Add more pessimism to the prospect of Sting debuting with WWE–the wrestler is currently backstage at the TNA iMPACT! taping.
ProWrestling.net reports that Sting is backstage at the taping in Fayetteville, North Carolina, with sources believing his presence connects to a return to TNA Wrestling. The taping for next week’s show, which takes place Thursday evening, represents a rare departure from the iMPACT! Zone for the weekly TNA wrestling show.
Though confirmation is not available, ProWrestling.net speculates that TNA will officially announce Sting’s return for March 3 as its latest “surprise.”
Prior to this report, there had finally been a wave of optimism about the possibility of Sting signing with WWE. Always intended to hype the return of The Undertaker, the originally-ambiguous “2-21-11” video campaign led many to believe that WWE was actually promoting the forthcoming debut of Sting–some major media outlets even treated the Sting signing as fact.
In reality, there had been virtually no dialogue between Sting and WWE prior to the videos airing, and save for a degree of interest from both parties, nothing too significant transpired afterwards.
“…and save for a degree of interest from both parties”?
Not in the real world.
Sting re-signed for TNA almost 3 weeks ago, and WWE made no genuine effort to sign him.
WWE were alerted to his availability, but made no firm offer, nor probably ever would have done. He’s 51 and hasn’t been main event on a ratings success (sorry TNA, but you’re not big ratings), for over a decade.
People have short memories, even towards the end of WCW Sting had fallen out of the main event picture.
Sure, TNA will stick the title on him for a short while, and cash in on the IWC buzz, but after that they’ll stick him back in the mid card again too.
Why would WWE have made a serious offer for him?
Aside from in the fantasy world of a few over excited fans on a hand full of websites Sting is no longer a big draw.
He was a legend, he deserves respect, and praise for his career, but his best days were over years ago.
Quite honestly, whether in his prime or not the WWE loyalty has always been to it’s home grown wrestler. Sting simply would have never gotten a push. Truth be told sting Would be a great addition to the WWE I would love to see that but the reality is It can never happen.