War Games: The Match Beyond (The Final IV)

#3 Sting vs Sting? (Fall Brawl 1996: Team nWo vs WCW)

Sting confronting the "Bogus" Sting at the conclusion of the match, proving his innocence and allegiance to WCW

Around this time, WCW was on top of the wrestling world due to its growing storyline with the New World Order (nWo). The storyline leading into this particular match focused on the shocking betrayal of “Sting”, who turned his back on WCW and his fans when he and the rest of the New World Order attacked Lex Luger outside in the parking lot on Monday Nitro leading into Fall Brawl. This left WCW at a huge disadvantage leading into Fall Brawl, as Sting was supposed to lead WCW into war with the nWo at the event.

On the day of the show, Sting confronted Lex Luger, Ric Flair and Arn Anderson, pleading to Luger that it wasn’t him that attacked Luger on Nitro. Luger told Sting he didn’t believe him. A frustrated Stinger walked off and said he would see them out in the ring.

The match itself compromised of Team nWo (“Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and “Sting”) vs Team WCW (Lex Luger, Ric Flair and Arn Anderson), with WCW going into the event now at a 4-on-3 disadvantage. The match was pretty average for a War Games match for the time, as WCW had a no-blood policy going on and therefore the match itself was toned down quite a bit.

However, what made the match stood out was the dramatics. What was going to happen when Sting showed up? Was he telling the truth? Is he with the nWo or WCW?

“Sting” showed up, representing the now. He beat his chest. Howled to the crowd. Gave Stinger Splashes to Luger, Flair and Anderson respectively. When things were looking grim for WCW, the real STING made his appearance. He came in, attacked Hogan, Hall, Nash and the bogus “Sting” that had fooled everyone.

After single-handedly taking care of the nWo on his own, Sting flipped off Lex Luger and left the ring, angry and bitter. The nWo would go on to win the match after the "Bogus Sting" forced Lex Luger to pass out to the Scorpion Deathlock.

This was a pivotal match in the history of War Games as it represented the final time we would see Sting wrestling in his old school, colorful ring attire and set the stage for Sting’s transition to the “Crow” Sting in the months to come.