100 Best Wrestling Moves EVER
70. Bret Hart | Sharpshooter
From a visual standpoint, the Sharpshooter was yet another manifestation of its master - Hart’s precision in locking his opponent's legs and turning them over was so tight that the scene resembled a crosshair, as seen by a hit man who was, presumably, a sharp shooter. Meanwhile, back in the ring, the way he leaned back with authority and a grimace of his own sold the pain his victim endured.
Its versatility also contributed to its legacy. Hart could lock it in on anyone, from towering giants like Diesel to technical peers like Mr. Perfect, and still make it believable. It wasn’t just about size or strength - it was about technique and Hart’s in-ring genius. The fact that he often didn’t win matches with it had the opposite effect to a traditional belief that a finisher should have a 100% success rate too. By not always managing to grab the hold, he was able to emphasise just how worthwhile and dangerous it was.
Calculated, devastatingly efficient, and almost impossible to escape, it was and is as timelessly brilliant as ‘The Excellence of Execution’ himself.