Jesus Sting, what the hell?

[BDS]

I'd prefer they keep necrophilia, mock crucifixions, and Richard 'n' fart jokes out of wrestling, myself ...

Good for the Stinger, says I. This is pretty close to who he is now by accounts, and maybe we'll get a more inspired Sting on the mic as a result. He's just doing something that hundreds upon hundreds of pro athletes have done over the years.

Edit: haven't != have

[blueraider1]

you would like to see it.

[fti]

TNA has aloud it's wrestlers be who they are, and I for one have been waiting for Sting or AJ Styles to use the Lord in Wrestling. I have no problem with it and props to Sting and TNA, the last two weeks have been very solid and I can't wait to see where the James Gang will end-up when they return.

[thefamoustommyz]

My only problem with it is that he almost sounded like a heel (in tone/voice inflection) when he was thanking his maker.

[PureHatred]

Y'know..i can see the logic behind Sting "playing himself" a little more...and I guess I can overlook the increasingly convoluted torunament (wait..there are now four people left and instead of two singles matches, Abyss getsa bye into the finals?)..and I can even gloss over pushing Lance Hoyt one week and then letting him get squashed by Ron Killings the next (TNA Booking 101: Protect No One)....

but I refuse to believe that there is anyone who is legitimately "excited" by the James Gang storyline. No way. They've been dull as hell since they arrived in TNA, the NAO reunion storyline was dragged out interminably, they were involved in a steel cage arm wrestling match, and the promos about their time in WWE have been laughable. The company would be better off if they actually did leave TNA ..forever.

Being excited about their return is like saying you're "on the edge of your seat" for the Larry Zbysko return. FEEL THE IMPACT!!!!

[PureHatred]

thefamoustommyz said:

My only problem with it is that he almost sounded like a heel (in tone/voice inflection) when he was thanking his maker.

Great point. I mentioned this last week. His promos seem heelish. And turning Sting heel would be a horrible mistake.

[thefamoustommyz]

And it really sounds like they are laying the seeds for that, if last night was any indication...talking about how the World title corrupts, and how Sting will have to resist the "temptations" of the power being champion brings.

[PureHatred]

Great. Sting as a heel. He'll probably go over Abyss then AJ then Joe and right when it seems like no one can save TNA..BAMMO...Jarrett returns to save the company !!!~~~~

Gay.

[swarm]

thefamoustommyz said:

And it really sounds like they are laying the seeds for that, if last night was any indication...talking about how the World title corrupts, and how Sting will have to resist the "temptations" of the power being champion brings.

yeck this just has Russo written all over it...terrible...and exactley what kind of "power" does being TNA champion bring anyways?

[PureHatred]

I mean, can't you see Jarrett convincing Dixie that putting him as some John Cena like uber-face would be the absolute best thing for TNA?

[Chewey]

swarm said:

thefamoustommyz said:

And it really sounds like they are laying the seeds for that, if last night was any indication...talking about how the World title corrupts, and how Sting will have to resist the "temptations" of the power being champion brings.

yeck this just has Russo written all over it...terrible...and exactley what kind of "power" does being TNA champion bring anyways?

Doesn't Vince Russo also profess these days to be a born-again Christian himself?

[PureHatred]

Yes. Interesting that you use the term "profess."

Are you doubting the integrity of Vincent Russo? How dare you??

[tafkaga]

I served as a mod on one of Vince Russo's ministry forums back in the day. Don't ask me how I ended up there because I loathed Russo's work in the past and was never a fan of his. But I ended up hanging out at his forum just out of curiosity, chatting there, and made friends with some of the other mods. When they started looking for new ones, I volunteered and got into it. I think Vince's life legitimately changed. I talked to the guy a couple of times and he seemed like a nice guy, even though I wasn't in complete agreement with him and am far from a fan of his booking past or present. But I've said all that to say that I think from my personal experience with him that he's legit.

Now for the Sting thing, it would be a terrible move for them to turn him heel IMO. They tried that in WCW and it didn't work. I actually hoped he was going to go back to being a little more like he was before the crow gimmick. I'd like to see him drop the ball bat and the black trench coat. No need to pick up the surfer boy blonde hair because that was a little goofy, but I'd like to see the old style face paint and attitude back.

I cringe at the notion of a heel Sting vs. a face Jarrett. I can't imagine that they would REALLY try this, but anything is possible. Jarrett was a face in WCW for a while before he joined the Horsemen I believe. I don't think fans ever bought him as a face any more than they bought Sting as a heel. TBH I don't see TNA ever growing much as long as Jarrett remains involved in the title picture. He's just not main event material and never will be.

[Vidtek]

Jake Roberts tried to do it and failed. Shawn Michaels tried to do it and had a little more success, but eventually returned to Trips (although I hear he has some problems with some of the DX material grating against his faith...). Sting's turn to try his hand at making wrestling and religion mesh on national TV. We'll see how this one goes.
Now I have no problem with people thanking the Lord (or whichever invisible sky-man whos newsletter they subscribe to) when they do well. Heck second to "Mom", He gets thanked more often than anyone I know.

Oh and...

swarm said:

...and exactley what kind of "power" does being TNA champion bring anyways?

Maybe the NWA belts are made out of Essence or something?
Big Time

[roofus]

bigdaddyswank said:

Good for the Stinger, says I. This is pretty close to who he is now by accounts, and maybe we'll get a more inspired Sting on the mic as a result. He's just doing something that hundreds upon hundreds of pro athletes have done over the years.

Seconded.

Sting's new angle is more in line with who he is in true life. It sure beats the silly "crotch-shots", masterbation segments, Strip Poker shows, wrestler crucifixions, "Kiss my A** Club", racial stereotyping, "rectal surgery", & other stupid gimmicks that has dragged pro wrestling into the proverbial gutter, in the name of "entertainment."

So Sting is being allowed to "be himself." It sure beats forcing him to be someone that he is not. And I have appreciated the fact that Christianity is not be lampooned for a change.

Personally, I like where Sting is headed. Let's watch what transpires.

[Shon Maxx]

Sting needs to be careful here, because the fans could turn on him in a heartbeat. We live in an age where everyone wants religious freedom. That's great, but then people flip out if any mention is made of a higher power, as if simply stating the name, "Jesus" infringes on their freedom or worse 'corrupts' them. A coworker an I had a similar conversation. For once, I agree with her that you can talk about politics, homosexuality, or the weather all you want. But as soon as someone mentions his/her 'Higher Power,' all hell breaks loose.

I'm not saying a wrestler can't thank his higher power for giving him the strength to beat his opponent to a bloody pulp (boxers do it all the time...and yes I borrowed this from Foley's book). But if he goes too far, Sting could lose his fanbase in a heartbeat.

Of course, as PureHatred said, that could be their plan all along..

Take care,

Jay

[roofus]

I follow ya, Jay. I just believe that wrestling is more than the filth & fluff that it has evolved into.Wrestling very often mirrors the stark, ugly realities of life. I applaud TNA for giving Sting the opportunity to share the healing that he has found. Unfortunately, that might offend some. But that too, is part of the reality of life. What about fans like me who have been offended by much of the garbage being paraded across the mats that has nothing to do with wrestling?

I only hope that TNA is not going to use Sting's faith in order to create a heel out of him.

[BDS]

roofus said:

I only hope that TNA is not going to use Sting's faith in order to create a heel out of him.

Seconded.

[canadianpittbull]

I like what they are doing so far and if done right this could take Sting down a whole new path and chapter in his career before he hangs up the boots. The fact that the Title is actually playing a role and not just a prop is great. The NWA title holds more weight than the WWE title does at this point. At one time the WWE/F title did hold weight and was something to be proud of.

Now it is just a Sports Entertainment prop that means nothing except waist jewelry. But I am sure there will be backs getting bent out of shape over this comment.....

[thedragonreborn]

canadianpittbull said:

Now it is just a Sports Entertainment prop that means nothing except waist jewelry. But I am sure there will be backs getting bent out of shape over this comment.....

I think you meant shoulder jewelry as no one actually wears it on their waist anymore. ;D

Anyways, IMO religion should be eradicated from the face of the Earth. (like in the newest South Park) So I ain't a big fan of this new Sting.

Rahl