WWEThe attitude era may be the most iconic in wrestling history, at least up to this point. As with other periods of wrestling, attitude era was defined by its talent. Wrestlers at the top of this era often did so with the help of great finishing moves.
This list looks back at some of the best finishers of the attitude era used by its biggest stars. Creativity, effectiveness, crowd response, and win rate are all factors in ranking these moves.
10
People’s elbow
Rock made people’s elbows as a joke
- The Rock debuted in WWE in 1996
- He began using people’s elbows in late 1998/early 1999
- The last time the rock used people’s elbows, he was at WrestleMania 40.
People’s elbows are not only one of the most iconic finishes of the attitude era, but also the best ever. The reason it’s so low on this list is simply because of how stupid it is. As mentioned before, it’s a talent for movement, and the rock’s incredible charisma and delivery that otherwise made this basic manipulation work. It won some important victory on the rock, but it was a more or less pure showmanship moment. In fact, fellow attitude era star Mick Foley called it “the most ridiculous move he’s ever seen.”
9
lower jaw
The lower jaw is one of the most unique moves in the history of wrestling
- The lower jaw was originally used by Dr. Sam Shepherd.
- He called it “mandibular nerve pinch.”
- Sam Shepherd was the inspiration behind the film/TV series, The fugitive
Speaking of Mick Foley, he portrayed characters of humanity throughout most periods of attitude. His finisher was an obscure obedience retention that he called the mandible nail. When humanity arrived in 1996, the mandible’s nails were horrifying and terrifying, but as attitudes spread, this movement becomes a parody of people’s elbows. Mick eventually introduces “Sock”, a sock doll he paints his nails. As a result, this is ranked slightly lower as it has been left to comedy over time.
8
3D
Dudley is the most decorated tag team in wrestling history
- Dudley Boyz was formed in ECW
- They signed with WWE in 1999.
- USOS continues to use its own version of Move, 1D
Dudleyz’s 3D, the only tag team finisher to create this list, was just as exciting as the era of attitude. It was a visually impressive move, and could similarly be used to pass opponents through the table. It was essentially a hybrid of a flapjack and a diamond cutter. It’s very effective and will help Dudleyz win the WWE Tag Team title several times. USOS asked the team to borrow the move years later and introduce it to new audiences.
7
Swanton bomb
Jeff Hardy was one of the boldest wrestlers of the attitude era
- Jeff Hardy started wrestling as a teenager
- In the era of attitude, he was a member of Team Extreme along with his brothers Matt and Rita.
- The Hardy Boys are considered one of the greatest teams ever
Jeff Hardy is one of the most exciting wrestlers in the attitude era and certainly says something. His Swanton bomb is still a measuring stick when it comes to air-based finishers. Throughout the times, Jeff routinely performed movements to opponents leaning over tables and ladders. Imagine some of the most breathtaking moments of the attitude era, and Jeff often soars through the air. The Swanton bomb has acquired a legitimate place for the best finishing touches of the attitude era.
6
Ankle lock
Ankle locks were used in both Kenshamrock and Kurt Angle
- Ken Shamrock was the first to set up ankle locks in WWE.
- Kurt Angle continues to use it throughout his legendary career
- Both Shayna Baszler and Chad Gable are using it now
Ken Shamrock was already established and a skilled MMA competitor before signing with WWE in 1997. His background makes sense to maintain it throughout his career after Ken left WWE in 1999, and use his background as a finisher.
The Uncle Lock was an incredible finisher, and was once used by wrestlers to sell in their bodies and faces. The fact that it is still used in modern WWE is evidence of how effective it is.
5
Chokeslam
Multiple wrestlers used chokeslam in the attitude era
- Chokeslam was popular in America by Giants/Big Show
- Both Undertaker and Kane will adopt it
- It is said to be one of the more painful movements that should be taken
Chokeslam was preferred by big men in the attitude era. Kane, the Undertaker, and the Big Show all used movement. Kane and Big Show used it as a finisher, and the former may have had the most impressive of all. The move always got a big response, and the Undertaker brought it to Vince McMahon at one point. If you saw WWE in the early 2000s, the late 90s, then at some point you were almost guaranteed to see the chokeslam.
4
Tombstone
Undertaker was a major star in multiple eras
- The gravestone is an inverted pile driver
- Uindertaker adopted it as his finisher when he began portraying the gimmick
- It is the only version of Pilled River that was never banned by the WWE
The Undertaker is one of those wrestlers who defined an era of attitudes but are not related to it. Although his career at WWE lasted nearly 40 years, he was still one of the top stars of the late 90s. The gravestone is so definitive that it can be obtained. The Undertaker also used chokeslam, but he was always in sync with this move. He later used the final ride, but it was towards the end of the attitude era and fell more into the realm of ruthless attack. The surprising thing about gravestones is that it may have made lists in many different eras.
3
Bloodline
Triple H invented the pedigree
- The pedigree is a modified version of the Pile Driver
- Triple H was used as a finisher throughout the ring-in carrier in WWE
- Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins now use this move on a daily basis
Some call Triple H the cornerstone of the attitude era. He provided foil to the biggest stars of his time and dominated the WWE champion. Much of that rule can be attributed to bloodline. If wrestlers were attacked by bloodlines in the era of attitude, they were rarely kicked out. Although Triple retired from aggressive competition in 2022, the pedigree is still commonly used by modern stars.
2
The bottom of the rock
Rock is the only wrestler who will make this list twice
- The bottom of the rock is the Uranage version
- Eugene will use rock bottoms during ruthless attack times
- The move had a PPV named after it
Rock has made this list again, this time at the bottom of his patented rock. He was always considered the second biggest star of the attitude era, so it’s fitting that Rock takes this place.
Rock has multiple ways to win matches, and Rockbottom was undoubtedly his most effective. This move was so over, there was actually a PPV with the same name held in December 1999 during the era.
1
The cold impact of the stone
Steve Austin didn’t really shock him.
- The stunner is a variation of the Ace Crusher, and was used by John Laurinites, which Johnny Ace used.
- Also compared with DDP diamond cutters
- Kevin Owens adopted shock several years ago
There is no synonym for the attitude era, rather than the cold shock of stones. All the major names of the era shocked at some point, including non-wrestlers. Jim Ross, Stephanie McMahon and Vince McMahon were among the names that moved in WWE during that period. In fact, the night Vince McMahon shocked from Steve Austin is considered one of the most historic episodes in WWE history. There are no other finishing moves that could or should go above this list.
