What if Sting were in WWF?

I would like to introduce a new series called the "What If?" Series. I will examine the biggest "What If?" Scenarios that many people often talk about or perhaps think deeply in the back of their mind (I don't know what anybody really thinks, but I will just throw ideas out there.).

Prime Examples Include:

"What if Len Bias never overdosed?"

"What if Michael Jordan never played Baseball?"

"What if Shaq and Penny stayed together?"

Today, I would like to examine one of the greatest questions in wrestling history. What if Sting joined the WWF instead of WCW in his prime? As fans, we all know the story of the BladeRunners, and the success that Sting and his late HOF tag partner Ultimate Warrior enjoyed when they went their separate ways. In 1986, Sting went to UWF before making the jump to Jim Crockett's National Wrestling Alliance in 1987. From that point on, we know how the story went as Sting had a flagship career as the centerpiece of World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Meanwhile, Warrior made the jump to World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) in Texas as the Dingo Warrior. The following year, Warrior went in the opposite direction of Sting by going North to join Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Federation in the New York/Connecticut Area. The Ultimate Warrior would reach incredible heights in his own way.

Both men are famous for their colorful appearances, as their facepaint has become their trademark that fans recognize them for. However, I would like to take the time to see how things would have been had they switched places. Now, I would like to travel back to 1987, which is when both men started to make their mark.

Warrior made his WWF debut in June 1987, as he dominated the likes of Barry Horowitz, Mike Sharpe, Steve Lombardi and others. He made his TV debut on October 25, 1987 as he continued his dominance before losing to future WWF rival Rick Rude. Meanwhile, Sting made his NWA debut in July 1987. In November, Sting made his PPV debut at Starrcade 1987, as he teamed with Michael P.S. Hayes and Jimmy Garvin in a 6-man tag match vs. Eddie Gilbert, Rick Steiner, and Larry Zbyszko that ended in a 15-minute time limit draw. Sting would receive an even heavier push to the top when he challenged Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at Clash of the Champions I, on March 17, 1988. The match ended in a draw, as Sting was a made man after that. This event clashed (pun intended) with WrestleMania IV, as Ultimate Warrior was victorious in his PPV debut against Hercules Hernandez. At this point, Sting has a slight edge. However, Warrior would gain momentum as he would defeat The Honky Tonk Man to win his first WWF Intercontinental Championship at the first Summerslam in 1988. By this point, both men are making incredible rises. During 1989, Warrior would feud with Ravishing Rick for the IC Strap, as Sting would feud with The Great Muta in NWA over the TV Title. By the end of the year, both Sting and Warrior had become clear cut fan favorites and the top choices to contend for the World Titles of their respective promotions.

By 1990, both men would take the torch for their brands as this is where I would like to make the fantasy switch. At WrestleMania VI, Ultimate Warrior dethroned Hulk Hogan to retain his IC Championship while becoming the new WWF Champion. The match is considered an historical turning point, because of how symbolic the win was. Both Warrior and Hogan were at the top of their game, but the start of the 90's was the turning of a new chapter, as Ultimate Warrior defeated the King of the WWF during the 80's. Vince McMahon was signaling the start of a new chapter, as he was setting Hogan's successor in place by this point. Meanwhile, Sting defeated Ric Flair for the NWA/WCW Championship at the Great American Bash which was the WCW equivalent to Warrior defeating The Hulkster. Sting took the WCW torch that night, and ran with it for the rest of the decade. Sting defeated the King of the NWA for the 80's. Warrior had the more memorable win, because it took place on a larger stage at WrestleMania in front of 60,000+ fans in a larger company. However, the course of Sting's career would rise to greater levels than Warrior during their championship runs.

With that said, let us put Sting in Warrior's position heading into WM VI. Sting and Rude would feud in WCW, so by this point their rivalry can kick off to an earlier start over the IC Title. Warrior was a great draw as Intercontinental Champion, but I think Sting would do great things for the prestige of that title as well. Sting's matches with Rude would mirror their battles in WCW from '92-'94, as the Intercontinental Title would continue to be the workhorse title. Sting would be more of a workhorse champion than Warrior. Meanwhile, Warrior and Muta would be a clash of two outrageous characters, as it would create an interesting scenario. Muta would be more of the ring general in this situation. Going into WrestleMania VI, Sting would prove to be more of a stable challenger to Hogan in the ring than Warrior was. Sting and Hogan would have a better feud than what they had in WCW, because Sting at his core was built for WWF. He was just in a smaller region than Warrior and Hogan. A match between Sting and Hogan at WrestleMania VI would have created an even better quality match, along with a great storyline heading into the PPV. Sting would have put on a more athletic and explosive contest with the Hulkster. Who knows? Maybe Sting would not have suffered that severe knee injury like he did in WCW during that time. Sting's strength, and agility would have had the fans completely at the edge as he would have turned the match level up even higher. You would still have the test of strength, but with more intensity and quickness involved. On the other hand, Flair would have to hide Warrior's weaknesses more than he did for Sting.

As far as their title runs, Sting's first run as WCW Champ had more substance as he held it for 7 months before losing it back to Flair in a Starrcade rematch on January 11, 1991. During this time, Sting defeated contenders from Sid Vicious to Ric Flair himself. Sting would go on to have the best matches in the company during this time, even without the gold. On the other side of the coin, Warrior is more remembered for winning the title than his actual reign as he was not the box office draw that people expected him to be when he wore the crown. Warrior lost the WWF Title the following week at the Royal Rumble (January 19, 1991) to Sgt. Slaughter. On the bright side, this would lead into a feud with "Macho King" Randy Savage that culminated in a classic WrestleMania VII match that continues to be mentioned in the history books.

Now, time to turn the tables. Sting did not have the kind of ego that Warrior had, and he could have kept Hulk Hogan off of his thrown as champion. However, if Sting were to lose the title like Warrior, a match with Savage would have been even better. Sting vs. Savage in their primes could have been better than Warrior vs. Savage as it would have been a strong contender for Macho Man's greatest matches. After going through Savage, Sting could set his focus back on the WWF Title and gain another victory over Hogan. By 1991, Sting firmly held WCW together when Ric Flair left for the WWF while taking the Big Gold Belt with him. This was a testament of Sting's commitment and showed that he was the better employee. This is not a Warrior bash fest, so follow along with me. Meanwhile, Warrior was involved in a messy dispute with Vince McMahon that led to his first departure following Summerslam. Sting was the company cornerstone, while Warrior made an unexpected departure. This has created a large gap between them when it comes to their legacies. While in WCW, Warrior and Lex Luger would look like mirror images of each other during their matches because they had identical physiques. They also had identical ring skills, but Warrior just had more excitement and flair than Lex ever did. Sting could have had a longer feud with Jake than Warrior did, and he could have had an encounter with The Undertaker even BEFORE becoming the Crow.

Going into 1992, Sting would continue to fit perfectly in the WWF landscape as they were making the transition from Hulk Hogan. Sting and Flair would continue to have incredible chemistry as they would battle over the WWF Championship in as much of a compelling way as they did over the WCW Title, as stars like Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels would come to the horizon. However, I believe that is the biggest question mark. Would Bret Hart still be the star that he became if Sting were in WWF during that time? I think Bret would still be a star, and it will turn out to be a great rivalry over the top spot. Bret might be the champion a little bit later, but he would still be great no matter what the circumstance. During this transitional stretch from the Hogan Era into the New Generation, Sting would fill the space that guys like Warrior and Jake left behind after their fall outs with Vince. The IC & WWF Title pictures would be more entertaining if Sting were in that mix with Bret, Taker and HBK. One can only imagine the WrestleMania matches and other PPV matches that Sting could have with stars like that. Him and Shawn Michaels would grab at least one or two Match of the Year Awards. Both men in a singles or ladder match would tear the place down. Bret vs. Sting in a Submission match would be electrifying as well. The Hitman vs. Sting would be much better than a storyline with Bret vs. a past his prime Jerry Lawler.

During that watershed time of 93-96 before the rise of Austin 3:16, Sting would continue his wave of momentum as the Surfer Sting before transitioning into the crow. This would create compelling storylines with an emerging Stone Cold Steve Austin, a darker Undertaker, Mankind and a rising star named Rocky Maivia (later known to be The Rock). Sting would help maintain the morale in the locker room as he and Undertaker could be the enforcers to stand up to the poison that the Kliq was spreading at that time.

Sting could add so much of an amazing element going into the Attitude Era as the Crow, that his merchandise numbers would explode even more with the WWF Marketing Powerhouse supporting him. Warrior could have some brutal wars with Vader, Ron Simmons, Booker T, and even an up and coming Bill Goldberg. That was the dream match of many for years.

On the other hand, I am not sure how Warrior would have benefited in the WCW Locker Room because of his inconsistencies as far as appearances are concerned. More importantly, how would he do in the same environment in WCW as Hogan, Nash, & co, but with Eric Bischoff calling the shots instead of Vince? Actually, there were multiple bosses, which would have increased the tension for him anyway. 1998 was enough of a glimpse. During this time, Warrior was making sporadic appearances on WWF Television.



Overall, Sting could have displayed how consistent he was in the ring and out of the ring in a larger environment like the WWF. Sting was tailor made for WWF, but kept his allegiance to WCW. If Sting were in WWF, who knows what would have happened to WCW? Maybe they might have died earlier. On the other hand, maybe the NWO does not have the same impact if Warrior is in that position that Sting was in as the savior of WCW. In other ways, Sting's legacy might not have been perceived in the best way by the anti-WWF fans. He might not be as highly accepted by those fans, because they would see him as another star who was aided by the Vince McMahon System. In my view, he would have done fine. As far as Warrior's legacy, would there be a passing of the torch from him to Goldberg? How would he and Hogan do in a year long buildup to Starrcade? Only time can tell what could have happened. It is always fun to imagine.