10 Times A Wrestler Did A Move Better Than The Innovator

8. The Orihara Moonsault

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AEW

Invented by Masao Orihara, the moonsault to the outside of the ring remains in vogue.

It's a neat transition to the commercial break because it's a move that needs to be sold, and is so enduringly spectacular that it promises something even more exciting in a bid to keep viewers. It's also the perfect signature, in that it rarely leads to a near-fall given the area into which it is launched. It builds the excitement of the match without eating precious kick-outs or making the wrestler who performs it look like they have an ineffective arsenal.

The original move remains incredible, but Hangman Page has perfected it.

His barrel-chested frame lends an awesome incongruity to it. It also makes it look it really, really hurts. The rainbow arc is beautiful, flawless, but the genius is in the all-important impact. Page, when you think about, is one of the most accomplished aerial performers in the world.

He's not as spectacular as a Fénix or an El Hijo del Vikingo, but he's amongst if not the very best at both imperccatching an inbound attack and simply flattening his opponents with such power and precision that they barely even have to lift their own arms.

 
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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!