Professional wrestling aerial techniques
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Aerial techniques are used in professional wrestling to show off the speed and agility of a wrestler. These moves are mainly done by smaller quicker wrestlers who are unable to do most of the power moves. There is a wide variety of aerial techniques in pro wrestling. Many moves are known by several different names. Professional wrestlers frequently give their "finishers" (signature moves that usually result in a win) new names. Occasionally these names become popular and are used regardless of the wrestler performing the technique.
Due to injuries being caused by these high risk moves, many promotions ban the use of some maneuvers, or at least tell wrestlers to "tone down" their use. During 2005, World Wrestling Entertainment banned the use of the 450 splash and shooting star press for fear of injury.[citation needed]
Moves are listed under general categories whenever possible.
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Arm twist ropewalk chop
The wrestler grabs hold of one of the opponent's wrists, and twists that arm. The wrestler then climbs up the corner turnbuckles and walks on the top rope, before jumping down and clubbing the opponent on their chest or back of their neck. Widely known in America as Old School, a name used by The Undertaker for the move.
Other users have been known to add something extra to the move. Jinsei Shinzaki uses a variation of that sees him grab his opponent while he's on the apron, and his opponent is in the ring. He then leaps up to the top rope, using the opponent's wrist as a steady, and does a praying walk on the top rope, round the turnbuckle, and jumps down, chopping his opponent. Sonjay Dutt also has a variation, during which he makes a "sprinkler" dance motion while on the ropes before dropping down onto his opponent.
Arm twist ropewalk legdrop
Similar to a ropewalk chop, except instead of leaping down and chopping the opponent, the attacking wrestler holds the arm out, jumps off the rope and pushes the opponent to the mat by performing a leg drop onto the opponent, usually on the chest or arm.
Axe handle
Also known as a 'Double Axe Handle', Double Axe Handle Smash' or Double Sledge, this is accomplished by jumping from the top turnbuckle to the mat or floor and striking your opponent with two fists held together in the fashion of holding an axe. This is usually done on a standing or rising opponent, not a prone one.
Crossbody
This move is used by many, usually light, wrestlers and is often known as a flying crossbody (but usually just referred to as crossbody or cross body block) which is the elevated version of the crossbody maneuver in which a wrestler jumps from an elevated position (usually the top turnbuckle) onto an opponent, landing horizontally across the opponent's torso, forcing them to the mat and usually resulting in a pinfall attempt.
Reverse crossbody
This term refers to a variation where the wrestler, who is on an elevated position and facing away from the opponent, performs a twisting backflip and lands on a standing opponent horizontally across the opponent's torso as in the regular variation.
Though these can be accomplished from the top turnbuckle to an opponent inside the ring, other versions exist where the wrestler goes over the top rope to the outside. In lucha libre, this is called a Pescado aka Plancha.
Diamond Dust
Named by Masato Tanaka this move is a Forward somersault three-quarter facelock bulldog/jawbreaker performed by an attacking wrestler from an aerial platform.
This move involves the attacking wrestler standing on a platform (i.e. the second turnbuckle, or sitting on the top turnbuckle) and facing the back of a standing opponent while applying an inverted facelock. From this position the attacking wrestler leaps forward, somersaulting, to roll the inverted facelock into a three-quarter facelock, as they fall the wrestler drops to a seated position and driving the opponent's jaw into their shoulder for a jawbreaker, or, the wrestler falls back-first forcing the opponent's face into the mat/shoulder for the bulldog.
Chris Hero uses a variation where he begins with a cravate and somersaults forward from the second rope while maintaining the hold forcing the opponent to twist 360° into the cutter.
Diving bulldog
This is a Bulldog (head-lock takedown) performed by a wrestler from an elevated position. A bulldog is a move in which the wrestler applies a head lock or face lock to his opponent and leaps forward, so that the wrestler lands on his back or in a sitting position, driving the opponent’s face into the mat.
A standard diving bulldog sees a wrestler jump down on an opponent from an elevated platform and apply any version of a headlock to take down the opponent to the mat.
Springboard bulldog
This is a bulldog performed after springboarding (bouncing) off the ring ropes. In some cases a headlock is first applied before the wrestler bounces off the ropes. The most popular version of this was used by Trish Stratus, who called it Stratusfaction. All types of bulldog can be performed in this way including the three-quarter facelock bulldog (cutter) variation which sees the wrestler run up to ropes while applying three-quarter facelock then dropping the opponent to the mat face first.
Another version is the springboard bulldog is seen where a wrestler will springboard off the ring ropes before applying the headlock. While flying towards an opponent, a wrestler catches his opponent in a headlock and then drives the opponent into the ground as the wrestler falls to the mat.
Diving elbow drop
A diving elbow drop is executed by diving onto a prone opponent with one's elbow cocked, driving the elbow into the opponent's shoulder or chest.
Axe handle elbow drop
The wrestler sits on the top turnbuckle with a foot on each second rope, facing a supine opponent. The wrestler then leaps towards the opponent, clasping their forearms together, and lands on their knees, driving both elbows into the shoulder or chest of the opponent.
Corkscrew elbow drop
The wrestler stands on the top turnbuckle with the opponent lying face up on the mat. The wrestler then leaps at the fallen opponent at the same time executing a 360 horizontal turn before driving the elbow into the opponent with increased force. This move can be done without the use of the top turnbuckle.
Diving back elbow drop
A less common variation on a diving elbow drop; the wrestler stands on the top turnbuckle facing away from the opponent then leaps backwards, extending and cocking one elbow. This allows for greater range but less precision.
Shooting star elbow drop
The wrestler leaps towards a prone opponent from an elevated position, executes a backflip in mid-air, and lands with their elbow cocked, driving the elbow into the opponent.
Diving fist drop
A fist drop is a move in which a wrestler jumps down from the turnbuckle on an opponent driving his fist into the opponent's chest or head.
Diving headbutt
A diving headbutt is a jumping or sometimes free fall headbutt delivered from the top turnbuckle to anywhere on the opponent's body. The move was innovated accidentally by Harley Race, when he fell from the top turnbuckle onto his opponent. He adapted it as a signature move, and it was then adapted and further popularized by The Dynamite Kid.
Race has stated that he regrets inventing the move because he feels that it has had a part in giving various wrestlers who utilize the move spine problems, most notably The Dynamite Kid.
Some versions include a "swan dive" style, where the performer spreads his arms out while falling. The "swan dive" is the most popular version today and its popularity is closely associated with Chris Benoit who popularized it as one of his finishing maneuvers.
El Santo and El Hijo del Santo use a swan dive variation where they hit the opponent in the abdomen, called Topé de Cristo in Spanish.
Jun Izumida uses a variation where he turns 45° to his side in mid-air, tucking his arm beneath him. He calls it Meteorite.
Diving hurricanrana
Also known as Diving huracanrana. This move is executed by jumping forward off the top rope with legs apart, straddling a standing opponent's shoulders, while using the momentum to snap off a hurricanrana.
Dragonrana
In this variant of the diving hurricanrana, the wrestler first performs a front flip from the top rope before executing a true hurricanrana in to a pin. The technique is named by and after the wrestler Dragon Kid, pupil of Ultimo Dragon, who invented the maneuver.
Springboard hurricanrana
The variant sees a wrestler, on the ring apron, first use the top ring rope to springboard (bounce) towards an opponent in the ring, straddling the standing opponent's head so the wrestler is seated on the opponent's shoulders, while using the momentum to snap off a hurricanrana.
Diving knee drop
A move in which a wrestler will jump from a raised platform (the top turnbuckle, the apron, etc) and land his knee on a prone opponent.
Calf branding
This diving knee drop bulldog sees the opponent standing near one of the ring corners facing towards the center of the ring, while the wrestler is standing on the second turnbuckle. From there the wrestler would grab hold of the opponent and place one knee against the base of the opponent's neck, push away from the corner and drive the opponent down to the mat face first - landing on the opponent's upper body, and driving their knee to the neck of the opponent. Popularized by Hiroyoshi Tenzan.
Diving leg drop
Also called a Guillotine Legdrop, This diving attack sees a wrestler jump forward from a raised platform (i.e. top turnbuckle, the ring apron, etc) landing the bottom side of his/her leg across an opponent (usually on the throat or face).
Kenny Dykstra uses a high elevation version of this move, for which he jumps off the turnbuckle and tucks his legs behind him, and extending them at the last second for the legdrop.
Moonsault leg drop
This variation sees the wrestler perform a top turnbuckle moonsault but instead of landing on the opponent in a splash position the wrestler would continue the rotation to drive his leg across an opponent who is lying on the ground.
Diving leg drop bulldog
This is a diving version of the leg drop bulldog, that sees the wrestler springboarding off one of the ropes or jumping from the top turnbuckle and dropping their leg across the back of the head of an opponent who is leaning forward.
Shannon Moore used a variation where he performed a leg drop bulldog from the top rope on an opponent who was also positioned on the top rope, causing both to dive from the top rope.
Somersault corkscrew leg drop
The wrestler is standing on an elevated position. He then jumps forward, flipping and rotating 360° simultaneously, and lands his leg on the chest of the opponent laying beneath him. Often turned into a senton, and less often press, due to the difficulty in aiming.
Somersault legdrop
The wrestler performs a forward somersault from a raised platform while descending to drop their leg across the throat or chest of an opponent.
Shooting star legdrop
This move sees an attacking wrestler jump forward from an elevated position, executing a backflip in mid-air and keeps revolving backwards so that they perform a legdrop so that they land the bottom side of their leg across the opponent's throat, chest or face.
Corkscrew shooting star legdrop
The wrestler performs a shooting star legdrop, but during the backflip executes a 180° body rotation. The only difference between this move and the shooting star legdrop is the wrestler lands in the opposing direction.
Springboard legdrop
A move in which a wrestler who is standing on the ring apron springboards (bounces) off the top ring rope in towards a fallen opponent in the ring, landing the bottom side of their leg across the opponent's throat, or face. This move sees the attacking wrestler land their leg across the back of the neck instead of the throat if the opponent is situated face-down.
There is also a variation known as the Triple Jump Legdrop where, from a running start, the wrestler jumps to a chair, to the top ring rope and then performs a springboard leg drop to an opponent on the outside of the ring. This move is used by Sabu.
Diving shoulder block
The wrestler dives of an elevated position, tucks his arms, and strikes the opponent with one of his shoulders to the upper body.
Diving spear
This is a diving shoulder block takedown. A move in which a wrestler will jump from a raised platform i.e. top-rope, and drive their shoulder into the opponent's torso, forcing them down to the mat.
Diving stomp
When a wrestler jumps down from a raised platform on an opponent dropping his foot onto any part of an opponent's body.
Diving double foot stomp
When a wrestler jumps down from a raised platform on an opponent driving both his feet into anywhere on the opponent's body.
Mushroom stomp
While situated on the middle rope of a turnbuckle, a wrestler will jump over a charging wrestler, pressing his feet off their back to push them into the turnbuckle with more force, before landing on their own two feet. The technique's name is a reference to the stomping attacks used by video game character Mario, often on mushroom-themed enemies and environments.
Moonsault double foot stomp
This variation sees the wrestler perform a moonsault but instead of landing on the opponent in a splash position the wrestler would continue the rotation so that he/she would be able to drive both feet into an opponent who is laying on the ground.
Flying clothesline
A move in which a wrestler will jump from an elevated position and perform a clothesline to a standing opponent. Kane uses the flying clothesline regularly, but adds a somersault to his landing in the case of an opponent ducking.
A version of this move, called a Flying Lariat which is similar but involves the wrestler wrapping his arm around the opponents head.
Flying back elbow
A move in which the wrestler will jump from an elevated position (usually the top turnbuckle or the middle rope) and strike a standing opponent with the back of his or her elbow.
Flying neckbreaker
A neckbreaker in which the attacking wrestler jumps from a raised platform (usually the second turnbuckle) and grabs an opponent's neck while in midair, thereby taking them down with a neckbreaker.
The most common variation of this is the Flipping Neckbreaker or Blockbuster which is a neckbreaker where the attacking wrestler performs a somersault, and while flipping, catches the opponents head ending in a falling neckbreaker. This was made famous by Buff Bagwell, who called it the Buff Blockbuster.
A variation of the flipping neckbreaker is used by Shannon Moore who catches the head of an opponent who is bent over and facing one side to perform an aerial version of a front flip neckbreaker, he calls this the Punk Out / Mooregasm.
CM Punk uses a corkscrew variation of the flipping neckbreaker as a reversal to a corner Irish whip or corner flapjack. When running to the corner, or being thrown onto the corner, Punk leaps or lands onto the second turnbuckle, performs a corkscrew somersault, and catches the opponent in the neckbreaker.
Flying spinning heel kick
A move in which the wrestler will jump from an elevated position (usually the top turnbuckle) and strike a standing opponent with spinning heel kick in mid-air.
Flying thrust kick
Executed when a wrestler jumps from a raised platform (usually the top turnbuckle), and hits a standing opponent with a thrust kick in mid-air. "Gentleman" Chris Adams invented this maneuver in the late-1980s, calling it a "flying superkick".
Frankensteiner
This is a headscissors takedown executed on an opponent sitting on the top turnbuckle. With the attacking wrestler's legs scissored around the opponent's head while they face each other, the wrestler performs a backflip to swing through the opponent's open legs, dragging the opponent into a forced somersault that distances the wrestler from the opponent, who lands on their back.
The name Frankensteiner comes from Scott Steiner, who popularized the move. Steiner also used a variation where the opponent wasn't seated on the top turnbuckle, which is also called frankensteiner. The move is also commonly called a top rope Huracanrana or Hurricanrana, although technically that move is slightly different.
Elix Skipper uses a variation of this in which he walks on the top ring rope before he gives an opponent, who is seated on the top rope, a huracanrana. Technically called a ropewalk rana, Skipper calls it New School in reference to the arm twist ropewalk chop, Old School, performed by The Undertaker.
A handstand variation can also be used. With the opponent seated on the top turnbuckle facing the ring, the wrestler performs a handstand on the bottom turnbuckle, wrapping their shins or feet around the neck of the opponent. They then bend their legs forward towards the ring, pulling the opponent over and flipping them down to the mat onto their back. This variation was popularized by Trish Stratus who called the move the StratusFear[1]
Reverse frankensteiner
Also known as an Inverted Frankensteiner or Poison Rana. This is a headscissors takedown executed on an opponent sitting on the top turnbuckle. However, unlike a standard frankensteiner, the opponent is facing away from the ring on the top turnbuckle thus the opponent backflips over and land on their chest rather than their back. This move can also be performed to the outside of the ring if the opponent is facing the inside of the ring or sitting on one edge of the corner turnbuckle facing the audience with both legs on the outside of the ring on the same side.
This is a very dangerous variation which as, like an inverted death valley driver, the opponent can not roll naturally with the momentum of the move to cushion the fall leading to a possibility they will land on their head or neck and in addition to that it's also a danger to the attacking wrestler as the wrestler needs to be almost vertical to lift up the opponent off the turnbuckle, as the opponent can not somersault themselves off the turnbuckle, and if the move is botched would mean the opponent would land directly on the vertical wrestler driving them head and neck first into the mat.
Iconoclasm
This top rope flipping slam sees a wrestler stand under an opponent, who is situated on the top turnbuckle, turn his/her back to this opponent while taking hold of the opponent's arms from below, often holding under at the opponent's arm pits. The wrestler would then throw the opponent forward while falling to a seated position, flipping the opponent over in midair, and slamming them down to the mat back first. The name was given to the move by Dragon Gate wrestler, CIMA.
Goriconoclasm
This iconoclasm variation sees an attacking wrestler place an opponent on the top turnbuckle and, while facing away from the opponent, crossing the opponent's arms over each other then, while still holding onto the arms, flipping the opponent forward over and down to the mat while falling to a kneeling or sitout position. The name of this variation of the move was given by Dragon Gate wrestler CIMA from a Buck-Tick album and is often referred to as a Cross-Armed Iconoclasm.
Christopher Daniels uses a variation, which he calls the Fall From Grace, in which Daniels wraps one of the opponent's arms around their own neck and throws them down by the wrapped arm.
Moonsault
A move in which a wrestler executes a backflip and lands on an opponent, normally in a splash formation. A basic moonsault is generally attempted from the top turnbuckle, though a myriad of variations exist.
Moonsault slam
Any move where the wrestler stands on an elevated position, grabs hold of the opponent, and performs a moonsault while still holding on to the opponent, driving them down to the mat.
The most popularly used version is known as a solo Spanish fly which is a moonsault side slam named after the double team variation. There is a variation of this version which is not performed off an elevated position, called a standing moonsault side slam.
A falling slam version is used by Último Guerrero, where the wrestler holds his opponent across his chest and then performs the moonsault.
Matt Sydal uses a belly to belly version named Cyclorama where he faces his opponent on the top turnbuckle, wraps his arms around the opponent's torso and then performs the moonsault, slamming the opponent down to the mat back first.
Missile dropkick
A dropkick from an elevated surface such as a turnbuckle, a table or a ladder to a standing opponent.
Plancha
An accepted term in American wrestling for a slingshot crossbody where the wrestler goes from the inside of the ring over the top ring rope to the outside. In lucha libre, this is called a Pescado when the top ring rope is used for a slingshot, though the term plancha has been popularly accepted in American wrestling for the same maneuver. In America a move from the top turnbuckle to a standing opponent on the outside where the chests impact each other is also commonly referred to as a plancha.
Plancha is also used in America to refer to any attack from the ring to the outside in which the wrestler impacts their chest against the opponents chest. For example, a shooting star press to the outside onto a standing opponent is referred to as a shooting star plancha.
In Mexico any move which uses the chest or abdomen is referred to as plancha.
Senton
A senton splash is similar to a splash, except that instead of impacting stomach first, the wrestler lands back first across the opponent.
630° senton
The wrestler performs a senton, spinning 630 degrees before landing, i.e. one full rotation (360 degrees) following by a somersault senton (270 degrees). Popularized by Jack Evans, who uses this as his finisher.
Corkscrew 630° senton
The wrestler, facing away from the ring and situated on the top turnbuckle, performs a 180° turn in mid-air and then performs a 630° senton onto a laying opponent.
Corkscrew senton
This senton is performed by executing a backflip from the top turnbuckle, then spinning 180°, landing on a fallen opponent back-first. However, this move often ends with a legdrop instead of a senton, due to the difficulty of execution.
The corkscrew senton can also see the wrestler hit the move on a standing opponent. This is often referred to as a Halo, a name closely associated with Shannon Moore. This move was also deemed Whisper in the Wind by Jeff Hardy though Jeff Hardy would perform this when he is irish whipped towards the turnbuckle by an opponent, and proceeds to run up turnbuckle while facing it.
Corkscrew senton can also refer to a move in which a wrestler, who is on the top rope facing away from the ring, jumps backwards and turns 180° in midair before performing a senton bomb.
Imploding senton bomb
A variant of an imploding 450 splash, this sees a wrestler facing away from the ring while on the top turnbuckle jump backwards executing a senton bomb on to a laying opponent.
Seated senton
Known in lucha libre as a "La Silla", this variant on the senton which sees the wrestler use his/her tailbone and lower body in a seated position to force the opponent to the mat rather than using their whole back. This seated senton is performed by jumping forward off a raised platform or springboarding on to the shoulders of a standing opponent forcing them to the ground. This can also be performed onto an opponent prone on the mat.
A variation of this move known as a Banzai Drop, sees a wrestler who is standing above a fallen opponent, go up onto the second turnbuckle (facing away from the ring) and jump down dropping his/her buttocks on the opponent's body (usually the chest or stomach). This move is basically a butt drop from a raised platform and was originated by Yokozuna.
Molly-Go-Round
This variant on the seated senton, which is technically described as a flipping seated senton, is performed by flipping forward off a raised platform on to the shoulders of a standing opponent forcing them to the ground in a pinning position. The move gained its name through its use by Molly Holly.
Senton bomb
This variant on the senton is performed by leaping from the top turnbuckle (or other raised surface), flipping forward 270°, and landing on the opponent back-first in the standard senton position.
High-angle senton bomb
A variant of the senton bomb, popularized by Jeff Hardy who dubbed it the Swanton Bomb, sees an attacking wrestler leaping off the top turnbuckle keeping their bodies straight and arms out-stretched, making it resemble a swan dive, and then waiting until the last moment to execute the flip, so that they just barely complete it when impacting with the opponent.
Shooting star senton
The wrestler jumps forward from an elevated position, executing a backflip in mid-air to perform a shooting star, but continues the rotation after the initial backflip and lands on a downed opponent in the senton position. Popularized by Yoshitsune, who calls this move Shura.
Shiranui
The shiranui is a springboard backflip three-quarter facelock diving reverse DDT, which has also been known as Sliced Bread #2, Ninja, and Shinobi. Invented by Naomichi Marufuji, this move has a wrestler puts a Three-quarter facelock on the opponent and runs up a vertical surface, usually the corner turnbuckles, and jumps backwards, performing a backflip in the air, and landing face down to the mat, driving the opponent back-first down to the mat.
In a slight variation the wrestler lands instead to a seated position, driving the opponent's head between his legs. This variation is used by Jimmy Jacobs, who calls it the Contra Code.
Both variations can see a modified version where both wrestlers are already perched on the top rope, and the backflip DDT is the only part performed, which is known as the Super Shiranui. Another top-rope variation is used by Marufuji when the opponent is seated on the top turnbuckle with his back to the ring, and Marufuji climbs the turnbuckles applies the three-quarter facelock while standing on the top rope, and performs the backflip, landing on his knees and driving his opponent's head into the mat with much greater force.
There is also a standing variation of this move.
Shooting star piledriver
This move more closely resembles a shooting star ending in a facebuster rather than a piledriver, though it was referred to as a "Shooting Star Piledriver" by announcers at the time of its most notable occurrence.
During a Ring of Honor event, wrestler Jody Fleisch tried to execute a springboard shooting star press on Low Ki but botched the landing in such a way that, instead of Low Ki catching Fleisch and falling to the ground, Fleisch's legs straddled the head of Low Ki and grounded him with so much force it drove Low Ki's head into the mat below.
Though its most notable use was unintentional it is in fact used by other wrestlers often ending in positions similar to that of a complete shot or a DDT.
Splash
This basic splash which is also known as a Press involves a wrestler jumping forward from a raised platform (usually the top turnbuckle) and landing stomach first across an opponent lying on the ground below.
The splash was popularized in America by Jimmy "The Superfly" Snuka, one of the first 'high-fliers' to wrestle in North America, who called the move the Superfly Splash. It was one of the first and most popular highflying moves to be seen in mainstream wrestling. Even today, the move is often called a Superfly Splash in his honor.
450° splash
Invented by 2 Cold Scorpio, the 450° Splash, as its correctly known, involves flipping forward 450° from a raised platform, landing on the opponent in the splash position. Wrestlers like Juventud Guerrera and John Kronus popularized the move in the United States, while it was a trademark in Japan for Hayabusa, who called it the Firebird Splash. A standing version is also possible from the mat.
Corkscrew 450° splash
Also known as a Phoenix Splash as named by its inventor Japanese wrestler Hayabusa, this move is performed when a wrestler (facing backwards to the ring from the top turnbuckle) jumps, turns 180° and performs a 450° splash. A standing version is also possible from the mat.
Corkscrew splash
The wrestler stands on the top turnbuckle with the opponent lying face up on the mat. The wrestler then leaps at the fallen opponent at the same time executing a 360 horizontal turn before landing on the opponent in the splash position.
Imploding 450° splash
This move sees the attacking wrestler stand on the top turnbuckle facing away from the ring and proceed to jump backwards and execute a 450° splash inwards (facing the turnbuckle) onto a downed opponent laying on the mat. Also known as a Dragon Star Press, Flaming Star Press or an Imploding Star Press.
Corner slingshot splash
The wrestler places the opponent so they are lying supine and with their head and feet facing opposite corners of the ring. The wrestler then approaches an adjacent turnbuckle, places their hands on the top rope and climbs to the first or second rope. The wrestler then bounces on the ropes before throwing their legs and body outwards and releasing the ropes, thus flying outwards and downwards and connecting with the torso of the opponent.
Frog splash
This move is performed by leaping from the top rope, stretching out to a horizontal position, and bringing one's feet and hands inward and outward before landing.
The original, and slightly different, version of the frog splash, as innovated by Art Barr, sees the wrestler bring their hands between their legs and kick up with their feet before drawing both arms and legs back outwards.
Art Barr's tag team partner, Eddie Guerrero would go on to use the more common variation as a tribute to Barr after Barr's death in late 1994. After Guerrero's death in 2005, many close friends and family started using frog splashes during matches as a tribute.
Rob Van Dam performs a turning variation named the Five-Star Frog Splash where the opponent is not placed perpendicular to the corner. Instead Van Dam turns in mid-air to land on the opponent in the splash position, irrelevant of which direction the opponent is lying in. He also uses a regular version, generally going halfway or more than halfway across the ring to hit his opponent.
Shooting star press
A shooting star press is a technique reportedly invented by Jushin Liger after seeing a similar move performed in the manga Fist of the North Star. In a standard shooting star press, the wrestler jumps forward from an elevated position, executes a backflip in mid-air, and lands on the opponent in the splash/press position. In kayfabe, the move is considered a more impactful version of a splash, since the wrestler utilizes rotational speed, as if he were a circular saw.
The shooting star press is considered a very dangerous maneuver both to execute and to receive. If the wrestler is unable to completely rotate, or if he lands incorrectly on the opponent, then there can be a serious injury. For example, Billy Kidman (who called the move the Seven Year Itch in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and just the shooting star press in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) caused an injury to Chavo Guerrero, Jr. on WWE SmackDown! when Kidman's knee impacted Guerrero's head, forcing it hard against the mat. Guerrero lost consciousness for several minutes.
Brock Lesnar is another wrestler who was involved in a memorable incident that involved the shooting star press. Lesnar used this move as a finisher when in WWE's training camp, Ohio Valley Wrestling. His first usage of the move in the main event scene was during WrestleMania XIX. His opponent, Kurt Angle, lay across the ring, and so Lesnar climbed the turnbuckle and attempted the maneuver. Lesnar underestimated the distance, and failed to complete the rotation, resulting in his landing on his head instead of on Angle (Lesnar was not seriously hurt, though Kurt Angle had to improvise a new finish to ensure Brock won the match as planned.) The slang term 'to Brock' originates from this incident, and refers to botching the biggest move of the biggest match.
As a result of injuries like these, promotions sometimes ban the use of the maneuver. When WWE discouraged the use of the move, it left long-time user Paul London notably upset and without a finisher.
Corkscrew shooting star press
Also known as a corkscrew shooting star splash, this is a move in which a wrestler, from a raised platform, jumps and executes a backflip in mid-air while turning 360° to land on the opponent in the splash position.
Springboard shooting star press
A move in which a wrestler first springboards (bounces) off of the top ring rope and executes a backflip in mid-air to land on the opponent. This can see the attacking wrestler stand on the ring ropes and springboard into the ring, or stand in the ring and springboard to the outside. The outside version is sometimes referred to as a shooting star plancha.
Standing shooting star press
This move sees a wrestler stand next to an opponent laying on the mat placing one foot close to the opponent while drawing back both his/her other leg and the arm on that side of his/her body, extending both these limbs full while bending the leg closest to the opponent at the knee. From here the wrestler throws their extended arm and leg forward in a swinging motion while kicking off (jumping up) with the bent leg, using the momentum of the swing to execute a backflip in mid-air and land on the opponent in the splash position.
Standing corkscrew shooting star press
This move sees a wrestler stand next to an opponent laying on the mat placing one foot close to the opponent while drawing back both his/her other leg and the arm on that side of his/her body, extending both these limbs full, while bending the leg closest to the opponent at the knee. From here the wrestler throws their extended arm and leg forward in a swinging motion while kicking off (jumping up) with the bent leg, using the momentum of the swing to execute a backflip in mid-air while turning 360° to land on the opponent in the splash position.
Sunset flip
This is a pinning move where a wrestler and his opponent face each other, with the wrestler on higher ground (such as the top turnbuckle). The wrestler dives over the opponent, catches him in a waistlock from behind, and rolls into a sitting position as he hits the mat. As the wrestler rolls over, he pulls the opponent over backwards so that he lands on his back in a pinning position.
Transition move
Some moves are meant neither to pin an opponent, nor weaken them or force them to submit, but are intended to set up the opponent for another attack.
Grounding
The wrestler jumps onto an opponent from an elevated platform as the opponent is standing up, so that the opponent falls to his knees with his head between the legs of the wrestler. This move is generally used to set up for a powerbomb.
Springboard
Springboarding involves a wrestler using any of the ring ropes to bounce off, most high-flying techniques can be performed after a spring board, i.e. springboard legdrop, springboard dropkick. Sometimes wrestlers will bounce off one set of ring ropes then off another to perform a move, this is referred to as a double springboard, the most notable double springboard move is a version of a springboard moonsault in which a wrestler bounces off the rope to elevate himself/herself to the top-rope from where he/she bounces off to perform the moonsault.
Another version of a springboard is the rope run/climb in which a wrestler would run up the ring ropes, effectively springboarding with one foot off each ring rope. This is often used in a version of a Tornado DDT in which a wrestler applies a headlock runs up the ropes (often at the turnbuckle), still holding onto the opponent, spins off from the elevated hight to hit the DDT.
Slingshot
A slingshot involves a wrestler, who is standing on the ring apron, pulling on the top rope and using its momentum to hurl themselves over the ropes and into the ring. Many high-flying techniques can be performed after a slingshot.
Shooting star
This move sees a wrestler jump forward from an elevated position followed by executing a backflip in mid-air. Many techniques can be performed after a shooting star, most well known is the shooting star press but there are other variations like the shooting star legdrop and shooting star elbow drop.
Modifiers
Ropewalk
The term ropewalk is used to refer to any move which first sees the attacking wrestler walks along the top rope before performing a move, most notably the arm twist ropewalk chop. Popularized by The Undertaker.
Standing
The term standing is used to refer to any move which is being performed at the same level as the opponent, usually on the ring mat. This is rather than most aerial moves which are performed from a raised platform like the top turnbuckle.
Super
The term Super is placed before any move which is being performed off the top- or second rope. For example, if a Samoan drop was performed from the top turnbuckle it would be called a "Super Samoan Drop". Many move variations performed off the top rope use the term "Avalanche" instead of "super", especially in Japan.
Suplexes performed from the top or second rope are referred to as superplexes.
Suicide
The term Suicide is placed before any move that goes from the ring, the ring apron, or the turnbuckles to the outside of the ring. The most obvious is a suicide dive also known as a topé suicida, which is simply a jump through or over ring ropes to the outside.
When a front flip is performed after leaping through the ropes, or by jumping over the top rope and performing a front flip, to land on the opponent back first, the move is known as a suicide senton or Topé con Hilo. Although it would appear as if Hilo is the Mexican name for the move, in Mexico the move is referred to as a Topé con Giro. Giro (Spanish for spin) was mistranslated as Hilo in Japan and the name Hilo (which in Spanish actually means thread) has remained outside of Mexico.
See also
- Professional wrestling holds
- Professional wrestling throws
- Professional wrestling attacks
- Professional wrestling double-team maneuvers
References
- ^ "TrishStratus.com Survivor Series '05 report with StratusFear spelling". Retrieved 2007-01-28.
Trish less than gently escorted Melina down from the top rope by means of the StratusFear.