Cutter (professional wrestling)

Randy Orton performing the RKO (jumping cutter) on Kane

Matt Hardy performing a Twist of Fate on Sheamus.

In professional wrestling, a cutter is a common term that refers to the three-quarter facelock bulldog maneuver. The move is also described as an inverted neckbreaker, though it is not one, it only bears an inverted style to it. This move sees an attacking wrestler first apply a three-quarter facelock (reaching back and grabbing the head of an opponent, thus pulling the opponent's jaw above the wrestler's shoulder) before falling backwards (sometimes after running forwards first) to force the opponent face-first to the mat below.

The cutter was originally used by Johnny Ace, who called it the Ace Crusher, and by Diamond Dallas Page, who called it the Diamond Cutter, from where the term "cutter" is now derived. The Diamond Cutter was also used by former basketball player Karl Malone during his time at WCW.

The cutter also formed the base for the later development of another professional wrestling move known as the stunner. This variant sees an attacking wrestler apply the facelock but, instead of falling to their back, this wrestler drops to a seated position, dropping an opponent's jaw across the shoulder of the wrestler.

Variations

Argentine cutter

The attacking wrestler gets his opponent in the Argentine backbreaker position as to execute the Argentine Backbreaker drop. The attacking wrestler then pushes his opponents legs so that he flips horizontally 180 degrees. As his opponents weight is being shifted to one side, the attacking wrestler applies the three-quarter facelock and drops his opponent. This move is also performed fairly quickly but can be delayed if the attacking wrestler is executing the move on a cruiserweight/lightweight opponent.

Elevated cutter

With an opponent placed on an elevated surface, a wrestler applies a three-quarter facelock and then draws the opponent away, leaving only the opponent's feet over the elevated surface. The wrestler then falls backwards so that the opponent is forced to dive forward onto the top of their head due to the angle of which they are dropped. The elevated cutter can also be performed as a double team maneuver including several variations including the doomsday-style elevated cutter or the 3D.

Fireman's carry cutter

It is also known as the TKO, short for Total Knock Out is another elevated cutter variation in which the opponent is first raised over the shoulders of a wrestler in the fireman's carry position. From here, the attacking wrestler twists the opposite way and quickly switches back throwing the legs of the opponent out backwards and drops down to the mat while taking hold of the opponent's head to force him to fall into a high impact cutter. It was innovated by Taiyo Kea.

Forward somersault cutter

A standing variation of the Diamond Dust in which the attacking wrestler first holds an opponent in an inverted facelock before then jumping forwards to somersault over the opponent, landing back-first with the opponent's head driven into the wrestler's shoulder.

Inverted suplex cutter

The wrestler applies an inverted facelock before hooking the opponents thighs and lifts them up so the opponents facing upside down then grabs the three-quarter faclock and pulls them down with their face on the floor.

Jumping cutter

This cutter variation sees the wrestler jumping towards the opponent and grabbing the opponent head in a three-quarter facelock while parallel to the ground, and then slamming the opponent's face to the mat in a cutter. It is commonly used by Randy Orton, who dubbed it the RKO.

Rolling cutter

This version of a cutter sees the wrestler place an opponent in an inverted facelock then spinning under the opponent while holding the facelock, twisting him or her into the cutter position. This move has two major variants. In the first, the attacking wrestler rolls under their opponent. A modified version which involves hoisting the opponent off their feet before beginning the spin. The second major variation sees the wrestler spin and twist the opponent in the opposite direction into the cutter.

Somersault cutter

This variation is precceded by the wrestler standing behind a kneeling opponent. The wrestler applies an inverted facelock, and then performs a forward somersault into a cutter.

Springboard cutter

This variation of the cutter occurs when the wrestler puts his opponent in the three-quarter facelock then usually runs towards the ropes, then jumps onto the second or third rope to bounce off it, turning in the air to land the three-quarter facelock bulldog.

Another variation of this cutter exists, called the springboard backflip three-quarter facelock diving bulldog. In this cutter the opponent and the attacker are in the corner, the attacker puts the opponent in the three-quarter facelock then runs up the turnbuckle, becoming vertical, then turns in mid-air to land the cutter. The move is similar to the Shiranui.

180° Cutter

This cutter variation sees the wrestler first lock his opponent in a front facelock. The wrestler then pivots 180° and catches the opponent in a three quarter facelock with their free arm before falling down into the cutter. This move is commonly associated with Matt and Jeff Hardy.

Yokosuka cutter

In this variation, the wrestler first lifts the opponent, so that they are lying face up across one of the wrestler's shoulders as in a Canadian backbreaker rack, before flipping the opponent over into the cutter. It is common for the wrestler to not properly apply the three-quarter facelock and the move to end up more in a facebuster position.

See also

• Professional wrestling throws