10 Most Crucial WWE World Title Changes

6. The Ultimate Warrior Defeats Hulk Hogan - WrestleMania VI

A new decade and a new champion, that's how Vince McMahon and his World Wrestling Federation officials viewed WrestleMania VI. In 1990, Hulk Hogan was looking to take some time away from the wrestling bubble. The Hulkster had been on top for so long, holding the WWF Heavyweight Title for almost 2,000 days (combined over 2 reigns) since 1984. As the Intercontinental Champion, The Ultimate Warrior had burst onto the scene several years before. Warrior was the only babyface who could claim to rival Hogan's popularity. There was a clash coming, and McMahon smelled money to be made from one. Thus, 'Mania VI was dubbed 'The Ultimate Challenge'. The winner of the headline bout would walk away with both top titles. At the time, the thought process really was that The Ultimate Warrior would supplant Hulk Hogan and lead the entire WWF through the 90's. That's perhaps surprising now, because Warrior ended up hardly being around for much of the decade, but people weren't to know that then. Warrior needed to beat Hogan to become established, and he did. Even watching the match back now reveals the shock of the audience inside the Toronto SkyDome when Hulk goes down for the count.
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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.