The definition of a monster, according to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, is "one who deviates from normal or acceptable behavior or character," "a threatening force," "an animal of strange or terrifying shape," "one unusually large for its kind," and "something monstrous." (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monster )
Leon White, known mostly by his ring name Vader, met and exceeded all of those definitions. A legendary force already in New Japan, Vader transitioned his success overseas to the WCW ring. In WCW, Vader would find perhaps his most legendary rival in WCW's franchise babyface: Sting. Sting, in his Bleach-Blonde Surfer haircut persona, was the reigning WCW World Champion by July 1992. While the two had met on TV prior to this, this was their first major confrontation on Pay Per View. When you add the WCW Championship into the equation, this became a battle of wills between the fan-favorite champion and the hungry monster.
Let's go back to 1992 and relive this classic match.
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WCW Great American Bash 1992
(Currently on WWE Network: The Man They Call Vader Collection)
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WCW Great American Bash 1992
Albany, Georgia
July 12, 1992
WCW World Heavyweight Championship
Sting (c) vs. Big Van Vader (w/ Harley Race)
Vader comes out with the classic metal headgear that blows smoke when laid in the ring. (That thing always looked awesome.) Sting gets a lot of high-pitched screams when he comes out.
A classic standoff between Vader and Sting happens as the bell rings. Vader, the immovable object, facing Sting, the unstoppable force. Vader just clobbers Sting in the corner with vicious shots. (How many potatoes were thrown on that? I'd go over 50% if I were betting.) Vader knocks Sting down, and Sting wisely goes to the floor to get a break. Sting comes back in the ring to attack Vader and Vader just no sells everything. (Sting is selling Vader's offense and size perfectly.)
Vader charges Sting in the corner. He misses Sting. Sting catches Vader with a back suplex for a HUGE pop from the crowd. He clotheslines Vader over the top rope to the floor for another great pop. Vader gets on his feet quickly and gets back in the ring. (Great work by both men here to pop the crowd early on. It gives Sting a glimmer of hope and still somehow pushes Vader at the same time. Vader did get up quickly after being dumped to the floor.) Vader asks for the test of strength. Sting works the crowd to get them into it. Vader gets the advantage, but Sting thumbs Vader in the eye and is able to strike Vader repeatedly to knock him down. Vader goes to the apron and gets suplexed over the ropes back into the ring. Vader catches Sting running at him and knocks him down. (Listen to the crowd during this match.) Sting kicks at Vader a few times and rolls him up for a 2. Vader takes another break on the floor. (Again, just some great work here. This feels like a fight.)
Sting and Vader go back at it. The problem for Sting is that he goes for a sunset flip. Vader just sits on him and crushes him. Vader now works over Sting with a few elbow drops and a splash. Vader deadlifts Sting by the throat over his head. Step-Over Toe Hold by Vader. SCORPION DEATH LOCK ON STING BY VADER! Sting tries to power up to get the crowd in it, and Vader just sits on Sting's back to end that. He keeps the hold on (which is more of an ankle lock in its execution). Sting powers Vader off of him. But Vader gets right back at it with a big right hand. Vader just continues to pummel and knocks down Sting. Sting sells the internal injuries and fatigue of being massacred by this monster. Sting starts fighting back with punches and does a rolling kick to Vader to knock him down. DDT by Sting puts Vader down.
Vader and Sting are both down on the mat selling the impact that this match has had: Sting, the damage that Vader has done, and Vader, the time and offensive retaliation by Sting. Vader is on the top rope and gets caught by Sting. Vader is laying on the top rope and gets kicked several times. Sting puts Vader on his shoulders and holds him up for a long time before finally hitting a Samoan Drop. 2 count. Vader goes to suplex Sting, but the referee gets kicked in the process. Sting suplexes Vader and bridges. The referee comes to and only gets a 2 count. (That's what is called an "out." Fans can point back at this as the moment that Sting had Vader beat. It protects the champion/babyface while building up the drama for the match itself.)
Vader is knocked into the corner. Stinger Splash. Vader is sent into another one. STINGER SPLASH, BUT STING'S HEAD HITS THE RING POST! He's out on the top turnbuckle and finally falls back as Vader covers after a few seconds. 2 count. Vader is exhausted, and Sting is selling being concussed and knocked out. Sting throws some wild punches that miss. Vader hits the powerbomb! 1-2-3.
Winner: Vader (NEW WCW World Heavyweight Champion)
Match Grade: A-. Just an excellent match in execution. Vader and Sting sold incredibly well for each other in this, each making sure the other looked even better coming out of this match than coming in. You also have to respect how well this worked in terms of the work from the wrestlers and the storytelling. Vader was the monster that just kept on getting back into the match while Sting just wouldn't give up. It took Sting hitting his own head on the ring post to take himself out of the match. Plus, the aforementioned suplex spot where Sting had Vader pinned just adds a lot more to this rivalry. Now fans want to see Sting get his revenge knowing in their hearts that Sting can beat Vader. The fans were also very hot during this match as well, which helps put this match over the top as well. The kicker is that this may not even be in the upper tier of their best matches. This feud only gets better from here. Even though Gorilla Monsoon worked in another company at the time, he would probably agree that this definitely fit the classification of "the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object."
Sting continues to sell the impact of the match as WCW officials, Nikita Koloff, and Ron Simmons help him out of the ring.
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Next time, I will be reviewing Starrcade 1992's King of Cable Tournament Finals between Sting and Vader. This is another match that has been hailed as an all-time classic match, which is something that is often said of any of the Vader-Sting matches.
Until next time, take care of yourselves. Spread some awesomeness.
(P.S. Thanks AJ for recommending this awesome rivalry.)
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