10 Outrageous WWE False Finishes That Fooled Everybody
Nobody was immune to the magic of these incredible WWE near falls. They fooled EVERYONE.
Like a balloon fit to burst that's then deflated, air is sucked from the venue as the crowd stand in sheer disbelief. Suddenly, eyes dart over to the referee's hand. "1....2...". Then, without warning, a knackered wrestler thunders his/her arm towards the skies. They've kicked out again?! "When will that three-count come?", people wonder.
The majesty of a great false finish.
Pro wrestling has an obsession with that nearly moment. It borders on parody in some matches, and that has made it difficult for workers to establish finishers that actually live up to that descriptor these days. Even so, few can resist the tantalising tease of a perfectly-executed near fall, especially if it comes during a hot match backed by characters who are over, a sweet story and a grand pay-per-view stage.
That's one of this industry's greatest lures; the ability to take everyone (from bright-eyed young kiddies to occasionally-jaded adults) on an exhilarating rollercoaster ride through physical theatre. False finishes are a huge part of that, and some fooled everybody watching.
Thus, they deserve a place in the hearts and minds of fans who just want to lose themselves and believe. Even if that's just for two short seconds...
10. CM Punk Defies Super Cena
Match: CM Punk vs. John Cena (Money In The Bank 2011)
Chicago might've rioted had Cena gone over Punk at MITB 2011. People were not prepared to accept anything other than a hometown hero win, but they also knew that Vince McMahon may fancy using Punk's sensational rise as part of a broader story.
Pitfalls would come, but 17 July 2011 belonged to Illinois.
People collectively held their breath when Cena hit his famed Attitude Adjustment near the end of the headliner. That had to be it - surely WWE wouldn't permit Punk, who had the stench of 'you're their guy but you're not our guy' about him, to kick out of JC's finisher.
He did though, and the place came unglued. Then, Punk and Cena raced through a closing sequence that gave everyone in attendance exactly what they wanted. People had been fooled though. They were readying a riot and sharpening knives during that near fall.