10 Awesome Finishers WWE Stars Should Steal

2. Last Ride (Kota Ibushi)

Kota Ibushi GIF
WWE Network

For use by: Big E

Fusing both the best and worst of the Undertaker's not great Attitude Era output, Kota Ibushi's modification of the terrifying and spectacular Last Ride sees him complete the move by sitting on his backside. It's a great and deft finisher, with the closing athletic flourish obscuring the fact that the Golden Star is no giant.

Big E's Big Ending is as troubling as the paedo-tastic implication of the ending to 'Big'; an over-the-shoulder facebuster, he essentially takes a flat-back bump in order to deliver a what is essentially a short belly-first slam. It can't hurt his opponent any more than it hurts him. When the inevitable singles push happens, it is going to be cynical. Big E possesses the charm to get away with intentionally naff stuff as part of the New Day, but, moon-bound at some point in the near future, WWE will likely contrive to over-do it and alienate fans.

At the very least, borrowing Ibushi's Last Ride may remind fans scorned by silly catchphrases that there is a powerful and agile performer in front of the rocket.

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!