Smark Out Moment

Welcome to another edition of FIVE MOVES OF DOOM, where we break down a particular wrestler's moveset and examine the five signature maneuvers that they perform on a regular basis.

These are the moves that fans watch out for during a match and are usually in a sequential pattern, building up to and including their finishers that typically get the biggest pop of suspense from the crowd each and every week.

This week on NXT, Zack Gibson competed in a stellar tag team contest alongside his Grizzled Young Veterans partner, James Drake. While Gibson and Drake may have fallen to the team of Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher, Zack Gibson truly stood out to many as an impressive member of the NXT roster. 

Making his debut in the 2018 WWE United Kingdom Championship tournament, Gibson never truly seemed like he would amount to much from the get-go. However, after winning the tournament and wrestling a truly exciting match against then-WWE United Kingdom Champion, Pete Dunne, Gibson turned many fans on to the style of British catch-as-catch-can performance. 

With Gibson garnering interest from fans following his tornado tag team match last week, it's time to discuss Gibson's FIVE MOVES OF DOOM in professional wrestling.

5. Fisherman's Buster

With a 6'3" frame, Gibson's fisherman's buster proves to be one of the more devastating moves in his arsenal. With a beautiful vertical snap, Gibson's buster is a thing of beauty. In this maneuver, Gibson lifts his opponent up in a suplex position. Gibson crosses the legs of his opponent and drops them on their head and/or neck. This ruthless maneuver is one of the intense impact maneuvers in Zack Gibson's arsenal.

4. Ticket To Ride

Next, we have one of Gibson's more "out of nowhere" maneuvers. First, Gibson situates his opponent on the middle rope. Gibson then drops his opponent with a double knee facebreaker. Zack tends to bust this maneuver out fairly frequently and has put many opponents away with this middle rope codebreaker on the independent circuit.

3. Merseyside Drop

The next maneuver in Gibson's FIVE MOVES OF DOOM comes with the Merseyside Drop. Similar to the fourth maneuver in our list, Gibson's Merseyside Drop is another double knee facebreaker. However, alternatively from the Ticket To Ride, this double knee facebreaker comes from the middle rope or top rope. Occasionally (depending on who is selling the move), Gibson's Merseyside Drop can take the former of a facebuster (similar to X-Pac's X-Factor). The Merseyside Drop is one of the most exciting, high-flying maneuvers in the otherwise technical style of Zack Gibson.

2. Helter-Skelter

The final impact maneuver of Zack Gibson's arsenal comes in the form of his Helter-Skelter maneuver. This somewhat convoluted maneuver begins with a suplex pick-up transitioned into a guillotine hold (minus the choke). Gibson manages to lift his opponent and drop them on their head with a nasty brainbuster. This snap maneuver is a prominent finisher for the former NXT UK Tag Team Champion. However, there is one more devastating maneuver in Gibson's arsenal...

1. Shankly Gates

As one of the few submission maneuvers in Gibson's moveset, this submission hold is one of the most arm-bending and uncomfortable moves to witness. In this maneuver, Gibson mounts the back of an opponent lying on their front. Gibson begins to wrench the arm of his opponent and sits on their back, typically leading to the opponent tapping out. Gibson has won a multitude of championships on the independent circuit using this maneuver (even winning the WWE United Kingdom Championship tournament with it as well). Due to its effectiveness and brutality, the Shankly Gates lands as number one on our list of Gibson's FIVE MOVES OF DOOM.

Since making his debut in the WWE developmental system, Gibson has made an impact in the NXT UK tag team division. Currently, you can find Zack Gibson (alongside his partner, James Drake) on the American black and yellow brand. Gibson and Drake find themselves embroiled in a feud with Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher. While we don't know what is next for Gibson, one thing is for certain - Gibson is SOON TO BE a champion in WWE once again.

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Welcome to another edition of FIVE MOVES OF DOOM, where we break down a particular wrestler's moveset and examine the five signature maneuvers that they perform on a regular basis.

These are the moves that fans watch out for during a match and are usually in a sequential pattern, building up to and including their finishers that typically get the biggest pop of suspense from the crowd each and every week.

Currently serving as the main authority figure on WWE's blue brand, Adam Pearce has had a long and storied career in professional wrestling. From his run in Ring of Honor to his work in WWE (including some in-ring performances), Pearce has grappled with the greatest across the entire world. 

In May 1996, Adam Pearce would make his professional wrestling debut. However, his earliest recorded match took place on July 26, 1996, at a Mid-American Wrestling event. In this match, Pearce would wrestle under the name "Masked Spymaster #2" in a victory over Waverider Craig. Throughout his career, Pearce would go on to win championships in IWA Mid-South, UPW, and SDW. Notably, Pearce would hold the NWA World Heavyweight Championship five times and would be inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame in 2015.

Nowadays, Adam Pearce finds himself working backstage as a WWE official and portraying an on-screen matchmaker on SmackDown (and occasionally Raw). 

Just because I love Adam Pearce, let's look back into his in-ring career and highlight his Five Moves of Doom.

5. Running Spinebuster

Standing at 6'2", Pearce is not exactly what many would consider a giant. However, you don't need to be larger than life to have incredible impact maneuvers. Pearce's running spinebuster consisted of the Scrap Daddy lifting his opponent (with his arms fixated under those of his opponent). Pearce would proceed to run forward and drop his opponent on their back with an intense force. 

4. Chokeslam

Next, we have another showcase of Pearce's insane strength and brutality. The chokeslam is a maneuver often associated with wrestlers of a larger stature (such as Big Show, Kane, and The Undertaker). However, Pearce's early chokeslams look much more brutal than any thrown by that lineup of men. It's easy to say that Adam Pearce will be included in a FINISHER VS. FINISHER in the near future. Pearce's chokeslam involves grabbing his opponent by the throat, lifting him upward, and driving them into the mat. Adam Pearce's chokeslam looks like a death sentence. 

3. Rackbomb II

Pearce's next maneuver is one of his most devastating and game-ending maneuvers - the Rackbomb II. In this maneuver, Pearce lifts his opponent onto his shoulders in a torture rack position. He then spins his opponent around his body and slams him flat on his back. Many have compared this maneuver to that of Kurt Angle's Angle Slam. The Rackbomb II maneuver often put many men down for the count!

2. Avalanche Double Underhook Facebuster

This move is one of the most crowd-popping moves in professional wrestling. You've seen Triple H's Pedigree. Heck, you've probably seen Triple H's brutal Pedigree-gone-wrong to Marty Garner (if you haven't, I don't advise it). However, you've never seen anything as impactful as Adam Pearce's avalanche double underhook facebuster. Pearce's maneuver involved him and his opponent being perched on top of the turnbuckle. With Pearce on the middle rope (and his opponent on the bottom rope), he would hook his arms underneath those of his opponents in a chicken-wing fashion. He would proceed to jump off the middle rope, driving his opponent facefirst into the mat in the process. This move looks absolutely brutal.

1. Powerbomb/Piledriver Combo

When assembling this list, we struggled to decide on which of Adam Pearce's maneuvers would be considered his top move of doom. We were impressed with Pearce's piledriver, but we couldn't help but notice his brutal powerbomb. We struggled a lot... until we discovered Adam Pearce's powerbomb/piledriver combination. In this string of maneuvers, Pearce would lift his opponent upward and slam him on his pack. He would proceed to deadlift his opponent for a second slam... and a third... and a fourth. Adam Pearce would drop his opponent as much as he pleased, proceeding to wrap the match up with a neck-breaking piledriver. This move is absolutely destructive!

Adam Pearce wrestled his final match (as of this writing) on the March 1, 2021 episode of WWE Monday Night Raw. He would do so alongside Braun Strowman in a losing effort to Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin. Admittedly, it's probably because Pearce never got the opportunity to drop Benjamin with his powerbomb/piledriver combo. With all that being said, this has been Adam Pearce's Five Moves of Doom!

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Welcome to another edition of FIVE MOVES OF DOOM, where we break down a particular wrestler's moveset and examine the five signature maneuvers that they perform on a regular basis.

These are the moves that fans watch out for during a match and are usually in a sequential pattern, building up to and including their finishers that typically get the biggest pop of suspense from the crowd each and every week.

Braun Strowman tends to be one of the more controversial figures within the internet wrestling discussion boards. The idea is simple—you either love The Monster Among Men, or you can't stand him. No matter where you may stand on Strowman as a performer, he has had quite an interesting career in WWE.

In early 2013, the man soon-to-become Braun Strowman would sign with WWE. He would make his debut on December 19, 2014, gaining a victory over Chad Gable on an NXT live event. Throughout his time in WWE, Strowman would win the WWE RAW Tag Team Championships (twice), the WWE Intercontinental Championship, and the WWE Universal Championship (along with a litany of other recognitions.) However, it would all come to an end for the giant, as Strowman would be released from his WWE contract on June 2, 2021.

In honor of Braun Strowman's WWE career, let's look back into his in-ring career and highlight Five Moves of Doom.

5. Reverse Chokeslam

Braun Strowman is a man (or monster) of absolute mass and strength. With this in mind, it's only right that he uses this strength to brutalize his opponents. Strowman's reverse chokeslam is simple. Typically beginning with his opponent facedown on the floor, Strowman deadlifts his opponent from behind just to drop them flat on the ground with a chokeslam.

4. Lifting Arm Triangle Choke

As we've mentioned previously, Braun Strowman is a man of immense power and intensity. In this maneuver, Strowman showcases that intensity as he wraps his arms around the chest and neck of his opponent, squeezing the life out of the victim until they fall unconscious. Strowman primarily used this move throughout the beginning of his main roster run alongside The Wyatt Family, however, he has busted the maneuver out in big matches since.

3. Yokosuka Cutter

In another showcase of Strowman's immense power, we have his Yokosuka Cutter. While we've seen the Yokosuka Cutter performed by different wrestlers such as Sienna and Bobby Lashley, Braun Strowman's variation is one of the most destructive. In this maneuver, Strowman lifts his opponent horizontally across his shoulder, only to drop them, flipping them on their front in the process. This move was a staple of Strowman's initial "enhancement talent killer" era.

2. "The Mack Truck"

While there is no official name for this sequence of events, it has certainly become a staple of Braun Strowman's moveset throughout the last couple of years. Alongside his impressive speed and strength, Strowman also boasts intense agility often unseen in wrestlers of his size. In this spot, Strowman's opponent is stationed in a standing position on the outside of the ring. Typically, Strowman would take note of this and take a spill to the outside. Once outside, Strowman would run around ringside to build momentum, only to crash into his opponent like a mack truck (thanks, Michael Cole!) This maneuver became a trademark of Strowman's matches late in his WWE career.

1. Running Powerslam

Braun Strowman is one of the few wrestlers in the world who could make the Powerslam a believable finisher in our current generation of sports entertainment. Strowman's size and strength are two of the most noticeable things about his in-ring presence, and the powerslam showcases this in the simplest of fashions. In this maneuver, Strowman lifts his opponent in a lateral position across his shoulders. Strowman would then run and fall forward, slamming his opponent on the ground with immense power. This would be Strowman's main finisher throughout the majority of his WWE career.

With Braun Strowman's release from the company (and his commentary on never seeking in-ring work outside of World Wrestling Entertainment), it seems as though we have seen the last of 'The Monster Among Men'... and his five moves of doom!

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Welcome to another edition of FIVE MOVES OF DOOM, where we break down a particular wrestler's moveset and examine the five signature maneuvers that they perform on a regular basis.

These are the moves that fans watch out for during a match and are usually in a sequential pattern, building up to and including their finishers that typically get the biggest pop of suspense from the crowd each and every week.

There is no doubt that Buddy Murphy made a name for himself in 2018. In the space of a few months, he went from a nobody to one of the biggest names on the 205 Live roster with standout matches with people like Ali and Cedric Alexander. Murphy uses a unique moveset blending speed, agility and raw strength to dominate his opponents. This led to him winning the Cruiserweight Championship in Melbourne to one of the biggest hometown pops of in recent history.

While Murphy hasn't done anything on SmackDown Live since he was sent over to the blue brand in the Superstar Shake-up, now may be the perfect time to analyze Murphy's spectacular moveset in preparation to the possible changes that could be coming to WWE, in case Eric Bischoff decides to give him a major push.

1. Powerbomb / Spinning Sit-Out Powerbomb

Buddy Murphy uses his strength and power to slam his opponent with a brutal powerbomb as if that wasn't enough he uses his opponent's momentum from their kickout to deliver a brutal spinning sit-out powerbomb showcasing raw strength and power generally not seen from a cruiserweight.


2. Tope Con Hilo

Murphy shows he can be as fast and agile as any other cruiserweight with this amazing suicide dive. Murphy runs up, building momentum, grabs the top rope and propels his body right into his opponent or opponents below.


3. Lifting Knee Strike

Murphy gets his opponent on their knees, grabs their wrists and knees his opponent with complete disdain straight to the face. Murphy has also used the lifting knee strike after the powerbomb.


4. Canadian Rack into a DDT

Also known as the over the shoulder flip DDT this move involves Murphy picking up his opponent into the Canadian rack position and then dropping his opponent catching them into a DDT.


5. Murphy's Law

Otherwise known as the pumphandle death valley driver, Murphy's finisher starts with him getting his opponent in the pumphandle position, lifting them then flipping his opponent in midair performing a death valley driver, in one quick but brutal motion.


With Buddy Murphy heading to the main roster, it will be interesting to see how the mainstream audience react to his style and moveset including these five moves of doom.

Welcome to another edition of FIVE MOVES OF DOOM, where we break down a particular wrestler's moveset and examine the five signature maneuvers that they perform on a regular basis.

These are the moves that fans watch out for during a match and are usually in a sequential pattern, building up to and including their finishers that typically get the biggest pop of suspense from the crowd each and every week.

In this special edition, we are focusing on none other than the Showstopper himself, Shawn Michaels. After spending 26 years inside the wrestling ring, HBK has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest that ever lived, and one of those very reasons is his flexible, dynamic, and unique moveset. Shawn was the master at combining moves we see every day (a flying takedown), and putting the HBK spin on it (the kip up that follows).

1. Flying forearm & Kip up

We know it's coming. HBK has his opponent against the ropes. A reversal. Shawn's airborne as his forearm connects with the face of his opponent. They both go down as the referee starts the ten count. Drama builds as the opponent begins to stir before Michaels. The crowd bursts as Shawn leaps to his feet with a kip up.


2. Elbow drop

At the climax of Shawn's finishing set, we have the dramatic climb to the top rope. Fans know what's coming as Shawn leaps with an elbow into the sternum of his opponent.


3. Inverted atomic drop

After the kip up, HBK transitions into a fast-paced set of moves that includes the inverted atomic drop. In this move, Shawn brings his opponent in, shoots him up into the air, and brings his opponent back down on his knee. This is normally followed by a big right hand.


4. Moonsult

In this move, Shawn delivers a standing vertical backflip from the top rope onto his opponent, who is also standing. This is one of Shawn's most recognized high-flying maneuvers.


5. Sweet Chin Music

Easily HBK's most well-known move, the Superkick, AKA Sweet Chin Music, is Shawn's finishing maneuver. After an elbow from the top rope, Shawn sets up for his kick by engaging the crowd. With every stomp of his foot against the mat, his opponent moves closer and closer to a vertical base. When Shawn has him in position, he delivers a powerful kick to the jaw. One that always keeps 'em down for the count.



Shawn Michaels is a name that will be etched in wrestling history forever, and it's because of his unique, high-flying, often unseen style.

In FIVE MOVES OF DOOM, we break down a particular wrestler's moveset and examine the five signature maneuvers that they perform on a regular basis.

These are the moves that fans watch out for during a match and are usually in a sequential pattern, building up to and including their finishers that typically get the biggest pop of suspense from the crowd each and every week.

This special edition is focusing on the Royal Rumble and Raw's 25th Anniversary episode. Rumors have been spinning about potential appearances and surprise returns from past superstars. The first-ever all-women Royal Rumble match was announced and between all the NXT and main roster stars, there are a few entries for some surprise entrants. One of those predicted to make a return is the 2014 Hall of Fame indutee Lita. The 4-time Women's Champion was a cornerstone in the Attitude Era for nearly seven years. She had one of the most dynamic and high-flying movesets ever possessed by a women in WWE.


1. Litacanrana

Known as a diving hurricanrana, this move is performed off the top rope with her legs apart. She straddles the standing opponent's head/shoulders and then uses the momentum to flip over her opponent.


2. Lita Bomb

The opponent is bent over and their head is tucked between the legs of Lita, similar to the first part of Triple H's Pedigree. She then wraps her arms around the stomach of her opponent and lifts, flipping the opponent and raising them up so they are facing each other, but their legs are draped over Lita's shoulders. She then slams them into the mat.


3. Lita DDT

Also called a snap DDT, Lita grabs her opponent and tucks their head under her arm. She swings back her left leg and kicks it forward for maximum momentum and force. As she kicks forward, she then drops onto her back that also drives her opponent's head into the mat.


4. Litasault

One of her most electrifying and high-flying moves is her moonsault. She climbs to the top rope and turns so she is facing the crowd and her back is to the mat. She flips backwards off the rope and splashes onto her opponent, who is usually lying on their back.


5. Twist of Fate

As part of Team Xtreme with Matt and Jeff Hardy, Lita eventually adopted their finisher as one of her own. Similar to the Lita DDT/snap DDT, she tucks her opponent's head under her left arm. She raises her right arm in theatrics and then pivots 180 degrees, switching to her right arm around the head of her opponent, and falls to apply a snap movement onto the opponent's neck and drives them into the mat. All this is done in one fluid motion.

In FIVE MOVES OF DOOM, we break down a particular wrestler's moveset and examine the five signature maneuvers that they perform on a regular basis.

These are the moves that fans watch out for during a match and are usually in a sequential pattern, building up to and including their finishers that typically get the biggest pop of suspense from the crowd each and every week.

This edition will highlight one of the Four Horsewomen behind the Women's Revolution in NXT and WWE, "The Boss" Sasha Banks. She is a former NXT Women's Champion and a record-tying four-time Raw Women's Champion. She has been a cornerstone for the women's division and her moveset is part of the reason she is such a big piece of WWE's future.


1. Corner Double Knee Drop

With an opponent sitting in a corner of the ring with their back to the ring post, Sasha gets a running start from the middle of the ring. She runs and leaps in the air, slamming both her knees into the head of her opponent. As an added bonus, their head bounces off the ring post and turnbuckle.


2. Diving Double Knee Drop

This variation of the move is used most often by Banks with an opponent trapped between the turnbuckles. Sasha steps up on the bottom rope for extra bounce and jumps up, bringing down both knees into the chest/stomach of the opponent.


3. Straight Jacket Backbreaker into a Modified Sufboard

This is a very complex move that Banks uses to ready an opponent for the Banks Statement. Banks gets behind a standing opponent and grabs their arms, crossing them under their own chin (like a straight jacket). Banks then follows this with a double knee backbreaker, causing damage to the shoulders, neck, and back of the opponent. After the move, Banks proceeds to jerk on the arms of the opponent, further wearing them down for the Banks Statement.


4. Bankrupt

This was her finisher during her early stages in NXT, before switching to the Banks Statement. She still uses this move as one of her main signatures these days. Bankrupt is a straight jacket neckbreaker slam. Similar to the straight jacket backbreaker in the previous move, She uses the straight jacket hold, but instead of standing directly behind her opponent, she spins around so they are back-to-back. In a twisting motion, she spins and slams down her opponent to the mat.


5. Banks Statement

Banks has used this move as her go-to finisher and it is one that is feared by many. It is a crossface neck crank submission. She wraps both hands around the opponent's neck under their chin and pulls back to apply pressure. Banks's variation bridges the back of her opponent for more pressure and leverage. Banks often transitions into this submission following a straight jacket backbreaker, a roll-up pin counter, or a tilt a whirl head-scissors takedown.

In FIVE MOVES OF DOOM, we break down a particular wrestler's moveset and examine the five signature maneuvers that they perform on a regular basis.

These are the moves that fans watch out for during a match and are usually in a sequential pattern, building up to and including their finishers that typically get the biggest pop of suspense from the crowd each and every week.

This edition will highlight one of the best wrestlers of all-time and has left his mark wherever he goes. From Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro-Wrestling to TNA and most recently WWE, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles has been a headliner for over a decade and a half. Styles has been flying high since he landed in WWE, including being the current WWE Champion on SmackDown. To be one of the greatest wrestlers to step into a ring, let alone being a two-time WWE Champion, you need some of the greatest moves ever seen.


1. Superman

Also known as a springboard 450 splash, Styles launches himself off the top ropes and flips forward 450 degrees and lands on the opponent in the splash position (face down or belly to belly with face up opponent). The athleticism and high flying talent of Styles makes this a literal air show to watch.


2. Ushigoroshi

AJ carries his opponent across his shoulders in a fireman's carry. He performs a fireman slam, but with one knee extended. The opponent's face/neck lands on the extended knee, similar to a shoulder neckbreaker. Made popular by Hirooki Goto, AJ Styles uses as a signature move.


3. Calf Crusher

The Calf Crusher, or calf slicer, can be applied by inserting the leg in the backside of a opponent's knee. The opponent's leg or cal is then flexed and it applies pressure to the muscles around the fulcrum. It is a banned submission in lower-level Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Styles has the knack of being able to lock in the hold in any position and simply just slips his leg behind the opponent while both are standing and trips them. He rolls on the mat until he gets in the prime position for the submission hold.


4. Styles Clash

A few years ago, this move was the go-to finisher for Styles, but is more of a secondary finisher these days in WWE. From a position in which the opponent is bent forward against the wrestler's midsection, Styles grabs around his opponent's midsection and lifts so that they are held upside down, facing in the same direction as Styles. He then hooks both arms of the opponent using his or her legs, and then falls forward planting the opponent's body into the mat face-first. The move often sees the wrestler keep their legs hooked under the arms of the opponent after hitting the move, using the underhooking technique to turn the opponent on to their back into a Rana style pinning position. This move was innovated by Col. DeBeers and was made famous by A.J. Styles, who performs the maneuver with a variation; he does not hook the opponent's arms before performing the slam, but takes two steps and moves his legs in front of the opponent's arms enabling him to use his legs to cover the shoulders for a pin. He also can perform this move from the second rope.

Second Part of Move

5. Phenomenal Forearm

The Phenomenal Forearm has been AJ's new finisher since coming to WWE and is the move that won him his second WWE Championship. Like the Superman, Styles launches off the top rope. With his skills, he can fly halfway across the ring and land a hard forearm strike to the head of an opponent on his descent. Like he does with all of his moves, Styles gets great air and performs every move with grace and perfection.

In FIVE MOVES OF DOOM, we break down a particular wrestler's moveset and examine the five signature maneuvers that they perform on a regular basis.

These are the moves that fans watch out for during a match and are usually in a sequential pattern, building up to and including their finishers that typically get the biggest pop of suspense from the crowd each and every week.

This edition will highlight someone that was been a wrecking ball of power in the WWE, mowing through some of the top females in the company, literally—Nia Jax. Nia has been on the main roster for just over a year and a half now and has already cemented herself as one of the biggest forces on the roster. She might not have a championship reign under her belt yet, but that hasn't stopped her from being in contention for the last year. For someone to be as powerful and dominant as Jax, you need a moveset to match.


1. Leg Drop

Jax varies from a standing leg drop or a running leg drop. Her usual target area is the neck. The shear mass of Jax gives this move more power than most females can possess.


2. Corner Splash

The technical name of this move is a body avalanche. Jax's version uses a cornered opponent. She charges into the corner without leaving her feet. With arms open, she slams her entire body into her opponent, crushing them into the turnbuckles.


3. Powerbomb

The opponent is lifted up onto the shoulders of Nia and then slammed back-first into the mat. This was one of her past finishers, but still used in her moveset.


4. Samoan Drop

Jax drapes her opponent over her shoulders in a fireman's carry and falls backwards onto her back. This drives the opponent into the mat on their own back. This move is popular among the Samoan wrestlers, like Nia herself. Roman Reigns is another current popular Samoan who utilizes this move.


5. Running Somersault Senton

This is Nia's current finisher. With an opponent on the mat, usually lying on their back, Nia gets a running start and somersaults, or front-flips, over the opponent. Jax lands on her back on the opponent's chest, dropping all of her weight onto them and driving them into the mat.

In FIVE MOVES OF DOOM, we break down a particular wrestler's moveset and examine the five signature maneuvers that they perform on a regular basis.

These are the moves that fans watch out for during a match and are usually in a sequential pattern, building up to and including their finishers that typically get the biggest pop of suspense from the crowd each and every week.

This edition will highlight someone who has not been seen as of late and who is widely underused in the company—"The Showoff" Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler has been with WWE for nearly 14 years now and is no rookie to being repackaged. You might know him as Nick Nemeth, Nicky from The Spirit Squad, Nick Nemeth again, Nic Nemeth, and now Dolph Ziggler. He is currently on hiatus from television time as he is rumored to once again be repackaged. He has accomplished quite a bit with WWE, including being Money in the Bank winner, two-time world champion, and five-time Intercontinental Champion. To last this long in WWE, you need to have quite a set of moves to work with.


1. Heart Stopper

This is a standard jumping elbow drop, although sometimes, it is preceded with multiple elbow drops. Ziggler's athleticism can give me big air for the jumping elbow drop and it sometimes followed by theatrics. There is no confirmation, but it is heavily theorized that this move is one of the primary reasons Jerry "The King" Lawler suffered his heart attack shortly following his match with Dolph Ziggler.


2. Satellite DDT

This move is a version of a jumping DDT, in which Ziggler jumps up while holding the front facelock and then uses his weight and momentum to pull the opponent down on their head. Once again, Ziggler can get major air with his jumping abilities that adds more power and momentum into this move.


3. Famouser

The move is a leg drop bulldog in which Ziggler jumps in the air and uses one of his legs to push down on an opponent's head. It is one of Ziggler's main signatures.


4. Zig Zag

Ziggler uses a jumping reverse bulldog for this move. Standing next to or diagonally near his opponent, he leaps up, grabs the opponent's head and pulls backward, resulting with both men lying supine (on their back). This was Ziggler's finisher, but is now used as a signature move.


5. Superkick

This was Ziggler's signature for several years, but is now his go-to finisher. Similar to Shawn Michaels' Sweet Chin Music, Ziggler also lands his kick on his opponent's chin.

In FIVE MOVES OF DOOM, we break down a particular wrestler's moveset and examine the five signature maneuvers that they perform on a regular basis.

These are the moves that fans watch out for during a match and are usually in a sequential pattern, building up to and including their finishers that typically get the biggest pop of suspense from the crowd each and every week.

This edition will highlight "The Queen of Harts" and former Divas champion Natalya. The former Hart Dungeon trainee has been wrestling for WWE for nearly ten years now and is one of the few women from the Divas Era to still be with the company. With nearly a decade in WWE under her belt, Natalya has accomplished quite a bit. She won a title, managed her real-life husband, and teamed up with the likes of Beth Phoenix and The Hart Dynasty.


1. Abdominal Stretch

This hold begins with Natalya facing her opponent's side. She straddles one of the opponent's legs, then reaches over the opponent's near arm with the arm close to the opponent's back and locks it. Squatting and twisting to the side, she flexes the opponent's back and stretches their abdomen. Natalya uses this move to weaken her opponent and prepare for the Sharpshooter.


2. Michinoku Driver

Facing her opponent, Natalya reaches between her opponent's legs with her right arm and reaches around the opponent's neck from the same side with her left arm. Then she lifts the opponent up and turn them around so that they are held upside down, as in a scoop slam before dropping down into a sitout position, driving the opponent down to the mat neck and shoulder first. Natalya usually goes for a pin after this move.


3. Slingshot Atomic Drop + Basement Dropkick

Natalya's version has her going behind her opponent and puts her head under her opponent's shoulder and lifts them up. She then bounces them off the top rope before dropping them into a sitdown position on the mat. Natalya then slingshots herself off the ropes for a running start and stomps on the seated opponent's back. Then she slingshots off the opposite ropes and nails her opponent with a low front dropkick to the face. Sometimes Natalya skips the atomic drop part of the move.


4. Nattie By Nature

Natalya's discus clothesline is used on oncoming opponents most of the time. She spins around for more forward momentum and then clotheslines them with her forearm. She falls forward as the opponent goes down for more momentum to drive them to the floor.


5. Sharpshooter

This move was adapted by Natalya from her uncle Bret "The Hitman" Hart, who she trained with at the Hart Dungeon. She first approaches an opponent who is flat on their back. She lifts their feet up and bends the knees back towards the opponent's face. Her dominant foot is her left, so she puts her left leg through the opponent's leg and places it on their left side. She then crosses the opponent's legs at the shins and holds them there. She swings her right leg over the opponent, which flips the opponent over and Natalya's back is now to them. To apply pressure, she sits down and pulls. This is Natalya's go-to finisher.

In FIVE MOVES OF DOOM, we break down a particular wrestler's moveset and examine the five signature maneuvers that they perform on a regular basis.

These are the moves that fans watch out for during a match and are usually in a sequential pattern, building up to and including their finishers that typically get the biggest pop of suspense from the crowd each and every week.

This edition will highlight Alexa Bliss, former SmackDown Women's Champion and current Raw Women's Champion. The former bodybuilder has fought her way up the ranks of the women's division in WWE and has quite the resume to back it up. She was a former ring announcer, managed former tag team champions Blake and Murphy, and is a three-time champion in WWE. She is constantly evolving as a WWE superstar, recently adding high-flying top rope moves to her set.

1. Chokehold STO

Bliss applies a chokehold on an opponent, then sweeps their leg and drops them. This is Bliss's signature move and is sometimes followed by rope-assisted stomps to the grounded opponent.

2. Blissful Curb Stomp

A face-down opponent is laying near the ropes. Bliss will step on them and use the rope for balance. With one foot in the middle of their back, she places the other foot on their head and stomps. Sidenote: I am shocked a little that this has not been banned by WWE.


3. Glitter Blizzard

This move is basically a leg trap sunset flip or also known as sunset flip powerbomb. This move sees the wrestler bend over and place their opponent in a standing head scissors. However, the wrestler moves forward slightly so the opponent's midsection is between the wrestler's thighs instead of their head. The wrestler wraps their arms around the opponent's midsection in a waistlock, then jumps and rolls forward, under the opponent's legs, and into a seated position, forcing the opponent to fall back to the mat. The resulting position can lead to a sitout pin. I give credit to Bliss, as she has adapted to using some very dangerous moves.


4. Bliss DDT

Bliss applies a a front facelock on opponent. She then jumps down onto their back, swinging their legs forward, bending the opponent, and driving them down to the mat face, forehead, or head first. Bliss's version is slightly different, as she doesn't swing her leg as much and simply drops her opponent's face into the mat.


5. Twisted Bliss

This is similar to a rounding moonsault. Bliss's variation of this move sees the attacker facing the prone opponent with the attacker leaping forward into the air rotating their body in a semi-circle to end up-side down as if doing a midair cartwheel then landing on the opponent chest first.

In FIVE MOVES OF DOOM, we break down a particular wrestler's moveset and examine the five signature maneuvers that they perform on a regular basis.

These are the moves that fans watch out for during a match and are usually in a sequential pattern, building up to and including their finishers that typically get the biggest pop of suspense from the crowd each and every week.

The edition will highlight The Miz. "The A-Lister" and former reality television star has made a name for himself in WWE as a heel in the ring and a star in Hollywood. For someone who had his moves criticized as being lazy, The Miz has been on a roll in the ring as of late with a more aggressive style to his character. He has even borrowed some high power moves from his former protege and rival, Daniel Bryan, and incorporated that into a style of his own.

1. Snap DDT to a kneeling opponent

More commonly used to a standing opponent, The Miz takes a stunned opponent and brings him to his knees. The Miz takes his arm and wraps it around his opponent's head and tucks it into his armpit. By swinging his leg back to gain more momentum and kicking forward as he drops backwards, he drives his opponent's head into the mat.

2. Awesome Clothesline

Also known as The Mizline, it is a corner clothesline. The Miz starts from the opposite corner with his opponent is standing up in the other corner. He charges forward and clotheslines his opponent. As an added bonus, he uses theatrics by showboating and posing in the ropes.


3. Repeated Shoot Kicks followed by a Roundhouse Kick

Copied from Daniel Bryan's Yes! Kicks, The Miz has gained popularity from the WWE Universe with his new move. With an opponent on his knees in the ring, The Miz strikes his opponent's chest or head with his shin repeatedly. He also gets the crowd to chant "Yes!", also copied from Bryan. The move is followed with a roundhouse kick to the head.


4. Figure-Four Leglock

Made popular by the legendary Ric Flair, The Miz had this move passed down to him from The Nature Boy. While he used it as his primary finisher for a while, he only breaks it out on occasion now. The wrestler stands over the opponent who is lying on the mat face up and grasps a leg of the opponent. The wrestler then does a spinning toe hold and grasps the other leg, crossing them into a 4 (hence the name). As he does so and falls to the mat, he applies pressure to the opponent's crossed legs with his own. While the hold applies pressure to the knee, it actually can be very painful to the shin of the victim. While the move is primarily a submission move, if the opponent has his shoulders on the mat, the referee can make a three-count for a pinfall.


5. Skull-Crushing Finale

The Miz has used this as his go-to finisher since 2009 and it is quite effective. The move is practically a Full Nelson facebuster, The Miz comes up from behind and puts his opponent in a full nelson. He then sweeps the leg and drives his opponent face-first into the mat.


Conclusion

The Miz has cemented himself as one of WWE's top heels. He is quite the underrated superstar, having held every title in the company at least once, including being a Money in the Bank briefcase winner and a six-time Intercontinental champion. He has been mocked throughout his career for his stint on reality television, for being a coward and lazy in the ring, and has fought through poor booking several times. The Miz has taken all this criticism and used it to his benefit. His in-ring style is more aggressive and impressive mic skills are not the only thing that makes The Miz popular anymore.

In FIVE MOVES OF DOOM, we break down a particular wrestler's moveset and examine the five signature maneuvers that they perform on a regular basis.

These are the moves that fans watch out for during a match and are usually in a sequential pattern, building up to and including their finishers that typically get the biggest pop of suspense from the crowd each and every week. This edition showcases the signature moves and finishers of WWE Hall of Famer, Edge.

Known as The Ultimate Opportunist and The Rated-R Superstar, Edge is on a short list of Grand Slam champions in WWE (holding the world title, tag team title, secondary title, and tertiary title), has successfully cashed in the Money in the Bank contract on two separate occasions, a Royal Rumble winner (2010), a King of the Ring tournament winner (2001), and a two-time Slammy Award winner. In addition, Edge, along with his tag team partner, Christian, innovated the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match. Over the years, Edge has participated in numerous heated rivalries, exchanging victories with the likes of CM Punk, John Cena, and even The Undertaker. With a résumé as long as his, it's safe to say that he built up devastating signature moves over the years. Let's take a look at his main five.

Edge's Five Moves of Doom

1. Winning Edge (Half Nelson Bulldog)

Done often as a counter to a running or rebounding opponent, Edge wraps one arm around his opponent's neck in a half nelson amateur wrestling hold. He then reaches around his opponent's waist with the other arm before leaping and planting his enemy's face into the mat. Sometimes this maneuver would be followed up by the next move on our list...

2. Edge-O-Matic (Impaler DDT)

Once again, this move is used as a counter to a rebounding opponent, though sometimes, Edge would actually charge towards the opponent. Most of the time, the rival combatant would swing for a clothesline to which Edge would duck underneath the striking arm. From behind his opponent, Edge then reached around the back of his opponent's head, grabbed hold of the face and dropped to a sit-out position. The impact would slam the back of the opponent's head into the mat, further stunning him.

3. Edgecution (Sit-out Rear Mat Slam)

Used as a finisher in the early days, this move became the final signature move before setting up his finisher. Edge would kick his opponent in the gut and the reaction would cause said nemesis to bend over, allowing Edge to lock in a headlock around the opponent's neck. Edge would leap backward, once again, driving his opponent's face into the mat with an impaler DDT.

4. Edgecator (Kneeling Inverted Sharpshooter)

Sometimes used as a finisher, but more often than not used as a signature move, this was Edge's main submission maneuver. With a typical sharpshooter hold, the aggressor faces the direction opposite of the downed opponent. In this case, Edge wrapped the opponent's legs around one of his own, and pivoted slightly to that leg's side. With his free leg, Edge would drive it down into the opponent's back, applying additional pressure to the hold as an inverted sharpshooter.

5. Spear

With a name like "The Ultimate Opportunist", you need a move that will let you strike quickly and when people least expect it. Edge found this in the spear—his primary finisher. After hitting a combination of the previously-mentioned signature moves, Edge would most often back down to a corner opposite of his opponent. While Edge's prey stumbled to his feet, Edge taunted him with his signature "get up" taunt. As soon as the opponent turned around, it was game over. Edge would charge across the ring and lunge at the opponent's mid-section, taking every last inch of breath away and leaving the victim vulnerable to a three-count. The best thing about Edge's spear is that he could hit it from anywhere, performing diving spears, catching diving opponents, jumping off of ladders, and even countering another finisher! Most notably, Edge speared Jeff Hardy off a 20-foot ladder at WrestleMania X-Seven. More importantly for Edge, the spear to John Cena gave way to his first of many WWE Championships.

Conclusion

With moves like these five, it's no wonder that Edge was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. These five moves, along with a slew of additional innovative offense, suited his style perfectly, and because of that they meant nothing but doom for his opponents.

I could watch this all day.

Thanks for reading my article, and feel free to let me know what you think is Edge's best maneuver.

In FIVE MOVES OF DOOM, we break down a particular wrestler's moveset and examine the five signature maneuvers that they perform on a regular basis.

These are the moves that fans watch out for during a match and are usually in a sequential pattern, building up to and including their finishers that typically get the biggest pop of suspense from the crowd each and every week.

This edition concentrates on Randy Orton, a former 12-time WWE and World Heavyweight Champion and currently a member of the Authority. He is a third generation superstar, son of Hall of Famer Cowboy Bob Orton. The Viper and former Legend Killer is known for his sadistic mannerisms and unrestrained arrogance. Orton was the first WWE World Heavyweight Champion, and has had notable feuds with John Cena, Triple H and Daniel Bryan. He was also part of the stables Evolution and Legacy.


1. Garvin Stomp

A move innovated by Ron Garvin, Orton approaches a prone opponent and stamps his foot onto their arm. He then continues to circle the downed victim and connects with more stomps on both of their legs/ankles and other arm/hand. This is usually done methodically and not rushed, and concludes with either a stamp on the face or a jumping knee drop. Occasionally in multi-man matches, Orton will do this simultaneously to two or more opponents, stamping on various body parts. It is performed more for show than causing significant pain. This causes damage to the opponents' arms, legs and head.

2. Inverted headlock backbreaker

This move can be performed stand alone, but is often employed by Orton as a counter or a means to kill the momentum of his opponent. Orton stands behind his victim and wraps his arm across their throat in a standard headlock. He then turns 180 degrees so they are back to back, but maintaining the grasp of his opponent. Orton leans forward, falling to his knees, pulling the victim down across his own back, jarring their spine. This has been a staple of Orton's moveset since his Evolution days, but has only ever been a signature move. It causes damage to the opponent's lower back.

3. Rope-hung DDT


This move can be set up either through the opponent standing on the apron and is pulled through the middle rope, or if Orton tosses his victim through the middle rope but maintains a headlock. Orton pulls his opponent through the rope until only his feet are still in contact with the ropes. From this elevated position, Orton holds the victim in place for a beat before dropping them head first onto the canvas in a DDT. This is the standard version, but Orton has been known to perform this from a variety of positions, such as from the turnbuckle, off the top rope, from the ring apron, announce table or security barrier to the floor. This is almost never followed by a pin attempt, and is the lead-in to his finishing maneuver. It damages the opponent's head and neck.

4. Punt

Used as a finisher from 2007 but currently only used occasionally, this move is performed on a downed opponent that is prone on his hands and knees. Orton gets a warped expression on his face, and backs up into a corner. He then charges towards his victim and strikes him with the sole of his boot, similar to a punt in football or a soccer kick. Although this move is associated with Orton, it doesn't connect hugely often, as it has been used in storylines to give superstars concussions. It has caused 'injuries' to the likes of Chris Jericho, Triple H and Vince McMahon. The move damages an opponent's head.

5. RKO


Orton's finishing maneuver since 2003 has often been referred to as the most explosive finisher in the whole of WWE, and can be performed seemingly at any time. The move sees Orton jump in mid-air, grabbing his opponent in a three-quarter facelock parallel to the ground with one arm. Thus, as Orton falls to the mat on his back, the victim is sent face first to the canvas with a cutter. This is the move that typically brings a victory to Orton, and few superstars have ever kicked out of it. Orton has also performed this move in a variety of situations. Orton has used the RKO off the top rope, catching an opponent in mid-air, and upon a folding steel chair. This causes damage to the opponent's head, especially the face.


CONCLUSION

Randy Orton is undoubtedly one of the biggest superstars in recent history, and has had successful runs as both a face and heel. Though recently he has been stuttering as part of the Authority, he entered 2014 as WWE World Heavyweight Champion, and it would be foolish to suggest he won't hold that belt once more. Orton is often criticized for being dull, but in reality he is one of the greatest in-ring performers in recent memory. His style is so crisp and clean that he hardly ever partakes in a bad match, and if he does have one, it is given extra focus due to his impressive consistency. Orton's moveset has been practiced to such a degree that most of his moves have become associated with him above anybody else. His swagger and malicious intent carry him to quality bouts every week, and makes him a wrestler's dream opponent, as long as they are willing to take a few bumps.