10 Forgotten WWE Experiments That Didn't Last

2. ‘Taker’s Elbow Drop

Slipping off the top rope must've been an ongoing worry for 'The Deadman' early on in his federation career when he was trying out this forgotten finisher. You almost definitely don't recall it at all, but here's how it went: 'Taker would scale the ropes, walk along them like he would for decades when going 'Old School', then drop an elbow.

The fact someone so physically large could stroll along the top strand for a few steps unaided (nobody was holding onto his hand to help maintain balance) was very impressive, and it shows how grateful and athletic a worker he was even when playing the original, slow-moving zombie. Falling flat on his face would've been embarrassing.

Maybe that's why Undertaker dropped this from his arsenal.

This 'Old School' elbow scored the newcomer a few wins before both the chokeslam then the Tombstone Piledriver became his go to signatures. Admittedly, it looked bloody rubbish, because he'd land CM Punk style rather than flush like Randy Savage. That might've been done to protect those he was working with, because earning an early reputation for hurting others wouldn't have done 'Taker any good in the WWF.

Even so, the image of him pretty much landing on his feet anyway before dropping the elbow rendered coming off the top fairly pointless. This was never going to be workable long-term. It would've been quite the thump had he tweaked it, but that would've put his peers at risk. Bizarrely, the Tombstone was much safer and didn't result in pointy bits to the ribs/chest.