"The Vigilante" goes over why he announced his retirement from in-ring competition on his big night.
Sting's 31-year career culminated at the 2016 WWE Hall Of Fame ceremony, where he received his H.O.F. ring. Sting made his first appearance in a WWE ring when he appeared at the 2014 'Survivor Series' PPV and threw a wrench in the Authorities' plans, which lead to Team Cena picking up the victory in the traditional 5-on-5 'Survivor Series' match. Following a string of appearances throughout the months, a match between Sting and Triple H would happen at WrestleMania 31 in 2015. Sting did not grab the victory in the bout, but this would not be his last major match in the company.
Five months after Sting's WrestleMania debut, he would go on to challenge Seth Rollins for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the 'Night Of Champions' PPV. During the contest, Sting suffered a legit neck injury, taking a 'buckle-bomb' from Rollins. This would end up being "The Icon's" last match of his career.
While Sting appeared at the Arizona Comic-Con last month, he explained why he announced his retirement while being inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame.
“I didn’t know if I was going to make any kind of announcement until I did it at the Hall of Fame. I was wavering, I was kind of back-and-forth on it. I got hurt wrestling Seth and the neurosurgeons and everybody [were] saying I needed surgery and then I had trouble with cervical spinal stenosis or whatever they call it and there were two areas in my neck that were really messed up bad. Although I don’t have any pain or side-effects, one more bad fall and it’s not going to be good for me, so I just thought enough was enough.”
Although fans only got to enjoy Sting for a short amount of time, it was a good visual seeing an individual who played such a crucial role in the Monday Night Wars; get his opportunity, a little late, but nonetheless the opportunity to compete at WrestleMania and eventually, for the WWE World Championship.
[h/t to Sports Illustrated]
