Instead of writing predictions for WWE's Fastlane, which seems to be a foregone conclusion at this point, I'm going to instead say something that I feel needs to be said about the career choices made by Sting so far in WWE. This can only, obviously, be coupled with the contractual obligations of Brock Lesnar as I feel that the two who have chosen similar paths- limited appearances- have managed to do so both in the good and the bad.
For starters, I love the fact that Brock Lesnar works limited dates for WWE. If you think of any time that John Cena, Randy Orton or whoever else has been champion the past few years held the title and was available each and every day to talk about it and all that... It took something away. It made them feel less special. It made them feel like, to use WWE terms, just another superstar.
The fact that Brock Lesnar doesn't appear on every show and when he does it feels like a big deal is important because he is the WWE Champion and their champion should be treated as such. When John Cena was champion, for example, he'd have an issue with Randy Orton and then Dean Ambrose was feuding with Seth Rollins so on Raw we'd see Cena/Ambrose vs. Orton/Rollins. Can you picture Brock Lesnar in such a pointless endeavor?
Another glaring fact that makes me hate the "Eat Sleep Leave Repeat" signs comes after watching the latest episode of ROH TV, the one with the six person main event. For those who missed it, the Briscoes and ODB took on The Kingdom which is Michael Bennett, Matt Taven and Maria (Yes, that Maria) I believe it was Steve Corino who asked on commentary what would happen if Maria pinned Jay Briscoe, the current ROH Champion.
In my younger years, when I first started watching professional wrestling, I'd think "Yeah, that'll never happen". And now all I can think of is that Jay Briscoe, as ROH Champion, shouldn't be put into a situation where he could be pinned by someone who is nowhere near being close to in line for a title shot. Or in simpler terms: bad booking.
As much as I feel like the limited dates thing works for Brock Lesnar, I feel as if it has the opposite effect with Sting. While Sting made his WWE in ring debut (by appearing, not wrestling) at the Survivor Series and is expected to be at Wrestlemania vs. HHH, then what, that five month stretch he couldn't spend some time with the company?
When they brought out Ric Flair to address the situation with Sting it began to sink in. HHH: this is your life. They don't want to waste any Sting appearances so they're going to do what they can to build this feud without having Sting, who is a key component in it, actually be around. So, what's next? An appearance by Shawn Michaels? Hulk Hogan? Harley Race?
It doesn't really matter because all I can think is about how much better this feud would have been if Sting was in that ring confronting HHH each and every week, not worrying about burning off appearances. It's what he did when he was in WCW and, hell, it's even what he did in TNA so why can't he do the same justice for what is considered to be the biggest moment of his career?
Look, Brock Lesnar has been around for long enough and having Paul Heyman as his mouth piece has been fun enough that it has worked perfectly for me. I'm actually really going to miss how this dynamic has played out if/when Brock Lesnar decides to leave WWE after Wrestlemania or at least lose the title to Roman Reigns, who will be in pointless matches week in and week out just like Cena and everyone else... everyone else except for Brock Lesnar.
Sting, on the other hand, almost feels entirely too much like he will be done in the ring after Wrestlemania. And who knows, he might not be. He might come back next Wrestlemania if the cards play out somehow. Maybe he'd even face Seth Rollins at Summerslam. In a perfect world. But in a perfect world WWE wouldn't have to worry about using up Sting's limited appearances because he would be committed to doing whatever it takes to make this run his best run ever.
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