100 Best Wrestling Moves EVER
55. Keiji Muto | Shining Wizard
The Great Muta is rightly regarded as one of the best and most creative pro wrestlers of all time. As he grew older, Keiji Muto sought ways to keep his moveset hard-hitting and memorable without having to rely on moonsaults or other aerial attacks that'd put unnecessary stress on his knees and joints. That's why he came up with the fantastic Shining Wizard knee strike.
Hundreds of wrestlers have adapted the move and turned it into either their finisher or a high spot, but Muto performed it flawlessly. His Shining Wizard had some beef behind it, and it often looked like he'd taken an opponent's head clean off his shoulders. Before hitting the move, Keiji would get someone down on one knee so he could sprint towards them for the knockout blow.
One leg screw or sweep then...BOOM!
Arguably the finest compliment one could pay to Muto's knee strike is that it looked impossible to counter. Even wrestlers who managed to get a hand up (few did, because blocking the Shining Wizard outright was rarely part of the match) could be realistically cleaned out by the brute force of a big knee flying right at their chins. It's still one of the most satisfying moves ever when done correctly.
Another quality the Shining Wizard has? Versatility. Muto was able to hit it in the centre of the ring, right by the ropes, in the corner, or outside on the floor. He even used weapons like steel chairs to springboard from and add extra oomph over the years here or there, Sabu-style.