10 Best AEW Finishers

1. Kenny Omega's One-Winged Angel

Chris Jericho Liontamer
AEW

It can only be the One-Winged Angel.

Only man has kicked out of it, Kota Ibushi, and since then, the move has taken on a mythology powered by Omega's ascent to an unprecedented stratosphere of critical acclaim. It, in short, is the most protected and spectacular finisher in wrestling now, and perhaps of all time.

Omega builds towards it by focusing his explosive assault on the skulls of his opponent. Every disgusting V-Trigger, snap dragon suplex, Croyt's Wrath, Kitaro Crusher - all of it in its pulsating drama informs the One-Winged Angel's insurmountable power because the move itself is convoluted in set-up, which, if he moves for it too early, can be escaped from. This platform for counters further informs the exhilarating rush of his best matches. The man who draws inspiration from fighting games has to make that energy bar glow red before striking that impossible button combo.

When he strikes it, that's it. The end of the match. There is no doubt.

If anything, the move is so powerful that in virtually every application of it, beyond the most big-time of New Japan epics, a certain drama is missing. The crowd chants along with the three in celebration more than expectation because it is, without question, the end of the match.

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!