10 Hidden Meanings Behind Wrestling Moves

8. Enzuigiri - A Mundane English Translation, Sadly

Enzuigiri Thumb
WWE Network

Before Owen Hart made the move popular amongst a general audience not trading Best of the Super-J tapes with his Shawn Michaels staggering variant, most heels with their foot caught would just stand there stupidly before lamely spinning around.

The King of Hart's vicious enzuigiri - or the whatamanouevre! in McMahonspeak - was picked up during his late '80s tour of New Japan's junior heavyweight circuit, explaining the exotic, Asiatic name which helped wow American crowds.

The actual meaning of a word only about 1% of English speaking wrestling fans can correctly spell is very straight-forward: enzui roughly translates as 'medulla oblongata', whilst giri means to chop. In other words, a chop to back of the head. You know, with a boot.

 
First Posted On: 
Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.