Sting to be Inducted Into the 2016 WWE Hall of Fame

It was announced by WWE.com earlier today that Sting would be the first member of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2016. I have to say the honor is well deserved and well earned. Up until November 2014 Sting had never been in a WWE ring. His loyalties during the Monday Night Wars always remained with WCW. Even after WCW shut down he went on to wrestling TNA Impact Wrestling where he had some really good years. I am pumped to see the icon and legend now become a Hall of Famer.

Sting entered the pro wrestling business as one half of the Blade Runners where his tag team partner went on to be known as the Ultimate Warrior. Sting was built like a rock and had the charisma to go all the way. All it took was for someone to notice him, teach him and turn him into something special. It was at the first Clash of the Champion in 1988 where Sting went to a time limit draw with Ric Flair. From then on Sting was a made man and eventually became the legend he is today.

There are so many great memorials I have of Sting growing up as kid and into adulthood. Here are the five moments for me that stick out as someone who grew up on Sting.

-The final WCW Nitro was very emotional for someone like me who followed both companies and enjoyed the competition. The last match on WCW Nitro was Sting versus Flair. They were one of the first matches on the first Nitro so it was fitting that the two faces of WCW closed out the company.

-WCW didn’t have many bright spots in the late 90’s but the buildup to Starrcade 97 was one of the best stories ever in the history of the wrestling business. Sting went from September 96 to December 97 without ever wrestling a match but you would have never known. The reign of terror he unleashed on the n.W.o. was some of the best moments WCW ever had.

-Sting versus Triple H at Wrestlemania 31 was a fans dream and had the nostalgia of the n.W.o. and DX incorporated into the match was spectacular.Sting still proved he could hang and have a great match with a great opponent. Even though he lost Sting looked great in doing so. Even though he was injured five months later I don’t think you’ve seen the last of Sting in a ring.

-Even though it wasn’t a wrestling moment it was so awesome to see Sting and Shawn Michaels on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Both Sting and HBK are born again Christians. I believe it was the first time they were seen on TV together. As a Christian myself it was great to see both men who I looked up to share their faith and love for Jesus Christ.

-Sting’s first title win at the Great American Bash in 1990 was very significantn because prior to that it was the era of Ric Flair. Flair made Sting a made man once again but this time passed the torch for Sting to be the man. Until Hulk Hogan’s arrival in 1994 it was Sting and Flair’s company but Flair knew that Sting’s popularity was huge. Sting would go on to be a 7 time WCW World Champion, 2 time United States Champion and 3 time Tag Team Champion. In TNA, he was a 5 time World Champion and held the Tag Team Championship on one occasion.

There are just some of the moments that Sting had. I am sure many fans out there have a lot more memories of him. This announcement made Wrestlemania 32 weekend a must see event because of his impact on the industry. Whether if he was the surfer from Venice Beach or the Crow who showed no fear Sting is one of the all time greats. His induction legitimizes the WWE Hall of Fame even further then it already was because he’s very deserving it.

Congratulations to Sting on becoming the newest WWE Hall of Famer. Thank you for the memories, the inspiration and being a humble role model to look up to. God Bless You Steve Borden.