10 Great Wrestlers Who Started Out With Terrible Gimmicks
5. Sting As Flash
Chances are you know Sting for playing one of two characters: the neon-clad, surfer-like gullible babyface persona that brought his initial success, or his hugely popular “Crow” character from WCW, TNA, and later WWE. Both were instrumental in establishing Sting as one of his era’s greatest babyfaces, and while never the biggest star in the industry, Sting amassed an incredible, Hall of Fame-worthy legacy over his 31-year career.
Sting’s early days saw him team-up with none other than Jim Hellwig, who’d later find tremendous success as the Ultimate Warrior. Wrestling as Flash, Sting and his partner Hellwig comprised half of the ill-fated Power Team USA stable, who were portrayed as a gang of powerful, lumbering hulks. Sting and Hellwig soon broke-off on their own, but crowds were slow to respond to their plodding power-based offence, even after a heel turn.
He became Blade Runner Sting after joining Bill Watts’ UWF in 1986, but things didn’t get much rosier. He and Hellwig (or: Blade Runner Rock) were used as henchmen for Eddie Gilbert and Missy Hyatt, though Flash was able to capturing three UWF Tag Team Championships - twice with Gilbert, once with Rick Steiner.
Sting arrived in the NWA in July 1987, and quickly found his footing. The rest is history.