10 Wrestlers Who Got PISSED When Their Moves Were Stolen

9. Kenny Omega's V-Trigger

Austin Cena
AEW

Kenny Omega's V-Trigger is one of the greatest moves of the 21st century in both vision and execution.

It illuminates the new rhythm with which he transformed the language of pro wrestling. Mirroring the pulsating action of a fighter game (it was named after a Street Fighter 5 mechanic), Omega spams it to put over the idea that he has entered a new mode. It's the comeback or the heat as a power-up; a new and more thrilling way of doing something tried and true. An update on - and not a betrayal of - the form.

The execution remains mind-blowing. The man's physical timing is impeccable; it looks disgustingly concussive, but it isn't. For all his detractors - "wah wah he wrestled a nine year-old girl!" - nobody is better at the sleight of hand at wrestling's core than the Cleaner.

It is the existence of those detractors that excuses Omega's I'm-fine-no-really-I'm-fine reaction to Seth Rollins adopting the move. It must sick sh*t, reading so much gotten-to criticism over his style - hE dOeSnT gET psYChOlOGy! - only for it to be absolutely fine when Seth did his key move so much worse.

After Rollins used the move on RAW in 2017, Omega tweeted "Well, at least I still have my entrance music," in response to Seth losing the bit of his old theme that people liked. Omega did walk it back, to a degree, and continues to put Rollins over as a dream opponent, but he was still quite clearly "fewmin'".

Sympathy factor: Again: must suck. Almost as much as Seth's version.

Contributor
Contributor

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!