The Complete History Of The New World Order | Wrestling Timelines
March 16, 1997 - Decision Made
At Uncensored, Sting descends from the rafters to attack Hall, Savage and Nash in the closing scenes of the pay-per-view. He then challenges Hogan to enter the ring. Hogan accepts, and gets his ass kicked too. Sting has aligned with WCW.
July 7, 1997 - A Smart Babyface At Last
In a superb and memorable angle, Randy Savage, who has since defected to the nWo, readies himself for a match against masked luchador La Parka.
Savage doesn’t take it seriously. He taunts the crowd throughout. Scott Hall is supporting his stablemate at ringside, but is so sure of Savage’s win that he ventures up the ramp to intimidate Tony Schiavone at the commentary table.
Randy’s opponent is not La Parka. It’s Diamond Dallas Page in disguise. This is revealed when Page gets his legs up to counter Savage’s elbow drop, and drills him with the Diamond Cutter. In a great touch, Hall celebrates with his back to the ring, assuming that Savages has just won an easy tune-up match. DDP unmasks and high-fives members of the crowd - who are so thrilled with the development that they momentarily forget they are clad in nWo merch.
1997 is DDP’s breakthrough year. The fans gravitate towards him because he embodies several admirable babyface traits. He’s clever, with an ability to fool the heels into taking his Diamond Cutter finish from exciting, unpredictable set-ups. He’s a grafter, having broken into the business as a wrestler very late. He’s got a great taunt and catchphrase. He can flat-out go, which is a prized attribute to fans that still value great in-ring work.
Even he can’t really get it done against the nWo; while he is cheated, he loses the well-received programme to Randy Savage in the end, and is beaten down by the group in a disqualification “win” over Hulk Hogan on the October 27 Nitro. He’s a rare WCW success story, in that he is cheered throughout his battles with the Order and enjoys a well-received stint with the United States title, which he wins at Starrcade. It’s a net positive, when you consider that he isn’t meant to be the guy who takes down the nWo once and for all. That’s Sting’s role.
Sting will save WCW.
Surely…