10 'Passing The Torch' Wrestling Matches

8. Hulk Hogan Vs. The Rock (WrestleMania X-8)

The Rock Hulk Hogan WrestleMania X8
WWE.com

'Well let me tell you something, brother. You're going over'.

The Rock had already been a major star for years before Hulk Hogan limped back into the frame at WrestleMania X-8. On one hand, this match did more for Hogan than Rocky; the success of it, and the way fans received Hulk, must have gone some way to selling WWE on one more title run for the legend.

Regardless of who stole fan hearts in Canada that night, the fact is that The Rock picked up a clean win over someone who didn't give many. Even though fans rebelled against someone they'd previously cherished, Hulk congratulated Rocky and gave him the Hulkster seal of approval. That, 2002 or not, was massive in cementing Rock's status.

The branding of 'Mania X-8 was 'Icon vs. Icon', and The Rock ended the night as the Icon, not Hogan. In storyline at least, he was positioned as superior to an ageing hero who would soon shed his nWo image and become WWE's Father Christmas all over again.

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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.