The mystical torch of professional wrestling is such an interesting debate. We can all acknowledge that the torch is very suggestive and unclear. In reality, it isnt actually a real thing, but it cannot be denied that there is an argument to be made for a torch bearer. The guy who holds the fire of pro wrestling. The guy who is trusted with the flame of pro wrestling. The one guy who is carrying the narrative of what pro wrestling is currently about. In the narrative of wrestling where all stories are told, there is always someone who is the guy. You can be a top guy, or a marquee guy but not a torch bearer. You can be the champion of wrestling, but not the torch bearer. Triple H is the perfect example of someone who was the embodiment of what a WWE Champion should be, but he didnt hold the torch in his prime. Batista is a perfect example of a marquee guy and a good champion who never held the torch.
In my opinion, it is about momentum, booking, fan support, perception and work rate that make you the torch bearer. The title isnt a measuring stick for that, but it obviously plays a significant role. For me, holding the torch comes down to big moments and small ones. Sometimes the passing of the torch is a massive moment and sometimes it is quiet. The awareness of the torch and its position in WWE history is a key argument that wrestling fans need to understand. I want to see where this line is marked in wrestling history. From my perspective, I want to do my best to open this conversation up for debate the look at the line of torch bearers in WWE history.
The first historical champion is Buddy Rodgers. In that era, there was really only one name: Bruno Sammartino. In my opinion, Sammartino set the torch on fire. The torch eventually falls to Bob Backlund. You just cant argue with the title runs, their momentum in that era and booking. It isnt until Hulk Hogan takes the torch in 1984 from The Iron Sheik that it becomes noticeable. It cant be argued that to mainstream wrestling history that Hogan is the pioneer. He made the torch burn hotter and brighter than almost everyone who has ever wrestled. Id argue that he gave it to Warrior at Mania VI because a year later, Hogan is right back in the main event of Wrestlemania VII. There really is no debate, or question that the torch is Hogans until his departure for WCW. However, this is where the timeline starts to raise questions. Did Hogan take the torch with him? Because if he did, one could argue he never lost it in WCW. Sure, he put guys over like Goldberg in Atlanta on Nitro, but was there a big moment that lead to the torch passing in momentum like when Hogan beat Iron Sheik? I would argue no. From my perspective then, Hogan gives it to The Rock in 2002 at Wrestlemania XVIII. If you are dead set on Goldberg getting it from Hogan in that big moment on Nitro, then Nash gets it when he beats Goldbergs Streak because Goldberg never lived the end of The Streak down. A week later, the Fingerpoke of Doom gives it back to Hogan, then it gets passed around WCW until Booker T ends the company with it. The other biggest issue is who carries the torch in WWF? It is just an over complicated mess of perspective of all of us.
The solution is Hogan creates a second torch that he takes with him to WCW while giving the original to Yokozuna at King of the Ring 1993. In my opinion, Hogan deserves to be the creator of a second torch and he holds it until Mania 18 against The Rock. Ill get to that. In WWF, the torch sorta gets passed around a little between Yokozuna, Bret Hart and Diesel for a few years. Hart ends up with it somewhere in 1994 and 1995. It is a little messy, but Hart was so over in WWF at that time. There is no way he didnt end up the torch bearer during that time. But then, along comes Shawn Michaels. Id argue they traded it back and forth until The Montreal Screwjob where Vince McMahon essentially took it from Bret Hart and gave it to Shawn Michaels. There is a lot of depth in that era that Id like to discuss. However, HBK ends up with the torch as The Hitman leaves for WCW. At Wrestlemania XIV, Michaels gives the torch to Stone Cold Steve Austin.
You may disagree with how we got here, but you cant argue that Austin was WWFs torchbearer for the rest of the 90s. We can argue about The Rock and Triple H sharing it in 2000, but it is definitely Austins in 2001 either way. Whats interesting now is that when you look at the year of 2002, both torches come under the same roof. Hogans comes over from WCW and he gives it to The Rock in March at Mania. I think that is crystal clear. Austins torch however becomes in question when he takes his ball (torch) and goes home. Austin sort of hijacks that torch. Then at Summerslam 2002, The Rock gives torch 2″ to Brock Lesnar as The Next Big Thing and essentially makes his first major move to transition to Hollywood full time. When Austin returns in 2003, does he give it to The Rock in his retirement match at Wrestlemania XIX? Because Lesnar wins the main event of that Wrestlemania and his torch is bright. What happened to Austins torch?
In my mind, Austins torch is given to The Rock at Mania 19. The issue with that is Rock puts over Goldberg and then he is essentially gone for almost a decade. If that is accurate, then that torch is hijacked again until 2013 at Wrestlemania XXIX against John Cena. How can The Rock hold the torch, but never be involved for that long? Austins year is understandable, but Rocks is too long. Does that torch finally burn out? My stance on that matter is that era was so bright that it required two torches. I think The Rock holding the torch for a decade is a testament to that eras importance that no one was worthy of that honor until the right time.
With that torch gone, there is something interesting that occurs. Simultaneously, there is the honor of being the champion of WWE. There are now two belts and while Lesnars torch is one issue, Id argue that being the champion becomes the other. I believe that when Triple H is crowned the WWE World Heavyweight Champion by Eric Bischoff, he is given that title of the champion. That lasts for him until Wrestlemania XXI against Batista. That event is crucial because going back to Lesnars torch in 2003, when does his torch get passed? My argument is at No Way Out 2004 when he gives it to Eddie Guerrero. A month later, Lesnar puts over Goldberg at Mania and is gone until 2012. Does he take the torch with him? I believe that Guerrero was massively over with the audience and had enough momentum and had a big enough moment at No Way Out to classically steal the torch from Lesnar. I think Eddie has it for a few months and loses it to JBL that summer. I do question if JBL was over enough to be a torch bearer, but he did carry Smackdown as the biggest heel for over a year. That eventually leads us back to Mania 21 as John Cena emerges the new torch bearer while on the same night, Batista becomes the champion of WWE.
As complicated as this has been, I firmly believe there are two torches and one champion. The Rock holds one in exile and Cena holds the other one. Batista is the champion in 2005. It makes sense that in early 2006 when Batista relinquishes his title and leaves due to injury, the battle between Edge and Cena is for the honor of being The Champion. I think this is a battle that Cena wins. This makes the TLC match between those two men the deciding match for that prize at Unforgiven 2006. It is on top of the ladder where Cena becomes The Champion in one hand, and holds The Torch in the other. His title reign lasts for 380 days. I dont believe Cena loses The Torch for years, but he does lose his status as The Champion when he goes down to an injury and Randy Orton takes his place. Orton and Triple H battle that out for awhile, but the 2009 feud between Orton and Cena determines The Champion which is another battle which Cena ultimately wins. Cena holds that status until CM Punk finally defeats him to become The Champion. He holds that status in my world for the next two years.
In 2011, The Rock returns with Hogans torch. Cena is the other torch holder. Punk is The Champion. I believe the major battles of this era begin at Wrestlemania 28 when the two torchbearers face off. A battle that The Rock wins. I think at that event, The Rock creates The Super Torch which finally combines the two. The Rock eventually becomes The Champion at the Royal Rumble 2013 when he defeats Punk. When two months later at Wrestlemania 29, Cena becomes both The Champion and the sole holder of The Torch in professional wrestling to date as The Rock ends his career. This actually fits everything together perfectly. If you are still reading and could follow the line, it does actually make a lot of sense.
In recent history, Id argue Daniel Bryan became The Champion at Summerslam 2013, but lost the status due to the injury after Wrestlemania XXX. Cena won it back at Money in the Bank, but lost it to Brock Lesnar at Summerslam 2014. Lesnar still holds that status of The Champion, but it appears the next chapter of history is Roman Reigns becoming The Champion next month at Wrestlemania XXXI. There is no question at this point that there is only one torch in this business right now and it is in Cenas hand.
Perhaps, this doesnt make sense at all. After all, The Torch is a mystical metaphor to try to identify the momentum patterns and big moments in the pro wrestling narrative. There is obviously a lot in between all that we just explored. I cant argue though now that I have written it all out, and hopefully now that you have read it all that there is a certain line and a sense of a clear story as to how wrestling has been told. It comes off like Greek or Roman mythology a little bit, but there is a fluidity to the passing of the torch from wrestler to wrestler. Even if my interpretation is inaccurate, there are certain adjustments that can be made to fit anothers narrative. I think we got it very close. Now, I just need a timeline on a chalkboard.
In my opinion, it is about momentum, booking, fan support, perception and work rate that make you the torch bearer. The title isnt a measuring stick for that, but it obviously plays a significant role. For me, holding the torch comes down to big moments and small ones. Sometimes the passing of the torch is a massive moment and sometimes it is quiet. The awareness of the torch and its position in WWE history is a key argument that wrestling fans need to understand. I want to see where this line is marked in wrestling history. From my perspective, I want to do my best to open this conversation up for debate the look at the line of torch bearers in WWE history.
The first historical champion is Buddy Rodgers. In that era, there was really only one name: Bruno Sammartino. In my opinion, Sammartino set the torch on fire. The torch eventually falls to Bob Backlund. You just cant argue with the title runs, their momentum in that era and booking. It isnt until Hulk Hogan takes the torch in 1984 from The Iron Sheik that it becomes noticeable. It cant be argued that to mainstream wrestling history that Hogan is the pioneer. He made the torch burn hotter and brighter than almost everyone who has ever wrestled. Id argue that he gave it to Warrior at Mania VI because a year later, Hogan is right back in the main event of Wrestlemania VII. There really is no debate, or question that the torch is Hogans until his departure for WCW. However, this is where the timeline starts to raise questions. Did Hogan take the torch with him? Because if he did, one could argue he never lost it in WCW. Sure, he put guys over like Goldberg in Atlanta on Nitro, but was there a big moment that lead to the torch passing in momentum like when Hogan beat Iron Sheik? I would argue no. From my perspective then, Hogan gives it to The Rock in 2002 at Wrestlemania XVIII. If you are dead set on Goldberg getting it from Hogan in that big moment on Nitro, then Nash gets it when he beats Goldbergs Streak because Goldberg never lived the end of The Streak down. A week later, the Fingerpoke of Doom gives it back to Hogan, then it gets passed around WCW until Booker T ends the company with it. The other biggest issue is who carries the torch in WWF? It is just an over complicated mess of perspective of all of us.
The solution is Hogan creates a second torch that he takes with him to WCW while giving the original to Yokozuna at King of the Ring 1993. In my opinion, Hogan deserves to be the creator of a second torch and he holds it until Mania 18 against The Rock. Ill get to that. In WWF, the torch sorta gets passed around a little between Yokozuna, Bret Hart and Diesel for a few years. Hart ends up with it somewhere in 1994 and 1995. It is a little messy, but Hart was so over in WWF at that time. There is no way he didnt end up the torch bearer during that time. But then, along comes Shawn Michaels. Id argue they traded it back and forth until The Montreal Screwjob where Vince McMahon essentially took it from Bret Hart and gave it to Shawn Michaels. There is a lot of depth in that era that Id like to discuss. However, HBK ends up with the torch as The Hitman leaves for WCW. At Wrestlemania XIV, Michaels gives the torch to Stone Cold Steve Austin.
You may disagree with how we got here, but you cant argue that Austin was WWFs torchbearer for the rest of the 90s. We can argue about The Rock and Triple H sharing it in 2000, but it is definitely Austins in 2001 either way. Whats interesting now is that when you look at the year of 2002, both torches come under the same roof. Hogans comes over from WCW and he gives it to The Rock in March at Mania. I think that is crystal clear. Austins torch however becomes in question when he takes his ball (torch) and goes home. Austin sort of hijacks that torch. Then at Summerslam 2002, The Rock gives torch 2″ to Brock Lesnar as The Next Big Thing and essentially makes his first major move to transition to Hollywood full time. When Austin returns in 2003, does he give it to The Rock in his retirement match at Wrestlemania XIX? Because Lesnar wins the main event of that Wrestlemania and his torch is bright. What happened to Austins torch?
In my mind, Austins torch is given to The Rock at Mania 19. The issue with that is Rock puts over Goldberg and then he is essentially gone for almost a decade. If that is accurate, then that torch is hijacked again until 2013 at Wrestlemania XXIX against John Cena. How can The Rock hold the torch, but never be involved for that long? Austins year is understandable, but Rocks is too long. Does that torch finally burn out? My stance on that matter is that era was so bright that it required two torches. I think The Rock holding the torch for a decade is a testament to that eras importance that no one was worthy of that honor until the right time.
With that torch gone, there is something interesting that occurs. Simultaneously, there is the honor of being the champion of WWE. There are now two belts and while Lesnars torch is one issue, Id argue that being the champion becomes the other. I believe that when Triple H is crowned the WWE World Heavyweight Champion by Eric Bischoff, he is given that title of the champion. That lasts for him until Wrestlemania XXI against Batista. That event is crucial because going back to Lesnars torch in 2003, when does his torch get passed? My argument is at No Way Out 2004 when he gives it to Eddie Guerrero. A month later, Lesnar puts over Goldberg at Mania and is gone until 2012. Does he take the torch with him? I believe that Guerrero was massively over with the audience and had enough momentum and had a big enough moment at No Way Out to classically steal the torch from Lesnar. I think Eddie has it for a few months and loses it to JBL that summer. I do question if JBL was over enough to be a torch bearer, but he did carry Smackdown as the biggest heel for over a year. That eventually leads us back to Mania 21 as John Cena emerges the new torch bearer while on the same night, Batista becomes the champion of WWE.
As complicated as this has been, I firmly believe there are two torches and one champion. The Rock holds one in exile and Cena holds the other one. Batista is the champion in 2005. It makes sense that in early 2006 when Batista relinquishes his title and leaves due to injury, the battle between Edge and Cena is for the honor of being The Champion. I think this is a battle that Cena wins. This makes the TLC match between those two men the deciding match for that prize at Unforgiven 2006. It is on top of the ladder where Cena becomes The Champion in one hand, and holds The Torch in the other. His title reign lasts for 380 days. I dont believe Cena loses The Torch for years, but he does lose his status as The Champion when he goes down to an injury and Randy Orton takes his place. Orton and Triple H battle that out for awhile, but the 2009 feud between Orton and Cena determines The Champion which is another battle which Cena ultimately wins. Cena holds that status until CM Punk finally defeats him to become The Champion. He holds that status in my world for the next two years.
In 2011, The Rock returns with Hogans torch. Cena is the other torch holder. Punk is The Champion. I believe the major battles of this era begin at Wrestlemania 28 when the two torchbearers face off. A battle that The Rock wins. I think at that event, The Rock creates The Super Torch which finally combines the two. The Rock eventually becomes The Champion at the Royal Rumble 2013 when he defeats Punk. When two months later at Wrestlemania 29, Cena becomes both The Champion and the sole holder of The Torch in professional wrestling to date as The Rock ends his career. This actually fits everything together perfectly. If you are still reading and could follow the line, it does actually make a lot of sense.
In recent history, Id argue Daniel Bryan became The Champion at Summerslam 2013, but lost the status due to the injury after Wrestlemania XXX. Cena won it back at Money in the Bank, but lost it to Brock Lesnar at Summerslam 2014. Lesnar still holds that status of The Champion, but it appears the next chapter of history is Roman Reigns becoming The Champion next month at Wrestlemania XXXI. There is no question at this point that there is only one torch in this business right now and it is in Cenas hand.
Perhaps, this doesnt make sense at all. After all, The Torch is a mystical metaphor to try to identify the momentum patterns and big moments in the pro wrestling narrative. There is obviously a lot in between all that we just explored. I cant argue though now that I have written it all out, and hopefully now that you have read it all that there is a certain line and a sense of a clear story as to how wrestling has been told. It comes off like Greek or Roman mythology a little bit, but there is a fluidity to the passing of the torch from wrestler to wrestler. Even if my interpretation is inaccurate, there are certain adjustments that can be made to fit anothers narrative. I think we got it very close. Now, I just need a timeline on a chalkboard.
