WWE: Randy Orton's RKO and the Top 8 Finishers Today

Just what the title says. 

Before you proceed, I'd like to regrettably admit I'm no wrestling expert: so this list is made from a fan's point of view. Which means finishers that, in very simple words, look awesome feature on this list over some that would be technically more detrimental.

Moves like LeBell Lock and Cross Armbreaker, highly hurtful moves they may be, but they don't really stand out in the era of sports entertainment. I don't really look forward to them being performed in a match. 

That doesn't mean I'd like you to apply those moves on me.  

Honourable Mention: Tombstone Piledriver

This goes out to the star who isn't exactly a part of the roster anymore in my eyes. In my eyes is the key phrase.

One thing about Tombstone Piledriver (despite being a dangerous move in its own right) is the fact that how well it blends with Undertaker's Deadman gimmick.

Many may not connect with my erratic philosophy here, and that's completely understandable. Let's ignore Undertaker's size at this point and imagine him using a Spear as his finisher instead. Of course, he could make anything work, but it doesn't suit him now.

Tombstone Piledriver symbolizes Undertaker, and consequently his whole gimmick. And 19 heads which bounced off the canvas at WrestleMania.

Hunico: Falling Star

Frankly, I didn't know the name of Hunico's finisher. He's too busy riding bicycles rather than naming his finishers probably (or imitating Sin Cara), but for all the botches he has committed and will commit in the ring, his Senton Bomb (which Wikipedia tells me is named Falling Star) is pretty devastating and really constitutes the elements of an exciting finisher.

He did some cool-looking submission/pin move in this week's SmackDown, and while it may look unique, I'd prefer it if he jumps off the top rope in a move that is very similar to Jeff Hardy's Swanton Bomb.

Let's get something praise-worthy about Hunico somewhere.

Kofi Kingston: Trouble in Paradise

Kofi Kingston is one underrated wrestler in my opinion. His in-ring ability is by far above just 'good' and his mic skills are above average. He's entertaining to watch in just any kind of match, and for now I don't mind him raising the prestige of the dreadful tag team division.

Trouble In Paradise (Jumping corkscrew roundhouse kick) looks as complex as it sounds, and it still manages to bring about a huge impact. 

Of course, it can't compete with everyone's favourite Sweet Chin Music, but it does stake a claim in the Hall Of SuperKicks.

You can argue for S.O.S. too, but I prefer Trouble In Paradise.

CM Punk: Go to Sleep

As much of a big fan I am of the Go To Sleep, it gets botched too often which is why it features earlier in this going-to-be-hated list.

This move requires both superstars to actually co-operate and put aside their differences (like Straight Edge and all ya) and bring out a good finisher. Watch the video to see how great a perfect GTS looks like.

At times you can clearly see the knee not hitting the head at all, and that's when it annoys me. Take a small bump if you can, because if you're pushing Punk as the next face of the company, his finisher needs to come out well. 

He can become successful without his modified fireman's carry, too. Hulk Hogan would shake his balding head to my controversial statement that finishers don't necessarily make a superstar.

Justin Gabriel: 450 Splash

I'd put up with any gimmick Justin Gabriel has to offer just to watch him perform the 450 splash in matches on weekly shows.

The 450 splash is a thing of beauty, which requires a ton of skill and agility and ends up injuring Gabriel just as much. 

I don't know how far his gimmick or his mic skills will take him, but if he can expand his moveset, then another tag team championship or even a US/IC title run isn't impossible in 2012.

...and of course, if he doesn't injure himself while hitting a finisher on someone else. 

Evan Bourne: Air Bourne

I seem to be putting too many high-fliers on this list, am I not?

Don't blame me, blame their effort. Try as I might, I just couldn't bring myself to believe Wasteland or Weapon of Mass Destruction or Attitude Adjustment are that credible.

While AA and Wasteland are just derivatives of a fireman's carry in the end, WMD is far worse and is actually... wait for it.. a punch.

Seriously Big Show, go back to Chokeslam.

Anyways, I don't care how much heat Evan Bourne has backstage, because what he lacks in good image and mic skills, he makes up for in the ring.

The Air Bourne (shooting star press) must involve one of the highest leaps in a finisher ever (just guessing) and ends up looking way more credible than even the Skull Crushing Finale.

It also makes for some amazing reversals. Remember Randy's RKO to Bourne's Air Bourne? 

Sheamus: Celtic Cross/Brogue Kick

Depending on the Great White's mood, he feels like ending matches using whichever finisher he feels like hitting that day.

While I don't mind him performing the Brogue Kick from every now to then, I prefer watching the Celtic Cross for reasons unknown to mankind.

All in all, both these finishers make Sheamus a very exciting superstar... be it for his in-ring ability or for his recent dealings with Hornswoggle and The Muppets.

Rey Mysterio: 619

619 has been a kiddy-favourite ever since it was seen on television and why not? With really unique kinematics, it does deserve the second spot in this list.

Of course, one part I hate is how every wrestler ends up on the middle rope only during Mysterio's matches, but as long as I get to watch the 619, I'm not complaining.

Right?

Randy Orton: RKO

The coveted (or not, depends on the reader's perspective really) top spot goes to Randy Orton. Not only is RKO one of the most dynamic finishers in history, it is also one that is actually believable on television. (Cobra, anyone?)

Randy Orton has done well to create his own unique move set which fittingly complement his Apex Predator gimmick...moves like the Orton stomp (you know, where Cole yells, "This is Vintage Orton!") and the rope-hung DDT and his scoop slam.

Randy provides complete entertainment in the ring, and the versatility of the RKO (so that it can be performed from turnbuckles, on tables, to flying wrestlers and even from an Attitude Adjustment) makes it the best finisher in today's roster.

PS: I pity Rob Van Dam in the video. 

Conclusion

I deliberately left out Triple H's pedigree and Jericho's Walls Of Jericho because they aren't finishers of regular wrestlers anymore (much like Undertaker). 

Others which lost out were Rough Rider and Zig-Zag. They are good moves in their own right, but they just couldn't made it to the list. Maybe if they are performed from the top rope or turnbuckles or in any different way, I might like it more.

That was my list, let's hear yours.

Shalaj Lawania is pretty new to Bleacher Report and that's about it. You can become a fan of his if you like his work or follow him on Twitter if you really can put up with his useless tweets. Annoying tweets or not, do leave a comment for this article!