WWE: Sting - Into The Light

So after WWE's first Sting release was a match compilation only, do we finally get the definitive Sting documentary we've benn craving? Well no, not really but it's still interesting and entertaining enough to make it worth your while. Chuck in another 20 matches of good standard, 30+ minutes of bonus stories and a couple of lengthy promos and we've got another sizeable slice of Sting goodness.The doc itself is the shorter style (75 mins) now customary in WWE - focussing largely on the present day with reflections on the past. The framing device for this one is a behind the scenes look at the main mans journey to WWE screens - meetings, media appearences, contract signings and then Survivor Series and Wrestlemania. Meanwhile he and many others discuss important moments from his career - the likes of Flair, Luger, Ross, Hogan, Warrior, Bischoff, Rick Steiner etc line up alongside family members. Sting himself is an engaging interview, comes over as a hell of a nice guy and there's good stuff here to chew on but sadly not enough of it. Not much is covered in real depth and left me wanting more but such is life, this is what we have.The bonus stories do add value, in fact they contain some of the better stuff on the set. Of the 20 matches, 4 are exclusive to the Blu Ray version, as are the 2 promos that finish off the set making 76 minutes of Blu exclusives. This is the list of the content with a few comments for those that are interested...??/11/85 - The Freedom Fighters v David Johnson & The Invader - Not much of a match really, the future Sting and Ultimate Warrior barely rustle up a wrestling move between them at this early stage.02/03/86 - The Blade Runners v Tracey Smothers & Ricky Gibson - An upgrade on the previous match, the boys are still pretty green but getting better.29/05/87 - Sting & Rick Steiner v Brad Armstrong & Tim Horner - UWF Tag Titles - A lengthier, solid and entertaining old school tag scrap.27/03/88 - Sting v Ric Flair - NWA World Title - Now we're talking, this is a belter and an object lesson in how to make someone a star. Flairs at the peak of his powers here and he's putting on a show.21/03/91 - Sting v The Great Muta - Another quality showing here, a fiery, fast paced ride.19/05/91 - Sting & Lex Luger v The Steiner Brothers - WCW Tag Titles - This is great while it lasts, starting with handshakes, it quickly turns into a stiff spot fest. Good stuff.23/11/91 - Sting v Cactus Jack - Submit or Surrender Match - A strong, sturdy slug fest. Bit of a beat down for the big man here with Foley throwing in a few typically hard bumps.18/11/92 - Sting v Rick Rude - No commentary which hurts the atmosphere just a little (Jesse Ventura won't be getting any royalty cheques from this one). The match itself is a solid, entertaining affair.22/05/94 - Sting v Vader - WCW International World Title - A satisfying slow builder that hits a higher gear at the right time.08/04/95 - Sting v Steve Austin - Decent enough TV main event. Nothing truly memorable but that Austin fella may have potential.20/11/95 - Sting v Hulk Hogan - Not the most thrilling match in the world and it has a lame finish. But an interesting curiosity with Hogan wearing black, acting hellishly and getting booed a good 6 months before the arrival of the NWO.14/06/98 - Sting v The Giant - WCW Tag Titles - So the winner of this is the new "Tag Team Champion"? What?!? Never mind, it's relatively short but fast paced and well received.14/09/98 - Sting v Goldberg - WCW World Title - Shame about the screwy finish as this is pretty good fun up to that point in front of an electric crowd.29/04/99 - Sting v DDP - WCW World Title - The live crowd are well into this one as well. Schiavone on commentary calls it a classic which is an overstatement but it's still a pretty damn good lengthy brawl.18/10/99 - Sting v Bret Hart - WCW World Title - Not the top effort they probably could have cooked up in their primes but it's decent enough until the expected screwy ending.23/11/14 - Stings WWE Debut - This picks up the cracking main event of Survivor Series 2014 during the finishing sequence - out strolls our boy and raises the roof. Sweet moment.29/03/15 - Sting v Triple H - Still got mixed feelings about this one - not the Sting Wrestlemania moment I was looking/hoping for but it's still kinda fun. Probably best not to overthink it.The rest are the Blu Ray exclusives....08/06/88 - Sting & Dusty Rhodes v Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard - NWA Tag Titles - A fun slice of old school tag action with the rest of the Horsemen not far away (obviously).07/11/92 Sting v Brian Pillman - Soild TV match with Pillman heeling it up and having a blast.27/05/96 - Sting v Scott Steiner - A little disappointing as a steady pace builds to a painfully predictable conclusion.16/04/00 - Sting v Booker T - The last match on the set and its a relatively short but energetic affair.Then we finish with two lengthy (Helmsley dominated) promos from Stings recent WWE work...22/02/15 - Sting & Triple H Face to Face Confrontation.23/03/15 - Sting Speaks!

I was expecting better from this, considering the legendary career Sting has had. I didn't think much of the documentary - though it was good seeing him reminisce about his biggest matches, far too much time was given to his short WWE career. It honestly feels like watching a propaganda film at times. The matches are a mixed bunch - there are a few repeats, and the very earliest matches on the set are not good - it only gets going with the Clash of the Champions against Ric Flair. The match against Rick Rude has no commentary, which kills it for me. Some of the other matches are included purely because of the opponent and not the quality of the match itself. The match from Wrestlemania 31 was fun, but the outcome was disappointing and the whole thing felt like an excuse to have one more dig at WCW.

Overall, this is a very good accompaniment to the first WWE release The best of Sting. As for the documentary, Sting comes across as humble and likeable, which is supported by various talking heads including Big Show, Tyson Kid, Scott Hall and Hulk Hogan. His tour around WWE Offices is eye-opening and most fans will like. Although Triple H doesn't come across very well. The matches vary from extremely important (v Ric Flair Clash of Champions March 1988), rare (v Great Muta WCW Japan Supershow April 1991), excellent (v Steiner's w/Lex Luger WCW Superbrawl 1991, v DDP WCW Nitro April 1999) to interesting but slight filler (v Bret Hart WCW Nitro October 1998, v Hogan WCW Nitro November 1995). The last match is Sting v Triple H from Wrestlemania 31 (2015), which is a disappointment on a couple of levels. Firstly, people wanted to see Sting v Undertaker (Sting admits he did in the documentary). Secondly, execution and interference with NWO (who support Sting!!??!) and DX really doesn't help the match. People had waited so long for Sting that outside interference wasn't needed. The backdrop of WWE v WCW is also odd as takes place on WWE ground and 14 after WCW closed. The two Blu-Rays WWE have released are individually incomplete but that's the point...

Great buy for me as a long wrestling fan I'm fully aware of the history of the Icon Sting.But if you are a young wrestling fan this be a great purchase as for to see where the like's one of all the greats of the wrestling ring came from.To were we are to the wrestling of today.

Sting was an excellent wrestler, Right through from the late 1980’s through to the 2000’s. Classic matches from a fantastic wrestler. Highly recommend if your a wrestling fan.