10 Times WWE Failed To Pass The Torch

Way back in 2006, before he was WWE's resident 'Apex Predator', Randy Orton was at something of a crossroads in his career.

He'd just come off the back of a top level feud with The Undertaker and finally looked well placed to take up a permanent spot in the main event scene. The first signs were good as Orton slithered his way into the WrestleMania 22 bout for the World Heavyweight Championship. Then, things hit the skids when he was subsequently suspended for 60 days due to 'unprofessional conduct.'

This wasn't a great look for a star tipped to be the future of the company and he was therefore quite lucky to find himself in a match with 'The Immortal' Hulk Hogan at SummerSlam 2006 so soon after his return.

The feud was supposed to highlight just how big of a top heel Orton had the potential to become and his degrading of Hogan - along with his shameless flirting with the legend's daughter - made for some pretty compelling evidence towards his predicted ascension.

However, instead of using the match to successfully pass on the main event torch to Orton via a convincing victory, it was used as yet another Hogan showcase bout and the starlet would be leg-dropped to the back of the main event line for another year.

This could have been Orton's moment to prove he was the new standard bearer in the company, but he'd sadly have to wait a little longer to become the top star we know today.