WWE Rumors: Sting Being Forced To Retire Due To Same Neck Injury Suffered By Edge
WWE rumors have been swirling around Sting. Ever since he was injured during his world heavyweight championship match against Seth Rollins, fans have been wondering when they will see the legend back in the ring. Many were hoping that he would be healthy enough to work WrestleMania 32 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, next month. According to TMZ, the man legally known as Steve Borden is being forced to retire because the injuries are too severe.
Back at Night of Champions, WWE contracted Sting to make a return as an in-ring performer. It was his first match since wrestling Triple H at WrestleMania 31 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Fans were excited to see the WCW legend in a World Wrestling Entertainment match, so it helped Night of Champions draw in more of an audience. Unfortunately, though, Sting severely injured his neck in the match against Seth Rollins.
Since he wanted to capitalize on professional wrestling before he was forced to walk away from the industry because of his age, Sting visited with several doctors to see if he was physically able to do a couple of more matches. All of them had the same thing to say to the 56-year-old: it would be much too risky for him to work another match for World Wrestling Entertainment.
Sting was diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis. It’s a condition that affects the nerves. It is said to be quite a painful thing to go through. Former WWE star Edge suffered from the same condition. The former world heavyweight champion was forced to walk away from World Wrestling Entertainment while he was at the peak of his career because of the injury. The man legally known as Adam Copeland wanted to be able to still walk, so he had to make the tough choice.
At WrestleMania 32, Sting is scheduled to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. He’s going to be making a great speech about his wrestling career. Now that Sting is being forced to retire as an active in-ring performer, the speech is expected to be modified so that he can say goodbye to his fans. Initially, Sting was going to try to work a couple of more years in a part-time role, so the mood of his induction speech will be much more somber.
While he will no longer be a wrestler, Sting is reportedly not opposed to continuing his business relationship with WWE. The company might be willing to give him an on-screen role, because Vince McMahon knows that Sting still has a good amount of fans left. The man who headlined the very first Clash of Champions might be willing to sign a contract to become an on-screen authority figure to combat Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and Vince McMahon.
While Sting might not be wrestling at WrestleMania, the legend is still expected to at least make an appearance. Usually, management has all of the hall of fame inductees make an appearance and pose on the ramp. However, Sting might be doing a bit more than that. The card isn’t as strong as WWE was hoping it would be, so they’re going to rely on former performers, such as Mick Foley and Dwayne Johnson, to help spike interest in the pay-per-view.
It’s a shame that Sting doesn’t get to go out on his own terms. However, he’s accomplished everything that he’s wanted to in professional wrestling. Sting was able to squeeze in a WrestleMania moment before it was time to walk away.
[Image via WWE]
