10 Rarely Used WWE Moves That Always Get A Pop

A 'this is awesome' chant can often be just one big move away.

Seth Rollins Splash
WWE.com

WWE performers are forced to wrestle a huge number of matches as a result of the company's hectic schedule. With wrestlers working every week in front of a very similar TV audience, certain corners of their moveset can get very stale indeed. Fans will only pop for the same comeback sequence so many times.

However, there are certain moves in every WWE star's repertoire that they save for special occasions. Whether it's because they're dangerous to perform or out of a desire to keep them exciting, many of the top stars in the wrestling world have certain spots that they only pull out of the back pocket when the moment is important enough.

These moves are thrilling for fans and always inspire a loud reaction from those who know what's coming, followed by an even louder pop when they are executed successfully. Some of these spots are often pulled out in big match scenarios, while others have only been seen a handful of times in history.

In a world where WWE superstars are incredibly over-exposed, it's a mark of how impressive these moves are that they still provoke a visceral response.

10. Code Red (John Cena)

Seth Rollins Splash
WWE.com

John Cena has been notorious throughout his career for having a somewhat limited moveset. His incredibly basic finishing move and reliance on a methodical series of comeback spots is part of what led a segment of fans to turn on him, creating one of the most divisive babyface characters in wrestling history.

However, during Cena's highly entertaining reign as United States Champion in 2016, Raw viewers were treated to an entirely new performer. In weekly title defences against the likes of Sami Zayn, Cesaro and Kevin Owens, Cena worked a style reminiscent of the independent circuit, utilising moves many previously believed to be beyond his ability.

One of the more impressive manoeuvres in that arsenal is the Code Red, or leg trap sunset flip powerbomb. It's a move more commonly deployed in the cruiserweight arena, so to see it in bouts between John Cena and Cesaro, as well as Cena and Kevin Owens, was remarkable.

Cena still makes use of the move occasionally in his bigger matches and it's certainly one of the more spectacular things the former Doctor of Thuganomics can pull off between the ropes.

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Contributor

Freelance film journalist and fan of professional wrestling. Usually found in a darkened screening room looking for an aisle seat and telling people to put away their mobile phones. Also known to do a bit of stand-up comedy, so I'm used to the occasional heckle.