WrestleMania 28: Ranking the Best Pass-the-Torch Moments in Mania History

Perhaps no match in the history of wrestling has ever been hyped more than the impending faceoff between John Cena and The Rock at WrestleMania XXVIII. The match has been a year in the making, and many feel as though it will ultimately end with The Rock "passing the torch" to Cena.

It remains to be seen if that will happen, but it most definitely wouldn't be the first time. There have been several occasions at wrestling's biggest event where an established veteran has lost to a younger star.

The preferred term for that is "passing the torch" as the older star is essentially moving out of the spotlight in favor of the younger star.

If it happens at WrestleMania XXVIII, Cena vs. The Rock might very well be the best pass-the-torch moment ever, but until then, here are the three greatest such occurrences in WrestleMania history.

The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan - WrestleMania X8

If things go as many expect at WrestleMania XXVIII, it would be The Rock's second time taking part in a pass-the-torch moment, but this time he would be on the other side of it. At WrestleMania X8 in Toronto, The Rock took on Hulk Hogan in one of the more incredible matches in the event's history.

Neither The Rock nor Hogan were in-ring marvels by any means, but when it comes to whipping the crowd into a frenzy, they are two of the all-time best. That was on display in this match as Hogan, who entered as a heel, was cheered wildly.

After a solid bout, The Rock won as expected, but what happened after the match truly warmed the heart of every wrestling fan. The Rock and Hogan ultimately shook hands and just as Hogan was about to exit the ring to give The Rock his moment, The Rock pulled him back in and allowed him to pose for the fans.

This torch-passing was the best of all worlds as The Rock got the rub, but Hogan got his moment as well.

The Ultimate Warrior vs. Hulk Hogan - WrestleMania VI

Like The Rock, Hulk Hogan is no stranger to pass-the-torch moments. Although he did the job at WrestleMania X8 against The Rock, he had already done something similar 12 years prior. Throughout the mid and late 1980s, Hogan was unquestionably the biggest star in wrestling.

A new star began to emerge during that time, however, in the form of The Ultimate Warrior. By the time WrestleMania VI rolled around in 1990 his popularity had reached an all-time high, so it was time to make Warrior the face of the WWE.

He and Hogan faced off in a champion vs. champion match as Hogan held the WWE Championship, while Warrior was the Intercontinental Champion. The match was truly surreal as it featured the two biggest wrestling stars in the world at that point.

Hogan was still the man, but the audience was looking for something new and Warrior was just that. Warrior won the match in a true passing-the-torch moment as Hogan endorsed him afterward. Hogan would be back on top a year later, though, as steroid issues got Warrior in hot water.

John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels - WrestleMania 23

Not every pass-the-torch moment is obvious, but in retrospect, Shawn Michaels essentially passed the torch to John Cena at WrestleMania 23.

Cena, who was still fairly new as a top guy at the time, and Michaels who had long been a fan favorite, were feuding into WrestleMania over Cena's WWE Championship. It all came to a head in the main event as Cena was given a massive victory over Michaels via submission.

While HBK's WrestleMania record is far from unblemished, he is the greatest showman the event has ever seen and a win over him is a major accomplishment.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that Cena wouldn't be where he is today if not for the win over Michaels, but it's obvious that the victory really helped legitimize him in a big way.

Michaels went on to wrestle in high-profile matches for a few years, but there was no question that Cena was the top guy in the company from that point forward.