Sting's TOP Controversial Moments: Hulk Hogan, Triple H, and More

Steve Borden, better known by his ring name, Sting, is one of the most esteemed figures in the wrestling world. The wrestler made his WWE debut in 2014 and retired after a short period of time after getting injured by his opponent in the ring. While appreciably his legacy is celebrated, a few instances and decisions have ignited controversies and debates among fans and critics.
Here are some instances from the wrestler’s career that ignited controversies in his career.
The Starrcade 1997 main event between Sting and Hollywood Hulk Hogan was for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. This match was highly anticipated since it stood as the climax of a year-long buildup. After a year of silence from Sting, the fans were highly intrigued to watch the WCW’s ultimate hero take over nWo’s hold on WCW.
Considering the massive attention the event got, the match was poorly executed and less action-packed, which disappointed the fans. With Hogan being majorly dominant throughout the match, Sting’s identity was overshadowed to come off as an underdog despite the year-long buildup of the wrestler as an unstoppable force.

At the end of the match, Hogan managed to pin down Sting inside the ring, and the referee, Nick Patrick, supposedly delivered a fast count. The fast count was assumed to justify the interference by Bret Hart, who restarted the match as a guest referee. Sting went on to defeat Hogan and win the title; however, his title was taken from him just a day after the match.
The match was widely criticized for its clumsy execution and characterless payoff. This match is often marked as a turning point in WCW’s decline.
Sting’s highly anticipated debut in WWE led to a high-profile match against Triple H at Wrestlemania 31. The match featured appearances from DX and the nWo turning it into a display of remorse.

Fans saw Sting’s defeat as the end of WCW’s legacy, as the match conveyed Triple H as superior. Many critics argued that Sting deserved a victory as a debuting legend. The decision left a bitter taste amongst the fans, and as a result, Sting’s WWE run felt underwhelming.
During a match against Seth Rollins at Night of Champions 2015, Sting suffered from a fatal neck injury after Rollins performed a powerbomb into the turnbuckles of the old wrestler. This incident ignited questions about the WWE’s safety protocols for aging stars or older wrestlers. Many fans accused WWE of conducting matches between wrestlers of different physical strengths.

The injury forcefully ended Sting’s in-ring career in WWE, leading to his retirement announcement in 2016 at The Hall of Fame. This match is often identified as a missed opportunity for WCW to display a truly iconic moment.
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Despite the controversies and debates that have surrounded some of his key matches and decisions, Sting's legacy as a pioneer and icon in the wrestling world remains untarnished.