WWE Quiz: Are These Wrestling Moves Banned?

Professional Wrestling isn't for the faint of heart. Regardless of how staged it looks, what isn’t fake are all the brutal injures wrestlers suffer from in the ring. Sadly, there are instances where a wrestler’s offensive move is so brutal, it goes too far. In a sport that touts cage matches and blood matches, injuries are bound to happen at some point, right? Never put it past professional wrestlers to find new and creative ways of inflicting punishment on their opponents.

In order to prevent wrestlers from perpetrating deadly moves—within the confines of a sport seemingly without rules—the WWE’s hand has been forced to conduct a crackdown. More specifically, the wrestling organization has a list of moves deemed too harmful to commit. In essence, these moves are banned from ever being used in the ring. While we don’t necessarily think the sport is safe now, at least the risk of fatalities or severe injuries are greatly reduced. So, what are some of the moves that are branded too lethal by the WWE? Take the quiz to find out below. Oh—and don’t forget—safety first (don’t attempt these at home).

Question 1

Is the pile driver banned from the WWE?

The pile driver is a real doozy. For this move, a wrestler wraps his or her arms around another’s chest in a tight bear hug. Here’s the catch: the victim grabbed by the wrestler is also turned upside down, leaving the head exposed for a real pounding. The wrestler will then fall from an elevated point, pulling his feet in to hammer the victim’s head down into the mat. This description hits the nail on the head—but is it a banned move?

Question 2

Is the avalanche bloody Sunday banned from the WWE?

This move is usually performed while holding one’s victim up on the ropes; otherwise, to try it while standing on the mat requires tremendous upper-body strength. The wrestler grabs the victim in a front face lock—also known as a DDT—before falling back and driving the victim's face into the mat. Although it’s a move more for show than actually inflicting damage—if executed poorly—it could land the other a serious head trauma. But is it risky enough a move to be banned?

Question 3

So, any idea if the bronco buster is banned or not?

This one is straight-up demoralizing. What more could a wrestler do to utterly shame his opponent than commit a move known as the Bronco Buster? After pinning the victim to a corner post—sprawled on the floor—the wrestler will jump up on his shoulders while hanging on to the ropes before proceeding to bounce repeatedly up and down. The danger here is the amount of weight being pushed down on the victim’s neck and chest. Besides looking humiliating for the victim, is it dangerous enough a move to be banned?

Question 4

Is the 450 splash move still permitted in the WWE?

This move isn’t meant to be attempted by those afraid of heights. While one’s victim is down on the mat, a wrestler climbs up on a corner post and stands completely straight. The wrestler then leaps out towards the victim—somersaults in the air—and slams down on the vulnerable target with his full weight. It’s an impressive-looking maneuver that bears more the traits of a gymnast than it does a fighter. But is it really worrisome enough of a move to be banned?

Question 5

What about the camel clutch? Is that move still allowed in the WWE?

Here’s a classic move: the camel clutch. Imagine the wrestler sitting on the back of his victim atop the mat with his legs clenched around the other’s shoulders. With the victim’s head pinned between his legs, the wrestler interlocks his fingers around his opponent’s face—typically across the mouth or throat. The wrestler is now in a prime position to lean back, putting tension on the victim’s face. Could a brutal move like this be banned?

Question 6

Is the choke-slam still allowed in the WWE ring?

Sometimes even the simplest moves—if performed incorrectly—can have altering effects on a wrestler’s career and future. The Choke-Slam—a favorite move famously employed by The Undertaker—is as straightforward as it sounds: the wrestler takes his victim by the throat and throws them down. The severity of the choke—as well as the force with which a victim is thrown—is left in the (literal) hands of the wrestler. Is it a move severe enough to make it to the banned list, or is it not banned?

Question 7

Is the victory-star drop still used in the WWE?

Those familiar with Manami Toyota will know this move. This is a vicious move where the wrestler takes the victim to the post. Then—while holding onto the back of the victim—uses the victim's legs to flip the other backward completely to land the opponent's head on the mat. It’s a classic blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of maneuver. What won’t go unnoticed is the pain caused when the wrestler emerges from the mat, the victim lying down. Is it a banned move?

Question 8

Does the WWE still allow wrestlers to use the pancake slam?

As pleasant as this one sounds when we're hungry for breakfast (no matter what time of day it is), it has nothing to do with breakfast. This move involves the wrestler lifting an upside-down opponent, pulling the opponent's feet out from under, and slamming the opponent down face front into the mat - a simple move with major repercussions. Garnering its name from the way a pancake is flattened, the move has a frightening appearance. Is this move banned?

Question 9

Can wrestlers still use the moonsault move?

The wrestler starts with his back to the victim. Then—jumping in a high-arcing backflip—he flies up into the air and lands on his opponent. What could possibly go wrong? Apparently, lots can go wrong. It’s a move—because of the high hang time—which gathers momentum really fast, bringing it down on whoever should be so unlucky. After all, what goes up must come down. Just take it from the victims and their highlight reels. Is the pain inflicted by this move enough to be banned?

Question 10

What about the backdrop driver? Banned, or no?

Another move and another victim sent to the hospital. It's the backdrop driver. In this simple but potentially deadly move, a wrestler comes up from behind on a weakened opponent. The then tucks his head in under an arm while grabbing the other’s waist—and with all his might, he lifts the victim off the ground to fly backward, head first. It’s pretty obvious what happens next. The victim’s face smashes into the mat, and that’s all folks. Is it banned or not banned?

Question 11

Can wrestlers still engage in Orton's punt?

If professional wrestler Randy Orton ever needs another career, he could probably try out as a kicker for the NFL. There isn’t much to this move. We're not saying it doesn’t take skill, but it merely involved Orton kicking his opponents in the face while they were on the ground. The wide sweep of his leg reminds one of a football kicker, and it probably doesn’t feel too nice the next day. But in the end, was Orton’s Punt ever banned?

Question 12

Is the power bomb banned, too?

Here’s an old-school finishing move. The Power Bomb is executed by a wrestler grabbing the opponent—commonly whoever is charging at the wrestler or leaping at the opponent from a post—and catching his legs within both arms. Then, using one's arms to turn the victim on his back, the wrestler slams down his opponent with his legs usually spread out in a V-shape. It’s a move that never seems to get old, but do wrestlers take it too far? Banned or not banned?

Question 13

Is the shooting star press gone for good?

Don’t let the name of this move fool you. Just because it has “shooting star” in its name doesn’t mean it’s all fairies and rainbows. This move is another eye-catching favorite. The wrestler starts off facing his opponent, typically standing from the top of a post. He jumps up, flips back, and slams down on his victim. Although it looks easy, the trick is sticking the landing by coming down on the opponent with massive force. Could a classic move like this be banned?

Question 14

Can wrestlers still make use of the orange crush move?

While most of these moves sound pleasant, they never are in reality. Instead of a pleasant orange-crush soda drink, the wrestling move is actually rather devastating. A wrestler faces his opponent—often when he’s staggered—and places his victim’s head between his legs. Using his upper body strength, the wrestler flips the victim in a complete somersault, locks the other’s legs around his hips, and hooks his head underneath a free arm. Now comes the painful part: the wrestler flips the victim up vertically until he’s standing—hanging straight up in the air—before bringing him down to a crash on the floor. Is a move like this banned or not banned?

Question 15

The baseball slide through the ropes... can it still be done?

When an opponent is stranded outside of the ring, it may be time to give him the old baseball slide. For a wrestler to employ this move, all he needs to do is grab hold of the highest rope from inside the ring, swing his body through the ropes below, and drive a well-placed foot into the face of his victim. Nothing does damage like a foot planted into another’s face. But is the trick too cheap to be legal? Is the move banned or not banned?

Question 16

Are chair shots banned from the WWE?

When one thinks of wrestling, how can one not think of chair shots? The two are pretty synonymous. Was there ever a more classic move than picking up a chair and slamming it down on an opponent’s head? Nothing screams more iconic in professional wrestling than this move. While simple, it does make one wonder the extent of damage inflicted from such a powerful blow. Is it still allowed for wrestlers to wield chairs as weapons in the ring?

Question 17

Can wrestlers still use the burning hammer move on each other?

It isn’t pretty, but it’ll take care of business. All a wrestler has to do to knock his opponent out is a move like the Burning Hammer. In this move, a wrestler leans to face the backside of his opponent. Reaching out, one hand grabs the neck, while the other wraps around a leg on the inner thigh. Then, using upper body strength, he lifts the victim onto his back before falling backward and crashing the victim's neck onto the canvas. Is the move banned or not banned?

Question 18

The vertebreaker - was it banned?

The name says it all. A wrestler need only find a way to get his victim upside down on his back, with his arms locked in what appears to be a suicidal embrace. But from this point, the wrestler need only step forward and lift his legs up from under him to turn the tables on the helpless monkey on his back. A move like this positions the victim face first into the mat, leaving little chance of coming out unscathed. Is a move as unreal as this banned or not banned?

Question 19

Any idea if wrestlers can still pull the cloverleaf move out of their tool boxes?

Taking the victim by the legs, the wrestler can pin the other underneath him. Sitting on the victim’s back while clenching the other’s legs puts one in a precarious position—not to mention all the pain that’s inflicted from pressing down on someone’s face and neck. If the victim doesn’t give up and tap out while sprawled on the mat, he risks breaking his neck. Don’t be fooled by the Cloverleaf; in the world of wrestling, it’s an unlucky position to be in. Banned or not banned?

Question 20

Only die-hard wrestling fans will know the answer to this. Was the brain buster move exiled from the WWE?

A wrestler needs a corner post to perform this move and fulfill the death wish of his opponent. Facing an opponent who's standing on the post, the wrestler need only wrap his arm around the other’s neck, turn him upside down, and slam his head down on the edge of the post. As if the devastating impact of one’s head landing on the post weren’t enough, the victim still has to tumble off the post’s ledge and fall helplessly to the mat. This is a rare example where the name of the move is actually literal in meaning.

Question 21

Anybody know if the tiger driver is still legit or had to be quit?

The wrestler grabs his opponent’s arms to flip him upside down. Then—releasing his grip—he swings the victim up and grabs hold of his legs. From this position, the victim is slammed straight down onto the mat. This is a move that puts one’s neck and head in the direct crosshairs of pain. All moves can be employed safely, except it only takes one instance to change the acceptability of a move going forward. Is this one of those banned moves?

Question 22

This move sounds deadly, doesn't it? The crippler-cross move - is it banned?

This move usually requires both wrestlers on the ground. The wrestler initiating the move needs to have the victim planted face first on the mat. By then clutching his arms around the victim’s face—smothering his eyes and passageways—the wrestler in a superior position can put pressure on the victim to tap out. This move was a favorite of Chris Benoit’s when he was around. Is it the kind of gut-wrenching move to be taken off the table of what wrestlers are allowed to do?

Question 23

Is the Canadian Destroyer out, too?

Arguably one of the greatest finishers, this move really packs a wallop. First, the wrestler needs to wrap the victim’s head between his legs. Once the victim's head is pinned, the wrestler jumps forward, almost as if he’s doing his own somersault—only, the victim remains locked in for the ride. The opponent’s body swings around with the wrestler’s body until it comes crashing down on the mat. If this move is done properly, the initiator lands sitting down, while the victim lands on his face. Is it the kind of move to get slapped with a ban?

Question 24

What about the kawada diver? Can wrestlers still use it?

There’s little finesse involved in a move like this, though who really cares when the goal is smashing an opponent’s face in? For this move, the wrestler faces his victim, who is bent forward. Leaning over the opponent’s back, the wrestler wraps his arms around the victim’s hips. Hoisting the victim up above his head, the wrestler holds him there for a moment before slamming him down to the canvas, head first. The scary part about this move is that the victim doesn't see when contact is made with the ground. Is this move banned or not banned?

Question 25

The dragon screw neck whip sure does sound painful. Are wrestlers spared from this one yet? Has it been banned?

This is a move as scary as it sounds. Not too much is required to carry out this move. If the victim is in a floating plank-like position buoyed up by the ropes, the wrestler wraps his arm around the victim's head. All it takes for the wrestler from here is a kick forward and a sudden drop on his back. The victim will fly quickly off the ropes and straight down while latched onto the wrestler’s hold. It’s a move that leaves little space for the victim’s neck to be cushioned from the fall, and it has potentially dangerous repercussions. Banned or not banned?

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