Will WWE finally feel the Sting?
What kind of lame headline is that? I’m keeping it, but please be aware that I don’t like it (much like the “People’s Column” name I have finally been able to dump). Just when we thought WWE had nothing to create a buzz around the wrestling world to sell Wrestlemania, we got the 02-21-11 video on Raw Monday night.
I gave a short version of my thoughts on that in my Pruett’s Pause on prowrestling.net (I’m getting to Mick Foley status with all these cheap plugs), but I would love to throw out more long-form thoughts here.
First of all, there is the obvious. WWE is already advertising (through the Fresno Arena) that The Undertaker will be returning on 02-21. He is the only other man that that has worn a long black trench coat and black boots and would deserve that kind of buildup. The video was a little out of sorts to be the standard Undertaker comeback though. Usually Undertaker’s videos have the iconic gong sound in one form or another. They also don’t usually try to make Undertaker’s return a surprise (since he is the biggest star in the company and doesn’t need surprise build).
The video also has the distinct feel of the old Sting video packages that we saw prior to his 1997 return in WCW. If it is him, it will take a bit of a trick to bring back his old vengeful persona. Sting was nothing without being out for vengeance. Once he returned and claimed said vengeance in 1997, he meant so much less than he did beforehand.
I do have to wonder who Sting will face at Wrestlemania if he does come to WWE. Will they go with the dream match between Sting and Undertaker? That match won’t be pretty, but it could sell a whole lot of pay-per-views and tickets to a show that is in danger of underperforming. I there anyone else who Sting could face? Every feud I can dream up pales in comparison with the awesome visual that would be Sting and Undertaker facing off at ‘Mania.
If there is no return of Sting, then Undertaker’s option do not look super attractive. I like the Triple H match the most, but as ‘Mania nears, it seems like Sheamus is the more likely option for “The Game.”
What we do know at this moment is that there is some serious buzz around Wrestlemania that there was not a few weeks ago. If 02-21-11 comes around and it is not Sting, then WWE has an uphill battle in keeping that buzz present.
I think you might be setting yourself up for disappointment hoping for Sting. I doubt he comes back just to job to UT.
I still doubt its sting but if it is I would be shocked.