101 Shocking Wrestling Plans You Won't Believe Almost Happened

7. Sting Debuting To Take Down ‘Stone Cold’

The Stinger has long said he nearly worked for WWE numerous times before finally signing a contract in 2014. Many expected him to make the jump in 2001 when WCW bit the dust, but Sting sat on a fat AOL/Time Warner contract before working some independents and joining TNA in 2003.

Right before that, he'd been locked in negotiations with the McMahons about potentially appearing at WrestleMania XIX and warring with Steve Austin. Remarkably, this was all news to 'Stone Cold'. As far as he knew, it was always the plan to book a third bout with The Rock (which would prove to be Steve's retirement match, at least until 2022). He didn't have a clue that Sting was even in talks about coming to WWE.

The WCW icon knew he'd be leaving a lot of money on the table by going elsewhere, but he couldn't see eye to eye with Vince during those crunch meetings. Potential matches vs. Austin, Rock, Triple H, The Undertaker and more would have to wait. Or, in the case of matches against everyone listed there except Hunter, never happen.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle to overcome creatively would've been Austin's impending retirement. His health issues the night before 'Mania XIX made it even more impressive that he was able to wrestle at all. Would a match between blown up 'Rattlesnake' and rusty Stinger have worked well on the grand stage? 

We'll never know.

Sting signed on for some dates with TNA, then joined the promotion full time until 2014's distinctly nWo-lite narrative vs. The Authority.