10 extraordinary examples of wrestlers toughing it out

#9 Sting (Night of Champions 2015)

There was no stopping for Sting

Here's another guy who should be thanking God for surviving a fatal blow.

In 2015, a 56-year-old Sting challenged Seth Rollins for the WWE Championship at Night of Champions. About 10 minutes or so into the match, Rollins powerbombed Sting into the turnbuckle. Almost immediately, something seemed wrong - Sting looked unsteady. After collapsing in the middle of the ring following an Irish Whip, trainers and referees surrounded Sting, likely telling the legend that he should not continue the match.

He didn't listen.

Instead, he countered Rollins' Pedigree into a Scorpion Death Lock. The move looked incredibly weak and it was apparent that Sting was in serious distress. Following a second attempt at a Scorpion Death Lock, Rollins quickly rolled up Sting for the victory.

It was discovered after the match that Sting was suffering from cervical spinal stenosis, which was aggravated by the whiplash effect from the Buckle Bomb. The injury would force him into retirement.

A hell of an admirable effort from a man who had nothing left to prove.