WCW Wednesday: Part XXI – the Sting Retirement Edition!

In celebration of Sting’s retirement, let’s revisit one of his nine world title victories at Spring Stampede ’94. From my review:

Match 5 for the WCW International World title: “Ravishing” Rick Rude (champion) versus Sting

Highlights:

• Before Rude can finish insulting the crowd, Harley Race interrupted him and stated that Vader requested a match against the winner of this match. Subsequently, he tried to attack Sting, but Sting nailed him instead.
• After Sting clotheslined Rude to the floor, he gave Rude a vertical suplex.
• WCW Commissioner Nick Bockwinkel joined Tony and Bobby at ringside.
• Belly-to-back suplex by Sting.
• In order to break an extended front face lock, Rude crotched Sting on the top rope then clotheslined him to the floor.
• Sting stood up while in a rear chinlock from Rude. While it appeared that Sting would give him the electric chair, Rude turned it into a victory roll for 2. Impressive!
• Sleeper hold by Rude. This match isn’t long enough to justify this move.
• When Sting repeated a move, Heenan covered nicely for him.
• As Sting gave Rude a backdrop, Rude flipped onto his legs rather than his back. OUCH!
• Upon the reversal of a cross-corner whip, Rude was rammed into referee Randy Anderson.
• Sting then gave both the Stinger splash.
• With Anderson OUT COLD, Sting applied the Scorpion death lock. During its application, Sting attempted to wake up Anderson.
• As Race and Vader ran in, both men tried to attack Sting but he was too strong for them.
• When Bockwinkel stood up to admonish Vader for interfering, Race stole his chair.
• Rude then attempted the Rude Awakening while Race tried to hit Sting with the chair. Instead, he hit Rude knocking him senseless.
• After kicking Race out of the ring, Sting made the cover and won the title!
• WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Rating: ***

Summary: Did this match necessitate all this interference? I understand trying to keep Rude strong, but he didn’t need the National Guard protecting him here. Unfortunately, this would be Rude’s last PPV match as he sustained a career-ending neck injury in Japan on 5/4/94.

So where did it lead: While Rude hung up his boots, Sting held the title until Clash of the Champions XXVII when “Nature Boy” Ric Flair defeated him with the help of Sherri.

What do you think of Sting as the Franchise of WCW until Hulk Hogan showed up in July ’94?

Please be sure to check out all of my reflections at rockstargary.com.