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

1. 2020 - Buckshot Lariat

Best Finishers
AEW

A jaw-rattler of a lariat set up with a stylish flourish doubling as a velocity generator, the Buckshot Lariat encapsulates Hangman Page's immense appeal: he's as spectacular as his Elite stablemates, but he's also that bit harder, that bit less affected.

Page in 2020 has enhanced what was already a magnificent finish that the GIF-chasing undercard are very happy to sell like total death. He uses it to thread together the story beats in his beyond compelling story arc: did he tag in at the last second as strategy, or to take the glory? If it's the latter, is that a covert heel move, or is it emblematic of his drive to break away from the old friends that patronised him?

Excitement, pathos, and simply, the visceral thrill that comes with seeing somebody get all kinds of f*cked up, the Buckshot is the driver of 2020's best storyline.

Watch Next


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!