I was so certain it was Kane hiding behind the curtain.
After all, the mysterious way in which the box adorned the ring struck me as being far too cliché for a simple trophy-reveal. Seth Rollins’ promo leading up to the presentation had been arguably his best to date, and I found myself – probably for the first time ever – disappointed when his talking was over.
As the drum roll commenced, I laid back on my bed gleefully expecting the return of a masked, more ferocious and traditional Kane, and the inevitable beat down of our newly-crowned undisputed Heavyweight and United States Champion. Except something was wrong; it wasn’t Kane standing atop the podium…it was something much, much better indeed.
As soon as the surprise and novelty wore off – as you can imagine, I tend not to expose myself to poisonous rumours and spoilers – my expression of astonishment quickly transitioned into one of resigned satisfaction. Not in 2015 have I been happier to be wrong.
Sting has a way of inciting excitement and joy in crowds unlike so many performers past or present. It is no doubt the catalyst behind both his longevity and his success. And though I’m not quite sure what it is about him, I’m more than happy to sit back and be entertained by it. His presence in WWE arenas is so enigmatic and enthralling that it’s hard to believe it took Vince McMahon fifteen years to bring him in.
Perhaps it’s my youthful ignorance or my lack of attention paid to the wilderness of the WWE Network, but as relative unknown to both me and my generation, Sting represents freshness to Monday night programming. I was, of course, merely a toddler during the collapse of World Championship Wrestling.
A program, therefore, between a veteran like Sting and genius like Seth Rollins seems to me to be an excellent foundation for an entertaining autumn of wrestling. The upcoming feud will appeal to multiple demographics, provide a 56-year old wrestling legend with an opportunity to have yet another great match, and will entice the casual, mainstream audience to watch out of its sheer originality. Wrestling fans simply haven’t seen a match, or feud, like this before, and as I’ve always said: new in wrestling is a good thing.
A Night of Champions main event between Rollins and Sting will also, rather more crucially, create history. Sting will compete in his first ever WWE Heavyweight Championship match at the showdown, and if victorious, could prove to be one of WWE’s most pleasing and dynamic curveballs in years.
As defender of the richest prize in professional wrestling, Seth Rollins has upped his own game tremendously this year. Engaging in bouts with the likes of Brock Lesnar, John Cena and Randy Orton has battle-hardened and cultured his character. Whilst his wrestling ability has never truly been called into question, his status as credible main event champion has, and with every passing pay-per-view his critics become ever the more silent.
The ease with which Rollins seems to excel, particularly in high-pressure situations, is becoming more and more apparent. His victory over John Cena at SummerSlam a couple of weeks ago, coupled with a dynamic new rivalry with Sting, is clear evidence of company belief being enshrined within him. Officials obviously have value entrusted within Seth Rollins, and for good reason.
For those adamant that a Sting-Rollins encounter was not the way to go for Night of Champions, I’d recommend you give it its due. Seth has proven – with bouts against the likes of Daniel Bryan, Kane and Brock Lesnar – that he can tell a great story with a wide range of opponents. Sting’s vast experience, too, should prove invaluable for this feud to take off with immediate and rewarding effect.
There is absolutely no reason why an angle infused between two vastly different, yet supremely talented individuals can’t prove to be one of the highlights of the year. This match, in many ways, is a clash of the generations. It is perhaps the first world championship contest in years concealing a largely unclear result, and one that is so athletically and historically diverse that a huge spectrum of fans are left eager to witness it.
You see, a victory for the vigilante is absolutely on the cards at this month’s special event. Sting being crowned WWE World Heavyweight Champion will be a booking hallmark for McMahon’s juggernaut. Sting will become the oldest holder of the strap in the company’s history, as well as a 16-time world champion in his own right. (Though whether WWE acknowledge this or not will clearly outline their respect for TNA.)
A win for the Icon would also – and here’s where a wrestling fan’s perspective should come in – present a rather more suitable opponent on which to cash in for Sheamus. With the solidity and validity behind Seth Rollins’ booking over the past year, a climax centred on a simple cash-in seems like a pretty poor and unnecessary end to an enjoyable main event run.
I’m also glad to see that Sting’s involvement with WWE will exceed that of a WrestleMania clash with Triple H. I think Sting has a ton left in the tank to offer younger stars around him, and if matched with the right workers, will still be able to produce high quality wrestling between the ropes.
All of my fingers are crossed for what I sincerely hope will be a thoroughly engrossing month of professional wrestling ahead. When the stars align, WWE have a habit of showing their fans just why they are the number one wrestling promotion on the planet, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the direction they are taking.
Thank god it wasn’t Kane behind that curtain after all.