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Spike TV and TNA held a conference call this afternoon with Sting to promote TNA Impact and the 1/15 Final Resolution PPV in Orlando, Florida. Highlights of the call saw:
TNAs Andy Barton noted the PPV was taking place this weekend and noted the ratings for this past Saturdays Impact. He then introduced Sting.
When asked about his religious views impacting his storylines, Sting said they absolutely do. He said that he has fans of all ages and doesnt want to do anything that jeopardizes his integrity.
Sting was asked why he would return to wrestling now and why to TNA. Sting said that time will tell if he has anything in the tank. He said that it was now or never and the way he left wrestling wasnt the way he wanted to leave. He said that every year that goes by, this is it, and if he doesnt do something now, itll be too late. He said it creates a full circle because Jerry Jarrett hired him when he first started out and placed him with Bill Watts when they finished them up. He said he wanted to give back and say goodbye to wrestling the right way. He said that he and WCW were second class citizens before Monday Nitro was launched and he knows what its like to build a company, and he wants to help TNA. He said that Dixie Carter has been very good to him and the schedule is good. Had he wanted to go to WWE, the schedule would have been more of a commitment then he would have wanted to make. Sting said that he feels he has a brand on his persona, and thats Turner, which is different from what WWE has. He says that he feels like hes almost coming back home because TNA is similar to WWE.
When asked about how WCW is portrayed by the wrestling business today with books like Death of WCW and if its a fair assessment. Sting said that history is done and it makes no sense to go back and rehash in 2006.
When asked about his motivating factors to get back in the business, Sting joked that hes been busy. He said that he received a phone call from Jerry and Jeff Jarrett and Dixie Carter. He said his initial reaction was No and that he didnt want to go back to TNA, or anywhere. He said that he declined but thought about it. He said that he never had a chance to truly retire and go out in a better light. He said that Jerry gave him his break and he wants to give back.
When asked about discussions with WWE, he said that they had discussions just before he signed with TNA. He said they called him and they had conversations, but he decided to go to TNA.
When asked about TNAs alternative product and how he fits in there, Sting said he wants to find a way to plug himself in and find his niche. He says that there are guys who do things that hes never seen before and also guys who do his style and tell stories the way Sting and his breed of wrestlers did. When asked who he would like to work with, Sting said that hes always had good matches with big guys, noting Vader and The Giant. He says that he loves Abyss work and would like to do something with him as he can see the chemistry there.
When asked about how often hell be appearing, Sting said that TNA isnt a part-time thing that he signed up for. He said that its not a lot of travel and work time but hell be very involved. He said he doesnt know hell be appearing on every show or PPV but hell be involved.
When asked about bringing guys up to a new level, Sting said that is one of the things he wants to do to give back. He says that there are some out there that think he wants to come in and push everyone else aside, but thats not his intentions. He said he wants to help everyone else. He said that he remembered when Hulk Hogan came to WCW in 1994, he was often asked if he was upset he was pushed aside. He said he wasnt because it took the pressure off of him personally and that it would help the overall company. Hes hoping that he can do the same for TNA.
When asked about his look when he returns to the ring, Sting said itll be a similar look except he has shorter hair. He said that he didnt think he looked like Sting when he painted up at TV, but it doesnt take hair to make a wrestler.
When asked what TNA needs to do to become a better competitor to WWE, Sting said that they need a better timeslot. He said that hes going to pitch it to Spike TV with everything in him and everyone wants that. He said that if TNA can get head to head with WWE on Monday Nights, they would be a longshot, but because there are so many innovative talents, it would be like the old days where fans jump back and forth. He said if there are some brand name people we can add to the mix, like when Lex Luger jumped the first episode of Nitro, that would help create a buzz. If things like that happen, which he thinks can happen, who knows?
When asked about his PPV match, Sting said that hes going to go into the ring and hoping the match takes off really quick. He said that hes been working out and getting into shape but you have to be in the ring and get your hands dirty before you can tell how things will go. He said that Christian Cage is a really talented guy.
When asked about having a tag match his first match back, Sting said it will be a help as it wont be go go go the entire time the way it is with a singles match. He said that as 2006 goes by, he believes that hes going to get stronger and better. He said that it may take a few times in the ring to shake off his ring rust but hes looking forward to it. He said that hes not involved in any movie projects but is doing an acting workshop in Los Angeles.
When asked if hed be doing any religious shows, Sting said If Ted DiBiase, Vince Russo, or Shawn Michaels did something he would ask TNA about getting involved but didnt see it as somewhere he would be wrestling anytime soon.
He was asked if he was interested in continuing after a year. Sting said that there is potential and it all depends on how body holds out. He said he doesnt want to be the old dinosaur in the corner, but wants to be the guy that can deliver the goods. He said that if hes feeling good at the end of the year, well see what happened.
Sting was asked if you can be an upstanding religious man and enjoy wrestling. He said that you can be if you are grounded. He said that he heard about the sexual antics that happened this past Monday and said that if you are watching it every week, you have to ask how its benefiting you. He said that if you have to turn it off except when you are watching some good storylines and athletes, thats what you need to do.
When asked about the surfer Sting look, he joked that he doesnt have the hair for the look anymore.
A caller brought up Samoa Joe. Sting said that hes just started to see his work over the last month and said, Oh man, he can go. He praised Joe and said hed love to work with him.
When asked about the Ultimate Warrior DVD that WWE release, Sting said that he was interviewed for a documentary that Warrior is putting together. He said that Warrior had a list of guys who he wanted to interview for it, including Vince McMahon and out of that led to a disagreement and out came the WWEs DVD. He said that in todays world, where video outtakes are kept for prosperity, its easy to design a production where people are made to look bad.
When asked about working with bigger guys in the ring, he said he would rather work stiff then have it look like they arent working well in the ring.
When asked about his recent WWE discussions, Sting said his negotiations were personal. He said that in 2006 they were going to be working outside the United States more then they ever had before and the schedule meant 12-15 days a month not including travel. He said that there would be some months that would be too much of a grind and he doesnt want to leave his family like that again.
When asked about his familys reaction to his return, Sting said his teenage sons are excited about it. He said that theyve been on the road and traveled with him, and they are looking forward to going to Universal Studios. He said his daughter is only 5 and doesnt really understand what is happening yet. He said his wife didnt want to see him go back into it, but the way things fell into place, they know its the way to go.
Sting was asked what his goals are now, and if the booking committee is a possibility. Sting said he just wants to give back in whatever way it makes sense over the next year. He said he doesnt want the World title or the booking committee, but if it makes sense for him to be champion, hed accept it. He said he wants TNA to become an alternative product but doesnt want the pressure of writing a whole company. He said in WCW, he gave suggestions for a lot of people and wants to operate here in a similar fashion.
When a caller commented it was mind boggling that WWE never brought him in, Sting said he made his choice and decision and is focused on TNA. He said hes a TNA wrestler and hes looking forward to this challenge.
When asked about getting a chance to say goodbye to wrestling fans the way he would like to, what would be his best way to do so. He said that hed like to have that last match in the ring and have his boots in the middle of the ring. He said that he hasnt thought about it but he wants it to be something other then what happened, where he disappeared with WCW. He said that he doesnt know when or how itll happen, but if its part of a shooting storyline, that would be pretty cool.
When asked he would like to get back in the ring with again, Sting said that in a perfect world hed like to work with a Steve Austin or a Rock. He said that hed like to work with AJ Styles, Abyss, and Samoa Joe and as time goes on, there will be others.
When asked if the Spike TV slot a major factor in signing with TNA, Sting said it was. He said that Jeff Jarrett called him and said that they landed Spike, so are you willing to talk, and Sting was. He said that he hopes TNA can fill the void thats out there.
When asked about the backstage atmosphere, Sting said everyone was friendly, although he didnt know everyone personally. He said that everyone was cool, from the wrestlers to the behind the scenes personnel and felt like home. He said that you cant make a comparison with WCW, as they had a good thing that let slip through their fingers.
When asked about facing Ric Flair on the last Monday Nitro, he said it was an emotional night because he knew it was the end. He said he was having flashbacks to the Clash of the Champions and the Great American Bashes. He said that the chemistry was great and he loved working with Ric Flair more then anyone, and he was going out with the guy who put him on the map. He said it was emotional and a tough night.
When asked who hed like to see come to TNA, Sting said hed like to see The Rock come in, but then stopped and said he didnt want to say any more names for obvious reasons.
When asked what makes TNA a good choice for him, he said its not perfect but its a cleaner show as compared to what else is out there. He said the wrestling is second to none and truly is nonstop action. He said there are a lot of people who are looking for avenues to get their names out there and TNA is a great start. He thinks its going to be a great year.
When asked about his first reactions to the X-Division, he said that he thought he had seen it all in the WCW Cruiserweight division. His first reaction was that the business had passed him by and that he didnt know if he could bring anything back to the business. He said that he hopes to tell stories the way he has in the past.
When asked about coming into TNA as someone who was a marquee player for WCW, he said it is a huge challenge. He said that there are fans and wrestlers who dont want him in TNA and he knows that he a lot on his plate. He said his age is a factor and he has a lot that he has to deal with. He said that there is a lot ahead, but hes been part of a company that been there once before, so he hopes to add some tenacity to the fight through thin and tough times. He said that he believes TNA will be successful soon.
When asked about how he didnt like the way WCW ended, Sting said he was a fierce competitor with WWF. He said they were fighting to be the number one company for a long time, so to see it happen and then lose it to the person they were fighting with was hard. He said that he was the only guy who never went to the WWE and was the poster child. He said that he was there when WCW had a tiny little booth at the NATPE conventions in the corner while there were huge WWF setups with a ring.
When asked if Vince McMahon is a good or bad guy, he said that he has never worked for him and we all hear the stories. He said that on the phone, Vince has always been a gentleman on the phone.
When asked if there would be a second boom if TNA got a Monday night timeslot, Sting said there would be. He said there are fans who tuned out after WCW died and they would come back if there was something new with old faces and great wrestling. He said Monday Night is the only night that he has on his mind but he doesnt know where everyones head is in regard to the timeslot.
When asked about his character over the next year, Sting said that he has to call Jeff Jarrett after the conference call to discuss things. The caller joked about a crazy heel turn. He said that if the crowd boos him out of the building, it might be a good time to do that. He said he has no idea what to expect.
When asked which Sting look was his favorite, he said its so easy to say the Crow look because it was so successful and the blonde Sting seems outdated in 2006.
When asked about the influence of religion in his life now, Sting said that he believes God led him to TNA. He said Shawn Michaels led prayers for the locker room when Eddie Guerrero had passed away at Vince McMahons requests. He said that on TV, Michaels praised Jesus Christ. He said that people are going to say hes judging when he says this but Christ went and stayed with those who were sinners. He said that Shawn Michaels leads the light where he is. He said that Michaels stands for what he believes in, and Sting feels he is the same way.
When asked what his legacy would be in the business, he said that he wants to be remembered as someone who found the Lord and straightened his life out, and still entertained people with integrity. He said that he wants to be someone who wasnt harmful or hurtful and didnt go for the cheap pop. He said hed like to be remembered as someone who gave back to wrestling because it gave to him.
When asked how much he still watches the business, Sting said he went through seasons where he watched. He said that he often used to wonder how and where he could plug himself back in the business. He said that he does see some of himself in todays talent and its an honor when some guys tell him they were inspired to become wrestlers because they watched him. He said its cool and flattering but also humbling. Sting said that he wants to see everyone get raised up to a new level.
When asked who his last opponent would be in a perfect world, he said that he told Abyss that hed love to go out doing a storyline with him. He said that he loves working with big guys because he can do a lot with them. He said that hed love to wrestle The Rock.
When asked what he missed and didnt miss about the business, Sting said he misses being in the ring when a storyline was hot and the fans loved it. He said that he loved working in the Baltimore Arena and anywhere WCW went in Chicago. He said that he doesnt miss the travel or spending all the time in airports.
When asked if he would do anything different in his life, would he. He noted he broke into the business 20 years ago and probably would have found the Lord first.
When asked if any of the current stars reminding him of guys from his era, he said Abyss reminds him of The Giant. He said in another 6-8 weeks, hell probably have a million comparisons.
When asked about his creative control in TNA, he said that he would have a lot over himself, but hes open to what is suggested. He doesnt want to go in thinking about himself but the overall product. He said that he cant creatively write a storyline that takes place over a year but can give suggestions and tweak things to everyones benefit.
When asked about the Crow Sting look, he said it was a Scott Hall suggestion and they were never concerned about being sued by the creators of the movie.
When asked if he was worried that the younger wrestling fans might have distanced themselves from him and wrestling, he said that there is a generation that doesnt know who he is now. He said that its part of the road ahead but believes that it can and will work.
When it was noted that he is one of the few that have never gone to WWE, he said that all the times he spoke to Vince McMahon in the 1990s, the feeling was that it always more to undermine WCW as opposed to wanting Sting as a talent. He said that now, he wouldnt want to maintain the schedule. When the Edge sex angle was brought up, he said that while McMahon was really good to him on the phone and said that he would never undermine Stings beliefs, there are a lot of things the company has done that he wouldnt be comfortable with.
When asked about Eric Bischoff, he said he has nothing but good things to say. He said that everyone likes to remember him as the one who sunk the WCW ship but it was a group of us overall who undermined each other and had a lot of secret agendas. He said that Bischoff was the first one who would talk to wrestling fans and get feedback and he surrounded himself with people he could trust. He said that they had a good working relationship. He said the night they launched Nitro, the rest was history.
When asked if Ultimate Warrior would be a good addition to TNA, Sting said that he hasnt spoken to Warrior beyond the documentary Warrior was putting together. He said that he thinks the idea of Warrior in TNA would be pretty interesting.
When asked about the passing of Eddie Guerrero, he said that he was sad as he had worked with all of the Guerreros when he was breaking in. Sting said that he has some peace in knowing that hell see Eddie again and hopes that it opens everyones eyes. He said it opens the wrestlers eyes to think about something outside of the wrestling business.
At that point, the call, which went 22 minutes over schedule, was ended by TNA as Sting had other commitments to get to.
