The most bizarre moment in WCW history involves Sting and RoboCop.
Sci-Fi Icon Meets Wrestling Legend
One of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Sting’s career is forever remembered for his legendary matches against the nWo in WCW in the late 1990s. Though many fans still associate him with his eerie, black-and-white face paint character, “Crow,” Sting’s career started very differently. He started off as the colorful, bright-haired “Surfer Sting,” who rose to prominence in the early 1990s as the company’s biggest babyface. But one of the most peculiar—and memorable—moments of his career was his unanticipated partnership with RoboCop at WrestleMania 1990.
Sting’s Development: From Surfer to Crow
It’s amazing to watch Sting’s journey from the upbeat “Surfer Sting” to the sinister “Crow Sting.” Sting adapted as the firm changed and the plots became more complex, taking on a persona that spoke to the themes of revolt and the anti-establishment attitude of the time. However, Sting was thrown into one of the most bizarre and bizarre stories in wrestling history before the gloom of the ‘Crow’ era.
WCW’s Odd History: Accepting the Strange
WCW had no shortage of weird incidents and eccentric personalities. The company’s past is replete with odd choices and ploys that didn’t make sense. WCW frequently pushed the envelope of plausibility, as evidenced by wrestlers like Glacier, who was modeled after Mortal Kombat, and The Shockmaster, whose notorious debut featured stumbling through a wall. The corporation has enjoyed strange partnerships with Hollywood, which produced some memorable, if uncomfortable, moments.
Hollywood Mergers: When Confronting Metropolitan Film
The promotion of the movie Ready to Rumble, which saw actor David Arquette win the title of WCW World Heavyweight Champion—a move that was sharply criticized by both wrestling purists and fans—was one of WCW’s most infamous forays into Hollywood cooperation. Chucky, the murderous doll from the Child’s Play series, and Rick Steiner engaged in a promotional fight, which was another strange scene. However, these incidents are insignificant compared to the evening that RoboCop saved Sting.
RoboCop Saves Sting: An Unforgettable Evening
One of WCW’s most notorious moments was made on May 19, 1990, at Capital Combat, which was hosted in Washington, D.C. The main attraction of the show was a steel cage fight between Ric Flair and Lex Luger, but the most memorable part was the strange Sting and RoboCop portion. As RoboCop 2 was about to be released, WCW recognized a chance for cross-promotion and decided to title the event “The Return of RoboCop.”
Scene: 1990’s Capital Combat
Sting was seen strolling backstage with RoboCop during the event; he was unable to perform due to an injury. The Four Horsemen ambushed Sting as he approached the ring and imprisoned him in a steel cage. RoboCop arrived slowly but with dramatic flair as the Horsemen rejoiced. “Sting has been tased by the Horsemen, but here comes RoboCop, Bob!” exclaimed commentator Jim Ross, adding to the scene. To the excitement of the spectators, RoboCop then went on to bend the cage’s bars and free Sting. With RoboCop and Sting glaring down at the Horsemen, the segment concluded.
Wrestling’s Reaction to RoboCop: The Aftermath
Reactions to RoboCop becoming a part of a wrestling event were not quite unanimous. The act infuriated traditional NWA fans, who wanted more serious wrestling and saw it as a sign of the quality of WCW’s diminishing product. Famous wrestling figure Jim Cornette later remarked on his podcast how much he despised the segment, pointing out that RoboCop had a lot of limitations that made the booking even more difficult.
From Sting’s Point of View: Accepting the Absurd
Years later, Sting laughed as he thought back on the experience. He stated that it was probably a stunt performer rather than actor Peter Weller inside the RoboCop outfit in an interview with The Bleacher Report in 2021. Although Sting acknowledged that the segment was embarrassing at the time, he now laughs about it as a fun moment from his illustrious career. He even has an original RoboCop shirt that he wears from time to time just for fun while listening to podcasts. It features both himself and the character.
The Allure of Wrestling’s Strangeities
Even though it sounds ridiculous, events like RoboCop saving Sting are what make professional wrestling so thrilling. Even though they are frequently made fun of, these outrageous plots and characters provide wrestling with a unique and entertaining quality that sets it apart from other sports. Wrestling is a spectacle sport, and its most unusual events leave spectators with priceless memories. They remind us that, at its foundation, wrestling is all about storytelling and entertainment, regardless of how ridiculous it may seem.
The Legacy of Sting Beyond the Strange
Even though the RoboCop episode is a strange afterthought in Sting’s remarkable career, his contributions to professional wrestling remain unobscured. Sting is still regarded as a legend because of his charm, skill in the ring, and capacity for self-reinvention. One chapter in a legacy full of thrilling matches, captivating plots, and treasured memories is the RoboCop rescue. It is evidence of the erratic character of wrestling, where anything can and frequently does happen.
