10 Best "Passing Of The Torch" Matches In WWE History
2. Hulk Hogan Vs. Ultimate Warrior (WrestleMania VI)
No single wrestler was more important to WWE’s surge in popularity throughout the 1980s than Hulk Hogan. Without him, the first WrestleMania would never have happened, and Vince McMahon wouldn’t be in business today. He’s a divisive figure, but Hogan’s impact on the industry cannot be understated, and as WWE’s most important wrestler throughout the bulk of his first run, WWE had a terrible time replacing him.
The Ultimate Warrior was one of their early experiments at preparing for life after Hogan. The company knew they couldn’t rely on The Hulkster forever, and while Hogan still had a few years left in him, by 1990, Warrior had come very close to matching his popularity. The face-painted lunatic was absolutely flying, and as WWE Intercontinental Champion, he met with Hogan for an iconic title vs. title match at WrestleMania VI.
Warrior’s victory was as obvious as “passing of the torch” moments get, particularly as Hogan congratulated him afterwards. In that moment, it looked like WWE had finally found The Hulkster’s true successor. Warrior, for all his in-ring deficiencies, was absolutely white-hot, and all set to become the biggest star in wrestling. This obviously didn’t happen for a number of reasons, and Warrior’s WWE run ended in infamy, but in a bubble, Hogan vs. Warrior felt like a huge, game-changing moment.