Sting and WWE: Decision Needs To Be Made In 2 Weeks

[The Ultimate Nullifier]

There are reports that negotiations are ongoing between Sting and WWE.

Word is that a decision must be made within the next 2 weeks on whether or not Sting is going to join the company.

Several factors are being worked out right now including scheduling and what Sting is and isn't willing to do creatively.

This does not mean Sting is definitely coming to WWE and he could very well work another year with TNA but the impression has been given that Sting realizes if he's going to have a run with WWE, this is the time.

The impression was also given, within WWE, that there will not be a match against The Undertaker, at least at this year's WrestleMania event.

However, the idea of Sting debuting at WrestleMania XXX with some kind of cameo or vignette has been discussed.

There's also a feeling that Sting is the face of WCW and with WWE promoting a lot of WCW content on the Network, he could be an asset there.

Sting is considered a fresh, unique face when they are used to using people like Ric Flair and Diamond Dallas Page to promote their WCW projects.

While it was believed on Monday that no deal had been signed yet, RF Video's Rob Feinstein noted on Facebook this morning that he heard Sting signed a deal with WWE in the last 24 hours, for what it's worth.

[The Ultimate Nullifier]

WWE has indeed entered negotiations with former NWA, WCW and TNA champion Sting, the rare legitimate international star that never, ever worked for WWE over the course of his career.
We are told by a source close to Sting that discussions just opened up and that within the next several weeks, one way or another, they will be completed.

WWE has come close to signing Sting at several different points following the demise of World Championship Wrestling in March 2001. Sting has noted in past interviews with us that a big reason he didn't sign back then was concern over the WWE product at the time, since it was far racier than he was personally comfortable with as a Christian. Obviously, that would no longer be a factor.

The belief of those we've spoken to is that if the two sides come to terms, he would not be rushed into a Wrestlemania match this year, but that was not 100%.

With the advent of the WWE Network, Sting would be a great signing if for no other reason then to be the WCW representation in the company. He was the last true blue WCW star and was never considered a "WWE" guy, so who better to use to promote to lapsed WCW fans that they can now watch older PPVs and other WCW-related material?

Sting has also noted in past interviews that he would not be adverse to being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, despite his career being WCW-centric. Obviously, WWE would love to market and monetize Sting merchandise, DVDs, etc. if a deal is made. They have had interest in the past in releasing Sting DVDs and held off only because he was appearing on national TV for TNA and they didn't want there to be confusion in the marketplace.

[The Ultimate Nullifier]

WWE has been working on concepts for Sting t-shirts pushing the theme of calling him "A Man Called Sting" since WCW trademarked the phrase and WWE owns the intellectual property rights to it. A memo came in to WWE's merchandise department last week to start working on the ideas for Sting.
Regarding Sting signing a deal, as of Monday the word is that he has not signed but is very close. Another source noted that internally, the idea of Sting coming in has not been talked about as a high priority issue compared to deals to get names like Hulk Hogan, Brock Lesnar, Batista or The Rock.

[The Ultimate Nullifier]

We've noted from multiple sources that WWE officials do not see signing Sting as a priority. While this is true, they do want him as a part of the company as they realize that Sting is sort of the last piece to WWE's WCW puzzle. They also realize that there is lots of money to be made with Sting through t-shirts, action figures and other merchandise.

The latest word is that Sting may pop up at WrestleMania XXX, but not wrestle, and then wrestle 1 or 2 matches before being used as a special attraction. With WrestleMania 31 being held in California next year and Sting being a California guy, there's potential for him to be a cornerstone for next year's Hall of Fame class.