When it comes to wrestling, people remember memorable things like their favorite superstars, entrances, venues, and even cheat meals like a couple of weeks ago. Another part of wrestling that we all love is the finishers. From the start of the match,h we all watch in awe as we see moves pulled off that seem to defy gravity. There are simple finishers that are effective, and there are others that look like pure art. Below are some of my favorite finishers that span decades of superstars that have used them. Have a great day, everyone, and may the finishers be with you.
10. The Figure-Four Leg Lock: “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair
Many wrestlers have used the Figure-Four Leg Lock, but none are more popular than Ric Flair. Every time any wrestler uses it, you can hear that familiar “WOOOOO” chant fill the entire arena. His daughter, Charlotte Flair, currently uses that move but added a bridge to it to add some extra flare to it. No pun intended.
9. The Sharpshooter: Bret “The Hitman” Hart
Just like the Figure Four, multiple wrestlers have used modified versions of the Sharpshooter, but none are more memorable than Bret Hart. Even in the greatest double-turn of all time, a lot of us remember Steve Austin being in that hood while bleeding away till he lost consciousness. Even today, Natalya uses this move as an ode to the Hitman.
8. The Spear: Roman Reigns
Here’s another move used by many, but the superstar who uses it the most right now is Roman Reigns. Even after his historical reign as champion finally came to an end, everyone remembers how Roman did it and that’s by ruling with a heavy fist and a deadly spear.
7. The Power Bomb: Gunther
The Power Bomb is another one of those moves that will have people arguing for weeks over which wrestler’s version is better. From Kevin Nash to Kevin Owens, we have seen some straightforward Power Bombs to pop-up ones as well. However the current World Heavyweight Champion, Gunther, brutalizes the current roster these days with this move in his arsenal.
6. Sweet Chin Music: Shawn Michaels
There are often imitations but none of those will ever compare to Shawn’s Sweet Chin Music. I can still remember when Shawn planted Bret Hart with it to make his biggest dreams come true. The way Bret stumbled to the middle of the ring, leading to the strike, will always be one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen in pro wrestling.
5. The R.K.O.: Randy Orton
I feel that I might catch some flack for some of the wrestlers and their finishers that I selected. The R.K.O. can be compared to other Cutters like the Diamond Cutter from Diamond Dallas Page and many more. Randy tops the list for me because he’s one of my favorite wrestlers, and no one has perfected pulling this move off with counters. From basic moves to high-flying maneuvers, Randy has countered everyone with the R.K.O., putting his finisher easily at the top.
4. Cross Rhodes: “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes
I contemplated moving the R.K.O. to this spot, but I love impact as well, and Cross Rhodes celebs that for me. A lot of people ask if these moves are believable, and with Cody’s finisher, I can feel the ice on my neck just watching the move. Cody can counter almost any move with the Cross Rhodes, which has catapulted him to the top of the wrestling industry.
3. The Tombstone Piledriver: The Undertaker
A lot of us remember the song Piledriver from the Golden Era in wrestling. This move has since been regarded as one of the most dangerous moves to perform in the ring. However, the Undertaker’s modified version has looked awesome since day one, and the reversals I’ve seen him pull off and deliver have the Tombstone Piledriver regarded as one of the most iconic finishers in wrestling history.
2. The Stunner: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
The Stunner could easily be in first place if it wasn’t for the impact of my number-one finisher. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s Stunner is fast and ferocious, and the antics of the person on the receiving end are always hilarious to watch. Not to mention, a lot of other wrestlers have never done what Austin did with this move. I’m talking about Austin giving the entire roster a Stunner the entire show, drawing many laughs plus random moments. The reversals he pulled off with this move were great as well which left many of us screaming, “Hell Yeah.”
1. The F-5: Brock Lesnar
I know I’m going to hear about excluding the Jackhammer on this list but let’s take a step back and think about the destruction the F-5 causes to wrestlers. Brock Lesnar is a freak of nature and him just whipping wrestlers up in the air is just wild to see every time he does it. The fact he was even able to make this look believable with the Big Show catapults the F-5 to the top of my list. The sheer laughter that comes from my family and friends is proof that people love seeing Brock rag doll others. I still remember feeling bad for Kurt Angle when Brock hit him three times with it in succession. That brutality has led to an MMA career and a lengthy reign as champion until Roman finally took over.
