5 Best Finishers In WWE Today (And 5 Worst)
Some that come out of nowhere and some that should have stayed there.
In the modern era, finishing moves have lost some of their mystique. The once emphatic punctuation points of matches have become transitional and dampened by an ever present kick out culture.
Despite the dilution of the finisher, they still hold a unique position in wrestling. They are the climax to any good story. They can be teased, countered, and altered to elicit the biggest reactions of the night. At their best, finishers can be hit suddenly and have an undeniable air of finality.
Contrary to popular belief, the best finishers don't have to be the flashiest or most devastating. A lot of factors go in to making a move successful. Crowd reaction is paramount to any finisher and has helped ludicrous examples such as The Worm and People's Elbow be far more palatable.
At its core, a good finishing move has to be an extension of a superstar's personality and believably end a contest. It may sound obvious but too often WWE will weaken a move by having it appear ineffective or have superstars performing moves that simply don't fit their character.
This list features the very best and worst of the WWE's current crop. From the incredible to the lacklustre, WWE boasts a wide range of divisive finishers.
10. Best - The Bank Statement
The Bank Statement may not be the first move that comes to mind when considering great finishers, but it has flown under the radar to become one of the best in the company. It is a perfect example of cause and effect all wrapped up in a seamless transition between vicious Backstabber and wrenching submission.
Perfectly showcasing Bank's athleticism and speed, the move adds a layer of viciousness to her character that was most prominently utilised during her run as a heel. The move is sudden, impressive, and can be hit on a variety of opponents.
Whilst not the biggest or strongest, the first portion of the move adds an integral element of believability to Sasha's chances of forcing her opponent to tap. The whole sequence bolsters her tenacious persona and works equally well when she is a face.
Like any submission finisher, when used by a heel it becomes a vicious and torturous manoeuvre for the face to overcome. On the flip-side, Sasha's use of the move is a tease for the audience, with an ingrained sense of desperation and determination.
Crowd participation is at the heart of the move and no matter how many times it is used during a match, it remains a viable finale.