10 Awesome Wrestling Moves That Nobody Ever Talks About
5. Dean Malenko's Avalanche Fireman's Carry Gutbuster
Dean Malenko's Avalanche Fireman's Carry Gutbuster was a genuine, awe-inspiring feat of timing and brutal-looking impact.
It also compounded, or outright smashed the exclamation mark over the damage he inflicted on his opponents throughout the match. Malenko frequently used a camel clutch and hangman gourdbuster to wear down his opponents in his role as a technical expert. In brilliant contrast to his competition in WCW's Cruiserweight division, Malenko wrestled a precise mat game. He only ascended to the sky when completely necessary, which informed the build and execution of his cult classic.
The most famous recipient, Rey Mysterio, sold this impeccably. Rey looked like he had been murdered whenever he took most moves, and this move was a killer: Malenko catapulted him to the rafters before positioning his feet with lightning-speed before spiking Rey's gut with his sharp, outstretched knee. In reality, he cushioned the blow imperceptibly with his thigh, but this only became clear under photographic scrutiny.
A phenomenal defensive and offensive weapon - Malenko held the answer to his high-flying opponents' most pressing question - it was also that rarest and most effective of moves: a spectacular high spot spotless in its logic.