Ranking What Was Really The Best Wrestling Finisher Every Year 1990-2020

3. 2018 - Kamigoye

Best Finishers
NJPW

Kota Ibushi never met an airport he didn't get lost in, and mistrusts books for their sole function of disseminating information that his brain might then register. He is enigmatic, or perhaps just a bit thick, and it is as if his entire cognitive ability is focused into professional wrestling.

His Kamigoye finish has a name that sounds positively epic - it translates as "to transcend God," and one of those Gods, Hiroshi Tanahashi, remains the sentimental Ace of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Through the very name of his brutally concussive finish - a double wristlock into a ghastly knee strike - Ibushi will make it none more legendary the moment he defeats Tanahashi at a G1 Climax final or the main event of Wrestle Kingdom.

That's...unbelievably great long-term thinking for a man that is confused by every minute that unfolds in front of him.

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!