10 Times A Wrestler Did A Move Better Than The Innovator

4. The 450 Splash

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The Frankensteiner remains untouchable to this day - Scott Steiner's vertical leap and tree trunk thighs helped strip the incredible spot of any co-operative element - but the 450 splash was beyond even his futuristic athleticism.

As a greenhorn in 1987, Steiner attempted the move to little success. Even in a small ring, he landed too far away and effectively bumped himself before his momentum saw him sort of stumble onto his opponent. The move is executed far better today, and has retained its mind-blowing wonder - but unlike other entries on this list, two 1990s variations leave the modern era in the dust.

The legendary Hayabusa's version was an incredible spectacle with a brutal, impactful landing. 2 Cold Scorpio's was possibly more impressive. He was a more hefty performer, which made it all the more impressive and painful-looking. His sense of showmanship was also magnificent. How no North American promotion made millions and millions of dollars with Scorpio is a genuine disgrace.

The tucks, the precision, the sheer f*ckin' wallop: Scorpio rules, and that's present tense. AEW needed to reward his outrageous GCW twilight run with a TNT Title open challenge yesterday.

 
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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 current Undisputed WWE 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!