Whereas WWE stars usually spend their time performing trying like they’re making an attempt to trigger hurt to their co-stars, all of the strikes we see are secure sufficient and their primary duty is to truly maintain their opponent when within the ring. Nonetheless, this hasn’t at all times been the case by way of the protection of the strikes being carried out. If a transfer is taken into account to be doubtlessly dangerous to a Famous person, it’s often banned by the corporate fairly rapidly to keep away from any critical accidents! So, with that in thoughts, listed here are 10 strikes used earlier than that aren’t allowed within the present.
10 Taking pictures Star Press
The Taking pictures Star Press is without doubt one of the legendary WWE ending strikes, recognized initially for being Billy Kidman’s finisher in all victories. This was till it went horribly flawed in 2004 whereas preventing Chavo Guerrero, who was caught by Billy’s knee headfirst into his temple, legitimately knocking him out for 5 minutes and incomes the transfer what everybody thought could be a everlasting ban from the present. Nonetheless, after Evan Bourne signed with WWE in 2008, and was already recognized for performing the transfer, they made an exception, and as no incidents have been ever recorded, the transfer was step by step un-banned.
9 Michelle McCool’s Wings of Love
Earlier than Michelle McCool had her iconic Faithbreaker, she used to have a finisher referred to as Wings of Love, which took inspiration from Christopher Daniels’ Angels Wings. In her weblog, she says that WWE instructed her the transfer was “too devastating for the women!” It seems occasions have modified, nonetheless, as Mandy Rose now claims the transfer as her personal.
8 Muscle Buster
When Samoa Joe burst onto the WWE scene in 2015, it’s secure to say his affect was speedy. In his first match, he hit his Muscle Buster finisher in opposition to Tyson Kidd. In what went down as a freak accident, the transfer ruptured a ligament in Kidd’s vertebrae, which might’ve been deadly, which means he would by no means battle once more. Unsurprisingly, Samoa Joe selected to undertake a distinct finisher in future WWE bouts, though he would proceed to make use of the transfer in NXT.
7 Piledriver
One of many strikes synonymous with WWE, the Piledriver, was a well-liked finisher for years. It was recognized to be troublesome to execute and dangerous if finished flawed, but it surely ran with out problem for a very long time. This was till 1997, when two of the highest wrestlers ever would mix to carry out the transfer with virtually devastating circumstances. Owen Hart, often known as Blue Blazer, carried out the transfer on Stone Chilly Steve Austin, who spiked his head to the mat, which brought about momentary paralysis and bruising to his spinal twine. Many say the legend was by no means the identical once more, and was fortunate to flee absolutely ready. The transfer was by no means carried out once more, regardless of the odd as soon as right here or there… CM Punk to John Cena springing to thoughts.
6 Vertebreaker
A variation of the Piledriver, this transfer was additionally banned in 1997 after the Stone Chilly incident. It was decided too harmful to have somebody’s head make contact with the mat with any type of drive, and if one thing had gone much more flawed with this transfer after 1997, the organisation would’ve solely had itself guilty. When it was authorized, this transfer was used and invented by Megumi Kudo as a Reverse Piledriver.
5 Brainbuster
It’s not a lot of a shock this transfer was banned. If the identify is frightening, it’s most likely not going to be secure, and it wasn’t. It was a model of a Suplex, besides as an alternative of touchdown on the again, the sufferer landed straight on their head, making it very troublesome for them to be suitably protected, and it was due to this fact banned for a protracted whereas. Strikes like Finn Balor’s 1916 or Sami Zayn’s prime rope Brainbuster have been seen within the ring sometimes, however the present often steers away from this type of danger.
4 Burning Hammer
In contrast to a few of the different strikes on this checklist which were used exterior the protected WWE ring in different wrestling exhibits, the Burning Hammer is thought to be a no-no all through the game. It’s solely been seen a handful of occasions due to the danger, however the transfer mainly entails dropping the opponent on their head, which is unsurprisingly a troublesome one to make secure. Even the wrestler recognized for the transfer, Kenta Kobashi, solely carried out it seven occasions as a result of it was simply too harmful to make use of as usually as a standard finisher.
3 Diving Headbutt
The Diving Headbutt was one of many many strikes banned after it was revealed that the Chris Benoit tragedy was largely as a result of CTE he suffered because of his time within the WWE. It was half of a big effort to crack down on head collisions as extra details about the hazards of concussion was being revealed. As you possibly can guess by the identify, the Diving Headbutt suits into this class. They might controversially make an exception for Bryan Danielson, who himself retired after a historical past of head accidents and concussions, making it clear why the transfer was banned within the first place.
2 Curb Stomp
Seth Rollins gained the WWE Championship in 2015 along with his major finisher being the Curb Stomp. After the collection, steps have been taken to vary his finisher and take away it from his fights after Vince McMahon expressed concern over how simple it might be for kids to recreate the transfer. Throughout its use within the WWE, it was very secure, as Rollins wouldn’t really make important contact with the top, and the fighter on the receiving finish would promote the harm. In fact, as a part of the phantasm of WWE, youngsters might not know this secret, or on the very least, wouldn’t be capable of carry out the transfer safely, resulting in its ban.
1 Punt Kick
Within the arsenal of WWE legend Randy Orton, the Punt Kick was a transfer, just like the Curb Stomp, the place one fighter would faux to make important contact with the top of an opponent, who would promote the harm. The transfer was banned after Orton was requested to carry out it on none aside from Vince McMahon. So the story goes that Orton bought too excited with the chance, uncared for the protection of his opponent, and made a big contract with Vince’s head, giving him a authentic concussion. Unsurprisingly, different wrestlers have been hesitant to obtain such a kick, however Orton has been utilizing it sporadically since his return in 2020, now assured he gained’t damage anybody with the transfer.