Sting: Wrestling's Last SuperHero

 

This Saturday at AEW Revolution The Icon Sting will wrestle his final match in his 40 year career. The man who was the franchise of WCW, many fans are celebrating their fondest memories of Sting whether it was during his Surfer era, his Crow era crusade against the nWo. When he joined the nWo wolfpac or any other point in his career, the fact is the man is a legend who fan's truly appreciated.

His coming retirement has raised a point I want to bring up. He is truly professional wrestling's last true superhero when you think about it. Sting came to be during a time when kayfabe was very much alive, wrestling was considered a "serious" sport and it was full of larger than life characters. Over time the larger than life at times cartoonish characters have subsided for more realistic every man characters, but the Stinger still stands tall.

From his facepaint to his trademark howl and his catchphrase "It's Showtime!". There is a reason why fan's were drawn to him, he was charismatic and a damn good wrestler. He was the ultimate do gooder during the early years of his career, always energetic and overcoming all the odds to win. When he took on a more brooding persona to combat the nWo fans clamored to him more. He truly displayed superhero antics, always coming to save the day at the last minute. Had a trusty gadget in his famous baseball bat. Appearing from the shadows of the rafters, catching opponents off guard. Even sending decoys to throw off the nWo on who was the real stinger.

In addition to the nWo and more specifically Hollywood Hogan, he had his own rogues gallery of villains to battle against. He fought against other big bad foes such as Vader, Ric Flair at times with the Four Horsemen by his side. Rick Rude, The Dangerous Alliance, Mick Foley, Great Muta and Vampiro (whether you hate the feud or not).

Sting was triumphant in all of these battles because he persevered and played the hero to perfection. I'm not sure the larger than life superhero role can exist in today's wrestling world. If it doesn't the perfect man is closing the chapter on that era of wrestling. 

The man called Sting.