Lets face it, there are a number wrestling moves, while fun to watch, just don’t look like finishing moves. They don’t like they would hurt that much or even have the ability to finish off an opponent. Some, such as The Rock’s People’s Elbow, John Cena’s Attitude Adjustment, or JBL’s Clothesline from Hell, seem little different from ordinary wrestling moves. Here are my top ten WWE finishing moves based on the believability of the move being enough to finish off an opponent.
10) DDT
YouTube Link
Named by and most famously used by Jake the Snake Roberts, with the DDT you drive your opponent’s head into the mat. It’s simple, quick, makes sense, and looks like a way to knock out your opponent. I’m not sure why it’s fallen out of a favor by wrestlers as a finishing move, it could be because it does not have a good counter move.
9) Chokeslam
YouTube Link – The Undertaker
YouTube Link – Kane
Used by numerous big men, it’s been used by The Undertaker, Kane, and The Big Show in the WWE. The visual of seeing an opponent picked up by his throat and thrown to the mat looks like it would hurt a lot. It’s lower on the list because it’s executed with only one hand and often can’t be executed well against other big men. Take a look at this video of a pretty poor chokeslam by the Undertaker and an excellent one by Kane.
8) Sharpshooter / Cloverleaf
YouTube Link – Bret Hart
YouTube Link – Owen Hart
I’m not a big fan of wrestling submission moves, as many don’t have the visual flair of the more traditional finishing moves. However, I do like the sharpshooter. Made most famous by Bret Hart, curling up your opponent and locking up their legs looks like a submission move that is quite painful and very tough to break out of.
7) Go To Sleep
YouTube Link
CM Punk’s finishing move, which is relatively unique, gives the impression that the opponent could be completely knocked out. It’s simple and looks effective.
6) Banzai Drop / Seated Senton
YouTube Link
I’m not sure why more big men don’t use this move. Used most notably by Yokozuna, it doesn’t look like an opponent could actually break out of such a finisher.
5) Sweet Chin Music / Superkick
YouTube Link
I love Sweet Chin Music as a finisher. A simple kick to the head looks as though it can put an opponent out of commission. This was used most famously by Shawn Michaels.
4) Powerbomb
YouTube Link – The Undertaker
YouTube Link – Diesel
YouTube Link – Sycho Sid
Another move used by a variety of WWE big men, it has been used by The Undertaker (The Last Ride), Diesel (Jacknife Powerbomb), and Sid Justice/Sycho Sid. Like the chokeslam, it visually looks crippling as the opponent is lifted up high and slammed down with both arms.
3) Buzzsaw Kick / Roundhouse
YouTube Link
Perhaps utilized most famously by Tajiri, it’s a simple roundhouse kick, but looks like a deadly strike to the head.
2) Pedigree
YouTube Link
A modification to the facebuster, Triple H’s pedigree, much like the DDT, looks dangerous and looks like it could actually knock you out.
1) Tombstone Piledriver
YouTube Link
The Undertaker’s variation on the piledriver, called the Tombstone Piledriver, simply looks deadly and flat out dangerous as an opponent’s head is dropped onto the mat. Even as a casual wrestling fan, you can’t help but wonder about the safety of such a move. Due to the dangerous nature, it has now been banned by a number of wrestling organizations.
Hononorable Mention:
Spear
YouTube Link – Edge
YouTube Link – Goldberg
Utilized by wrestlers such as Edge and Goldberg, when executed correctly, it can given the idea that you can knock the wind out of somebody.
Sources:
Wikipedia
