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TNA in talks with two "bigger than Sting"

AnubisPosted on 01/26/06 at 12:11:15

From Gerweck:


Meltzer is also reporting that TNA is in talks with two names about working a few dates that are considered to be bigger stars than Sting, but neither of them are Bret Hart.
Hmm.


This baffles me. Now, I may not have precise knowledge as to how "big" all the different wrestlers are, but as far as I know, everyone "bigger than Sting" is already in WWE save for one: Hulk Hogan.

Still, it says "two". Now, I know TEW isn't the best place to get info, but it is a place where I can find big lists of the biggest wrestlers. Here are the people "bigger than Sting":

The Rock
Hulk Hogan
The Undertaker
Triple H
Shawn Michaels

Four of them are contracted to WWE, though, so Hulk Hogan is the only possibility. Okay, so I looked at the next twenty BELOW Sting, as TEW isn't perfect, and I felt there was a chance:

Kurt Angle
Ric Flair
Chris Benoit
Mick Foley
Goldberg
Chris Jericho
Batista
Kane
Booker T
The Big Show
JBL
John Cena
Edge
Kevin Nash
Jeff Jarrett
Christian Cage
Scott Steiner
Scott Hall
Shelton Benjamin
Diamond Dallas Page
Raven
Rey Mysterio Jr.
Shane McMahon

Okay, none of them are bigger than Sting save for Ric Flair, most of them are contracted to WWE, some of them are contracted to TNA already, and one of them is a McMahon.

I'm not seeing ANYONE to fill the second spot as far as "bigger than Sting" goes. I have heard that TNA has had talks with Chris Jericho, The Rock, and Bret Hart, but I doubt there is much of a chance for any of them showing up save Chris Jericho, and he ain't bigger than Sting.

Any ideas? Hulk Hogan is the only one I could find. It has to be someone a) currently unemployed and b) bigger than Sting.
UnrightPosted on 01/26/06 at 12:37:46

Keep in mind that "bigger than Sting" is awfully subjective. And that as popular as Sting was, he's been out of the limelight for a long time and most newer fans have never seen a Sting match. Remember Sting's last (non-TNA) match was at WCW's death in 2001. According to Jim Cornette's 7 year rule, he's almost been forgotten by the mainstream

If you check WWE's roster page (under RAW), Hulk Hogan is still listed. I'm sure he's got a similar deal as Mean Gene in that he's essentially retired, but will make some appearances for WWE. Either some form of verbal agreement, or maybe an outright contract..

If we're to start a pool on it, I'd wager on Scott Steiner and Brock Lesnar.
rey619Posted on 01/26/06 at 13:21:46

I agree that Brock Lesnar is a bigger name than Sting, but not Scott Steiner. I think the TNA fans are smart enough to balk at the idea of Steiner in the six-sided circle, and so are the bookers.
Captain TagonPosted on 01/26/06 at 15:48:10

And the Rock isn't under contract to WWE anymore.
PulsarPosted on 01/26/06 at 17:04:21

I pick Jericho.

Brock is still under the no compete clause, so he's out. Scott Steiner's body just won't allow it. What about SID? He is BIGGER (Size wise), so maybe?
Snabbit888Posted on 01/26/06 at 18:05:11

From what I hear, Jericho probably won't come in because he wants "Sting money" and they're not willing to pay him that.

And Anubis, you sure put a lot of stock into TEW these days, don't you? :)
John ProulxPosted on 01/26/06 at 18:34:17

There's also the possibility that they may not be talking about wrestlers at all. For instance, I wouldn't be surprised if, especially after the World Series, A. J. Pierzynski isn't considered a more recognized mainstream "star" than Sting.
AnubisPosted on 01/26/06 at 22:42:27

Yeah, I gotta admit I've grown quite fond of TEW2004.  I LOVE statistical micro-managing more than just about anything, and it's got tons of it, stats up the wahoo.  (Comes from so many years in RPGs I think).  It ain't perfect, but it's close (at least to me).

TEW2005, on the other hand, is a total load of monkey crap by comparison, it's so jumbled up and has a piss-poor user interface and is one of the least user-friendly games I've ever played.

So the Rock is no longer under contract with WWE and Hulk Hogan is?  Wow.  Then my picks are the Rock and Goldberg.  The Rock is the most popular wrestler of all time, and Goldberg might be seen by some as "bigger than Sting", although I don't think so.  Goldberg in TNA . . . Not sure about that one.
UnrightPosted on 01/26/06 at 23:22:53

Actually, Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, & The Rock are all listed under the Raw Roster page of WWE.COM.

Could just be lack of maintenance, but then again Jim Ross was removed.
Perverted_IconPosted on 01/27/06 at 11:57:20

Well, since they've mentioned Chris Jericho several times in the past month, I would assume he is one of them and, in my opinion, anyway, could be considered "bigger than Sting" at this point.  
I would think Goldberg or Brock Lesnar would be the most likely other guys, and both would fill the bill at this point in their careers.  
TrancePosted on 02/17/06 at 05:48:15

Goldberg bigger than Sting? Sorry, not in a zillion years.  That's like saying The Red Rooster is bigger than The Rock.

Sure Goldberg was able to generate some cheap heat, but in the long run, became rather predictable and stale (same with Christopher Nowinski).

The only name that comes to mind with whom I consider on the same level as Sting is Lex Lugar (and that's a slim-to-none chance of him being the one)
ZedjaPosted on 02/17/06 at 08:15:51

The Rock is still listed, but not under contract. And TNA has been talking with him.
AllPowerfulGARTHPosted on 02/17/06 at 13:46:57

There are hardly any wrestlers "bigger than Sting." If you assume that TNA is embellishing a little when they say that, you can get a much better idea of who they want to bring in...and Goldberg fits the bill quite well.
pszPosted on 02/17/06 at 13:59:51

It's Fake Deisel and Fake Razor Ramon! (Yes, Kane is jumping ship!)

<j/k>
ZedjaPosted on 02/17/06 at 16:36:36

Sorry, but I can never see Goldberg as big other than in stature...
rey619Posted on 02/17/06 at 17:02:31

On 02/17/06 at 16:36:36, Zedja wrote:Sorry, but I can never see Goldberg as big other than in stature...
Which is a quite funny comment if you have seen the Longest Yard..
ZedjaPosted on 02/18/06 at 07:24:45

Actually I haven't. I'm not that big a fan of Adam Sandler. Actually I think he's annoying.
rey619Posted on 02/18/06 at 10:29:29

Well, Goldberg plays an inmate.. and the running joke is that he is.. well.. very LARGE in stature.. if y'know what I mean  ;D
ZedjaPosted on 02/18/06 at 16:11:06

Gotcha