10 Best Stolen Wrestling Finishers In WWE History
Killed by their own creations.
A great finishing move is an important part of any wrestler's identity.
More than a mere match-ending manoeuvre, it's something that pops the crowd, helps the performer stand out amongst their peers, and partly defines the character's identity. Picture Steve Austin without his Stone Cold Stunner, The Rock without the People's Elbow, and Shawn Michaels without Sweet Chin Music. They'd still be iconic, but take one of their finishers and replace it with a DDT or Powerslam. It just wouldn't be the same.
Given how important these moves are to their owners, taking one and using it against the proprietor is an almighty slap in the face. Granted, not every finishing move is original (how many wrestlers have claimed the Superkick as their match-ender of choice?), but hitting a wrestler with their own signature manoeuvre is pure posturing, especially when it works.
While many move thieves have paid for their hubris over the years, some have been successful. This is particularly true in WWE, where we've seen several big wins scored on the back of such villainy, and although finisher larceny doesn't happen often, it always leaves an impression...
10. John Cena's Rock Bottom (WrestleMania 29)
While their second match certainly wasn't 'bad,' and likely made WWE a lot of money, The Rock vs. John Cena II suffered from diminishing returns.
WrestleMania XXVIII's 'Once In A Lifetime' was a transcendent spectacle that felt special because we were told this would be the only time it'd ever happen. Having them rematch the following year devalued this, and with Rocky taking a divisive WWE Title win over CM Punk at the Royal Rumble, hype levels were way down.
Still, Rock and Cena are too talented to not make it work. They closed 'Mania 29 with another exciting clash that gradually warmed the tepid crowd up, particularly during a blazing homestretch that produced multiple finisher reversals and kickouts, and a textbook piece of signature move thievery from Cena.
Having just traded strikes with 'The Great One,' Cena hit Rocky with his own Rock Bottom, prompting one of the bout's most dramatic near-falls. Big Dwayne then hit the move himself, drawing another two count, and after a long, long period of reversals and counters, John finally nailed an Attitude Adjustment for the victory.