100 Best Wrestling Moves EVER
59. Sting | Stinger Splash
Nobody accompanies the hurtling speed of a Stinger Splash with the giddy, childlike delight of Tony Schiavone. Marking out for all things Stings is kinda his thing, and it has been since AEW realised NWA/WCW nostalgia was a cute addition to programming. In fairness, the Stinger Splash has always been one of pro wrestling's best (and most simple) moves.
It takes minimal effort from both parties, is easy to sell, and it always gets a reaction from crowds. What's not to love? Seeing the face painted icon back up into an opposite corner then wing his way towards a rival is great. Here's the thing: Countless wrestlers throughout history have performed corner splashes or other such moves, but none elicit the same sort of fun from it as Sting. Perhaps nobody ever will.
The corner splash is his move. Godfather's running chest bump variation, be damned!
WCW didn't get everything right, especially nearer the end of the promotion's run, but they did understand the need for corner cams looking over the shoulder of victims. That way, viewers back home would get the full experience. Sting screeched across the mat like he was trying to break some sprinting records, then he'd leap into the air around three quarters of the way. Finally, he'd smack into his rivals like they owed him money. It's still so satisfying to relive some of the best Stinger Splashes in matches against Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, DDP, The Young Bucks and more.
Again, the sweetest thing about Sting's corner crunch is that it probably felt like a cuddle. However, on screen, it looked for all the world like he'd just wrecked his opponents and set them up beautifully for a Stinger Death Drop or Scorpion Death Lock.