10 Best "Passing Of The Torch" Matches In WWE History
When age, injuries, and politics take a toll, it's time for a changing of the guard.
There's no escaping Father Time, particularly in a business as taxing as professional wrestling. There comes a point in every performer's career where the business starts passing them by, and they can't keep up anymore. It can be tough to let go of the spotlight, but it's a reality that every wrestler must eventually face-up to, and it's only right that they sign off on the transition of power by giving their successor the rub.
Sometimes, a single match against a celebrated veteran opponent is all it takes to secure an up and coming wrestler's position at the top of the mountain. Not everyone succeeds when passed the torch, but these matches are specifically designed to take the beneficiary to the next level. That's exactly what happened in the moments found within, with one wrestler propelled to further greatness, and another gracefully slipping down the ladder.
WWE have staged dozens of these matches as they transition from era to era, but they haven't all worked-out. The Rock vs. John Cena II stands as perfect example of a torch-passing match that fell flat, but when the stars align perfectly, the story of one wrestler assuming another's mantle can take a good match to the next level.
10. Jeff Hardy Vs. The Undertaker (Raw - 1 July 2002)
The Undertaker was undergoing a rejuvenation as 'Big Evil' in 2002. Jeff Hardy, meanwhile, had established himself as the most popular member of one of the most over tag teams in WWE history - the Hardy Boyz. WWE’s post-WrestleMania draft sent him and brother Matt to separate brands, and with the fans firmly on his side, Jeff was on the cusp of breaking-out as a singles star.
In July, Jeff found himself booked in a ladder match for The Undertaker’s WWE Championship, and though he lost, the outcome had a major impact on his career.
Nobody would have put money on Jeff going into the match, but Hardy showed unparalleled determination as he fought 'Taker. He took an obscene level of punishment, as he’s prone to do, and after reversing a Last Ride, it looked like Jeff was in with a legitimate shot. Hardy scaled the ladder to one of the greatest calls of Jim Ross’ career (“Climb the ladder, kid! Make yourself famous!”), but reality kicked-in. 'Taker recovered, scaled the ladder, and finished Jeff off with a Chokeslam.
It was a gut-wrenching loss, but Jeff had won 'Taker’s respect. The Deadman eventually returned to raise Jeff’s hand in the air after the match, and with the company icon’s blessing, Hardy was a made man. Personal issues meant it was several years before he’d receive another big opportunity at the gold, but even with his sojourn to TNA, this was the start of Jeff’s WWE rise.