For several years, Alberto Del Rios cross armbreaker has been treated as a tap or snap finisher. Opponents have about 10, maybe 15 seconds to either tap out, reach the ropes or say goodbye to using their left arm. What makes this a great end game maneuver is how Del Rios offense centers on softening up the arm before he spins into the move and hyperextends the elbow. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XP78wvBlLA Recently, the cross armbreaker has become an opportunity for superstars like Sheamus to show off how strong they are by deadlifting Del Rio while he applies the hold and slamming him to break. Its a shame to see the move being devalued as ADR seemingly descends the card on his way out of the company. This is one MMA-style finisher that should be passed on to someone if and when he leaves.
Scott is a former journalist and longtime wrestling fan who was smart enough to abandon WCW during the Monday Night Wars the same time as the Radicalz. He fondly remembers watching WrestleMania III, IV, V and VI and Saturday Night's Main Event, came back to wrestling during the Attitude Era, and has been a consumer of sports entertainment since then. He's written for WhatCulture for more than a decade, establishing the Ups and Downs articles for WWE Raw and WWE PPVs/PLEs and composing pieces on a variety of topics.
