Top 10 WWE Finishers Of All Time: The Moves That Made History
Hey wrestling fans! Ever wondered about the most iconic finishing moves in WWE history? These moves are more than just the end of a match; they're a symbol of a wrestler's career, a guaranteed pop from the crowd, and a highlight-reel moment waiting to happen. Let's dive into the top 10 WWE finishers that have left us on the edge of our seats for decades.
1. The RKO – Randy Orton
Randy Orton's RKO is arguably one of the most versatile and instantaneously recognizable finishers in WWE history. The beauty of the RKO lies in its unpredictability; it can come from absolutely nowhere. Orton has delivered RKOs mid-air, out of counters, and even as a response to taunts. This makes it not just a finisher but a genuine threat that any wrestler on the roster has to be wary of when facing the Viper. Its sudden nature and capacity to appear at any moment makes every Orton match a nail-biting experience. The RKO isn't just a move; it's a meme, a cultural phenomenon, and a testament to Orton's adaptability and ring awareness. The RKO's impact is amplified by Orton's ability to make it look devastating, regardless of the opponent or the circumstances. Whether he's hitting it on a leaping opponent or countering another finisher, the RKO always looks impactful.
The move itself is a jumping cutter, where Orton seizes his opponent and drops them face-first into the mat. What sets it apart is how Orton times it perfectly, often making it look like his opponents are simply running into the move, adding to its surprise element. Over the years, the RKO has become synonymous with Randy Orton. It's a move that has won him countless championships and cemented his legacy as one of WWE's all-time greats. Every time the crowd hears the opening chords of "Voices," they know they're in for a potential RKO moment, and that anticipation is part of what makes it so special.
2. The Tombstone Piledriver – The Undertaker
Synonymous with the Undertaker's mystique, the Tombstone Piledriver is a move that spells the end for almost anyone who faces the Deadman. As its name suggests, it's a modified piledriver where Undertaker holds his opponent upside down, folds their arms across their chest (resembling how a body is prepared for burial), and then drops to his knees, driving the opponent's head into the mat. The visual impact is brutal, and the move carries an air of finality that few other finishers can match.
What makes the Tombstone Piledriver so iconic is its association with the Undertaker's character. The move perfectly complements his dark and ominous persona, making it feel like more than just a wrestling move. It's a ritual, a part of the Undertaker's theatrics, and a symbol of his dominance. The Undertaker has used the Tombstone Piledriver to defeat some of the biggest names in WWE history, further cementing its reputation as a match-ender. From Hulk Hogan to Shawn Michaels, countless legends have fallen victim to this devastating move.
The Tombstone Piledriver has remained a protected move throughout Undertaker's career, rarely kicked out of, which adds to its aura. When an opponent does manage to survive the Tombstone, it becomes a monumental moment, highlighting their resilience and the severity of the move. The execution of the Tombstone is also critical to its impact. The Undertaker takes his time, building the suspense as he positions his opponent, creating a dramatic moment before delivering the final blow. This theatricality, combined with the move's inherent danger, is what makes the Tombstone Piledriver one of the most memorable finishers ever.
3. The Stone Cold Stunner – Stone Cold Steve Austin
Stone Cold Steve Austin's Stone Cold Stunner is pure, unadulterated chaos in wrestling form. A simple kick to the gut followed by a jawbreaker, the Stunner is less about technical prowess and more about attitude. Austin's rebellious persona made this move a symbol of defiance against authority, perfectly encapsulating the "Austin 3:16" era. The Stunner wasn't just a finisher; it was a statement.
What made the Stone Cold Stunner so popular was Austin's over-the-top selling of the move, and the reactions it drew from his opponents. Whether it was Vince McMahon taking the Stunner with his signature exaggerated flailing or The Rock selling it with incredible athleticism, the reactions were always entertaining. The Stunner became a symbol of rebellion, a way for Austin to disrupt the status quo and deliver justice, Stone Cold style.
Beyond its in-ring impact, the Stone Cold Stunner transcended wrestling and became a part of pop culture. It was imitated by fans, parodied in media, and remains one of the most iconic wrestling moves of all time. The Stunner's simplicity and universality made it easy to connect with fans. Anyone could imagine delivering a Stunner to someone they disagreed with, making it a cathartic experience for viewers. The Stone Cold Stunner is a reminder of a time when wrestling was at its most rebellious and exciting.
4. The People's Elbow – The Rock
A move as much about showmanship as it is about impact, The Rock's People's Elbow is pure entertainment. After hitting his opponent with a Rock Bottom, The Rock would theatrically remove his elbow pad, run back and forth across the ring, building momentum, before delivering an elbow to the opponent's chest. The move itself might not be the most devastating, but the build-up and The Rock's charisma made it one of the most beloved finishers in WWE history.
The People's Elbow is more than just a wrestling move; it's a performance. The Rock's exaggerated movements, his taunting of the crowd, and the sheer absurdity of the build-up all contribute to its appeal. It's a move that perfectly encapsulates The Rock's character, blending athleticism, showmanship, and humor into one unforgettable moment. The crowd's reaction to the People's Elbow is always electric. They chant along with The Rock as he prepares to deliver the move, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement that few other finishers can match.
Even opponents who have taken the People's Elbow have admitted that it's more about the experience than the actual impact of the move. The Rock's ability to connect with the audience and create a memorable moment is what makes the People's Elbow so special. It's a move that is as entertaining as it is effective, and a testament to The Rock's unparalleled charisma. The People's Elbow remains one of the most iconic and beloved finishers in wrestling history, and a reminder of The Rock's incredible impact on the sport.
5. The Sweet Chin Music – Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels's Sweet Chin Music is the epitome of a perfectly executed superkick. With a swift, sudden motion, Michaels would tune up the band, stomping his foot to signal the incoming kick, before delivering a knockout blow to his opponent's jaw. The speed and precision of Sweet Chin Music, combined with Michaels's ability to hit it from any angle, made it one of the most dangerous finishers in WWE.
What made Sweet Chin Music so effective was Michaels's athleticism and his ability to make it look believable. The impact of the kick always looked devastating, and Michaels sold it perfectly, adding to the drama of the moment. Sweet Chin Music has been used to win countless championships and defeat some of the biggest names in WWE history.
Sweet Chin Music is also memorable for its use in major storylines and iconic moments. From ending Bret Hart's career to kicking Kurt Angle into a corner post, Sweet Chin Music has been a part of some of the most unforgettable moments in wrestling history. The move's versatility also added to its appeal. Michaels could hit it from a standing position, a springboard, or even out of a counter, making it unpredictable and difficult to defend against. Sweet Chin Music remains one of the most respected and feared finishers in wrestling, and a testament to Shawn Michaels's incredible talent.
6. The Pedigree – Triple H
The Pedigree, Triple H's signature double underhook facebuster, is a move synonymous with The Game's calculated and methodical approach to wrestling. Holding his opponent in a double underhook position, Triple H would then drop to his knees, driving their face into the mat. The impact was immediate and decisive, making the Pedigree one of the most effective finishers of its time.
What made the Pedigree so effective was its simplicity and its believability. There were no theatrics or unnecessary movements, just a straightforward, impactful maneuver that looked like it could legitimately knock someone out. The Pedigree was also a symbol of Triple H's dominance in the ring. He used it to defeat some of the biggest names in WWE history, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest of all time.
The Pedigree has also been a part of some of the most memorable storylines in WWE. From turning on his best friend Shawn Michaels to battling The Rock for the WWE Championship, the Pedigree has been a constant presence in Triple H's career. The move's consistency and reliability made it a go-to finisher for Triple H, and a move that opponents always had to be wary of. The Pedigree remains one of the most recognizable and respected finishers in wrestling, and a reminder of Triple H's incredible career.
7. The F-5 – Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar's F-5 is a tornado DDT that perfectly encapsulates The Beast Incarnate's raw power and aggression. Lifting his opponent onto his shoulders, Lesnar would then spin them around before dropping them face-first into the mat with incredible force. The F-5 is a move that looks devastating every time it's executed, and it's a testament to Lesnar's incredible strength and athleticism.
What makes the F-5 so impressive is the sheer power behind it. Lesnar is able to lift and spin even the largest of opponents with ease, making the move look incredibly dangerous. The F-5 has been used to defeat some of the biggest names in WWE history, and it's a move that opponents genuinely fear.
The F-5 has also been a part of some of the most memorable moments in Lesnar's career. From ending The Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania to dominating John Cena for the WWE Championship, the F-5 has been a constant presence in Lesnar's matches. The move's impact and unpredictability make it one of the most exciting finishers in wrestling, and a reminder of Lesnar's unparalleled dominance. The F-5 remains one of the most feared and respected finishers in wrestling, and a testament to Brock Lesnar's incredible power.
8. The Spear – Goldberg/Edge
The Spear, popularized by both Goldberg and Edge, is a simple yet effective move that involves charging at an opponent and tackling them to the ground with immense force. The Spear is a move that looks incredibly impactful, and it's a testament to the athleticism and aggression of both Goldberg and Edge.
What makes the Spear so effective is its simplicity and its believability. There are no complicated maneuvers or unnecessary theatrics, just a straight-forward, impactful tackle that looks like it could legitimately knock someone out. The Spear has been used to win countless championships and defeat some of the biggest names in wrestling history.
Goldberg's version of the Spear was all about speed and power. He would charge at his opponents with incredible force, often leaving them lying motionless on the mat. Edge's version of the Spear was more technical, often using it as a setup for other moves or as a counter to his opponent's attacks. Both versions of the Spear were incredibly effective, and they both helped to make Goldberg and Edge into top stars.
9. The Walls of Jericho – Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho's Walls of Jericho is a submission hold that showcases Jericho's technical prowess and his ability to inflict pain on his opponents. Jericho would trap his opponent in a modified Boston crab, arching their back and applying immense pressure to their spine. The Walls of Jericho is a move that looks incredibly painful, and it's a testament to Jericho's skill and his ability to make his opponents suffer.
What makes the Walls of Jericho so effective is its ability to target a specific area of the body and apply sustained pressure. Jericho would often torque and twist his opponent's back, increasing the pain and making it difficult for them to escape. The Walls of Jericho has been used to win countless matches and defeat some of the biggest names in wrestling history.
The Walls of Jericho has also been a part of some of the most memorable storylines in Jericho's career. From his feuds with The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin to his battles with Triple H and Shawn Michaels, the Walls of Jericho has been a constant presence in Jericho's matches. The move's effectiveness and its ability to inflict pain make it one of the most feared submission holds in wrestling.
10. The Figure Four Leglock – Ric Flair
Finally, Ric Flair's Figure Four Leglock is a classic submission hold that has stood the test of time. Flair would wrap his legs around his opponent's legs, applying pressure to their knees and ankles. The Figure Four Leglock is a move that looks deceptively simple, but it's incredibly painful and effective.
What makes the Figure Four Leglock so effective is its ability to target the knees and ankles, two of the most vulnerable joints in the body. Flair would often cheat to gain an advantage, using the ropes for leverage or having his valet interfere on his behalf. The Figure Four Leglock has been used to win countless championships and defeat some of the biggest names in wrestling history.
The Figure Four Leglock is also a symbol of Flair's longevity and his ability to adapt to changing times. He used the move throughout his career, from his days in the NWA to his time in WWE. The Figure Four Leglock remains one of the most recognizable and respected submission holds in wrestling, and a testament to Ric Flair's incredible career.
So, there you have it, wrestling fans! The top 10 WWE finishers of all time. These moves have not only ended countless matches but have also become iconic symbols of the wrestlers who use them. From the RKO to the Figure Four Leglock, these finishers have left a lasting impact on the world of wrestling.