https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtRMstqgTdc The ankle lock is a rather new finishing move in WWE. Submissions weren't always a popular way to end matches, but it was Ken Shamrock who used it as a lethal submission, and later Kurt Angle cemented it an exciting way to make his opponents tap out in agony. After using a gutwrench powerbomb for the first few years of his career, Jack Swagger relies on the ankle lock these days, when he's allowed to win. While the man is huge, he doesn't have the same intensity that Angle or Shamrock had, which visually makes it less devastating.
46. The Miz: Skull Crushing Finale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-9F2vJslQo It took awhile for The Miz to find a finishing move that worked for him in WWE, but the Skull Crushing Finale gets the job done. He can use it on opponents large and small, and having your arms held back, while your face is smashed into the mat would likely hurt a great deal. It's a sneaky move that just seems to fit his character nicely.
45. Braun Stowman: Sideways Flapjack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7TtIwrF2tM Here's the other move that Strowman has been using in his limited appearances thus far. It actually looks more like a professional wrestling move than his submission, which is a little underwhelming for someone of his size. It's too soon to say if he'll be keeping this move for the long haul, but it will be fun to see him use it on larger opponents. Perhaps The Big Show could use a couple.
44. Alicia Fox: Scissors Kick
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9OCPBO_Hfs Much like many wrestlers on the roster, Alicia Fox has experimented with a few different finishers in her tenure, all of them involving her legs. The one she keeps coming back to is a Scissors Kick. Before her, Booker T was most well-known for using it in WWE. Despite not being an exceptionally well-rounded wrestler, Fox does have some impressive moves in her repertoire. Not only can she dish out a beautiful looking Northern Lights Suplex, but her Scissors Kick is not too shabby either. Due to her long legs and flexibility, the move looks cool and painful as well.
43. Nikki Bella: Rack Attack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAokxVLgr78 Kudos to Nikki Bella for working out, becoming stronger, and developing a legit looking finishing move over the course of her career. It took awhile, but she got there. The Rack Attack is a pretty silly sounding name, but being up on someone's shoulders and having them land on the ground probably doesn't feel too great on the back. Lex Luger made the Torture Rack a legit finisher for awhile, but it could often look quite silly with his opponent's limbs flailing in the air. Nikki took the submission aspect out and instead makes an impact with the landing.
As Rust Cohle from True Detective said "Life's barely long enough to get good at one thing. So be careful what you're good at."
Sadly, I can't solve a murder like Rust...or change a tire, or even tie a tie. But I do know all the lyrics to Hulk Hogan's "Real American" theme song and can easily name every Natural Born Thriller from the dying days of WCW. I was once ranked 21st in the United States in Tetris...on the Playstation 3 version...for about a week.
Follow along @AndrewSoucek and check out my podcast at wrestlingwithfriends.com