10 Surprising Origins Of Your Favourite Wrestling Moves
9. Diving Headbutt: Harley Race (By Accident)
Harley Race is the man. Delve into the his career and you'll realise that on the cool spectrum the guy is pure Fonz. King Harley has been noted as a major influence on many amazing wrestlers from Mick Foley to Triple H to Ric Flair. He does have one blackspot on his career, though, one that the legend regrets to this day: the invention of the diving headbutt.
Like many inventions, the headbutt was created completely by accident. While ascending the top rope, Race fell from the second tier, causing his head to slam into his prone opponent's noggin. With that mistake the flying headbutt was invented. Race would go on to use the move as a signature in the latter half of his career.
Although in isolation it is an exciting move, Race has stated his regret in making the drop popular, citing Dynamite Kid and Chris Benoit as particular examples of the long term dangers of the move.
In Race's defence the headbutt was not the only issue Dynamite or Benoit had, but Harley is correct that on the danger scale of wrestling moves the Diving Headbutt ranks pretty high for possible damage to to the diver themselves.