By Chad "Deliboy" Damiani-- 8-8-99
For the past few years, I've included an e-mail link with all my reports and articles. Besides allowing people to request pictures, free tickets and Nitro Girl phone numbers (the answers to those questions: No, never and "You'd have better luck selling Andrew Dice Clay dolls at the Lillith Fair"), this method of correspondence has given me a chance to hear the opinions and wants of our audience. Through the years, I have been a conduit for campaigns to reunite the Outsiders, bring back Ric Flair and demote The Disciple to lavatory and concessions work.
Every month it seemed like our fans had mounted a different pulpit, and salivated over a another in-ring grappler -- with one noteworthy exception. The man known as Sting. Since I started my tenure with WCW, there hasn't been a single day where Sting letters haven't constituted the majority of my e-mail. Often, fans write me detailed explanations about why Sting should be the number one contender, World Champion, President of the Company, or Leader of the Free World. Sometimes, the messages are just a simple affirmation, typed in all-caps and without punctuation: Stung 4 Life
While the history books might list Hulkamania as wrestling's greatest fan phenomenon, men like myself -- wrestling professionals buried in the trenches of house shows, hospital appearances and airport mob scenes -- know the truth. We've seen the masses of children and adults wearing both multicolored war paint and eerie ivory masks; we've felt the pressure imposed on steel safety rails when Sting walks down the isle; and we've heard the arenas grow silent with a communal gasp and then burst with shrilling cheers when WCW's Franchise player dropped from the rafters, or mystically bore through the center of the ring.
One could argue that Sting's diehard and unflinching support is directly related to his fighting acumen. When focused, Sting does appear unbeatable. Not only has he taken World Titles from men like Hogan and Flair, he has toppled giants, defeated multiple opponents and almost single-handedly ended the forward thrust of the New World Order. But, while I think Sting's popularity is certainly enhanced by his strength and athleticism, I know the real reason that fans have embraced this charismatic and unique superstar. Sting will never betray you. Let's be honest: Guys like Kevin Nash, Hogan, Randy Savage, Lex Luger, The Nature Boy and Bret Hart have turned more times than a Boston Market rotisserie chicken. They love you, they love you not -- and you are expected to endure their fickleness and self-serving actions.
Ricki Lake would tell you to kick them all to the curb... Sting has always made the fans first, even when the fans -- confused by nWo trickery and a fake Sting -- betrayed him in the fall of 1996. From the first moment Steve Borden felt the support of a National Wrestling Alliance audience, he resigned himself to serve the good people that scrimped every month to buy a ticket, yell his name, mimic his face and proudly hold signs paying homage to The Sting Army. There were times when being the bad guy would have meant title shots and top billing. And there were other times where the money and exposure were much better elsewhere.
Sting never wavered. He's always fought for cheers instead of paychecks. He turned down million dollar deals, made agreements by handshake and gladly worked gymnasiums instead of Dome shows -- never forgetting the barbers, blue collar workers, housewives and teenagers of the Carolinas, the Virginias and other humble spots in the southern territories. So, the next time you send me some of your pro-Sting propaganda, know that your letters are not alone. And your loyalty couldn't be better placed...
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