Match The WWE Wrestler To Their Signature Move
- by Chris Roberts
- – on
- in Sports
Wrestling is nothing without signature or finishing moves. Two athletes can square off in the ring and perform a plethora of high-flying and exciting maneuvers, but it would lack the normal sense of excitement and anticipation without a move to signal to fans that the match is over. Think about Stone Cold Steve Austin; back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when you saw him kick his opponent in the stomach and follow that up with the "Stone Cold" Stunner, you knew he was about to win the match. The same can be said about Bret Hart and The Sharpshooter or Shawn Michaels and the Sweet Chin Music. And, as much as those moves can signal the end of the a match, they can also help put over an up-and-coming talent. If someone kicks out of a pin attempt following a spectacular finishing move, then the audience is to believe they're a tough-as-nails star on the rise.
The current crop of WWE superstars might not have finishing moves as recognizable or as electric as past wrestlers, but there's still plenty of creative and punishing moves being performed from the Coup de Grace to the Zig Zag. Traditional finishing moves still being performed include the spear and super kick. Can you name the finishing moves of these superstars?
What is John Cena's signature move?
When John Cena first debuted in the WWE as the embodiment of the Ruthless Aggression Era, his finishing move had a different name, but has since been changed to adapt to the PG Era. The move is incredibly similar to Brock Lesnar's finishing move, which prompted a bit of a feud between the two early in their careers. Regardless of its name, it has served Cena well as the 40 year old is a 16-time World Champion, five-time United States Champion, and four-time Tag Team Champion.
What is Roman Reigns' signature move?
Regardless of how you feel about Roman Reigns and how the WWE has handled his development, there's no denying he is among the best wrestlers in the world in regard to athleticism and power. The 32 year old native of Pensacola, Florida is of the famous Anoa'i family and shares relation with Rikishi as well as Yokozuna and Umaga, both of whom are deceased. He has been with the WWE since 2010 and is a three-time World Heavyweight Champion and seven-time Slammy Award winner.
What is The Miz's signature move?
Recently named Wrestler of the Year by Sports Illustrated, The Miz has been with the WWE and its developmental territories since 2004 and is a one-time WWE Champion, although he's best known for his success with the Intercontinental Championship, which he has won seven times. He's also a four-time Tag Team Champion and two-time Slammy Award winner. The Awesome One has utilized different move sets throughout his career, but has had this finishing move since 2009 after briefly using the Mizard of Oz.
What is Chris Jericho's signature move?
Arguably one of the greatest wrestlers of all-time, Chris Jericho is 47 years old and still headlining major PPV events; he recently fought Kenny Omega in New Japan's Wrestle Kingdom 12 and is heavily figured in WWE storylines when he's working with the promotion. The native of Winnipeg, Manitoba has been wrestling since 1990 and had brief success in WCW before joining WWE in 1999. He has had the same iconic finishing move since 1996 and it has helped him become a five-time World Champion and a record nine-time Intercontinental Champion.
What is Sami Zayn's signature move?
While he toiled in relative obscurity for much of 2017, Sami Zayn ended the year on a positive note as he received a push alongside his long-time best friend Kevin Owens in a storyline involve SmackDown Live general managers Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan. The 33 year old native of Laval, Quebec has been wrestling since 2002 and gained attention from the WWE during his seven-year stint with Ring of Honor from 2005 to 2012. He hasn't won a championship yet in WWE, but is regarded as one of the best in-ring workers in the company.
What is Becky Lynch's signature move?
A 30 year old native of Limerick, Republic of Ireland, Becky Lynch wrestled in Europe and all over Japan before joining the WWE developmental territory NXT in 2013. The Irish Lass Kicker didn't win the Women's Championship in NXT, but she became the inaugural SmackDown Women's Champion in 2016 and was also ranked as the fourth-best female wrestler in the world by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. She briefly used a pumphandle side slam and a suplex called the Bexploder before using this finishing move from 2014 onward.
What is Kevin Owen's signature move?
Despite not having the typical body shape of an upper-card wrestler in the WWE, Kevin Owens has thrived in the promotion as a result of his athleticism and ability on the microphone. The 33 year old is a three-time United States Champion, two-time Intercontinental Champion, and one-time Universal Champion. He first gained critical acclaim in Combat Zone Wrestling and later teamed with Sami Zayn (then known as El Generico) in Ring of Honor before being signed by the WWE in 2014.
What is AJ Styles' signature move?
If there's a unanimous best wrestler in the world right now, it's AJ Styles. The WWE Champion hasn't had a bad match in years and you know you're in for a treat when he steps inside the squared circle. Once a darling on the independent scene and with TNA, he is known for his high-flying athleticism and ability to sell his opponent's moves; because of that, he earned Match of the Year in 2016 from Pro Wrestling Illustrated and has also been named its Wrestler of the Year in back-to-back years (2016 and 2017).
What is Asuka's signature move?
There has been an influx of talent in the WWE's women's division and one of the best and brightest stars has to be Asuka. The 36 year old Japanese grappler made a name for herself with multiple Japan-based promotions from 2004 to 2015, before joining NXT, where he dominated from the get go. Asuka has yet to lose a single match in either NXT or WWE and now has the longest undefeated streak of any wrestler in the company's history.
What is Kane's signature move?
Glen Jacobs has been wrestling in the WWE since 1995, but didn't become the iconic Kane character until 1997, when he debuted as The Undertaker's (kayfabe) brother and cost him a match against Shawn Michaels. Prior to that, Jacobs played the character of Isaac Yankem, DDS and also portrayed the fake Diesel character the WWE used in the wake of Kevin Nash's departure from the company. In addition to being a one-time World Heavyweight Champion as Kane, he's a 12-time Tag Team Champion, two-time Intercontinental Champion, and one-time Hardcore Champion.
What is Braun Strowman's signature move?
Braun Strowman wasn't considered much of a star as part of the Wyatt Family, but 2017 was clearly his year as he rose to main event status thanks to his devastating finishing move, overt physicality, and improving skills on the microphone. Strowman is one of the biggest and most imposing wrestlers on the WWE roster, so it only makes sense that he's now becoming one of the most successful. He has had multiple WWE Championship opportunities and is due to face Brock Lesnar and Kane in a triple threat for the championship at Royal Rumble.
What is Curtis Axel's signature move?
Although he hasn't lived up to the enormous expectations set by his father Curt Henning and grandfather Larry Henning, Curtis Axel has been a valuable competitor to the WWE since debuting in its developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling in 2007. He made his main roster debut with the NXT group The Nexus in 2010 and reached the pinnacle of his career in 2013, when he won his first and only Intercontinental Championship. He's currently part of The Miztourage with Bo Dallas.
What is Kurt Angle's signature move?
An Olympic gold medal-winning wrestler, Kurt Angle began pursuing his professional wrestling career in 1998 and made his WWE debut in 1999 as the "Olympic Hero" coming out of the crowd to respond to an anti-American character. He quickly took to professional wrestling and won Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Rookie of the Year award in 2000. Championship success followed soon after, upon leaving the company in 2006, he had won six World Championships and become a one-time Hardcore, European, and Intercontinental Champion. He returned to the WWE in 2017 in a general manager role after wrestling the past decade in TNA.
What is Alexa Bliss' signature move?
Alexis Kaufman is a 26 year old native of Columbus, Ohio who only began wrestling in 2013 and is one of the fastest-rising talents in professional wrestling. A former competitive bodybuilder, she joined NXT as Alexa Bliss in 2013 and, after remodeling her character after Harley Quinn of the popular Suicide Squad film, she gained recognition and was subsequently recalled to the main roster. In no time, she won the SmackDown Women's Championship and, upon being drafted to Raw, became the first woman in the company to win both championships.
What is Seth Rollins' signature move?
Like many of the WWE's current stars, Seth Rollins rose to fame through his performances in Ring of Honor, where he was World Champion in 2009. The following year, he joined the WWE developmental territory FCW and later became NXT Champion in 2012. He made his main roster debut in 2012 as a member of The Shield, an ever-popular trio that also includes Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose. He's now a three-time WWE Tag Team Champion, one-time United States Champion, and two-time World Heavyweight Champion.
What is Tye Dillinger's signature move?
Long before he was "The Perfect 10" Tye Dillinger, Ronald Arneill competed in the WWE for its ECW brand as Shawn Spears. He was released from the company in 2009 and competed on the independent circuit for four years before returning to WWE and wrestling in NXT. He didn't make his main roster debut until the 2017 Royal Rumble, but has since done very little in regard to storyline. He was part of an angle involving the United States Championship, but wasn't even selected to participate in the recent United States Championship tournament.
What is Dolph Ziggler's signature move?
Speaking of the United States Championship, it was Dolph Ziggler who won the title at Clash of Champions and subsequently vacated it two nights later on SmackDown Live! It was the second time the Show Stopper won the title, building off an already impressive career that include him holding the Intercontinental Championship five times and the World Heavyweight Championship twice. Beyond WWE accolades, Ziggler was voted Most Improved and Most Underrated by Wrestling Observer Newsletter in 2011. Two years later, Pro Wrestling Illustrated ranked him the ninth best wrestler in the world.
What is Bobby Roode's signature move?
You might be surprised to learn that Peterborough, Ontario native Bobby Roode is 40 years old given he only just made his WWE main roster debut a few months ago. Long before that, the "Glorious One" was making a name for himself in TNA. In fact, along with AJ Styles, he was one of the company's biggest stars from 2004 until 2016, when he finally joined WWE and began competing in NXT. Roode was the NXT Champion before losing the belt to Drew McIntyre. He appears poised to win the United States Championship on the main roster.
What is Shinsuke Nakamura's signature move?
Although it hasn't quite gone as expected for Shinsuke Nakamura since making his WWE main roster debut earlier in 2017, he's one of the company's most exciting in-ring performers. The former NXT Champion debuted on SmackDown on April 4 and began feuding with Dolph Zigger before entering the WWE Championship picture and losing twice in title shots to Jinder Mahal at SummerSlam and Hell in a Cell. The "King of Strong Style" has a unique move set and has been using the same finisher since 2009.
What is Dean Ambrose's signature move?
"The Lunatic Fringe" Dean Ambrose is sorely missed from the WWE right now as he recovers from a triceps injury. Prior to being sidelined, Ambrose had rekindled his alliance with Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns in The Shield and won the Raw Tag Team Championship with Rollins. He's also a one-time World Heavyweight Champion, two-time Intercontinental Champion, and one-time United States Champion who held the title for a WWE record 351 days. He's also a five time Slammy Award winner.
What is Randy Orton's signature move?
If you aren't sure of Randy Orton's finishing move, it might be time to abort this quiz. It's as synonymous with Orton himself as The "Stone Cold" Stunner is with Steve Austin or the Rock Bottom is with The Rock. It's a simple, yet effective and electrifying move that has helped Orton become one of the most decorated WWE wrestlers of all-time. In fact, since making his debut with Evolution in 2002, Orton has become a 13-time World Champion. He was also ranked as the world's best wrestler by Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 2008.
What is Sasha Bank's signature move?
The Women's Revolution in the WWE has created more opportunities for up-and-coming women and they can thank 25 year old Sasha Banks for that. The cousin of Snoop Dogg joined NXT when she was only 20 years old and quickly became the promotion's Women's Champion. Over the next few years, she put on legendary matches with good friend Bayley and was helped by her impressive finishing submission move. Banks is a four-time WWE Raw Women's Champion, but has been unable to successfully defend the title all four times she has won it.
What is Paige's signature move?
Beyond all the controversy that has followed her throughout her career, Paige has had quite a decorated career in the ring already, despite the fact that she, like Banks above, is still only 25 years old. She has been with the WWE and its developmental territories since 2011, starting out with FCW and later becoming NXT Women's Champion. The two-time WWE Divas Champion recently returned to the promotion after a nearly two-year hiatus, but injured her neck in what is rumored to be a potentially career-threatening injury.
What is Rusev's signature move?
Before his on-screen partnership with Lana (his real-life wife) ended, Rusev employed his finishing move at her will as she would stand outside and scream "Rusev Crush." They were quite effective together and even given Best Gimmick Award by Wrestling Observer Newsletter in 2014. Upon returning from injury earlier this year, he struggled to find his way until the ever-popular Rusev Day gimmick came to fruition with help from Aiden English. Rusev is a two-time United States Champion and, if there's any justice, he'll win the SmackDown Tag Team Championship with English at some point in the near future.
What is Jason Jordan's signature move?
A 29 year old native of Tinley Park, Illinois, Jason Jordan had success in the WWE as part of American Alpha with Chad Gable. The former NXT Tag Team Champions won the SmackDown Tag Team Championship in 2017 and feuded with The Usos before being broken up as part of a storyline in which Jordan was revealed as Kurt Angle's (kayfabe) son. He competed for a few months on Raw as a singles wrestler, but recently won the Raw Tag Team Championship with Seth Rollins.
What is Finn Balor's signature move?
The lead member of the Balor Club along with Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, Finn Balor is the first ever WWE Universal Champion, but he was forced to vacate the title the following night after suffering a shoulder injury that would keep him sidelined for eight months. He has yet to be given a title shot as is often customary for someone who loses a title and it has been rumored that Vince McMahon doesn't see him as over enough, which Balor himself has had fun with on social media in recent months.
What is Elias' signature move?
Remember, the WWE doesn't stand for World Wrestling Entertainment. When Elias is in the ring strumming away at his guitar, it stands for "Walk With Elias." The former NXT Star has in fact become quite popular with his singing drifter gimmick. It fell kind of flat when he debuted on the main roster, but he has been slowly gaining momentum over the course of the past few months and put on a particularly good match with John Cena on the Christmas Day episode of Raw.
What is Nia Jax's signature move?
A 33 year old native of Australia, Nia Jax has wrestling in her blood. She's the cousin of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and used that to her advantage in pursuing a career in the ring. A former college basketball player and plus-sized model, Jax began training in 2014 with NXT and a couple years later received unsuccessful NXT Women's Championships opportunities against Bayley and Asuka. She's one of the most physically dominating women on the main roster, but has hardly been used as such since debuting in 2016.
What is Jinder Mahal's signature move?
A 31 year old native of Calgary, Alberta, Jinder Mahal was with the WWE from 2010 to 2014 and found moderate success with 3MB before being released. Instead of giving up on his dream, Mahal worked even harder at turning his career around and eventually attracted the attention of WWE two years later. After an inauspicious start to his return, he was the surprise winner of a No. 1 contender match for the WWE Championship and eventually defeated Randy Orton for the title at Backlash.
What is Bray Wyatt's signature move?
The leader of the Wyatt Family might be slightly lost in the shuffle in regard to current WWE programming, but he was once one of the most interesting characters in the company. The 30 year old joined FCW in 2009 and briefly appeared in WWE as a member of The Nexus before being returned to FCW to test out a new gimmick. It was the Bray Wyatt character that eventually stuck in April of 2012 and, along with Luke Harper and Erik Rowan, he took the WWE by storm with the Wyatt Family. He won the WWE Championship for the first time in his career earlier in 2017 after beating Randy Orton.
What is Enzo Amore's signature move?
A real credit to a wrestler's popularity is the amount of nicknames he has, regardless of whether or not he's the one who came up with them. Enzo Amore, despite being an average in-ring worker at best, is one of the best in the company on the microphone, hence the name "Smacktalker Skywalker." He's also referred to as "Muscles Marinara," "The Realest Guy in the Room," and "A Certified G and a Bona-Fide Stud." Amore is a two-time Cruiserweight Champion who has been using a unique inverted stomp facebreaker as his finishing move since 2017.
What is Charlotte's signature move?
The daughter of the legendary "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, Charlotte was a professional trainer before deciding to follow in her father's footsteps in 2012. She joined NXT that year and quickly adapted to professional wrestling as she put on multiple five-star matches against the likes of Sasha Banks and Natalya. She joined the WWE main roster in July of 2015 along with Banks and Becky Lynch, effectively kick-starting the Women's Revolution. She has since become a four-time Raw Women's Champion and one-time SmackDown Women's Champion.
What is Brock Lesnar's signature move?
You can be forgiven if you forgot Brock Lesnar was still part of the WWE as the 40 year old only wrestles a few times per year on PPV events, yet is the Universal Champion and has been for quite some time. If there's anyone who has earned the right to be a part-time champion, however, it's Lesnar; the former UFC star worked with WWE 2002 to 2004 before returning to the company an even bigger star in 2012. He's a four-time WWE Champion and one-time Universal Champion. He also ended The Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania.
What is Samoa Joe's signature move?
A native of Orange County, California, Samoa Joe made a name for himself in Ring of Honor and TNA before finally joining WWE in 2015. The five-time TNA X Division Champion was placed in NXT and became a two-time NXT Champion before finally earning the promotion to the main roster. He has yet to win a title in the WWE, but had a memorable Universal Championship match with Brock Lesnar and also participated in a fatal four-way match for the title at SummerSlam along with Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman.
What is Baron Corbin's signature move?
A former United States Champion, Baron Corbin signed with the WWE in 2012 after a brief stint as a professional football player. He cut his teeth in NXT for four years before finally making his main roster debut at WrestleMania 32 as part of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, which he actually won by eliminating Kane. He then feuded with Dolph Ziggler before being drafted to SmackDown, where he has thrived as a mid-card worker. He won the 2017 Money in the Bank match, but became only the third person to be unsuccessful in his attempt to cash in and win the WWE Championship.