10 Amazing WWE World Title Wins (That Led To Lame Championship Runs)
2. Ultimate Warrior
WrestleMania VI ended with an iconic passing of the torch - the heretofore indestructable Hulk Hogan looking at the lights while the Ultimate Warrior squished him with a splash to add the Heavyweight Championship to his Intercontinental strap. It seemed a true changing of the guard, the cartoonish ‘80s excess of Hogan giving way to the even gaudier, even more excessive Warrior. Hogan held his foe’s hand aloft, signifying the end of an era.
Ah, but craft Terry always has a plan. Hogan has since admitted that his putting over of Warrior post-match was his attempt to remain in the spotlight, convinced the face paint clad lunatic couldn’t hack the limelight.
He called that one, alright. While Warrior was spectacularly over, he wasn’t the guy to face up the company - he couldn’t cut the slick public image of a Hogan or later top guys like The Rock or Cena. What’s more, he was seriously limited in the ring, and not the easiest guy to work with.
Warrior held the title for a while but didn’t enjoy a reign anywhere near as long as top guys of the time, and eventually passed the belt to Sergeant Slaughter, who’d transition it to - you guessed it - the crafty Hulkster!