Hey Yo...

I've been having consistent conversations with people about professional wrestlers and their finishing moves, or special moves if you'd prefer. Finishing moves can be placed into one of two categories. That of power or that of submission. For example, a classic powerful finishing move would be the Undertaker's "Tombstone Piledriver". A classier, submission finisher would be (one of my all time favorites) Bret The Hitman Heart's "Sharp Shooter".

There are obvious strengths to both types, and I believe each style speaks to the character of each respective wrestler with few exceptions. I'd like to talk about those exceptions, however, for a bit. Sgt. Slaughter, for example, seems to be an anomaly in the submission category. His finishing move, "The Cobra Clutch", doesn't seem fitting for the size of chin the man possesses. Submission moves are usually reserved for romantic types who conduct themselves in a way that doesn't include much spit flying out of their mouths.

Another strange pairing of wrestler/finishing move in my mind is the finishing move of Mr. Perfect. His "Perfect Plex", although quite calculating, doesn't seem to fit his persona. Too much lifting for this man forced him to get on the juice, which would eventually lead to his heart exploding, killing him. A figure-four could have saved this man's life.

I think it's safe to say that the all time lamest finishing move belongs to Hulk Hogan. His "Atomic Leg Drop" was both unromantic and, let's face it, unrealistic--it's someone's leg falling on you, why didn't he use a variation of Macho Man's "Flying Elbow" or DiLo Brown's pattented Frog Splash? It's called velocity Hulk.

My all time favorite finishing moves may be somewhat of a surprise to some of you. No it isn't Mankind's "Mr. Socko" (which was after wrestling's prime anyhow), but two very different, but very effective moves that I will remember forever. My favorite submission finisher goes to The Million-Dollar-Man, Ted DiBiase and his "Million Dollar Dream". Completely fitting for this character. Slow, smooth, and calculating, the "Million Dollar Dream" was always applied to people at a surprising moment where The Million-Dollar-Man seemed doomed. He was a cold and calculating wrestler.



In terms of power moves, my favorite goes to Razor Ramon and his "Razor's Edge". This move came about at a time when creativity in wrestling seemed completely stifled. One of the more unique finishers, the "Razor's Edge" was a spectacle that had never been experienced before, nor has it probably been experienced after.