Sting wants match with Undertaker before retiring, almost signed with WWE last year

I'm a little (okay, way) late getting to this but current TNA wrestler/on screen character Sting recently did an interview with Big Poppa in the Morning in New York and the subject of WWE came up.

Of course.

Surprisingly enough, Undertaker also made his way into the discussion. When asked who the one guy he hasn't worked with but would like to is, Sting just came right out and said it:

"Well, yeah, I would have to say the top one. And on Twitter, it's just all over Twitter, really, wrestling fans are just talking about it like crazy (so) I might as well just comment on it, but Undertaker. You know, I think wrestling fans have wanted to see Sting vs. Undertaker for years and I think between his gimmick and mine, it could be pretty cool. You could do some pretty cool stuff."

When Undertaker made his annual return to WWE last year, he did so with a series of video packages that were designed to be ambiguous (much like this years with Chris Jericho's return) to make folks think that Sting was the one who finally jumped ship and made his way to the company.

But various things continue to get in the way. For starters, Dixie Carter continues moving mountains for him, essentially giving him anything he wants while providing the easy going workload and travel schedule that longtime pro wrestlers long for. That combined with the ruthless backstage politics so prevalent in WWE -- something he's not familiar with and has stated many times in the past he doesn't trust -- have kept him away.

However, Sting admits that he's been very close to signing a deal, "three or four times" as he told Big Poppa. The most recent of which came last year:

"Yes and no. Who wouldn't want to say that they did at least one WrestleMania. I mean, I'm not going to lie to you. Of course, I'd like to be able to say I at least did one of those. That would be it. But I've had great conversations with them over the years and been real close on probably three or four different occasions on going up there. But there was always a need met or a desire of mine met with WCW and now with TNA and so I stay. (The last time I almost jumped was) last year, that's the truth. Very, very close."

Again, the reasons for his not signing last year are quite simple. Dixie Carter went above and beyond to keep him with TNA and his one dream match that he so obviously desires -- against Undertaker at WrestleMania -- was never going to happen because Triple H wanted that spot.

And there's simply no way in hell "The Game" would step aside to let Sting come in and do his thing while he had nothing going on, even if it would have been far better for business.

Last year also featured The Rock returning as guest host, so ultimately WWE decided they didn't need Sting and he ultimately didn't need them. He would eventually go on to have a big match against Hulk Hogan at Bound for Glory. In comparison to what could have been with Sting vs. 'Taker at 'Mania, one can't help but be rather sad about the entire ordeal.

It's also unfortunate that it looks as though the window of opportunity may be all but closed. Undertaker is penciled in for yet another match against Triple H this year and who knows where his health and desire will be by the time next year rolls around. Plus, Carter has been outright saying Sting is on his farewell tour this year and will likely be done as an active wrestler by the time 2013 rolls around. He refuted those claims but he's not getting any younger.

At a combined age of 98-years-old, it's hard to imagine either guy is long for the pro wrestling world. Anyone think there's still even a slight chance we'll see the two inside the ring together at WrestleMania before it's all said and done?

Any chance at all?