WWF Superstars, May 24, 1997WWF Superstars, May 24, 1997MEAN GENE OKERLUND
Mean Gene Okerlund is standing in the aisle.
Mean Gene: Welcome back to more action here on WWF Superstars! Hey, attention Hotline fans! This one's been burning up the lines all day: Are there yet MORE problems in the Network? I had the chance to recently sit down with one current member, and that person had a LOT to say about feelings flowing in the group! Call now for that exclusive story! Now, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest . . . Sting!
Gene begins looking up above his head and then around all sides, looking for Sting. Sting comes right out through the entrance, though, wearing a black scorpion shirt and tights, as well as his black and white facepaint. Sting heads up the aisle and stands near Mean Gene, but is distracted for a moment by a young boy standing by the aisle. The boy has his face painted up in Sting's old paint style, and cheers as Sting looks to him. Sting looks at the boy for a moment, and then turns to face Mean Gene.
Gene: Sting, the King of the Ring Tournament is coming up shortly, and as we all know by now, you advanced into the second round with your victory over Bret Hart. You'll face Stevie Ray of the Harlem Heat in that round, and if you can advance to the finals and win . . . you will not only become King, you will ALSO win the WWF Television Championship! How do you see the King of the Ring shaping up?
Sting: You know, Gene, what you said there was exactly right. I DID beat Bret Hart to advance. The legend himself! But did I come out here after I did it and brag and rub in how I won? No, I didn't. Why? Because it wasn't a surprise to me that I beat Bret. I knew I could do it, I said I would, and I went out and did it. But seemingly everyone else WAS shocked that I advanced.
Gene: People were surprised, that's true.
Sting: That's the problem, Gene. You look at the Stinger, and you don't see a guy who can go the distance and pull off the big win. You don't see WWF Champion written on me. I've beaten Randy Savage, yet another legend, and beat him pretty nicely. I've beaten Double J, Razor Ramon, The 123 Kid . . . the list goes on. I had Diesel beaten back a few weeks ago, which no one can deny. But STILL I am one of the most underrated, and perhaps unrespected, guys in the WWF. But I assure you that all this will change, Gene. And part of that change will come at the King of the Ring.
Gene: Let's talk about the King of the Ring. How do you think you're going to fare against 7 of the WWF's best?
Sting: Gene, come King of the Ring, I plan to have the night of my life. I could win it all. I could go to the finals, or the 3rd round. I may not advance any further at all. But win, lose, or draw, I WILL come out with my respect.
Gene: You said a moment ago that PART of the change you mentioned would come at the PPV. What is the rest of the equation?
Sting: I think I know what I have to do in order to reaffirm my status as a wrestler that not only commands respect, but who can be taken seriously around the WWF. And Gene, that's what I plan on doing. In fact, right here on Superstars next week I may carry out my plan. And when I do, the name "Sting" will finally reclaim the respect that it's been missing all these months. Gene, I've just got one last thing to say.
Gene: Go right ahead.
Sting: WWF . . . and more importantly, WWF fans. We've heard a lot of talk about "rebirths" around here lately. But I promise you all that when the Stinger carries out his plan, the man . . . the Man Called Sting will be reborn . . . and will be respected. Gene, it's been fun.
Sting begins up the aisle, but stops and turns back to face the boy in the crowd. Sting raises his hand up to the boy, and he slaps a high 5 with Sting. Sting nods his head and continues back up the aisle, stopping to look out at the ring and the crowd before he disappears through the curtains.