Creating A Wrestler - "The Crow" STING

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In 1996 Sting completely changed his character in WCW to fight the nWo. The Stinger had seen a lot of success with his "Surfer" Sting gimmick that appealled to fans young and old, but this new vigilante Sting was something completely different. Inspired heavily by James O'Barr's "The Crow", Sting would sit in the rafters waiting for the most oppurtunistic times to strike the nWo and Hollywood Hogan. There was a lot of risk switching Sting's character, but it worked very well and Sting never looked back.
This video covers Sting's change of character. The Crow comics and movies are used to make comparisons, Sting's greatest moments during this early run of his vigilante character gets explored, and we also look at how Sting evolved his gimmick as time went on.
00:00 - Intro
01:38 - Chapter 1: The Creation of Sting
05:57 - Chapter 2: The Characteristics of Sting
13:11 - Chapter 3: Gimmick Highlights
17:55 - Chapter 4: Character Evolution
20:39 - Credits

[@phenom504]

Big ups to Scott Hall for helping to create this

[@greggobbi859]

I agree

[@Kas58223]

Scott Hall had a great wrestling mind lucky enough Scott Hall saw the crow movie and just said to Sting just go with it the rest is history

[@greggobbi859]

@@Kas58223 i so agree and the crow was a great movie scott hall would have made a Great booker.

[@fingersTitan]

and Brandon Lee. He was mega in the film and made it a huge cult film for the goth period in mid 90s UK... (I know as I still have the full length leather. New Rock boots. long hair and full length finger rings..Hence the 1st part of my name) Crow Sting wouldn't of been around without Brandon.. The next 3 films went straight to DVD..

[@PhenomsServant4]

@@Kas58223 I wouldve loved to live in the alternate timeline where he didnt have his personal demons and he worked with HHH to build NXT.

[@thor1829]

RIP Scott Hall, without his advice Sting would've never evolved into the dark badass loved by so many.

[@yell0wberry]

If Scott Hall bothered to take stings advice, he may have sobered up a lot sooner

[@Horvat04]

Yup, sting was also planned to be the third man in nwo if hogan wouldnt accept...imagine that

[@fracturedfingers]

@@yell0wberry You don't understand addiction unless you're an addict.

[@starkiller3098]

​@@fracturedfingerstrue

[@ennbee2051]

Scotty Levi = Ravens real name. Why dont people know this?! I know!🤦‍♂️ Useless.

[@NathanF11989]

The Crow Sting was the wrestler that first got me into wrestling.

[@sergeinechayev7263]

I think Sting's addition of the scorpion death drop is an underrated aspect of why he works so well in this gimmick. Cos he's a morally grey antihero rather than a babyface, his finisher became something that he'd sneak up on you with. The holding his opponents hair and looking at them first really got this across too

[@MoonlightStrider]

It was even better when the wrestler taking the move sold the impending delivery of the move with pure fear, like he'd been caught by this vigilante and he was going to be the recipient of swift cranial justice.

[@burntvirtue]

100%

[@burntvirtue]

​@@MoonlightStriderAbsolutely

[@kingjaven13]

The look on a wrestlers face when sting was about hit them with the death drop, he is so skilled and safe with that move

[@arvisconti]

Living and watching the transformation and build up had everyone enthralled with Sting. Bingeing the era today doesn't leave you with that same taste in your mouth. This Sting and storyline is still one of the best stories in wrestling history.

[@25Erix]

I grew up during this time but didn't really dig into wrestling until I was well into my mid-20s. My brothers would know more about experiencing this sort of thing at the time because I have vague memories of them watching WWF and possibly WCW. But that was 30 years ago and my kid brain was on other things more on my level. Speaking for myself, pro-wrestling was like Godzilla. I had to get to a time in life where I could appreciate both. For both of them, that year was 2014. Saw my first Toho Godzilla film (Final Wars) before seeing the beginning of the MonsterVerse. With wrestling, it just took me being at my ex's apartment on a random Monday with a random episode of Raw on and me seeing Roman Reigns for the first time. Since then, I expanded and count a lot of different wrestlers as favorites. Sting is one of those.

[@rustykuntz94]

Sting turning his back to the hard camera was genuis on that Sept 16, 1996 Nitro. Never had seen that before and it added so much to the tone of the promo

[@lexkanyima2195]

But it was a shoot, but in the leading up to Starrcade would be wasted

[@Mil_Buri]

Sting's WCW Crow theme was so amazing and the fact that WWE didn't use it when he was there is even more of an insult to how he was treated.

[@burntvirtue]

Absolutely

[@TheBatman602]

They briefly used that theme when promoting the 2k game at that time and it was an awesome violin orchestra version but it does suck they didn't use it when he debuted.

[@zemox2534]

​@@TheBatman602 I thought they did at SS 2014?

[@paulduckworth316]

Agreed 💯 would have fit in so well and offered a different vibe to the product.

[@nlvassassin]

They wasted Sting’s debut. Him losing to trips at WM only confirmed what Sting thought on how they treated Booker in ‘01. He should’ve stayed away. Vince wanted one last nail in the Wcw coffin. His only WM match a L? That booking was stupid. Sad really. And the fact Vince thought Sting vs. Taker was a no draw baffles me.

[@ChiGuy251]

The fact that Sting's transition into Crow Sting followed Hogan's own transition into Hollywood made this even more compelling for me. Two of the company's biggest white meat babyfaces were turned into darker opposites of what they had previously been. Hogan turned from being a moral upstanding hero to the masses to an egotistical, dillusional, power hungry, insecure leader of a faction. Sting turned from being an upbeat, smiling, loyal hero to the masses into a cold, vengeful, lone wolf disillusioned with those he once faithfully stood by.

[@axelfoley2061]

Scott cast an enormous shadow over wrestling. He influenced so many superstars. Once in a generation talent and great mind for the industry

[@TypeRob]

Yea dawg. Ever since his ladder match with Zean Michael's, he became very creative and talented....realizing what the fans really wanted in wrestling

[@mattypenta]

The whole Sting arc is a HUGE part of why 1997 will always be my favorite single year in pro wrestling history.

[@namikstudios]

Yep 96-99 in WCW was the best wrestling has ever been with 97 being the standout year.

[@steviecritiquenewby7874]

The Crow Sting is the greatest transformation in pro wrestling history

[@thetruej7872]

Sting is easily one of the best character in wrestling history.

[@michaelaburns734]

One of the many wrestlers that I know when they say Profesional Wrestlers. Sting is the top 10.

[@louisvelez40]

Shows what great of a mind Scott Hall has understanding the shift of the business. The transition of the Sting character was amazing. Crazy thing is Sting was going through personal things in real life combined with the storyline that didn’t hurt the character at all. His silence spoke volumes, my favorite WCW character

[@dasdeke]

Scott was always solid. I know he put over a lot of people that other wrestlers at his level would not. He had a great mind for the business. It's just a shame his demons finally caught up to him. Props to him for suggesting this, and Sting rolling with it making it work.

[@irvingsmith6559]

This. Is. STING. Still gives me goosebumps.

[@Jamessmith-xk3fh]

Sting is my all time favorite wrestler. I've been a fan for 38yrs

[@sainttrunks1982]

✔💯

[@TheAutistWhisperer]

The Crow gimmick was absoloutly sublime.

[@inutero10]

So were his buttocks

[@riazuddin4920]

For about 1 year lol

[@RichDurrant]

@@riazuddin4920 25+ years later here we are tho

[@Horvat04]

​@@riazuddin4920he didnt talk 1,5 years and ruled the company we could say. They all played along...this was a huge thing that would bury wwf very best eras all combined with ease

[@Horvat04]

​@@riazuddin4920 the entire history of wwe can hide behide that 1 year of crow sting in wcw 😂

[@AlphaProto]

"Hey, yo Chico... You could be like...The Crow."

[@billdenny9599]

You mentioned the evolution of the Crow sting makeup. I remember a Q&A with James O'Barr where he was asked about the Sting character and he said at first he thought it was cool but ultimately they had to send WCW a cease and desist letter because of how similar the two characters had become. I've always wondered if that was the reason the makeup changed

[@nathan_illustration3616]

I absolutely loved The Insane Icon. That story line is so great and Steve played it so damn well. Anyone who is split on the Insane Icon is just insane themselves! Great episode!

[@burntvirtue]

I couldn't agree more. Perfectly said.

[@RayNormanBateman]

I would like to see a video about Kane, another character that made a massive impact and a mystique added to his character!

[@VinesauceJoel]

One of the best youtubers right now, the quality is insane, you're everything the rest of us aspires to do! Love your work, Every Saturday and Thursday is a highlight of the week!!

[@benespinosa6725]

The crow Gimmick in WCW was amazing that was great stuff awesome video the fact that sting didn't wrestle until Starrcade 1997 was amazing.

[@Jay-zk7uw]

Disco Inferno - one of the few gimmicks that shouldn't have been conceived of outside the early 90s but somehow he made it work.

[@leonardoyi3183]

what do you mean exactly with he made it work? disco inferno was a bum. He sucked. I would prefer to watch norman smiley or ernest miller..who by the way i think ernest miller was a very underrated performer...

[@jacoborourke]

​@@leonardoyi3183disco was one of the biggest ratings draws of the entire monday night wars

[@jetblack99]

@@leonardoyi3183 Man, I was there and I'm here to tell you that Disco was mad over with the WCW crowds. I mean he was a midcard guy, but his music would hit and EVERYBODY was on their feet. It was an objectively silly gimmick, but Glen Gilberti got it over with his charisma and solid wrestling chops. He was kind of like the Val Venus of WCW in that way.

[@leonardoyi3183]

@@jetblack99 well if you liked, thats you. I never liked him as a wrestler, and dont know anyone in who liked him. You may be the first one.

[@FFinkify]

I think that was the genius stroke behind his gimmick, he was supposed to be annoying and hated.

[@stephenremnant8151]

It's amazing that WCW made the two biggest gimmic changes possiblybin wrestling history with Sting and Hogan

[@steviecritiquenewby7874]

Scott Hall is a genius

[@Crenga]

as always, rest in peace brandon lee, and thank you to james o'barr for the crow's story. crow sting is a fantastic, polarising gimmick with such a unmatched level of cool. great video and thanks for all your hard work! i love this series. editing just to say i love that you highlight narrative comparisons, especially between wcw itself and o'barr's detroit

[@ryno9677]

Sting up in the rafters is the memory that sticks with me from my childhood wrestling fandom. Loved this era

[@um52]

From his entrance, to his mysterious aura & presence, he was amazing. Only wrestler who’d electrify a crowd by barely saying a few words.

[@20rileybob]

Crow Sting was my intro to wrestling when i was little. I remember picking up right after Bash at the Beach. I was in it EVERY Monday night and taping it off TV if i couldnt watch, just to see Sting appear. And when Starrcade came, my neighbors got it and i watch from my front yard through their window. What a time!

[@jamesabernethy7896]

Your stuff is always great and shows so much respect. You stayed focused on the character Sting and how he was used rather Steve Borden himself. Really interesting.

[@keithricker504]

The Crow Sting was my favorite version of all of the "Stings". I feel that it is used for the nostalgia today more than the continuation of the character from the past. But, that moment of story telling for his character was perfect for that moment. As far as someone for this channel next, I suggest Bob Backlund. His character early on compared to when he returned would be an interesting story in and of itself.

[@3rdjrh]

Those smiles on everyone’s faces when he was coming through the crowd, man, there’s nothing like that

[@couchbookingwrestling4356]

I always thought stings overall skills were second to none. He could do matt wrestling with submissions, aerial attacks, power and strength, good mic skills. He was a jack of all trades

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

I hear Bret Hart fans cringing. 🤣

[@Emyrus17]

Hey hey hey (sorry for resurrecting this dead topic) The Scorpion Death Lock will always be superior to the sharpshooter.@@CurlyFromTheSwirly

[@ptgh1986]

I was cleaning my house and planning on listening to this in th3 background. It's so good and enthralling that until done, I'm not doing anything else.

[@paulduckworth316]

Have you ever kissed a Girl Son?

[@stustewart3140]

My all time favorite!!! Sting was one of the wrestlers that caught my eye but when he went Crow, I was mesmerized! That time from late 96 to early 98 was a core memory, thanks for showing more of his story! Will you do a best moments of Sting from after Wolfpac to current?

[@chasestredic]

90s Crow Sting helped change the culture

[@augustinelopez7875]

My uncle gave me the entire crow comic book collection when I was 8. I effing love that you went in depth about the comics, and relation to stings character. Long time fan. I've been watching you for about 4 years. Good work as always brother 💪💪🚬🚬😎😎🙈

[@3venFl0w]

Man what a episode what a great time to be a wrestling fan! We didn't t know how good we had it.

[@mmmthatguy]

Scott Hall always had good input on things wrestling-related. It’s a shame we lost him so early.

[@DLKnightstick1989]

I've gotta say I'm LOVING the series, especially since the first two episodes featured my two favorite wrestlers of all-time.

[@UnexpectedWonder]

I didn't know about Blonde Sting. Crow Sting is what I grew up with. He's why Sting is my Favorite Pro Wrestler of All-time. The Crow embodied everything about the '90's that I Loved as a Kid.

[@LordJudgement1818]

Sting is one of my guys. His from my home town so always had a love for him. What a legend

[@taffysaur]

Since you mentioned him in the last episode by name as a possibility for a future instalment, I reiterate my desire to see a character retrospective of Doink the Clown. The original heel Doink, played by Matt Bourne, is underrated as a villain, and a look at how the character was created (and eventually ruined) would really make me mark out.

[@m.night_schlongislong]

seconded

[@yell0wberry]

I seem to always like the demented type of character, somebody like a Vampiro, Waylon Mercy, papa, Shango, and the taskmaster

[@kokopopss4490]

Sting is genuinely my fave ever. So happy others have love for him too. Thank you Wrestling Bios for covering various episodes on Sting across your numerous series ❤

[@ReaperX7]

Steve always could reinvent himself well enough. The insane icon version though was just brilliant. It was honestly ahead of its time.

[@LUC4POISON]

I’m a Sting fan since the 90s and I never reflected on the fact that his invincibility was connected with his mission… and this explains A LOT of his character post 1997. Thanks for this from an hardcore Sting fan!!

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

Invincibility 😂

[@thewolf76543]

Side note, 1996 Surfer Sting is my personal favourite look for Sting.

[@757jlhood]

Facts

[@jakeerbst4073]

I remember being 10 and tuning in every week to see Sting lay waste to the NWO. I would go ballistic every time he dropped from the rafters. And the “This is Sting” promo I remember getting literal chills. It was totally real to me.

[@ironman2326]

Glad I started watching wrestling in 1986 at 3 yrs old. I got to witness the entirety of Sting's character development.

[@alanjones5777]

Hands down the best for my childhood of wrestling

[@metal_kitsune]

Sting, definitely in my top 10 favorite wrestlers of all time. Good guy outside the ring too. Nothing but respect for Steve. Cool video, well done sir.

[@lokey2704]

I’m an 80s baby so I remember surfer sting and many of his battles with flair, Vader etc. Sting was great on the mic but the long hair crow sting that didn’t talk will always be iconic and my favorite version. The mystique of it all made you tune in weekly. Great time to be a kid watching wrestling.

[@timrobinson6573]

When I first started watching your channel I thought it was named Wrestling Bois(like boys). Wrestling Bios is good too.

[@sethkaplan]

Show time folks 😅

[@chrisp1946]

You've done 2 of these so fair and have done my top 2 favorite wrestlers. These are pretty awesome

[@therealPayne]

Never read the Crow comics, so I apreciate the comparisons. Excellent watch.

[@warriorneedsfoodbadly]

First Raven, then Crow Sting? Is Road Warrior Hawk next? Great job, though.

[@rgregoryii]

Just something you didn't mention about the last promo in the old face paint. The whole promo sting has his back to the hard cam. And they left it there. He was turning his back on WCW because they turned there back on him. It was one of the little things that make the promo so good. Outside of not mentioning that in this was a great video. That comes from someone who fell in love with wrestling in 1985-86 tike frame. Keep up the great work and thank you

[@jondurrett9277]

I grew up with surfer sting and I was there for the entire invasion angle. To watch sting transition to crow sting was absolutely amazing. The mid to late 90s were such an amazing time to be a wrestling fan. The WCW invasion and the wwf attitude era really made professional wrestling what it is today. Can't stand to watch it now. Sting is still the man.

[@vincentalmojera5412]

The Loose Cannon Brian Pillman and Kane would make good episodes for create a wrestler

[@stevebiggers1028]

Hearing the monologue again after so many years gave me chills. I grew up watching Sting and I have enjoyed every version including the "Joker" sting

[@theangryreferee8275]

The promo on Nitro after Fall Brawl 96 is one of my all time favorites

[@tony6626]

Goosebumps watching this, a wonderful piece! Steve Borden is legendary, no one else could have pulled this off!

[@NRSOGK]

Really enjoyed this, thank you. The 90s were incredible for wrestling and for and I guess many, Sting was integral to it. I love the guy and he'll always be a hero to me.

[@alexbrookner5331]

Your channel is so professional. I couldn’t live without it

[@Am7D9]

Amazing video! @Wrestling Bios Keep up the great work. Your channel continues to improve. This is a fantastic look at Sting and his gimmick during 1997... the best ever wrestling character. Big props on the new series

[@LobsterPuncher]

I love this idea for a series. I stopped watching wrestling for a few years and was shocked when I saw Crow Sting when I came back, but I loved it.

[@McDanieI]

I was always a WWF guy, but I loved the Crow, and I was glued to the TV anytime Crow Sting was on Nitro. Loved this gimmick so much. Great job on this video!

[@McPoshSquatch]

Fantastic video. Loved it!😁👍

[@JM1993951]

I call 95/96 Sting “Matador Sting”. That jacket, man.

[@Tonyivanov930]

Sting is the greatest character in wrestling history, Everything about The Crow Sting was perfect. The face paint, the hair, his attire, the mystique and mannerisms of Sting was amazing to me. He's my favorite wrestler of all time and nothing will change that. anyway how about Scott Hall's Character in WWF Razor Ramon?

[@davidwalkerjr675]

If we compare gimmicks, you have to put Undertaker as the best gimmick of all times.

[@Tonyivanov930]

@@davidwalkerjr675 yeah just like that if you have guys like Sting and Undertaker those guys could had match against each other in WWE back in 2015.

[@davidRevrendOnibrown]

YHANK YOU SO MUCH!!! The original Crow comics where such a huge influence on my writing and music and at the time I was a huge WcW mark and before the transformation Sting was one of my favorite wrestlers. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@mattlewis8889]

That was an awesome episode. Thank you very much!

[@shaunlankford3402]

Watching this on the day of Sting’s last match. 😢 The legend will not be forgotten.

[@cameronbennett4762]

Yesss I was so freaking stoked for the raven video. Now sting?!Raven and crow sting tied for my favorite characters from the 90s😊

[@josray2557]

1997 WCW was life. I left wrestling long before when I was a kid then saw crow sting in a magazine and was like this looks like a different thing. Wrestling had evolved into real story telling and cinematic buildup.

[@BranDEAD1]

This was incredibly well put together, please do more of these 🙌🙌💪

[@pedramroehi7070]

Sting is the GOAT! Thanks for the upload!

[@twistedalbert012]

One of my absolute favorites, although I wasn't even born in his prime there are just so much things that I find similar between myself and this era of sting, it's so relatable and kinda deep for a wrestling gimmick. Great work Bios, hollywood hogan would also be a good way to follow this up.

[@dunnr5]

I would love to see the Macho Man covered in this series. Thanks for all and any future content.

[@roccojamison89gooker51]

20:15 I am not sure how the Dave Meltzer 5-Star Rating System for Wrestling Matches has stood the test of time. Maybe release a special video "Creating the Critic: Dave Meltzer" to find out how.

[@paulduckworth316]

Bell End Meltz Too much smoke blown up his arse about this 5 star bollocks.

[@ryblack5032]

Iconic Reformation of His Character 👍👍👍

[@MrBlx4life]

I freaking love this show!

[@3d1k3]

The fact that WCW didn't delve into yhe mystical/magical/supernatural with this character given that they had every opportunity and reason to do so is such an underrated aspect of this entire angle. Also, as a kid i had always hoped/wondered if or why there wouod never be interaction with sting and Raven's flock. Having the flock especially Raven team with Sting would have been much better than what was going on with him and his stable at the time, in my opinion of course. Great video. Keep these coming.

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

Why do they need to have powers that are explained by some reason? One of the things WCW said they wanted to do differently than the then WWF was not having comic like characters. Which Hogan and Warrior were more like. Sting and Goldberg were not like that.

[@MrShinZero]

Excellent video brother. I really enjoyed it.

[@ery7706]

Raven and Sting. My two all time favorite wrestlers. Awesome videos.

[@andreworourke]

What a video mate! Such amazing content. Sting is an amazing character.

[@R3TR0J4N]

9:30 actually wholesome seeing how audience is open towards him

[@chattjedi]

Steve Boarden will always be my favorite wrestler. First became a fan of hid in 1986 when he was a part of the blade runners.

[@irwiniba]

Sting showed me the first major set of promos where no words were needed. Reminds me of jake the snakes methodical approach but so much more left to interpretation when sting wasn’t talking.

[@mspader995]

These segments are gonna be awesome @wrestlingbios. Another great episode.

[@elleni-41]

Sting was one of my favorites back then, the colorful sting n even more the darker sting... great video, love this channel..👍👌

[@Jameslawz]

People don't give Scot Hall enough credit, they just looked at him as a big oaf, a knucklehead or a neanderthal but he was really creative and intelligent in the wrestling business, he came out with some of the best ideas and it's his ideas that stood the test of time. Crow Sting is by far one of THE BEST gimmicks to ever have graced this business, the silence was raw emotion, be became a presence and it's true his immortality faded when he started speaking again but all good things had to come to an end and Sting had to eventually evolve his character. Wolfpac Sting did kill the character though, the blood red face paint on black made him look devilish and was too distracting. When Sting came down from the rafters it just further added to the phantasma and lore of his character, like a phantom or wraith just appearing out of nowhere and would get the biggest pops from the fans.

[@PVTBaconator16]

Sting is my favorite wrestler of all time, and I honestly don't know if I'd be a wrestling fan without him. My favorite version of Sting is actually the post Crow version, with black and white paint. When he used Seek & Destroy as his theme. He just has such a cool look then and always seemed like he was having fun! And on AEW now, it always seems like he's having fun, which makes us have fun too! He's the GOAT wrestler in my eyes.

[@miguelfranco1003]

Awesome content, would love to see The Faces of Foley.

[@mrmagpiepromotions]

When I was a little kid in about 1992 we had WCW on a Saturday afternoon on ITV. I fondly remember Surfer Sting, Vader, Marcus Alexander Bagwell, Van Hammer and I had those monopose figures of Sting and Lex Luger. I had already seen the Crow when that version of Sting arrived (though I only read about it in Powerslam Magazine and saw bits through buying VHS tapes of the PPV's) and I thought it was the coolest thing ever.

[@joejupiter4138]

Very well done examination. I like the parallels drawn with the comic.

[@CreightonChaney-io4xv]

Love all of the Crow quotes for the chapter intros 🖤

[@RichDurrant]

Haven’t been a fan for a long time, that doesn’t stop me from catching your videos, I love the channel. Great work!