10 Things WCW Ripped Off

Sting's withdrawal from the ring, transformation into a vengeful gothic gargoyle, and return to face the threat of the New World Order was one of the most impressive pieces of booking WCW ever pulled off, a slow-burning story of resentment, redemption and revenge that lasted eighteen months and created enough anticipation to make Starrcade 1997 the biggest moneymaker WCW ever staged.

In the midst of all this it is easy to forget just how completely Sting's look and brooding character were ripped off from The Crow. The 1994 movie, which saw the tragic death of its star Brandon Lee, featured a lead character almost identical to how Sting would later appear, down to the pattern of the makeup and black trenchcoat. It was so blatant it seems to have come out the other side and become cool again.

The Crow's tale of betrayal would be echoed in other ways, too. The story of Sting's transformation and return would eventually be completely negated by the botched (possibly deliberately) ending of his Starrcade match with Hulk Hogan, but that is another story entirely.