at the beat of his own drum; I'm not sure how good he would be at following a strict script where he couldn't improvise in the least bit.

 

[The Holy One]

If Sting left WCW in 1991, I would like to think Vince would have treated him like he did Ric Flair for coming to the WWF. I see it going one of the ways. Either he is still the same surfer, babyface Sting who replaces Bret Hart as the face of the WWF post-Hogan to pre-Attitude Era and probably becomes the role that Mankind was in the Attitude Era. The other way is that he is repackage as a something similar to the Crow Sting and replaces the Undertaker and becomes the Phenom of the WWF.

As for WCW, I will say that they could have survived without Sting b/c if the WWF survived without Hogan then I can't see why WCW couldn't do the same. I think you would have seen either Bret Hart or the Undertaker come and take over Sting's role. I see them surviving with those guys until Hogan came. Ric Flair still would have been the great heel that can get any babyface over if they have the talent that and Bret or Taker definitely have enough. But now that I think about it, my vision could have effected the entire landscape of wrestling b/c without Bret the Attitude Era might have never come into the vision that we saw it as. I doubt Vince would have the same falling out with Sting that him and Bret did. I might be reading to much into this b/c my brain hurts from thinking of it now.

 

[Whatsinaname696]

greatest repackage of all time was hogan, any dispute on that is absurd, as for sting going... well... him and the warrior.... then the warrior did make his way there... we saw what happened, obviously very different people, my point is look how big warrior was, can't see sting being any less impactful, that being said, ya never really know what the fuck woulda happened, specially at this late date in that scenario, but I really don't have many doubts that at the time sting would've been huge for them and history would def. be different

 

[Neiler187]

It wouldn't have had the same impact as Flair leaving. Flair had been the best wrestler in the world for nearly ten years at that point where as Sting had only been a main eventer for two years. If Sting left it would have been a great signing for the WWF but not as good as Ric Flair, especially when you look at how good of a year Flair had in 1992.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

I think they would likely have used Stings former alliegance with the Ultimate Warrior as part of his entrance... Made him a heel out to destroy the Warrior, perhaps also from Parts Unknown... I could have seen him costing Warrior at WM 7 and the long term "retirement angle" that Savage went through with Jake being given to Warrior... In fact, Sting and Jake as a team in those days would have been pretty sweet pschology wise...

It IS possible they would have kept him the blond haired face, as it was clear Hogan was losing his lustre by that time, but he would have likely had to change his name and overall gimmick away from the surfer dude... Perhaps an earlier version of the Lex Luger stars and stripes gimmick would have worked, but the key is Warrior... They HAD a face painted face who at the time, was perhaps on the outs... but had Sting been involved in the Summerslam 1991 main event, perhaps as a debut would Warrior have held Vince up for Money? or seen the bigger picture of feuding or teaming with his old partner?

I doubt Sting would have been repackaged in the Taker's gimmick as he already had it by then (Taker debuted a year before Flair jumped)...

 

[The Brain]

This is definitely interesting to think about. I’ve always pictured Sting in WWF, but when I did it was in 1994 and 1995. Sting jumping in 1991 certainly would have shaken things up. One huge difference to consider is Flair was heel and Sting was face. Since Flair was treated well as a heel it stands to reason Sting would have gotten fair treatment as a face. I’m sure by the fall of 1991 Vince had to realize Hogan’s days were numbered and Sting would have been an appropriate replacement. Flair wasn’t repackaged at all and while Sting wasn’t quite the name Flair was he was damn close. I think Sting would have remained the same character and enjoyed a world title reign or two. Then again Vince could have made him a mailman or something. Who knows? I picture the same Sting we were familiar with in WCW being the top face of the company for a while and maybe challenging Taker for the title at WrestleMania VIII.

I didn’t watch much WCW in the early 90s so I don’t know what kind of impact this would have had. Obviously it would have been a huge hit, but at least they still would have had Flair. Going out of business seems a bit extreme, but I suppose it could have happened. I think they probably would have hung on though.

 

[Big Sexy]

Sting going to the WWF I believe would have worked out well. He was far too talented to get buried and although Vince likes having his own creations, he likes money a lot more and would have made Sting a star. Whether Sting would have stayed in the WWF or come back to WCW after a couple years like Flair I'm not exactly sure what would have happened but Sting would have had a successful run.

As far as WCW needing Sting more then Flair I'm not sure about that. Starting with Starrcade of 1987 up until Flair left, WCW's ppvs always had buy rates over 1.00. As soon as Flair left WCW only did two ppv's of at least a 1.00 buy rate. The first one was The GAB of 1991 which was the first ppv without Flair and they barely did it getting exactly a 1.00. And then Starrcade 1991 a few months later did a 1.00. Other then those two ppv's WCW's buy rates dropped drastically with the loss of Flair. In fact they failed to get a buy rate of over 1.00 after Starrcade 1991 until Bash at the Beach 1994 (Hogan's first ppv with WCW).

 

[Carpathian Florist]

A point that doesn't seem to have been brought up would be who would have jumped to WCW looking for greener grass?
Sting debuting in the WWF would obviously affect the status of the current roster, for instance if Sting was a top guy for WWF, someone would have to drop down the card, even if he was a midcard guy, the implication would be that someone would be pusher lower down the card because of that.
It's endless really, I know somewhere around the early 90s that Bret Hart was considering a jump to WCW, perhaps McMahon would have lost him to them if Sting had caught on fire in the WWF and became Vince's potential replacement for Hogan after the steroids trial.
Who knows what midcard talent WWF may have lost due to this aquisition that could have gone onto bigger and better things in WCW who might try hot shotting a name wrestler from the opposition to fill the void left by Sting.

I don't think WCW would have gone out of business, with or without Sting and Ric Flair though. This was before all the merger problems and other such well document troubles of WCW in later years. At this point I still think Turner would be willing to back WCW financially, no matter what stars jumped ship.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

Bret Hart would still have had a good main event run, though likely as a heel against Sting had Vince gone that way... At the time Bret was better known as a heel and it would have made a lot of sense... Also, Vince may have kept hold of other talents such as Rick Rude who left for similar reasons in 1991...

People who probably would have left would have been guys like Jake Roberts, Roddy Piper and Big Bossman... Who's runs were nearing their end anyways...

 

[Tastycles]

Well, it all depends on what terms he left. If he goes to WWF the way Flair did, chances are he'd have dropped down a couple of levels. Indeed, he would have probably won the title in the experimental title period in 1992 and 1993, and then, assuming he could establish himself the same way he did in WCW, he would hae been a leading face in the mid nineties, and we would have been spared some of the lengthy and ultimately shit reigns that plagued this era. Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart would never have been the faces of the company, and Steve Borden the man would have been the calming influence on Lex Luger, and he too would have been a face of the company at this juncture. Sting would have absolutely no reason to return to WCW, where Hogan had just gone, and where Hogan vs Flair would have ignited that companies fortunes, then be done to death.

I think had Flair stayed put, WCW would have been stale, and I think Sting would have probably prevented the doledrums that were the mid 90s WWF from reaching our screens. Of course, the upshot of this later would have been huge. The further forward you get, the more you can speculate, but I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that the wrestling landscapeof the early to mid 90s would have been completely different.