10 Most Unique Ways Wrestlers Took WWE Finishers

3. Rob Van Dam's Piledriver Bounce

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The Piledriver (and its many variations) is one of the most dangerous moves in professional wrestling. It broke Steve Austin’s neck at SummerSlam ‘97, and the lack of control that the receiving wrestler has means it has been banned in WWE for years. CM Punk revived the Piledriver for a while, but for the most part, it has become non-existent within the WWE Universe.

ECW, however, were never shy about letting their wrestlers pull off dangerous, high risk moves. Tommy Dreamer was particularly fond of Piledriving his opponents into the mat, and Rob Van Dam was comfortably his most spectacular victim. The way RVD took the move was borderline ridiculous, but incredibly impressive, and really helped make it look like an absolute killer.

RVD’s head wouldn’t so much as hit the mat, but bounce right off it. The incredible air he got on impact gave the impression that Dreamer had used his neck like a spring, and left you wondering how much of his vertebrae had been displaced. Quite how Van Dam generated such upward thrust on the sell is anyone’s guess, but nobody has ever taken the piledriver so memorably.

 
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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.