10 Times Wrestlers Stole An Opponent’s Finisher (& Did It BETTER)

The Judas Effect is executed by Chris Jericho either as crisply and as cleanly as Kenta Kobashi's wildest, stiffest Burning Lariat, or as clumsily and haphazardly as Byron Saxton's Saxtonation.

If that comparison reads as too harsh, then apologies, but it is true: Chris Jericho is yet to master the technique of a spinning back elbow. The very prospect of the thing is almost too simple by Jericho's standards. He steps forward, turns his body ever so slightly to the left, and strikes his elbow back without as much impact to concuss a wasp. It is a p*ss-weak match-ender that, astonishingly, got over during his AEW peak as 'Le Champion'.

But Hook's was better.

It wasn't a crisp delivery. Hook and Jericho awkwardly stared daggers at each other before Hook even stepped toward his rival, theoretically allowing Chris ample time to evade the possibility of a broken jaw, but he stood motionless. Then, Hook struck - and he struck deep. His elbow connected directly with Jericho's cheekbone, Hook having used his other arm to increase the revolution of his swing, thereby putting his full body weight into Jericho's cranium. It was, if nothing else, a stark reminder that, like Jericho, he should adopt a wild strike that complements his pre-established submission finisher.