The 12 Most Devastating Finishers in WWE History

It can come at any time. But when it happens, we go nuts. It's the finishing move.

For all the trash talk, high-flying and danger that drives us to love wrestling, the finisher raises our adrenaline to a whole new level.

There have been some very creative finishing moves over the years. Some simple. Some complex. Some that have been repeated. Some that have been really bad. Then there are the fist-pumping, make you scream like an excited child, awesome kind.

I'm not talking about the Hulk Hogan Leg Drop type that helps us reminisce about the good ol' days. I'm talking, pain-inflicting, cool looking, "no way you're gettin' up from that" type of finishers.

Here are the 12 most devastating moves in WWE history. Definitely, do not try these at home.

Blockbuster

The first I remember was from Buff Bagwell. The move involves climbing the first two rungs of the corner, flipping over the opponent while grabbing their neck and slamming them down.

The flip is the most impressive part. It might hurt both men equally, though.

Kofi Kingston's S.O.S.

I'm not sure I can even explain how this move works. Sure, essentially landing on your back might not hurt all that much. But the flip is impressive and it ends in a pin.

Flashy and effective.

The Shooting Star Press

It's one thing to jump off the top rope. There's elbow drops, leg drops, and frog splashes.

Then there's the flipping element. Jeff Hardy made the Swanton Bomb popular by doing a modified somersault through the air and onto a downed opponent.

Before the Swanton was Billy Kidman's Shooting Star Press. Kidman's featured a back-flip off the top rope with pin.

Scott Steiner's Screwdriver and Recliner

Scott Steiner's Screwdriver has had a few variations. It started as a modified pile-driver, but added a jump for more danger. At one point it incorporated an overhead suplex-hold, then Steiner dropped his victims from that height onto their head.

His Steiner Recliner was a modified camel clutch. But instead of sitting on an opponent's back and pulling up at the chin, Steiner half-squated and pulled the opponent's arms around his legs before pulling.

The Torture Rack

The cheesy-side rack version is not the one I'm raving about. It's the full back-breaking, neck-pulling version seen here.

How many of us have put a friend in this move goofing around to realize it wasn't the greatest idea in the world?

Razor's Edge

Which lasts longer: the concussion from your head slamming on the mat or the neck pain from the whiplash? The Razor's Edge is filthy.

The Codebreaker

Can anything hurt more than the Codebreaker?

First Jericho jumps with you, then drops your face onto his knees. That spells broken nose, jaw, and eye sockets. Not to mention the concussion.

The Widow's Peak

Victoria puts you in a reverse full-nelson, holding your chin while dropping you down.

The impact would send injuries all the way up your spine from knees to neck. A definite, "do not try this at home," as there is literally no safe way to do this.

The Last Ride

A powerbomb is one of the most devastating moves in wrestling. In fact, it could probably be a finisher on its own.

Then there's the Undertaker's powerbomb. At 6'10'' already, the Undertaker hoists his victims up in the air and slams them back down.

That is, after he lifts them an additional foot higher. Then he slams them down.

The Stone Cold Stunner

It's very difficult to figure out the best part of this move.

Is it the effect: an opponent's chin dropping viciously into Stone Cold's shoulder? Is it the kick setup?

Or is it the fact that EVERYONE gets one?

Is it that it comes out of nowhere at any given time?

Is it the finger-flips and the beer drinking after?

It's all of it.

Sweet Chin Music

A running super kick to the chin. That's it?

It's lightning-quick and did I mention it's straight to the chin?

Spear to Jackhammer

It's too hard to rank which one is higher than the other. They just have to go together.

First Goldberg spears his opponent, running from across the ring and driving his shoulder into their gut. Unfortunately, there's no pads to reduce the pain from this football tackle.

Then Goldberg picks his opponent up overhead, spins around a few times to demonstrate his power, and slams them back down into a pin.