Eric Bischoff: “Two reasons why Sting prospered in WCW when big names came in”

The latest episode of Eric Bischoff‘s 83 Weeks podcast focuses on Sting‘s 1996. A lot was changing for WCW that year. In addition to launching Monday Nitro in the fall 1995, WCW was acquiring WWF talent at a breakneck pace.

After signing top names from the WWF like Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage, 1996 saw many more high-profile acquisitions ushc as Scott Hall and Kevin Nash.

As the franchise player of WCW, there was no guarantee that Sting would react kindly to so many big stars coming in. While some people in Sting’s position would have reacted negatively to so many new challengers to his spot.

Eric Bischoff gave two reasons why Sting thrived in WCW when big names came in

#1: Sting welcomed the new opportunities that awaited him

Bischoff says Sting was the consummate professional and welcomed the new opportunities that awaited him.

Bischoff explained “[Sting] was so apolitical in that regard, in an era where everybody was worried about their spot or all of a sudden the spotlight going from them to someone else.”

#2: Sting was apolitical and completely supportive

“One of the things that stands out to me so much is that (Sting) was the ultimate team player.” Bischoff said. “He was one of the few guys that really was completely supportive.

He wasn’t [just] supportive – he was excited that Hulk Hogan was coming to WCW, he was excited that Randy Savage was coming to WCW.”

When Bischoff took over WCW, Sting was the top babyface in the company. With political sharks like Hogan, Hall and Nash entering his waters, Sting took it all in stride.