10 Awesome Finishers WWE Stars Should Steal

9. Gorilla Press Drop (Ultimate Warrior)

Kota Ibushi GIF
WWE Nework

For use by: Nia Jax

Nia Jax is a terrifying performer. Not good terrifying - as in, it mustn't be fun for her opponents! - but bad terrifying, as in it cannot be fun for opponents. It is a miracle she has not seriously injured anybody, her positioning is that bad. Asuka escaped from Sunday's match with her kneecaps intact - the wrestling Gods it would seem are bang into the streak - somehow. The prospect of Nia obliterating opponents with the Pop-up Samoan Drop is an exercise in awful tension, knowing that the two performers need to contend with so much propulsion, and knowing that Nia has done worse jobs with more simple tasks.

A performer like Nia is best suited working a back-to-basics style, as her choice stint in the Royal Rumble match confirmed. She generated the right kind of reaction by throwing Ruby Riott into the air like she was nothing; it was a feat of strength, not the manifestation of a panic attack - and so a more careful and controlled version of the Warrior's old Gorilla Press Drop puts her over as a powerhouse without putting her opponents in the way of harm.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!