Jan 7, 2025 · As Sting stepped off the edge of the platform, suspended 140 feet above 17,000 fans, he quickly realized something was very wrong. Sting rappels from the rafters for the very first time on WCW Monday Nitro at Chicago’s United Center on January 20th, 1997. Photo Credit: WWE. Sting during his vibrant surfer phase in WCW. Photo Credit: WWE.

Nitro - (Jan 20 1997) An iconic moment that would define Sting's career.

Oct 25, 2022 · WCW benefited from having deep pockets and a deep talent pool to be able to justify keeping a marquee star like Sting out of the ring as long as they did. Talents like Randy Savage, Lex Luger, Roddy Piper, and The Giant kept Hogan occupied with credible challengers for the intervening stretch.

Sep 7, 2023 · Sting's transformation into the Crow character became a defining moment in WCW, with his silent and serious demeanor captivating audiences. Sting's iconic rappelling entrance from the rafters, inspired by Batman, became a jaw-dropping spectacle, but the first time he did it almost ended in disaster.

Mar 22, 2025 · Speaking in a 2004 shoot interview, Sting recalled his first descent from the rafters on the 20 January 1997 episode of Nitro, admitting he had no formal training for the zip-wire stunt. Instead, he practised just hours before the event at Chicago’s United Center.

Jul 4, 2020 · But as it turns out, his years in TNA and WWE almost never happened as Sting nearly didn’t make it out of WCW. The 13-time world champion once revealed that he nearly suffered the same fate as the legendary Owen Hart during one of the rappelling stunts that became synonymous with his character.

A silent, almost ghostly Sting, carrying a baseball bat as a weapon, began appearing in the rafters at WCW events and began painting his entire face with black and white corpse paint. In retaliation, nWo Sting, who was still imitating Borden, began painting his face this way as well.

Nitro - (May 26 1997) Sting gets the drop on the NWO again. For the 1st time he ascends to the rafters.

Nov 14, 2023 · Sting repels from rafters for the first time on WCW Monday Nitro in Chicago’s United Center, January 20, 1997. [Photo: Captured from the WWE Network] When Sting found stable ground, he immediately pointed his bat at Savage and marched towards the ring.

This was the beginning of 1998. Luger V Scott Hall, Savage comes in, Sting attacks savage from the ceiling and the fued with Savage kicks off with the rest o...