Many seasoned wrestlers often feel unappreciated when younger stars draw inspiration from their signature moves, but Christopher Daniels stands out as an exception.
In a recent interview with Chris Van Vriett, AEW executives discussed Daniels’ decision to retire from in-ring competition, addressed rumors linking it to WWE’s "Higher Power" storyline, and touched on other topics.
Daniels described his finishing move as the best moonsault ever. When asked about WWE’s Tiffany Stratton, who calls her finisher the most beautiful moonsault ever, Daniels praised her for adapting the move to fit her own style rather than merely copying it.
He said, “This was very cool. Tiffany probably doesn’t even know about it; I’ve never met her. But she didn’t copy—she adjusted it. It’s like they want to feel inspired rather than stealing. When we take inspiration from something, we try to add our own twist. She started from the bottom, did it respectfully, named it in the same spirit, and I thought that was pretty cool. I can’t be mad about that.”
Daniels also revealed the technique behind the move involves balancing on the top rope before bouncing off, simultaneously launching from both the top and second ropes. He admitted he rarely used this move and didn’t always execute it perfectly but considered himself fortunate to perform it throughout his career.
Fan Take: This candid acknowledgment from a wrestling veteran like Christopher Daniels highlights the respectful evolution of wrestling moves among generations, which fans of AEW can appreciate as a sign of the sport’s ongoing creativity and respect for its roots. It signals a promising future where innovation thrives alongside tradition, elevating both AEW and wrestling as a whole.
