Sting's 10 Greatest Accomplishments In Wrestling, Ranked

Sting is a wrestling legend who has truly earned his nickname, "the Icon." With a career that has lasted multiple decades, countless championships, and critical acclaim in pretty much every facet of wrestling, it is fair to say Sting is one of the greatest of all time. Even in his 60s, Sting is still competing in AEW at a high level in 2023.

Sting's major accomplishments in wrestling are vast. He has been the world champion in many different promotions and has held many titles in wrestling. This list will rank the top 10 biggest accomplishments of Sting's iconic wrestling career.

10 AEW Dynamite Award

No, an AEW Dynamite Award is not the most prestigious award on Sting's shelf, but it is important. At 62 years old, Sting was awarded "Best Surprise" at one of the hottest new companies in wrestling.

Most fans assumed Sting's career was over after he left the WWE in 2015, but he shocked everyone when he popped up on AEW. His Dynamite award solidifies his longevity as an icon.

9 Wrestling Observer Newsletter's "Match Of The Year"

Sting vs. Ric Flair at Clash Of The Champions 1

Sting's match at Clash of the Champions 1 against Ric Flair helped launch his career. The match ended in a 45-minute draw, but Sting made it clear that he was a force in the world of wrestling.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter's "Match Of The Year" was often reserved for bigger names and better technical performers than Sting. In 1988, his bout with Flair was voted "Match of the Year" and he officially entered a new world of critical acclaim to match his already hot platform in wrestling.

8 UWF Tag Team Champion

The Universal Wrestling Federation is a promotion that has been defunct for decades. Many fans have never even heard of the company or its tag team titles, but earning the titles in 1986 laid the groundwork for Sting's career.

He and Eddie Gilbert held the titles for less than a month, but it was the first major wrestling championship of Sting's career. Less than 4 years later he would win his first major world championship.

7 TNA Hall Of Fame

The Impact Hall of Fame was established in 2012 and the company's first inductee was none other than Sting. Sting's impact on Impact Wrestling cannot be overstated.

Since joining the promotion in 2003, he lent it the legitimacy it needed to be viewed as a genuine alternative to WWE. His star power attracted both viewers and fellow performers with similar resumes, establishing him as a main event attraction until his departure in 2014. He earned his right as a first-ballot, first-ever Hall of Famer at the company.

6 WWE Hall Of Fame

Although many argue that Sting does not deserve to be in the WWE Hall of Fame, an induction into the club has become the cherry on top of a legendary career. Much like the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame has become a Hall of Fame for Music, the WWE Hall of Fame has become a place for all wrestlers.

At one point, it seemed like Sting would go his whole career without ever wrestling a match for the WWE. In 2015, Ric Flair helped induct him in one of the best moments of Sting's career.

5 Number One On The PWI 500 in 1992

In 1991, Hulk Hogan was ranked number one on the Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 wrestlers. The second person to be voted number one was Sting in 1992.

The ranking was massive, because less than four years before being voted number one, Sting was not only not a well-known wrestler, but was not considered a "great wrestler." It was the only year he was ever voted number one.

4 TNA World Heavyweight Champion

Following TNA's rebranding of its championships in 2007, the TNA World Heavyweight Championship underwent several name changes. The title was held by notable wrestlers such as Kurt Angle, Bobby Roode, and AJ Styles.

Sting is the second person to ever win the title and held it for 326 combined days across 4 reigns.

3 WCW Triple Crown Champion

Becoming a WCW Triple Crown Champion was a highly coveted professional wrestling accolade that recognizes the elite performers who have won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship, and the WCW World Tag Team Championship.

Sting was the face of WCW for a long time, and it seems only right that he held virtually every title at the company. He was one of only nine wrestlers to earn a Triple Crown at WCW.

2 NWA World Heavyweight Champion

The NWA World Heavyweight Championship boasts a rich history, serving as the primary world title across several wrestling promotions. This title stands the test of time, being one of the oldest surviving titles in wrestling, and is widely recognized.

The list of wrestlers who held the title is a blend of celebrated legends and obscure talents, dating back to 1948. Sting held the title in two different companies (WCW and TNA), which makes it a special accomplishment for the Icon.

1 WCW World Heavyweight Champion

Sting is the quintessential WCW wrestler. Initially, a beloved hero, his rivalry with Ric Flair established him as a top-tier talent. However, his transformation into the Crow Sting was even more remarkable. He abandoned his bright colors for black-and-white, embodying WCW's resistance against the nWo.

Over a decade, Sting reigned as one of the company's most prominent stars, earning six WCW World Heavyweight Championship titles. Many argue that he is the best WCW World Heavyweight Champion of all time.