Sting's WWE future in doubt following Undertaker loss at WrestleMania 30

It was as the second biggest foregone conclusion in WWE. Undertaker wins at WrestleMania 30, and Sting shows up to build to an epic showdown of mythical characters for this summer or next spring.

But when The Dead Man failed to get his shoulder up as the referee pounded out three at the Superdome on Sunday, April 6th, nothing was set in stone any longer.

Last night, when many fans and even industry insiders had expected Sting to appear live on WWE television for the first time in his storied career and kick-off a program with The Phenom, we instead were talking about the sudden mortality of The Undertaker.

So the question becomes, is Sting coming to WWE after all? And, if so, what story should be told with Steve Borden's character now that the one that so many of had fantasy booked is gone, or at least in serious jeopardy?

Dave Meltzer asked as much on the April 8th edition of Wrestling Observer Radio:

It's a really good question of what you do with Sting now. I don't have any idea. I mean other than being a guy who promotes his own DVD and they use him as a spokesperson for the Network and things like that. I was told that he will be on TV at some point. When that will be... I don't think it's going to be soon. I was told, what was it, a couple days ago when the deal was pretty much done, I go 'so he's going to be at Raw Monday' -- and this was when they knew Undertaker was going to win even though, in fact, he didn't win -- and it's just like 'no, I don't think he's going to be on TV anytime soon'.

There's a benefit to both parties in having him in the same role they have Hulk Hogan in now: special attraction (non-wrestler) and WWE Network spokesman. A career retrospective DVD with all of the legends under the WWE umbrella commenting on Sting's place in history would sell like crazy and be an important story to tell. An induction into the Hall of Fame, perhaps alongside his most famous foils, the NWO, is another no-brainer.

But is there an in-ring story to tell without Taker? Sting has not looked great in the ring over the last couple of years. A lot of that can be attributed to the same TNA ennui that drug down Rob Van Dam when he was there, but The Stinger just turned 55 years old. While a ring general in his prime like Daniel Bryan could probably get the same good match out of him that Austin Aries was able to last year on Impact, is that a good use of the new WWE World Heavyweight Champ's time? Is there a good story to tell there?

As of right now, it doesn't seem like anyone has the answers to those questions. The good news for WWE and The Icon is that they can always make money together taking the safe route of a Legends-type deal.

The bad news for fans is, it doesn't look like we'll be seeing Sting on our television screens any time soon.