The Robocop Fiasco of 1990 has been a highly requested topic here at the ol’ Wrestlecrap offices, and with good reason. It was one of the most overhyped, idiotic angles of all time.
Let’s set the stage: It’s 1990, and Sting is in the World Title hunt chasing Ric Flair. Sting does a run-in during a Flair cage match, and as he is climbing the cage, his knee goes out. He has to undergo reconstructive surgery, so he is out of the hunt for a while. Still, WCW wanted him visible on their PPV’s, so they decided to pair him up with one of the film heroes of the day, Robocop.
Now for those of you too young to remember Robocop, it was a movie that was released in 1987 that went on to become the surprise hit of the year. Orion commissioned a sequel, and apparently someone thought that having Robocop help out Sting would be a good way to promote the film (which by all accounts was a bomb, garnering a measly 4.2 out of 10 over on IMDB).
Anyway, Robocop was part man, part machine, all cop. The future of law enforcement. (Or at least that’s the tagline of the movie.) He was basically a clunky, slow moving guy who fought for the good guys. Think Hulk Hogan with metal parts and more personality.
WCW heavily promoted his upcoming PPV appearance. He was going to make Flair and the Four Horsemen pay, and pay dearly! Here’s a clip from one of the commercials…
So he came to Capital Combat as Sting’s bodyguard. And a good thing, since the evil Horsemen threw Sting into a “steel” cage!
Robocop slowly lumbered his way down to ringside…
…and using his superhuman strength, began to bend the “steel” bars holding Sting captive!
He then removed the door completely from the hinges, to the surprise and delight of all, especially good ol’ JR who was calling the action.
The Horsemen ran off like a bunch of scaredy cats (well, actually they just kinda walked away, looking bored with the whole thing).
Sting and Robocop shared a tender moment…
…and then they went to the back.
And that was it. Nothing else. Robocop wasn’t seen again on WCW television, and eventually Sting made a complete recovery and beat Flair for the WCW belt.