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The 2K Path
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Continuing a pattern which has been repeated several times, with fan favorites such as The Ultimate Warrior, Bill Goldberg, Kurt Angle, and The Man They Call Sting, fans first got a glimpse of the possibility of a Sting-WWE partnership in the digital arena. Advertisements in late 2014 began hyping that Sting would be available as a pre-order bonus for fans who committed to buying the latest entry in WWE's video game franchise.
Ads like the above featured the familiar music, face paint, dark imagery, and descent from the rafters associated with Sting's post-NWO persona inspired by The Crow. Both World Wrestling Entertainment and Steve Borden were tight-lipped about any further partnership, and it seemed that a pixelated Stinger would be the only version fans might see compete against modern WWE stars.
That all changed with the ending to the 2014 Survivor Series pay-per-view. At the end of an above-average Survivor Series bout (which we've established is one of my favorite speciality matches) pitting Team Cena against Team Authority, Dolph Ziggler had managed to ragdoll his way to being the final member of Team Cena to face off against the last surviving member of Team Authority, Seth Rollins.
Triple H used his considerable influence to disrupt Team Cena's chances at victory, taking out the referee and viciously attacking Ziggler to put Rollins on top of FOX News's favorite wrestler. Just as victory looked certain for the bad guys, a film splice and crow's caw signalled that one of the greatest "never say never" moments was underway.
Vigilante justice accomplished, Sting disappeared again to allow fans to marinate in their anticipation of his next appearance (not unlike his 1996-1997 period of inactivity). One thing was certain, though: Triple H was unhappy with the Survivor Series ending, and only one stage was large enough for him to settle the score.
