10 Times The Competition Totally Embarrassed WWE
4. The Presentation Of Sting
Circling back to the contrast in how WWE presents a performer versus AEW's vision - an exercise worthy of a list in itself - Sting is the most striking example.
In AEW, Tony Schiavone erupted in nostalgic euphoria and roared "It's Stiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!"
In WWE, Triple H was gotten-to and roared "F*ck Stiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!
WWE wanted Sting, in what was more entrapment than promotion, to remind everybody that WCW was f*cking sh*t and that they lost. The losers. Sting was a loser. And he lost at WrestleMania 31. Just like WCW lost the Monday Night Wars! JBL said, nearly tearing his c*ck off in delight before remembering that it was a perfectly serviceable hazing instrument.
WWE did not really like nor even respect Sting as an ageless mythical legend. AEW promotes him as one.
The presentation is not perfect. AEW is limited in what they can do with a man who can only take a limited number of bumps, but because he's f*cking Sting, he's there a lot and sometimes engages in pointless, repetitive brawls.
But the presentation is faithful and stunningly effective at it best.
The sight of Sting in full reckoning mode, coming back from a terrifying bump to bring an end to Team Taz tyranny, was as brilliantly timeless as the Icon's appeal.