Wrestling styles change over time – it’s just the nature of the beast. Added to this is the accusation that the new generation is ruining the wrestling industry with its endless high peaks and ever more extreme bumps: this opinion was expressed by Lou Thesz regarding Harley Race, and it does not never disappeared.
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However, changing style causes specific moves to be demoted. Each new generation creates its own finishing moves that naturally demote existing ones into signature or transitional territory. Here are ten examples of movements that modern wrestling has ruined.
Side helmet
A must-have has practically disappeared
- is now labeled as “Rest Hold”
- Similar cases can be made for the Chinlock, the Hammerlock or the Armbar
One of the worst things to happen to modern wrestling is the adoption of “dirt sheet jargon”: terms like “rest hold” and “moveset” only became popular with the emergence of newsletters and in particular the Internet. The term “rest hold” in particular has arguably hurt the in-ring action, as holds like a chinlock or armbar are now seen simply as wrestlers taking a break. Another casualty of this trend is one of the most basic holds in wrestling: the side headlock. Once a great opportunity to communicate the next point and explained as an “attrition” hold, it is now used simply as a transition move to pull an opponent into the ropes.
Suicide diving and other jumping spots
The mass plunges outwards and must disappear
- It used to be a sign of a wrestler’s aggression
- Has become an unnecessary staple, especially in multi-player matches
If you’re old enough to remember wrestling in the late ’80s and early ’90s, then you remember the feeling of diving outward. This happened very rarely, but when it did, it was incredible. The Babyfaces dove outside to reach the heels and often followed up with a series of punches to the downed opponent. Things changed a bit with WCW’s cruiserweights, but their superior athleticism made it still work. Diving seems to happen every game these days. The worst story: dives organized in multi-player matches where everyone gathers to catch the last divers.
The moon jump
From Highlight Reel to standard repertoire, has become everyone’s movement
- It was a spectacle
- Sometimes used today as a finish by women
There were maybe a handful of wrestlers who used a moonsault in the early 90s and none more prominent than The Great Muta. As the ’90s progressed, other wrestlers followed, including super heavyweight Vader and 50-year veteran Terry Funk.
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Today, a moonsault is just another move. Its use in finishing is rare and mainly reserved for women (Tiffany Stratton, Iyo Sky). The novelty has completely worn off and using a simple moonsault as a finish for a male wrestler seems unthinkable, unless said wrestler has the stature of Vader. Even the moonsault’s natural evolution, the Shooting Star Press, has lost most of its appeal.
Cutter
Few moves are more exaggerated than the cutter
- In danger of going the way of DDT
- RKO is the last surviving finish of its kind
Johnny Ace’s most valuable contribution to wrestling is undoubtedly the cutter. Later adopted by Diamond Dallas Page and then passed on to Randy Orton, the cutter long escaped the fate that befell DDT – until the arrival of modern wrestling. Nowadays, there are a multitude of cutters at most salons. Even in WWE, Orton’s move is no longer sacred, with Cody Rhodes presenting his own version. A classic example that history is doomed to repeat itself.
The Superplex
The Superplex bump has been reduced
- It used to be a rare highlight
- Became more and more overused for less and less return
In the 80s, guys like Bob Orton and Barry Windham used it as a finisher. In the 1990s, it became on rare occasions an essential place: the superplex. Bret Hart has used it many times. This movement remained high impact until the new millennium, where it increasingly lost its aura. Wrestlers these days may not even sell its impact, for example Seth Rollins often hitting the move (from the top rope, no less) then rolling up to hit a falcon arrow, completely negating the initial bump.
Backbreakers
Innovation is not always necessary
- Traditional backbreakers are almost extinct
- This decision took the path of increased innovation – for diminishing returns
Roderick Strong goes by the nickname “The Backbreaker Messiah” and he has certainly earned a reputation as a master of backbreaker innovation. But how many wrestlers can you name, other than Strong, who regularly use a backbreaker? It doesn’t even have to be a finisher: think Bret Hart’s backbreaker or Rick Martel’s sideways backbreaker. These were used with the idea of working on their opponents’ backs, thus preparing them for their respective submission moves. This decision is still credible and has not been observed regularly for years. Maybe it’s time for someone to escape again.
Neck cutter
Neckbreaker innovation killed the movement
- Much like The Backbreaker, movement has been replaced by innovation
- Rarely used as a finish
Few movements have seen as much variety and innovation as the neckbreaker. This has always been an approach conducive to innovation. Modern versions like the ushigoroshi are still impressive. The problem is that almost no one uses a neckbreaker as a finish – often not even as a signature move. A daredevil, by definition, should be treated as devastating because it essentially aims to inflict maximum damage to the most critical area.
The vertical suplex
Has lost its meaning
- Became a matter of staging
- Reflection of the modern trend of wrestling
Few wrestling fans would buy the vertical suplex as a finish in the modern world. This is not a problem but simply the result of innovation and evolution. However, modern wrestling sometimes risks losing track of what a move can (or should?) achieve, and the idea behind the simulated fight in the first place. Today, a vertical suplex is often used to showcase someone’s strength. Fans count as the move is held or a wrestler can do squats while holding their opponent upright. This is all impressive, but it misses the point, which is that a vertical suplex is supposed to disorient an opponent and inflict a significant dent. Instead, it has become simply a means of interacting with fans – which kills the suspension of disbelief.
DDT
Dead, abandoned, transitional: DDT has lost all meaning
- Most popular example of a move going from a certain finish to a transition move
- The focus has shifted from execution to sales
One name that always comes up when discussing the history of DDT is Jake “the Serpent” Roberts. Roberts used the DDT as a finisher for most of his career and the move was so over the top that fans screamed with joy every time he hit it. Later, Arn Anderson continued to use this move throughout much of the ’90s, as Roberts slowly faded from the spotlight.
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After Double A retired, something happened. Wrestlers began using the DDT as a climax, but rarely as a finisher. Nowadays, standard DDT is almost extinct and what we mostly see are variations of tornado DDT that lead to two counts. Additionally, this decision became about sales rather than execution. Unfortunately, none of that helped this move, and while it’s still popular among fans, it’s one of the most overused and underrated moves in modern wrestling.
Supershots
The move must be interrupted
- Probably the most overused move in modern wrestling
- Has gone from the final stage to losing almost all sense
Wrestling has undergone a change with the growing popularity of MMA. Armbreakers and knee bars were treated more seriously and many wrestlers introduced the roundhouse and sidekicks into their repertoire. This was all good, but somehow the superkick got swept away by the trend. Today, the move that Shawn Michaels perfected on the big stage is probably the most over-the-top move in wrestling. Not only has it lost its knockout status, it’s almost lost all meaning, with people just kicking each other. Modern wrestling has completely ruined the superkick.
