10 Dumbest Things WCW Did To Sting

1. Starrcade 1997

Here we are. The mother of all dumb things WCW did to Sting. After an entire year of stalking the New World Order, Sting and Hollywood Hogan were set to meet at WCW€™s biggest show of the year, Starrcade. The match was built around two things: Sting finally getting a crack at Hogan and Bret €œThe Hitman€ Hart, fresh off the Montreal Screwjob, being a ringside enforcer/referee.

This had all the makings of an all-time classic. It almost couldn't€™t miss. Then it missed. It missed so hard. After not having wrestled in front of a major crowd in a year, The Stinger was gassed early on in the contest. Hulk Hogan probably could have lapped him in a race around the ring if he wanted to. After Sting got in his initial shine, it was all Hogan.

Late in the contest, Hogan managed to hit the big boot and the Atomic Leg Drop. What was SUPPOSED to happen was referee Nick Patrick would administer a fast count in Hogan€™s favor, helping him retain the title. Then Bret Hart would prevent the timekeeper from ringing the bell, take out the crooked Nick Patrick, restart the match, declare Sting the winner after he slapped on the Scorpion Deathlock, and part in the ring with the WCW roster with Sting on their shoulders.

All of that happened except for the ABSOLUTE MOST IMPORTANT PART! Nick Patrick, being the worst official in wrestling history, counted at a normal pace! Hogan beat Sting fair and square in the middle of the ring! The referee screwed up the finish of what should have been the biggest match in WCW history, making Sting look like a complete chump. The confusion as it all plays out is almost hard to watch.

Nice going, WCW. Nice going.