Aerial techniques are maneuvers, using the ring
and its posts and ropes as aids, used in
professional wrestling to show off
the speed and agility of a wrestler. These moves are mainly done by
smaller, quicker wrestlers who are unable to do most of the
power moves. There is
a wide variety of aerial techniques in professional wrestling. Due
to injuries caused by these high risk moves, many promotions ban or
limit the use of some maneuvers. During 2005,
World Wrestling Entertainment
(WWE) banned the use of the
shooting star press for fear of injury,
although WWE commentator and former executive
Jim Ross stated in 2006 that he was unaware of such
a policy.
Matt Korklan, who is currently
wrestling on the Raw brand as Evan Bourne, uses the shooting star
press, explaining he was not forced to comply with the ban.
Moves are listed under general categories whenever possible.
Arm twist ropewalk chop
The wrestler grabs a hold of one of the opponent's wrists and
twists that arm. The wrestler then climbs up the corner turnbuckles
and walks on the top rope, before jumping down and clubbing the
opponent on their chest or back of their neck.
Axe handle
Also known as a Double Axe Handle, Double Axe Handle Smash or
Double Sledge, this is accomplished by jumping from the top
turnbuckle to the mat or floor and striking the opponent with two
fists held together in the fashion of holding an
axe. This is usually done on a standing or rising
opponent, not a prone one.
Diamond Dust
This move is a
forward
somersault three-quarter facelock bulldog/
jawbreaker performed by an
attacking wrestler from an aerial platform. This move involves the
attacking wrestler standing on a platform (i.e. the second
turnbuckle, or sitting on the top turnbuckle) and facing the back
of a standing opponent while applying an
inverted
facelock. From this position the attacking wrestler leaps
forward, somersaulting, to roll the inverted facelock into a
three-quarter
facelock, as they fall the wrestler drops to a seated position
and driving the opponent's jaw into their shoulder for a
jawbreaker, or, the wrestler falls back-first forcing the
opponent's face into the mat/shoulder for the bulldog.
Diving bulldog
This is a
bulldog performed by a
wrestler from an elevated position. A bulldog is a move in which
the wrestler applies a headlock or face lock to his opponent and
leaps forward, so that the wrestler lands on his back or in a
sitting position, driving the opponent’s face into the mat. A
standard diving bulldog sees a wrestler jump down on an opponent
from an elevated platform and apply any version of a headlock to
take down the opponent to the mat.
Springboard bulldog
This is a
bulldog performed
after
springboarding (bouncing) off the
top rope of the ring ropes. In some cases a headlock is first
applied before the wrestler bounces off the ropes. Another version
is the springboard bulldog is seen where a wrestler will
springboard off the ring ropes before applying the headlock. While
flying towards an opponent, a wrestler catches his opponent in a
headlock and then drives the opponent into the ground as the
wrestler falls to the mat. A great example is Trish Stratus's
"Stratusfaction."
Diving crossbody
This move is used by many, usually light, wrestlers and is often
known as a diving crossbody, or a cross body block which is the
elevated version of the
crossbody maneuver.
To perform the move, a wrestler jumps from an elevated position
(usually the top turnbuckle) onto an opponent, landing horizontally
across the opponent's torso, forcing them to the mat and usually
resulting in a
pinfall attempt. There is
also a reversed version, named reverse crossbody, where the
wrestler faces away from the prone opponent before executing the
crossbody maneuver.
Diving elbow drop
A diving elbow drop is executed by diving onto a prone opponent
with one's elbow cocked, driving the elbow into the opponent's
shoulder, chest, or head. In a less common variation, known as the
diving back elbow drop, the wrestler stands on the top turnbuckle
facing away from the opponent then leaps backwards, extending and
cocking one elbow. A diving reverse elbow also possible on a
standing opponent.
Axe handle elbow drop
The wrestler sits on the top turnbuckle with a foot on each second
rope, facing a supine opponent. The wrestler then leaps towards the
opponent, clasping their forearms together, and lands on their
knees, driving both elbows into the shoulder or chest of the
opponent.
Diving fist drop
A fist drop is a move in which a wrestler jumps down from the
turnbuckle on an opponent driving his fist into the opponent's
chest or head. When doing a diving fist drop, wrestlers have their
front four knuckles out, and their thumb to the side.
Diving headbutt
A diving headbutt is delivered from the top rope or turnbuckle to
anywhere on the opponent's body. The move was accidentally
innovated by
Harley Race. He adapted it
as a signature move, and it was then adapted and further
popularized by
The Dynamite Kid. It was
later revealed that this move may not only cause spinal problems,
but may also cause brain damage and injury to your legs,chest as
well as your head. The brain damage found in the brain of
Chris Benoit has been attributed to the
move.
Diving hurricanrana
Also known as diving huracanrana, this move is executed by jumping
forward off the top rope with legs apart, straddling a standing
opponent's shoulders, while using the momentum to snap off a
hurricanrana.
Dragonrana
In this variant of the diving hurricanrana, the wrestler first
performs a front flip from the top rope before executing a true
hurricanrana into
a
pin. The
technique is named by and after the wrestler
Dragon Kid, pupil of
Último Dragón, who invented the
maneuver.
Springboard hurricanrana
The variant sees a wrestler, on the ring apron, first use the top
ring rope to
springboard (bounce)
towards an opponent in the ring, straddling the standing opponent's
head so the wrestler is seated on the opponent's shoulders, while
using the momentum to snap off a
hurricanrana.
Diving knee drop
A move in which a wrestler jumps from a raised platform (the top
turnbuckle, the apron, etc) and lands his or her knee or knees
across a prone opponent. There is also a variation where a wrestler
jumps from a raised platform and lands his knees across the
shoulders of an opponent.
Diving leg drop
Also called a guillotine leg drop, this diving attack sees a
wrestler jump forward from a raised platform (i.e. top turnbuckle,
the ring apron, etc) landing the bottom side of his/her leg across
an opponent (usually on the throat or face).
Diving leg drop bulldog
This is a diving version of the
leg drop bulldog, that sees the
wrestler
springboarding off one of the
ropes or jumping from the top turnbuckle and dropping their leg
across the back of the head of an opponent who is leaning
forward.
Moonsault leg drop
This variation sees the wrestler perform a top turnbuckle
moonsault but instead of landing on the opponent
in a splash position the wrestler would continue the rotation to
drive his leg across an opponent who is lying on the ground.
Somersault leg drop
The wrestler, standing on an elevated position, jumps, flips
forward and lands his leg on the opponent lying beneath him.
Diving shoulder block
The wrestler dives from an elevated position, tucks his arms, and
strikes the opponent with one of his shoulders to the upper
body.
Diving spear
This is a diving shoulder block takedown, also known as a
spear. A move in which
a wrestler will jump from a raised platform such the top
turnbuckle, and drive their shoulder into the opponent's torso,
forcing them down to the mat.
Diving stomp
When a wrestler jumps down from a raised platform on an opponent
dropping his foot onto any part of an opponent's body. A variation
known as a diving double foot stomp is when a wrestler jumps down
from a raised platform on an opponent driving both his feet into
anywhere on the opponent's body, usually the chest.
Moonsault double foot stomp
This variation sees the wrestler perform a
moonsault but instead of landing on the opponent
in a splash position the wrestler would continue the rotation so
that he/she would be able to drive both feet into an opponent who
is lying on the ground.
Mushroom stomp
While situated on the middle rope of a turnbuckle, a wrestler will
jump over a charging wrestler, pressing his feet off their back to
push them into the turnbuckle with more force, before landing on
their own two feet. The technique's name is a reference to the
stomping attacks used by video game character
Mario, often on
mushroom-themed enemies and environments.
Flying clothesline
A move in which a wrestler will jump from an elevated position and
perform a
clothesline to a
standing opponent. A version of this move, called a
flying lariat which is
similar but involves the wrestler wrapping his arm around the
opponents head.
Flying back elbow
A move in which the wrestler will jump from an elevated position
(usually the top turnbuckle or the
middle
rope) and strike a standing opponent with the back of his or
her elbow.
Flying neckbreaker
A
neckbreaker in which the attacking
wrestler jumps from a raised platform (usually the second
turnbuckle) and grabs an opponent's neck while in midair, thereby
taking them down with a neckbreaker. The most common variation of
this is the flipping neckbreaker or Blockbuster which is a
neckbreaker where the attacking wrestler performs a somersault, and
while flipping, catches the opponents head ending in a
falling neckbreaker.
Flying spinning heel kick
A move in which the wrestler will jump from an elevated position
(usually the top turnbuckle) and strike a standing opponent with
spinning heel
kick in mid-air.
Flying thrust kick
Executed when a wrestler jumps from a raised platform (usually the
top turnbuckle), and hits a standing opponent with a
thrust kick in mid-air.
Frankensteiner
This is a
hurricanrana
executed on an opponent sitting on the top turnbuckle. With the
attacking wrestler's legs scissored around the opponent's head
while they face each other, the wrestler performs a backflip to
swing through the opponent's open legs, dragging the opponent into
a forced somersault that distances the wrestler from the opponent,
who lands on his or her back. The name Frankensteiner comes from
Scott Steiner, who popularized the
move.
A handstand variation can also be used. With the opponent seated on
the top turnbuckle facing the ring, the wrestler performs a
handstand on the bottom turnbuckle,
wrapping his or her shins or feet around the neck of the opponent.
The wrestler then bends his or her legs forward towards the ring,
pulling the opponent over and flipping him or her down to the mat
onto his or her back.
Reverse frankensteiner
Also known as an inverted frankensteiner, this is a
hurricanrana
executed on an opponent sitting on the top turnbuckle. However,
unlike a standard
frankensteiner,
the opponent is facing away from the ring on the top turnbuckle
thus the opponent backflips over and lands on his or her chest
rather than his or her back. This move can also be performed to the
outside of the ring if the opponent is facing the inside of the
ring or sitting on one edge of the corner turnbuckle facing the
audience with both legs on the outside of the ring on the same
side. There is also a standing variation of this move in which the
wrestler jumps onto the opponent's shoulders from behind and then
flips backwards driving the opponent's head and/or chest onto the
mat.
Moonsault
A move in which a wrestler executes a backflip and lands on an
opponent. A basic moonsault is generally attempted from the top
turnbuckle, though myriad variations exist.
Senton
A senton splash (also known as Back Splash) is similar to a normal
splash. Instead of impacting stomach first,
the wrestler lands back first across the opponent.
450° senton
The wrestler jumps to the top turnbuckle or jumps onto the ropes,
facing away from the ring, and executes a 450° backflip, landing in
an ordinary senton position.
630° senton
The wrestler performs a senton, flipping 630 degrees forward before
landing, i.e. one full rotation (360 degrees) following by a
somersault senton (270 degrees). A corkscrew can also be added to
the move. In this variation, the wrestler, facing away from the
ring and situated on the top turnbuckle, performs a 180° turn in
mid-air and then performs a 630° senton onto a lying
opponent.
Imploding senton bomb
A variant of an
imploding 450
splash, this sees a wrestler facing away from the ring while on
the top turnbuckle jump backwards executing a
senton bomb on to a lying opponent.
Seated senton
This variant on the senton which sees the wrestler use his/her
tailbone and lower body in a seated position to force the opponent
to the mat rather than using their whole back. This seated senton
is performed by jumping forward off a raised platform or
springboarding on to the shoulders of a standing opponent forcing
them to the ground. This can also be performed onto an opponent
prone on the mat.
A variation of this move known as a Banzai Drop, sees a wrestler
who is standing above a fallen opponent, go up onto the second
turnbuckle (facing away from the ring) and jump down dropping
his/her buttocks on the opponent's body (usually the chest or
stomach). This move is basically a
butt drop from
a raised platform.
Molly-Go-Round
This variant on the seated senton, which is technically described
as a flipping seated senton, is performed by flipping forward off a
raised platform on to the shoulders of a standing opponent forcing
them to the ground in a pinning position. The move gained its name
through the use of its creator,
Molly
Holly.
Senton bomb
In this variation of the senton, the attacking wrestler executes a
quick front
somersault
off the top turnbuckle, before landing on the opponent back-first
as in a regular senton. It can also be performed from a standing
position.
High-angle senton bomb
A variant of the senton bomb, which sees an attacking wrestler
leaping off the top turnbuckle keeping their bodies straight and
arms out-stretched, making it resemble a swan dive, and then
waiting until the last moment to execute the flip, so that they
just barely complete it when impacting with the opponent with their
upper back/shoulders.
Shiranui
KL Murphy performing a shiranui.
The shiranui (or sea fire in English) is a springboard backflip
three-quarter facelock falling reverse DDT innovated by
Naomichi Marufuji. This move has a
wrestler put the opponent in a
Three-quarter facelock and run up a
vertical surface, usually the corner turnbuckles, and jump
backwards, performing a backflip in the air, and landing face down
to the mat, driving the opponent back-first down to the mat. In a
slight variation the wrestler lands instead to a seated position,
driving the opponent's head between his legs. The move is commonly
referred to as
Sliced
Bread #2 in North America.
Shooting Star
This move sees a wrestler jump forward from an elevated position
followed by executing a backflip in mid-air. Many techniques can be
performed after a shooting star, most well known is the
shooting star press but there are other
variations like the shooting star legdrop and shooting star elbow
drop.
Shooting star press
A shooting star press is a technique invented by
Jushin Liger. In a standard shooting star
press, the wrestler jumps forward from an elevated position and
presses knees to chest, executes a backflip in mid-air, and lands
on the opponent in the
splash/press
position. In
kayfabe, the move is considered
a more impactful version of a splash, since the wrestler utilizes
rotational speed, as if he were a
circular
saw. A corkscrew can also be added to the move by doing either
a 180°, 360°, or more in mid-air, ending in either a senton or
press.
Shooting star leg drop
This move sees a wrestler jump forward from an elevated position
followed by executing a backflip in mid-air and continue the
rotation (doing a full 360° or more rotation) ending by drive his
leg across an opponent who is lying on the ground.
Shooting star elbow drop
This move sees a wrestler jump forward from an elevated position
followed by executing a backflip in mid-air then landing elbow
first on an opponent who is lying on the ground.
Shooting star DDT
This move sees a wrestler jump forward from an elevated position
followed by executing a backflip in mid-air while grabbing the
opponents head in mid-air, ending into a DDT.
Shooting star senton
This move sees a wrestler jump forward from an elevated position
followed by executing a backflip in mid-air and continue the
rotation (doing a full 360° or more rotation) plus adding an
additional 90 ending in a senton.
Shooting star knee strike
This move sees a wrestler jump forward from an elevated position
followed by executing a backflip in mid-air and ending with driving
both kneecaps to the opponent.
Splash
The basic splash, which is also known as a press, involves a
wrestler jumping forward from a raised platform (usually the top
turnbuckle) and landing stomach first across an opponent lying on
the ground below.
450° splash
The 450° splash involves flipping forward 450° from a raised
platform, landing on the opponent in the splash position. A
corkscrew can also be added to the move. In this variation, the
wrestler, facing away from the ring and situated on the top
turnbuckle, performs a 180° turn in mid-air and then performs a
450° splash onto a lying opponent.
Imploding 450° splash
This move sees the attacking wrestler stand on the top turnbuckle
facing away from the ring. He or she then jumps backwards and
executes a 450° splash inwards (facing the turnbuckle) onto a
downed opponent laying on the mat.
Corner slingshot splash
The wrestler places the opponent so he or she is lying supine and
with his or her head and feet facing opposite corners of the ring.
The attacking wrestler then approaches an adjacent turnbuckle,
places his or her hands on the top rope and climbs to the first or
second rope. The wrestler then bounces on the ropes before throwing
their legs and body outwards and releasing the ropes, thus flying
outwards and downwards and connecting with the torso of the
opponent.
Frog splash
This move is performed by leaping from the top rope, stretching out
to a horizontal position, and bringing one's feet and hands inward
and outward before landing.
The original, and slightly different, version of the frog splash,
as innovated by
Art Barr and named by
2 Cold Scorpio, sees the wrestler
bring their hands between their legs and kick up with their feet
before drawing both arms and legs back outwards. Art Barr's tag
team partner,
Eddie Guerrero, used
the more common variation as a tribute to Barr after Barr's death
in late 1994. After Guerrero died in 2005, many close friends and
family started using frog splashes during matches as a tribute such
as
Rey Mysterio, Chavo Guerrero and
Christian Cage.
Rob Van Dam performs a turning variation
named the
Five-Star Frog Splash where the opponent is not
placed perpendicular to the corner. Instead Van Dam turns in
mid-air to land on the opponent in the splash position, regardless
of which direction the opponent is lying in. He also uses a regular
version, generally going halfway or more than halfway across the
ring to hit his opponent.
Sunset flip
This is a pinning move where a wrestler and his opponent face each
other, with the wrestler on higher ground (such as the top
turnbuckle). The wrestler dives over the opponent, catches him in a
waist-lock from behind, and rolls into a sitting position as he
hits the mat. As the wrestler rolls over, he pulls the opponent
over backwards so that he lands on his back in a
pinning position.
Transition moves
Some moves are meant neither to pin an opponent, nor weaken them or
force them to submit, but are intended to set up the opponent for
another attack.
Grounding
The wrestler jumps onto an opponent from an elevated platform as
the opponent is standing up, so that the opponent falls to his
knees with his head between the legs of the wrestler. This move is
generally used to set up for a
powerbomb.
Springboard
Springboarding involves a wrestler using any of the ring ropes to
bounce upward. Most high-flying techniques can be performed after a
spring board, i.e.
springboard
legdrop,
springboard
dropkick. Sometimes wrestlers will bounce off one set of ring
ropes then off another to perform a move, this is referred to as a
double springboard, the most notable double springboard
move is a version of a
springboard moonsault in
which a wrestler bounces off the rope to elevate himself/herself to
the top-rope from where he/she bounces off to perform the
moonsault.
Another version of a springboard is the rope run/climb in which a
wrestler would run up the ring ropes, effectively springboarding
with one foot off each ring rope. This is often used in a version
of a
Tornado
DDT in which a wrestler applies a headlock runs up the ropes
(often at the
turnbuckle), still holding
onto the opponent, spins off from the elevated height to hit the
DDT.
Slingshot
A slingshot involves a wrestler, who is standing on the ring apron,
pulling on the top rope and using its momentum to hurl themselves
over the ropes and into the ring. Many high-flying techniques can
be performed after a slingshot.
Modifiers
Corkscrew
The term corkscrew implies adding a spiral (resembling) a corkscrew
to a maneuver. The term could also refer to the motion when a
backflip (
Moonsault) is twisted around so
that the attacker faces the inside of the ring instead of the
outside when the maneuver ends.
Plancha
An accepted term in American wrestling for a
slingshot crossbody where the
wrestler goes from the inside of the ring over the top ring rope to
the outside. In
lucha libre, this is
called a Pescado when the top ring rope is used for a slingshot,
though the term plancha has been popularly accepted in American
wrestling for the same maneuver. In America a move from the top
turnbuckle to a standing opponent on the outside where the chests
impact each other is also commonly referred to as a plancha.
Plancha is also used in America to refer to any attack from the
ring to the outside in which the wrestler impacts their chest
against the opponents chest. For example, a
shooting star press to the outside onto
a standing opponent is referred to as a shooting star
plancha.
Ropewalk
The term ropewalk is used to refer to any move which first sees the
attacking wrestler walks along the top rope before performing a
move.
Standing
The term standing is used to refer to any move which is being
performed at the same level as the opponent, usually on the ring
mat. This is rather than most aerial moves which are performed from
a raised platform like the top turnbuckle.
Somersault
The term somersault is used to describe a simple front-flip used to
modify aerial techniques. Many techniques can be made to accompany
a somersault, including
sentons,
leg drops, and
splashes. A
corkscrew can also be added to the somersault to further modify
moves.
Suicide
The term suicide or suicida is placed before any move that goes
from the ring, the ring apron, or the turnbuckles to the outside of
the ring. The most obvious is a suicide dive also known as a topé
suicida, which is simply a jump through or over ring ropes to the
outside.
When a front flip is performed after leaping through the ropes, or
by jumping over the top rope and performing a front flip, to land
on the opponent back first, the move is known as a suicide senton
or Topé con Hilo.
Although it would appear as if Hilo is the
Mexican
name for the move, in Mexico the move is referred
to as a Topé con Giro. Giro (Spanish
for spin) was mistranslated as Hilo in Japan
and the name
Hilo (which in Spanish actually means thread) has remained
outside of Mexico.
Super
The term super (the terms diving, avalanche, and top-rope are also
used) is placed before any move (normally performed on the mat)
which is being performed off the top- or second rope. For example,
if a
Samoan
drop was performed from the top turnbuckle it would be called a
"Super Samoan Drop". Many move variations performed off the top
rope use the term "Avalanche" instead of "super", especially in
Japan.
Suplexes performed from the top or
second rope are referred to as superplexes; while
Powerbombs performed from the top or second rope
are referred to as superbombs.
Topé
A Topé, like the Plancha, is a move most often performed by jumping
from the inside of the ring and out, but instead of going over the
top rope, the Topé is performed by diving through the ropes to
strike the opponent with the head. In Mexico, the Topé also refers
to any leaping move where the head strikes the opponent, be it by
jumping off the middle rope or a handspring into a headbutt.
See also
Notes
- Cheating Death, Stealing Life - The Eddie Guerrero Story (DVD,
2004)
Wikis
Quiz
Map
Misc
Search
