Passing the torch moments can be a big deal in professional wrestling as it can help to create a major star and ensure that someone looks fantastic. The idea is that an already established star loses and that leads to the person who wins benefiting from it, and when done right this can be fantastic.
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There have been some iconic passing-the-torch moments throughout WWE's history, but even though many of them have worked well and established people, there are plenty that has failed. Sometimes the storyline just isn't there and if the match doesn't quite work out then it can end up flopping.
10 Legitimate: Mick Foley To Randy Orton (Backlash, 2004)
When Randy Orton was making his way up the ranks in WWE it was clear that he was going to be a big deal and had all the tools to become a big star. However, he needed a big victory to truly establish him and that is something that Mick Foley was willing to provide him.
The two competed at Backlash in 2004 in an extremely violent encounter. The fact that Orton showcased he was willing to go through those crazy bumps said a lot about him, and he never looked back from then on.
9 Meant Nothing: John Cena To Austin Theory (WrestleMania 39)
A recent passing-the-torch moment that WWE attempted saw John Cena lose to Austin Theory in the opening match at WrestleMania 39. It was a big win for Theory, but since that point, he has arguably been featured even less and not felt as important, which proves that it meant nothing.
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A big problem with this was that the storyline never got much excitement because the build-up for it was quite poor. The match itself was forgettable, and because the moment wasn't big and the aftermath has been a let down it didn't help Theory in the long run.
8 Legitimate: The Rock To Brock Lesnar (SummerSlam, 2002)
Brock Lesnar is a megastar in the industry right now, and that is something he has certainly earned in his own right. It is more than likely he'd have always reached this stage, but the victory that The Rock gave him was a huge moment in solidifying Lesnar as the next top name at the time.
The Rock was arguably the biggest star on the roster, and seeing him put Lesnar over clean, allowing him to be so dominant was surprising to many and it worked in getting him over.
7 Meant Nothing: The Undertaker To Roman Reigns (WrestleMania 33)
Defeating The Undertaker at WrestleMania should have been a huge deal for Roman Reigns, and seeing him come out and tell the world it was his yard certainly got him heat. However, this wasn't a grand passing the torch moment because Reigns continued to struggle truly getting over afterward.
A big reason why this wasn't a great passing-the-torch situation was simply because the match was so poor. It didn't make Reigns look impressive and the fact Brock Lesnar had already beaten 'Taker meant that his win didn't count for as much.
6 Legitimate: Triple H To Batista (WrestleMania 21)
The storyline between Triple H and Batista in the aftermath of Evolution was one of the greatest that WWE has ever put on, and it all built up to a perfect crowning moment for the Animal. It truly helped cement Batista as the top main event player in the company, and taking the title from Triple H did mean a lot.
The Game might get a lot of flack from fans for not putting people over, but this was one moment where he did just that and the entire business was able to benefit from the situation, including Batista.
5 Meant Nothing: Kurt Angle To Baron Corbin (WrestleMania 34)
Getting to be the one to face Kurt Angle in his final-ever wrestling match and defeat him is something that should have meant a huge deal to someone, but the fact Baron Corbin has that accolade is largely forgotten at this point. It was a huge missed opportunity for someone, and whether Corbin was the wrong call or the storyline wasn't engaging enough can be debated.
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A big reason it didn't work is because Angle wasn't the same man he once was, therefore his performances in the ring suffered. They had limited time in the match and this was simply a throwaway mid-card bout, which instantly stopped fans from investing properly.
4 Legitimate: Shawn Michaels To Steve Austin (WrestleMania 14)
Shawn Michaels was able to continue being a top star for a long time after this, but his WrestleMania 14 bout against Steve Austin was him passing the ball onto the next generation to be the main names. The man ready for that was Austin, and the Texas Rattlesnake gladly took the opportunity.
Him beating Michaels not only changed his career, but it also changed the business. A new era was able to kickstart and a lot of that was down to Austin's edge and the personality he brought. This was a case of Austin being at the point where he was just taking the torch, and this was the match to make that happen.
3 Meant Nothing: Triple H To Roman Reigns (WrestleMania 32)
Another time WWE tried and failed to pass the torch to Roman Reigns was at WrestleMania 32, which was a situation that failed drastically. WWE was desperate for Reigns to be the top babyface, but the fans simply didn't want to see him in that spot and they rejected his win.
Instead of switching up his character and embracing a heel turn to make this work, WWE tried to push forward and it made the situation worse, with this not working at all.
2 Legitimate: Hulk Hogan To The Rock (WrestleMania 18)
While The Rock was already over and a truly established name by the time this match came around, it didn't stop it from being a passing-the-torch moment. When fans think of these situations, this classic encounter is often the one that people think about first because it was that good.
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Both men were able to bring their best here in front of an electric atmosphere, and the fact it is so fondly remembered helps establish this as legitimate. It helped put The Rock over to another level, and the sign of respect from the Hulkster showed he was passing the baton on to him.
1 Meant Nothing: The Rock To John Cena (WrestleMania 29)
The Rock tried to pass on the torch to John Cena later in his career to do what Hulk Hogan did for him, but that situation ultimately meant nothing. Cena had already done way more in wrestling than Rock ever did by the time their WrestleMania match happened, and the fact Rock won the first won instantly rendered the sequel less important.
Cena didn't need the torch as he was the poster boy for the company and had been for over a decade by that stage. While it was certainly a huge match, this ultimately meant nothing in the grand scheme of Cena's career.
