10 Times A Wrestler Did A Move Better Than The Innovator
5. The Chokeslam
The evolution of the chokeslam is as difficult as it is fascinating to chart.
Two wildly diverging theories have developed: the inventor of the Americanised move was either 911, a limited gimmick attraction of ECW's heyday, or former President of the United States of America Abraham Lincoln. These men are so profoundly different to one another that it's a wonder WWE never booked them to win the tag titles at the expense of an experienced unit with matching gear. They share one similarity: neither man's was as good as the spine-rattling power of the Undertaker's version.
Akira Taue performed two different (and awesome) versions of the move, it should also be noted.
'Taker evolved his own glorified takedown after 911 got over - so much of WWE's inked history was written by Paul Heyman's pencil - and he perfected it, too.
His terrifying face deepened the anticipation as his hand suddenly jutted forwards and seized his opponent's throat. He grabbed the back of their trunks, used their jump and his own power to propel them high into the air, and drove them to the canvas with a pleasing "get f*cked" crunch. The crowd interaction-friendly dread was even more powerful than a stack of broken tables.
Kane's wasn't half-bad, and Big Show's while uglier worked as a result of his height, but nobody ever matched the broken elevator descent of Taker's version.