Mario Pierson

An animated example of a powerbomb A powerbomb is a professional wrestling throw in which an opponent is lifted (usually so that they are sitting on the wrestler's shoulders) and then slammed back-first down to the mat. [1] The standard powerbomb sees an opponent first placed in a standing headscissors position (bent forward with their head placed between the attacking wrestler's thighs). He is then lifted on the wrestler's shoulders and slammed down back-first to the mat. [1] A prawn hold is commonly used for a pinning powerbomb. Powerbombs are sometimes used in mixed martial arts competitions, when a fighter attempts to slam another fighter who has him trapped in a triangle choke. In professional wrestling, it is also sometimes used by a bigger wrestler as a counter to an attempted hurricanrana by a smaller wrestler. While it was associated with super-heavyweight wrestlers, the move was invented by Lou Thesz. [2] Variations [ edit] Argentine powerbomb [ edit] The wrestler first places their opponent face-up across their shoulders, as in an Argentine backbreaker rack, hooks the head with one hand and a leg with the other, and the wrestler will then spin the opponent's head away from them, dropping the opponent down to the mat. Often the wrestler drops to a seated position while spinning the opponent. It was popularized by A. J. Styles with the name Rack Bomb. Chokebomb [ edit] Also known as a sitout two-handed chokeslam and a choke driver. The most common move referred to as a chokebomb sees an attacking wrestler grasps an opponent's neck with both hands and then lift them up into the air. From here the attacking wrestler would throw the opponent back down to the mat while falling to a seated position. This would see the opponent land in a position where their legs are wrapped around the wrestler with their back and shoulders on the mat. This allows the attacking wrestler to lean forward and place both his/her arms on the opponent for a pinfall attempt. A falling version exists, and usually ends with the attacking wrestler pinning the opponent immediately while still holding the throat after the move has already been executed. This move was used as a finisher by Matt Bloom in all of his WWE personas. Crucifix powerbomb [ edit] The wrestler places his opponents head in between his legs then grabs the opponents stomach and lifts his opponent over his shoulder and holds both his arms in a cross position over his head. The wrestler finally runs or falls to his/her knees and throws his opponent onto the mat back/neck first. Sheamus employs the running variation, dubbing it the High Cross. The falling variation is often associated with Razor Ramon, who called it Razor's Edge (also known as the Outsider's Edge or Diamonds Edge during his time in WCW as Scott Hall). [3] While the throwing variation is used by Bad Luck Fale as the Bad Luck Fall. Sitout crucifix powerbomb [ edit] Also known as a Niagara Bomb, Splash Mountain and Black Tiger Bomb, this powerbomb is similar to the Crucifix Powerbomb, but instead of the wrestler falling forward to drop the opponent, the attacking wrestler falls to a seated position for a pinfall attempt instead of releasing the opponent. This move is sometimes used by Roman Reigns as a signature move and was also commonly performed by Matt Hardy and Eddie Guerrero. A top rope version was used by Konnan as well. Dangan Bomb [ edit] This move, invented by Masato Tanaka, is performed when the wrestler will put the opponent in to the position for a belly to back suplex, lift them up and then catch them in mid air as if going for a spinebuster but instead put the opponents legs on their shoulders then drives the opponent to the mat like a falling powerbomb. Double powerbomb [ edit] Due to convenience of wording this name can refer to a maneuver either performed by two persons on one, or one person on two; generally both opponents will be far smaller than the wrestler attempting the move. One opponent is placed on the attackers shoulders as per a standard powerbomb, then the other will be placed on the first opponents shoulders, facing in the same direction. This is normally performed by putting the first opponent's head between the seconds legs while they are sitting on the second or top turnbuckle. Finally, both opponents will be slammed to the mat. Double underhook powerbomb [ edit] Also known as a Tiger Bomb. The wrestler faces a bent over opponent, and hooks each of the opponent's arms behind the opponent's back. The wrestler then lifts the opponent in the air and flips them over, throwing them back down and driving the back and shoulders of the opponent to the ground. The wrestler may also fall to their knees as they slam the opponent down. A sitout version is commonly known as a Tiger Driver and was invented by Mitsuharu Misawa. Ahmed Johnson used the sitout version as well, calling it the Pearl River Plunge. Tyler Bate uses the move as his finishing maneuver, calling it the Tyler Driver '97. Elevated powerbomb [ edit] This move is similar to a standard powerbomb. Instead of slamming the opponent directly on the mat from the shoulders, the attacking wrestler first lifts the opponent even higher by holding onto the opponent and extending their arms up, lifting the opponent up off the shoulders of the attacking wrestler just moments before slamming them down to the mat. This move was used prominently by The Undertaker, who named it the Last Ride. A sitout version is used by Kota Ibushi who calls it the Golden Star Powerbomb. Falling powerbomb [ edit] This move starts by lifting an opponent like a normal powerbomb, but when the opponent is on the wrestler's shoulders the wrestler falls forward, slamming the opponent onto the ground. This move was popularized by Kane. Fireman's carry powerbomb [ edit] The wrestler lifts the opponent on to his shoulders, into the fireman's carry position. The wrestler grabs hold of the opponent's near leg with one hand, and his head with the other. He then pushes the opponent's upper body up and simultaneously spins them, causing them to end up in front of the wrestler face up. The wrestler then either sits down or stays standing. He may also wrap his hands around the opponent's upper legs. Ganso bomb [ edit] Translated literally from Japanese as Originator Bomb (¸µÁÄ ganso) but in English more commonly referred to as the original powerbomb, this move sees the attacking wrestler make an opponent bend over and grab them in a belly to back waistlock before then lifting the opponent until they are vertical. The attacking wrestler then drives the opponent down on their neck and shoulder while either remaining in a standing position, sitting position or dropping down to their knees. The move is considered one of the most dangerous moves in professional wrestling as the person taking the move is in freefall, dropped onto their own head or neck without protection. It was invented by Lou Thesz. Toshiaki Kawada used this move as the Kawada Driver, while AJ Styles also used it during his tenure with NJPW as the Hollow Point. Gutwrench powerbomb [ edit] This move involves a wrestler standing over a bent over opponent, locking their arms around the opponent's waist and lifting them up, flipping them over, and slamming them down to the mat back first. The difference compared to a regular powerbomb is that the opponent's head does not go between the wrestler's thighs, instead they remain slightly in front or to the side of the wrestler. Usually the wrestler finishes in a sitting position while slamming the opponent, but a falling version also exists. It was used by Jack Swagger as a finishing move. Most famously used by "Dr. Death" Steve Williams as the Doctor Bomb throughout his career. Inverted powerbomb [ edit] Also known as an Inverted front powerslam, this move sees the attacking wrestler faces a bent-over opponent and apply a gutwrench waistlock before lifting the opponent up so they are lying across the wrestler's shoulder, facing upward, with the wrestler maintaining the waistlock to hold them in position, known as an overhead gutwrench backbreaker rack. The wrestler then falls forward, standing or into a sitout position while flipping the opponent forward, driving the opponent horizontally belly-down into the ground. A double underhook version of this move also exists. Ron Simmons made the standing variation famous, calling it the Dominator, while Yujiro Takahashi popularized the sitout version, calling it Tokyo Pimps. Jackknife powerbomb [ edit] A normal powerbomb which is ended with the wrestler flipping or rolling forward into a bridge with a jackknife hold. Not to be confused with Kevin Nash 's finisher, referred to as the Jackknife Powerbomb but is actually a release powerbomb. Kneeling powerbomb [ edit] This variation of a powerbomb is similar to an ordinary powerbomb, however, instead of the wrestler remaining standing, the wrestler falls into a kneeling position while driving the opponent back-first into the mat. Kane has used this version of the Powerbomb Multiple powerbombs [ edit] As the name implies, the wrestler performing the move will do so multiple times. To start, he will lift his opponent into powerbomb position and perform the move. Without letting go of the opponent's waist, the wrestler raises him up again and drops him. Depending on the wrestler, he may continue to repeat the process at his own discretion and may pin the opponent after the last one. Although neither wrestler does this anymore, Chris Jericho and Brock Lesnar used the multiple powerbomb as a signature maneuver when they debuted in WWE; Jericho's version was a double powerbomb and Lesnar's a triple. Pop-up powerbomb [ edit] As the name implies, this move begins with the opponent rushing towards the attacker who then flings the opponent vertically up into the air. The move is finished by catching the opponent and performing a powerbomb. This move was popularized by Kevin Owens

Powerbomb wrestling move. Powerbomb film. 0 of 50 No matter what wrestler you are talking about, the thing that separates good ones from great ones is their ability to inflict pain. After all, that's how you win matches. Those really special wrestlers have special moves that they like to use. They are easy for them to use and cause a lot of damage to their opponents. It may not be their finishing move or a move that they are known for, but it is a move that helps a wrestler win. You could even argue that without it, wins would be harder to come by. These may not be the flashiest moves. They aren't always the moves that you assign to your superstar when you create yourself in a video game. However, they get the job done. Some of them even make you wish that you didn't want to secretly be a professional wrestler. These are 50 of the most damaging moves in wrestling. I'm sure there are some that aren't here. There is no ranking system involved because, let's be fair here; that list would be so difficult to put together. To say that one move hurts more than another is barking up the wrong tree. 1 of 50 Since we saw Chris Jericho eating a spear (which isn't on this list by the way; I await the hateful comments), we will start with Jericho's first of two moves on this list: the Codebreaker. Jericho brought this move into his regular rotation after his most recent?stint in WWE. The move can come out of nowhere and it doesn't take much for Jericho to jump and put his knees on your head. His weight then helps to bring your head into his knees on the ground. Jericho doesn't get away without a little damage too. His knees cannot feel fantastic after that and he lands square on his back from the move. Here's hoping that Jericho whips this one out on a Dancing With The Stars judge in case he gets a bad score. 2 of 50 The Undertaker makes multiple appearances on this list. His first move is one that helped to build his legend: the Tombstone piledriver. A piledriver, regardless of its style, is very lethal and very damaging. This is why many versions of the piledriver are rarely seen in professional wrestling anymore. The chances of kicking out after having your head plunged into the canvas by the Deadman are small. It is also a nice touch that The Undertaker folds his opponent's arms across their chest for the pin as if they lay in a casket. It is one of the best taunting pinfalls and strikes fear into nearly anyone who sees it. 3 of 50 This may be the submission move that actually hurts the most. It was made famous by Ric Flair, but it has been used by many superstars over the years. It can make anyone's legs feel a lot of pain. It can even bring pain to the one who applies the hold. Any wrestler who has the move applied to them can counter it by doing one simple thing: turn over. For instance, in this picture, if Kurt Angle rolls to his belly, the pressure is applied to Flair's legs instead of his own. Both men's legs are in jeopardy in this move. This move is strictly built upon the pressure that comes in when physics is brought into the scenario. 4 of 50 Triple H has dominated WWE over the years with his move, the Pedigree. There is nothing about it that doesn't hurt. It is set up by The Game kicking you in the groin and putting your head in between his legs. After grabbing your arms as if they are handlebars on a bicycle, Triple H jumps into the air and onto the ground. Hunter's knees may take some damage, but that is nothing compared to hitting your head and knees on the ground without having your hands to help brace your fall. Game Over. 5 of 50 Taka Michinoku was one of the better technical wrestlers in the 1990s of the then-WWF. Michinoku was one of the men in the Japanese faction Kaientai. He also had one of the most damaging piledrivers out there. There have been hundreds of modifications to it overseas, but go to a wrestling event in Japan and try to not see a Michinoku Driver of some sort. I dare you. I couldn't find a picture of Taka doing it in the WWF because he often was overpowered by the much larger superstars. Taka was one of the best jobbers in the late 1990s. However, his move is used worldwide, as shown in this picture. Go on YouTube and search for some of these drivers. If you begin to grab your neck from watching them, I will understand. 6 of 50 Often referred to as The Cyclone, the F-5 was the move that Brock Lesnar used to destroy WWE for the short amount of time that he was there. A who's who at that time were victims to this move. It is everything that John Cena's Attitude Adjustment is but much more. Lesnar would hold his opponents like he is holding The Rock in this photo. He then would turn his shoulders to his right and fling his opponent off to his left. I like to think of the F-5 as the knuckleball of professional wrestling. No two F-5's look exactly the same. Some opponents fly further away than others do. Some land more awkwardly than others do. It is very unpredictable of a move since Lesnar rarely sees where his victim lands. 7 of 50 This is Tyler Reks. This is Tyler Reks grappling JTG. Tyler Reks is going to do the Burning Hammer to JTG. JTG will fall to Reks's right and land on his face and stomach. Translation: get the hell out of Tyler Reks' way. Reks holds many of his opponents in this torture rack-meets-Attitude Adjustment move. It is also a very popular move overseas and Reks hits it as perfectly as anyone in the world. If this move doesn't propel Reks to a push soon, then I will lose faith in WWE and its initiatives to push young talent. 8 of 50 I love the Walls of Jericho just like any other wrestling fan. The move is a more intense version of the Boston Crab. However, an even more intense version from Jericho is the Liontamer. The difference in the two moves: Jericho's right knee. Jericho can put that knee into an opponent's back or, as seen here, press the knee against the top of the head and put more pressure on the neck. Jericho has made even the toughest men tap with this modified submission move. 9 of 50 Jack Swagger's reputation as a great amateur-turned-professional wrestler has gone through some ups and downs. However, the best rollercoaster ride in Swagger's eyes has to be the gutwrench powerbomb. The difference between this and any regular powerbomb is that Swagger grabs his opponent without their head being in between his legs. It is much more explosive and more difficult to pull off. I also considered putting the Batista Bomb on the list, but that move is simply a sit-out powerbomb. At least Swagger's is more difficult to pull off and causes a lot more whiplash, due to it being able to be hit on a moment's notice. 10 of 50 I couldn't find a picture of Eddie doing the three amigos, which he called his trio of suplexes. Eddie would keep his form after each of the suplexes, shifting his weight and picking his opponent up for more. It was a classic way for Eddie to gain some momentum in his matches. Many opponents never seemed to recover from the sequence. A suplex is a suplex, but three in a row? It reminds me when Chris Jericho used to do a powerbomb and pick his opponent back up with the same hold and?do another one. It is a great sign of strength. It takes a lot out of both men, but it always put Eddie on a roll that would likely not be stopped. 11 of 50 Perhaps the only positive thing from Carlito's tenure in WWE. Before Jericho's Codebreaker, Carlito did the Backstabber, a version of the same move on the back. It is hard to say which could hurt more. My money goes on the Backstabber since you do not see your opponent do it and it could develop a stinger in someone's back. Just look at Shelton Benjamin wince. It looks like someone is forcing him to watch his promos. 12 of 50 Formerly known as the Unprettier, Christian's Killswitch is a very lethal move that could easily signal the end of any match. Christian grabs the arms of his opponent when behind him and maneuvers himself in front of the opponent. The switch (see what I did there? ) in position puts the opponent nearly face down and means that all Christian has to do is sit down. Captain Charisma can pull that move off at almost any time. If you fall victim to one, don't expect to enjoy it. Also, don't expect to win that match. 13 of 50 Drew McIntyre will get a world title shot in 2011. You can count on that. When McIntyre pulls off a move like his Future Shock DDT, most opponents are going to take a little nap. The Chosen One does two underhooks and puts their head under his arms. After sweeping his leg back, McIntyre sits down, which only exposes the opponent's head, causing damage to their neck and all but ending the bout. There's a load of hurt from that move. Sometimes referred to as a Scot Drop, the Future Shock is one of the moves you may not think about from a superstar that you may not think about. That will change, people. Expect a big year from the Scotsman. 14 of 50 Be it Jack Swagger or Kurt Angle, the Ankle Lock can certainly hurt an opponent. One arm is draped around the ankle while the other grabs the foot and jerks it. The foot is put in an unusual position. There is also a way to sit down with it and wrap your legs around your opponent's leg. This extends the leg and makes it harder to crawl to the ropes. 15 of 50 If you don't think that the Hell's Gate submission hold hurts, you are out of your mind. This is especially true when you realize that the move is straight out of MMA. The Undertaker traps an opponent's arm in between his legs, which form a shape similar to a Figure Four Lock. He then grabs the man's head. This puts a lot of pressure on the arm and the neck. If you don't break your collarbone first, you should just tap out now. 16 of 50 Sure, this is a picture of a huracanrana. But the Frankensteiner is a spin-off of this move. Instead of letting the legs go after flipping, Scott Steiner (yes, he developed this move) would keep his legs locked in. This would result in the opponent landing directly on his head. Ouch. 17 o