10 Most Unique Ways Wrestlers Took WWE Finishers

Rusev’s Accolade was once one of WWE’s most fearsome finishing moves. The Bulgarian Brute tapped-out many an unfortunate foe during his initial run of dominance through the company, and his vice-like grip looked unbreakable at times. Once Rusev locked an opponent in his submission hold, you knew the match was over, but the finisher has unfortunately become devalued by the likes of John Cena and Roman Reigns, who have broken it time and time again.

Fortunately, the move remains as effective as ever against lesser competition. The clutch often looks like a resthold against larger, less flexible opponents like Mark Henry and Sheamus, but against smaller opponents, The Accolade looks torturous.

Nobody sold it better than Kalisto. The former Lucha Dragon’s flexibility allowed Rusev to stretch his back in ways that shouldn’t be humanly possible, and made you worried that the Bulgarian had literally snapped his vertebrae. Rusev would wrench Kalisto into excruciatingly brutal angles when fighting for the United States Championship, securing him a handful of victories against his diminutive rival, and re-establishing The Accolade’s threat before Roman Reigns came along and spoiled the fun.