If you missed the Brown Hour last night, we discussed the new Dwayne Johnson flick, The Gameplan. Seemed only fitting that it would lead us to rate our favorite pro-wrestling finishing moves since The People’s Elbow was always a fan favorite. So, here they are. If you have some other personal faves that didn’t make our cut, feel free to berate us in the comments. We’ll return the favor, we promise.
11. Rikishi- Stinkface
10. Road Warriors – Doomsday Device
9. DDP- Diamond Cutter
8. Hacksaw Jim Duggan- Patriot Lariat (2:19 in)
7. Shawn Michaels – Sweet Chin Music
6. Rock – Rock Bottom into People’s Elbow
5. Goldberg – Spear into Jackhammer
4. Ric Flair – Figure 4
3. Undertaker – Tombstone Piledriver
2. Scott Steiner – Frankensteiner
1. Steve Austin – Stone Cold Stunner
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka – Flying Body Splash
The best finishing move of the 80s, the golden era of wrestling. This clip is King Kong Bundy vs. Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka. The flying body splash happens around 6 minutes in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8Yj7Vw1EM4
I’d have to include Triple H’s pedigree, but I understand how that wouldn’t make it.
On the other hand, the Sharpshooter (namely Bret Hart, though Rock and others used it a few times to make people tap out) is bar none the best move ever.
I think Sting might have used the Sharpshooter before the Hitman, but that move just wasn’t as fun as some of the others listed. It might hurt like shit, but it’s not as cool as the Frankensteiner or the Diamond Cutter.
I think I speak for everyone when I say Brahsome should do more pro wrestling spots.
1) I’ll echo the Sharpshooter mentions above. Two of the greatest wrestlers of all time (Bret Hart – #1 in Technical Skills AND Sting – #1 in “The Crow” crossover fans) employed it as a finisher.
2) Mankind’s (Mick Foley’s) use of Sock-O was entertaining for a year or two.
3) Hogan’s Atomic Leg Drop was just as impressive as The People’s Elbow (meaning both were completely ineffectual, but expected due to marketing).
4) Sgt. Slaughter’s Camel Clutch really hurt one of my friends when I put it on them in 1992. Also used with great success by The Iron Sheik.
5) Maybe my favorite, according to how much pain it caused in pretend wrestling matches….. The Boston Crab. Utilized most successfully by “The Model” Rick Martel.
6) If we’re including theatrics with finishing moves, I must give a nod to Jake The Snake’s DDT + Throwing Python on Victim AND Brutus the Barber Beefcake’s Sleeper + Cutting Victim’s hair.
It’s painfully obvious that I am stuck in the WWF’s glory years.
7) I can’t believe I forgot this one… The Perfect-Plex, a la Curt Henning. That guy shot an 18 once. In a round of 18 holes.
Cush- I feel you on being stuck in the WWF’s glory days. Cobra Clutch/Million Dollar Dream was actually on my list, but I couldn’t find a good youtube of either. The sharp-shooter definitely got consideration as well.
I’m definitely working on getting more wrestling spots on the blahg. If you’ve got anything to contribute, send it our way.