10 Most Iconic Wrestling Moves in WWE History

Megan Elice Meadows/Wikipedia

WWE isn’t just about flashy entrances and epic rivalries. It’s a showcase of highly powerful and technical moves that leave the toughest opponents flat on the mat. Lightning-fast kicks, accurately positioned punches, and gravity-defying flips—these signature moves left a huge impact on the crowd and the sport. Here are ten moves that are as perfect as wrestling moves can be.

Stone Cold Stunner

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Fans went mad when Stone Cold Steve Austin delivered the Stunner. Its lightning-fast execution could knock out any rival and light up any crowd. Debuting in the mid-’90s, it became Austin’s ultimate weapon and a guaranteed show-stopper. You’ll never see it coming!

The People’s Elbow

Matt Brink/Wikipedia

The Rock made wrestling history with this flashy move. Starting with dramatic theatrics, he’d drop the elbow with a precision that shocked arenas worldwide. It holds the title of the “most electrifying move in sports entertainment.” A mix of skill and showmanship that only The Rock could pull off.

Tombstone Piledriver

Mshake3/Wikipedia

Watching opponents carry out this move is practically a wrestling tradition. The Undertaker’s Tombstone Piledriver didn’t just end matches—it sent chills down spines. This signature style from the early 1990s was all about dominance and drama, often sealing victories for fighters and leaving their opponents pinned.

Sweet Chin Music

David Seto/Wikipedia

Shawn Michaels’ Sweet Chin Music is a masterpiece from the ’80s. Using the swift, accurate strike to the jaw, HBK turned matches in his favor. It was a jaw-dropping surprise that earned its spot as one of wrestling’s most unforgettable finishers.

RKO

Megan Elice Meadows/Wikipedia

Randy Orton’s RKO is a solid example of unpredictability. He could execute it anywhere, anytime, and that left fans (and opponents) stunned as they didn’t see it coming. The RKO’s sudden impact was an internet sensation back then. It earned endless memes, and the videos went viral, which keeps the impact alive across generations.

F-5

Miguel Discart/WIkipedia

When Brock Lesnar hits the F-5, you know things just got serious. The powerhouse move, introduced in the early 2000s, relies on sheer strength to hoist opponents high before slamming them down. Only a few can rise from F-5’s devastating blow, as the high-impact finisher relied on Lesnar’s raw strength!

Spear

Sayuncle/Wikipedia

A handful of moves come with power and precision, and the Spear is among them. Popularized by Goldberg in the ’90s, it later became a major for stars like Edge and Roman Reigns. Watching an opponent crumple after Spear’s high-impact charge proves how effective simplicity can be.

Sharpshooter

Mandy Coombes/Wikipedia

Bret Hart’s Sharpshooter is a submission move that screams technical excellence. With a swift twist of the legs, opponents were left with no escape but to tap out. It’s a wrestling legacy that cemented Hart’s nickname, “The Excellence of Execution.”

Chokeslam

Felipe Bascuñan/Wikpedia

Kane, The Undertaker, and Big Show turned the Chokeslam into an art form. Hoisting rivals high before slamming them using thunderous force? Such dominance! Whether it was about ending matches or making statements, the Chokeslam remains unforgettable in wrestling lore.

619

Static/Wikipedia

Rey Mysterio’s 619 brought high-flying excitement to the sport. Utilizing the ropes for momentum, Rey would swing back to land a destructive kick to his opponent’s face. Debuting in the early 2000s, 619 captivated fans with its speed, flair, and creative execution.

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