{"id":583,"date":"2025-05-18T18:41:20","date_gmt":"2025-05-18T18:41:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/?p=583"},"modified":"2025-05-18T19:49:44","modified_gmt":"2025-05-18T19:49:44","slug":"sting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/sting\/","title":{"rendered":"About Sting"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"201\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Sting.png\" alt=\"Sting\" class=\"wp-image-585\" srcset=\"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Sting.png 201w, https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Sting-150x187.png 150w, https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Sting-50x62.png 50w, https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Sting-100x124.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Full Name:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Steve Borden<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ring Name(s):<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Franchise<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Icon<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Crow Sting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Surfer Sting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Joker Sting (TNA era)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Date of Birth:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">March 20, 1959<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Place of Birth:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Omaha, Nebraska, USA<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Height:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">6 ft 2 in (188 cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Weight:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">250 lb (113 kg)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Early Life and Background:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Steve Borden grew up in Southern California and played basketball and football in high school and junior college. He was not a wrestling fan growing up, but after meeting wrestlers like Hulk Hogan and the Road Warriors at a gym, he decided to enter the wrestling business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He trained under <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/prowrestling.fandom.com\/wiki\/Red_Bastien\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Red Bastien<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm1900296\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rick Bassman<\/a><\/strong>, making his debut in the mid-1980s alongside <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0913134\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jim Hellwig<\/a><\/strong> (later known as The Ultimate Warrior) as part of a tag team called <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/prowrestling.fandom.com\/wiki\/Blade_Runners\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Blade Runners<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Professional Wrestling Debut:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Major Promotions:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/universalwrestling.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Universal Wrestling Federation<\/a> (UWF)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/prowrestling.fandom.com\/wiki\/Jim_Crockett_Promotions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jim Crockett Promotions<\/a> \/ WCW<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/tnawrestling.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TNA \/ IMPACT Wrestling<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wwe.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WWE<\/a> (2014\u20132015)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.allelitewrestling.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AEW<\/a> (2020\u20132024)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>WCW Career: 1987\u20132001<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sting is considered <strong>\u201cThe Franchise of WCW\u201d<\/strong>, the company\u2019s most consistent and loyal star from the late 1980s until it folded in 2001. His popularity endured despite constant backstage politics, management changes, and rival promotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Early Persona \u2013 \u201cSurfer Sting\u201d:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bright face paint, colorful tights, spiked blonde hair<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Youthful, energetic babyface<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Known for high-flying moves and intensity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Became a fan favorite almost immediately<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Rivalry with Ric Flair:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sting\u2019s breakout moment was a <strong>45-minute time-limit draw<\/strong> against Ric Flair at <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0437916\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Clash of the Champions I (1988)<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Captured his <strong>first WCW World Heavyweight Championship<\/strong> by defeating Flair at <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0926196\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Great American Bash (1990)<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Flair and Sting had a storied rivalry and mutual respect spanning decades.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Crow Transformation (1996\u20131997):<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In response to the rising popularity of darker characters and the NWO storyline:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sting transformed into a <strong>silent, mysterious vigilante<\/strong> with black-and-white face paint, a trench coat, and a baseball bat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inspired by the 1994 film <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0109506\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Crow<\/a><\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Didn\u2019t speak or wrestle for <strong>over a year<\/strong>, building suspense.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Watched from the rafters as WCW descended into NWO chaos.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Finally returned at <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0354056\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Starrcade 1997<\/a><\/strong> to face Hollywood Hogan in a match that drew one of WCW\u2019s largest buyrates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Championships in WCW:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>6\u00d7 WCW World Heavyweight Champion<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2\u00d7 WCW International World Heavyweight Champion<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2\u00d7 WCW United States Heavyweight Champion<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>3\u00d7 WCW World Tag Team Champion<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1\u00d7 NWA World Heavyweight Champion (in the JCP era)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Feuds in WCW:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ric Flair<\/strong> \u2013 Long-term on-and-off rivals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hollywood Hogan &amp; the NWO<\/strong> \u2013 Central to the Monday Night Wars<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vader<\/strong> \u2013 Brutal and athletic battles in the early &#8217;90s<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lex Luger<\/strong> \u2013 Teammate, rival, and complex frenemy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Great Muta<\/strong> \u2013 International rivalry that blended athleticism with storytelling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Post-WCW Career:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>TNA \/ IMPACT Wrestling (2003\u20132014):<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Became a cornerstone of the company, helping TNA establish itself as WWE\u2019s top competitor during the 2000s.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Multiple-time <strong>NWA\/TNA World Champion<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reinvented himself several times, including:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Joker Sting<\/strong> \u2013 A chaotic, unpredictable persona reminiscent of Heath Ledger\u2019s Joker in <em>The Dark Knight<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Worked with and elevated stars like AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Kurt Angle, and Jeff Jarrett.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>WWE Career (2014\u20132015):<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Long-anticipated debut at <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wwe.com\/shows\/survivorseries\/2014\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Survivor Series 2014<\/a><\/strong>, helping Team Cena defeat The Authority.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First WWE match<\/strong>: Lost to Triple H at <strong>WrestleMania 31<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Challenged <strong>Seth Rollins<\/strong> for the WWE Championship at <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wwe.com\/shows\/nightofchampions\/2015\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Night of Champions 2015<\/a><\/strong>, but suffered a legitimate neck injury during the match.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inducted into the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wwe.com\/shows\/wwe-hall-of-fame\/wwe-hall-of-fame-2016\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2016<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Many felt his WWE run was short and unfulfilled due to injury and booking choices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>AEW Career (2020\u20132024):<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Returned to wrestling at age 61 in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.allelitewrestling.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">All Elite Wrestling<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Formed a mentor\/prot\u00e9g\u00e9 partnership with <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm10351283\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Darby Allin<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Participated in cinematic and tag matches, preserving his health while staying active.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wrestled his final match at <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/AEW_Revolution_(2024)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AEW Revolution 2024<\/a><\/strong>, retiring undefeated in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allelitewrestling.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AEW<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In-Ring Style:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Blended power, speed, and charisma in his early years<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Later adopted a more psychological, methodical style during \u201cCrow\u201d and TNA eras<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Known for being safe and adaptable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Signature moves:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Scorpion Deathlock<\/strong> (Sharpshooter variant)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Scorpion Death Drop<\/strong> (inverted DDT)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stinger Splash<\/strong> (corner splash)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Military press slam (early career)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Character Traits:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Crow Sting<\/strong>: Silent guardian, mysterious presence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Surfer Sting<\/strong>: Energetic, enthusiastic, pure babyface<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Joker Sting<\/strong>: Unhinged, psychologically complex wild card<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sting excelled at adapting to the times while maintaining his moral center and fan connection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Championship Summary (Major Titles):<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>6\u00d7 WCW World Heavyweight Champion<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1\u00d7 NWA World Heavyweight Champion<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>4\u00d7 TNA World Heavyweight Champion<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2\u00d7 WCW United States Champion<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>3\u00d7 WCW Tag Team Champion<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1\u00d7 NWA Tag Team Champion (TNA)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1\u00d7 TNA World Tag Team Champion<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Awards and Honors:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>WWE Hall of Fame (2016)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>TNA Hall of Fame (2012)<\/strong> \u2013 First inductee<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Match of the Year (1991, 1992)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year (1991, 1992, 1994)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>WCW\u2019s Franchise Player<\/strong> for nearly two decades<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Legacy:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sting is one of the <strong>few megastars<\/strong> to have <strong>never jumped ship to WWE during the Monday Night Wars<\/strong>, remaining loyal to WCW. He is often praised for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>His <strong>reinvention across eras<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Being a <strong>consistent fan favorite<\/strong> in every promotion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Helping build and elevate multiple companies<\/strong> (WCW, TNA, AEW)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintaining integrity in and out of the ring<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sting is widely regarded as <strong>one of the greatest wrestlers never to win a WWE Championship<\/strong>, though his influence and legend remain undisputed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Personal Life:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Converted to <strong>Christianity<\/strong> in the late 1990s and credits it for helping him overcome substance issues.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Married with children.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Occasionally appears at conventions, fan events, and speaking engagements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Nickname:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;The Icon&#8221;<\/strong><br><strong>&#8220;The Franchise of WCW&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Famous Quote:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe only thing that\u2019s for sure about Sting\u2026 is nothing\u2019s for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Full Name: Steve Borden Ring Name(s): Date of Birth: March 20, 1959 Place of Birth: Omaha, Nebraska, USA Height: 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) Weight: 250 lb (113 kg) Early Life and Background: Steve Borden grew up in Southern California and played basketball and football in high school and junior college. He was not [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":585,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[156],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-583","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wrestlers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/583","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=583"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/583\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":594,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/583\/revisions\/594"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/585"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=583"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}