Powerbomb
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A Powerbomb is a professional wrestling move in which an opponent is lifted up (usually so that they are sitting on the wrestler's shoulders) and then slammed back-first down to the mat.[1]
The standard powerbomb sees an opponent first placed in a standing headscissors position (bent forward with their head placed between the attacking wrestler's thighs). He is then lifted up on the wrestler's shoulders and slammed down back-first to the mat.[1] A prawn hold is commonly used for a pinning powerbomb.
Powerbombs are sometimes used in mixed martial arts competitions, when a fighter attempts to slam another fighter who has him trapped in a triangle choke.
Variations
MKM Bomb
The wrestler places their opponent face-up across their shoulders, as in an Argentine backbreaker rack, hooks the head with one hand and a leg with the other, and the wrestler will then spin the opponent's head away from the wrestler, dropping the opponent down to the mat. Often the wrestler drops to a seated position while spinning the opponent.
The move is most greatly recognized as the finisher of female Japanese wrestler Lioness Asuka, who dubbed it the Towerhacker Bomb. However, this move is also known as a Rack Bomb (a shortened portamentau of this maneuver's actual name) after being popualrized in America by Adam Pearce.
Chokebomb
Also known as a Sitdown two-handed chokeslam and a Choke driver. The most common move referred to as a Chokebomb sees an attacking wrestler grasps an opponent's neck with both hands and then lift them up into the air. From here the attacking wrestler would throw the opponent back down to the mat while falling to a seated position. This would see the opponent land in a position where their legs are wrapped around the wrestler with their back and shoulders on the mat. This allows the attacking wrestler to lean forward and place both his/her arms on the opponent for a pinfall attempt.
Crucifix powerbomb
The Crucifix powerbomb was made popular by Scott Hall, who calls it by the names Razor's Edge or Outsider's Edge, and sees an opponent lifted onto the back of the wrestler with their arms spread out as in a crucifixion. The attacking wrestler then drops to a kneeling position as they bend forwards to throws the opponent forward to the mat on to their back or neck and shoulders.
A version of the standard crucifix powerbomb that sees the opponent thrown across the ring while the wrestler remains standing. The throwing version was made popular by Hernandez, who calls it the Megabomb and the Border Toss.
There is also a version which is very similiar to the Flipping slam but instead of the opponent facing down, the wrestler would hold the opponent in a normal crucifix hold before flipping him over which would result in the opponent landing face first.
Inverted crucifix powerbomb
This move is similar to a regular crucifix powerbomb, however, instead of being held face-up, the opponent is held facing the mat. The Finishing of the move can be done in one of two ways. For the first way the opponent is flipped to land on his back, this is also called a flipping Slam. The second way the opponent is tossed forward landing chest first.
This move is also known as an Iconclasm.
Sitout crucifix powerbomb
Also known as a Splash Mountain or a Niagara Driver this crucifix powerbomb variation sees the attacking wrestler fall to a seated position (instead of kneeling forward) while throwing the opponent, pulling them down by hooking their arms around the opponent's pelvis, causing them to fall down between the wrestler's legs into the sitout powerbomb position.
Double powerbomb
Due to convenience of wording this name can refer to a maneuver either performed by two persons on one, or one person on two; generally both opponents will be far smaller than the wrestler attempting the move. One opponent is placed on the attackers shoulders as per a standard powerbomb, then the other will be placed on the first opponents shoulders, facing in the same direction. This is normally performed by putting the first opponent's head between the seconds legs whilst they are sitting on the second or top turnbuckle. Finally, both opponents will be slammed to the mat. This move is infrequently used as it can cause spinal injury to the attacker or a cracked pubis to the opponent.
Double underhook powerbomb
The wrestler faces a bent over opponent, and underhooks the opponent's arms with both arms. The wrestler then lifts the opponent in the air and flips them over, throwing them back down and driving the back and shoulders of the opponent to the ground. The wrestler may also fall to their knees as they slam the opponent down. This move is also known as a Butterfly powerbomb.
A sitout double underhook powerbomb is known as a Tiger Driver, or, less commonly, as a Tiger Bomb.
Elevated powerbomb
This move, which is similar to a normal powerbomb, was made popular in the United States by The Undertaker who referred to it as the Last Ride. Instead of slamming the opponent directly on the mat from the shoulders, the attacking wrestler would first lift the opponent even higher by holding on to the opponent and extending their arms up, lifting the opponent up off the shoulders of the attacking wrestler just moments before throwing them down to the mat. However, this move requires a considerable amount of strength to perform, and it usually cannot be done to larger opponents.
Falling powerbomb
This move starts by lifting up an opponent like a normal powerbomb, but when the opponent is on the wrestler's shoulders the wrestler falls forward, slamming the opponent onto the ground.
Andrew Martin would be known for using a variation in which he first lifts the opponent like a Gutwrench powerbomb, along with Kane using another variation of this move.
Dangan Bomb
Innovated and named by Masato Tanaka this move is performed when the wrestler will put the opponent in to the position for a back body drop, lift them up and then catch them in mid air as if going for a spinebuster but instead put the opponents legs on their shoulders then drive the opponent to the mat like a falling powerbomb.
Ganso Bomb
Translated literally from Japanese as Originator Bomb but in English more commonly referred to as the original powerbomb, this move sees the attacking wrestler bend an opponent over and grab them in a belly to back waistlock before then lifting the opponent until they are vertical. The attacking wrestler then drives the opponent down on their neck and shoulder while either remaining in a standing position, sitting position or dropping down to their knees. The move is considered one of the most dangerous moves in professional wrestling as the person taking the move is in freefall, dropped onto their own head or neck without protection.
For a long time, the only widely known instance of this move being used intentionally was its appearance as a counter move in a single All Japan Pro Wrestling match, where Mitsuharu Misawa countered a Toshiaki Kawada powerbomb with a headscissors. However, Kawada remained standing, allowing Misawa's own momentum to put him into the proper position for the move. The rarity of the move added to its mystique as a legimately dangerous spot, and for a long time it was regarded as one of wrestling's most dangerous moves as well as one of the most damaging within storyline contexts.
The move is also known as the Hangman's DDT; this name was invented and popularized by two video games, WWF WrestleMania 2000 and WWF No Mercy, which were developed by AKI and released on the Nintendo 64 in the United States. Having previously developed Japanese wrestling games featuring Toshiaki Kawada (such as Virtual Pro Wrestling 2), AKI left the move, along with many other Japanese moves, in the US games they developed as a bonus feature. However, most Americans didn't know what the Ganso Bomb was or even that "ganso" was a real word, so calling it by its original name in an American game would have sounded like Engrish. The name "Hangman's DDT" was thus concocted.
Fireman's carry powerbomb
The wrestler lifts the opponent on to his shoulders, into the Fireman's carry position. The wrestler grabs hold of the opponent's near leg with one hand, and his head with the other. He then pushes the opponent's upper body up and simultaneously spins them, causing them to end up in front of the wrestler face up. The wrestler then either sits down or stays standing. He may also wrap his hands around the opponent's upper legs.
Mammoth Sasaki uses a Airplane spin sitout variation of this move.
Gutwrench powerbomb
A gutwrench powerbomb involves a wrestler standing over an opponent locking their arms around the opponent's waist and lifting them up, flipping them over, and slamming them down to the mat back first. Usually the wrestler sits down while slamming the opponent. This move was popularized by "Dr. Death" Steve Williams, which he dubbed the Doctor Bomb, a name that is usually associated with the move. Erick Stevens currently uses a kneeling version of this powerbomb after which he folds up the opponent for a pinfall attempt.
Inverted powerbomb
Also described as an inverted front powerslam or inverted Oklahoma slam, this move sees the attacking wrestler faces a bent-over opponent and apply a gutwrench waistlock before lifting the opponent up so they are lying across the wrestler's shoulder, facing upward, with the wrestler maintaining the waistlock to hold them in position. The wrestler then falls forward while flipping the opponent forward, driving the opponent horizontally belly-down into the ground. This variation is commonly associated with Faarooq and Bobby Lashley, both referring to the move as the Dominator.
A first variation of this move used by Japanese wrestler Yutaka Yoshie exists seeing the attacking wrestling running and/or jumping forwards before slamming the opponent horizontally body-first into the ground. This variation is called the Canadian Hammer named by him.
A second variation exists called a double underhook inverted front powerslam or double underhook inverted powerbomb in which the attacker and opponent face each other, the opponent bent forward. The attacker hooks the opponent's arms back in a reverse nelson, placing his forearms in the crooks of the opponent's elbows, with his hands on top of the opponent's back in a butcher's grip. The attacker then lifts the opponent into an upside-down vertical position so the opponent is lying across the wrestler's shoulder, facing upward, with the wrestler maintaining the reverse nelson to hold the opponent in position. The attacker then falls forward while flipping the opponent forward, driving the opponent horizontally belly-down into the ground.
Jackknife powerbomb
The term Jackknife powerbomb can refer to a normal powerbomb which sees the wrestler keep his/her head between the opponent's legs and keep a hold on the legs with his/her arms before then flipping forward planting his/her feet and bridging back, completing a Jackknife pinning hold.
Multiple powerbombs
A variation of the powerbomb where the wrestler does not release the opponent upon impact, but instead locks his hands and performs a dead lift, raising the opponent back up for another powerbomb, and may repeat more than once. This move was popularized in the western world by former professional wrestler-turned UFC fighter Brock Lesnar. This move is dangerous to perform due to the sheer strength needed to perform the dead lift and if done incorrectly (releasing too early, dropped incorrectly, etc), it can cause a great deal of injury (one infamous incident saw Brock Lesnar accidentally break Hardcore Holly's neck after dropping him too early and at an incorrect angle). During his early run in the WWE/WWF, Chris Jericho would use this move on smaller opponents (Tajiri, Crash Holly, etc).
Rope aided powerbomb
The wrestler takes hold of an opponent, who is lying on the mat, by their legs. The opponent then grabs hold of one of the ropes with both hands as the wrestler pulls them backwards, lifting them off the mat. At this point the opponent releases their grip on the rope and is brought down to the mat.
Corner sitout powerbomb
The opponent begins sitting in the corner of the ring and facing outwards, while holding on to the ring ropes. The wrestler takes hold of the opponent by the legs and pulls them upwards and backwards, falling into a sitting position as they do so. The move ends with the opponent's back on the ground and their legs over the shoulders of the wrestler, placing the opponent in a pinning predicament.
Release powerbomb
A variation of the powerbomb where the opponent is lifted into the air, and then dropped without any extra force exerted for a pinfall attempt. Sometimes the wrestler steps back while releasing the opponent, which is known as a sheer drop powerbomb due to the high elevation, or the opponent would be thrown horizontally away from the wrestler rather than merely dropped.
The step back variation was popularized in the United States by Sid Vicious, and later by Kevin "Diesel" Nash, who called it the Jack Knife. However, with the name it was later confused with the other Jackknife powerbomb.
Rydeen bomb
This high-lifting sitout / sitdown spinebuster, also popularly known as a sky lift powerbomb in which a wrestler will take hold of an (often charging) opponent with each hand placed under the opponent’s arm pits. At this point the attacking wrestler will lift the opponent into the air as high as possible, before dropping to a seated position so that the opponent falls backfirst between the wrestler's legs. A wrestler will often place his hands on the falling opponent's chest or hook their legs to attempt a pin. Satoshi Kojima is credited with naming the move the Rydeen Bomb, while D'Lo Brown is credited with being among the first American wrestlers to use the move, which he called the Sky High regularly. There is also a standing side slam variation which is known as a sitout / sitdown side slam spinebuster or a ura-nage driver.
Scoop lift powerbomb
In this variation of a powerbomb an opponent is first scooped so they are horizontal across an attacking wrestler's chest. The wrestler then pushes the opponent up and turns them, so that they are sitting on the shoulders of the wrestler, before then slamming them down in a powerbomb motion. This move was innovated by Monty Brown, who calls the move the Alpha Bomb.
Sitout powerbomb
Also called a sitdown powerbomb, this is any powerbomb in which the wrestler drops into a sitting position as they slam their opponent down to the mat. This maneuver can be done with many variations of the powerbomb.
The most common sitout variation is that of a standard powerbomb, in which the opponent is placed in a standing neck scissors, and then lifted up on the wrestler's shoulders. At this point, the wrestler slams the opponent down, and at the same time falls to a sitting position.
A commonly known user in the United States is Batista's Batista Bomb in WWE, slight modifications have been made like rolling backwards after and quickly moving back towards the opponent to take the pin.
In Japan the move is often known as Liger Bomb, due to Jushin Liger who popularized it. Liger's variation actually differs from the regular sitout powerbomb in that the opponent is dropped down in a higher angle, on their shoulders instead of flat on their back, this allows him to trap the opponent's arms under his legs, since they are closer to him. Liger also uses a running variation which drops the opponent regularly flat on their back, known as a Running Liger Bomb. In the United States, both the standing and the running variations are commonly referred to as just Liger Bomb.
Another variation used by Dragon Gate wrestler CIMA sees the attacker first take hold of both of the opponent's wrists and cross them. The attacker than picks them up into a piledriver position before powering them up and slamming them down back-first into the mat.
A variation of the Running Liger Bomb was performed by Ultimo Dragon, who named his variation the Dragon Bomb, in which he lifts the opponent, runs towards the ropes, and performed a slingshot sitout powerbomb.
Another variation of the sitout powerbomb is currently and popularly used by Claudio Castagnoli under the name Ricola Bomb, in which he crosses the opponent's arms before lifting them up.
Slingshot powerbomb
From a position in which the opponent is sitting across the wrestlers shoulder, the attacker bounces the opponent's back across the top rope. The attacker then spins around, using the momentum to powerbomb the opponent.
Spinning powerbomb
The wrestler lifts the opponent up onto his shoulders and spins around several rotations before sitting down and slamming the opponent down to the mat, as in a sitout powerbomb. A release variation sees the wrestler remain standing or kneeling and just throwing the opponent away from them onto their back to the mat.
Spin-out powerbomb
This is a belly-to-back powerbomb, usually beginning in the back suplex position where the wrestler stands behind their opponent and puts their head under the arm of the opponent. They then lift the opponent up using one arm around the waist of the opponent and another under their legs. The wrestler then spins the opponent around 180°, dropping them to the mat back first as they drop to a sitting position.
Known under the name Blue Thunder Driver, a name invented by Jun Akiyama. The move is also known as Blue Thunder Powerbomb because it resembles a Powerbomb more than a Driver.
Tsuyoshi Kikuchi also uses the move calling it the Fireball Bomb, which employs a crotch scoop from behind as opposed to cradling of the opponent's near leg.
Another variation of this move ends in an inverted side slam position and with the wrestler going down to a kneeling position. This version has been used by John Cena throughout his career, who calls it by the name Protobomb, and also by Val Venis.
Sunset flip powerbomb
A move in which a wrestler will roll/flip over an elevated opponent facing them in a reverse body scissors and use the momentum to pull the opponent down to the mat back first.
A variation of the move which was innovated by SAITO (who's now known as Super Shisa), who called it the Yoshi Tonic. This variation sees a wrestler wrap their legs around the waist of an opponent who is facing away from the attacking wrestler. The wrestler uses a 'see-saw' motion to throw himself forward pulling the opponent over the top of them and down to the mat. This version is technically known as a leg-trap sunset flip powerbomb. Notable users include Amazing Red and Rey Mysterio. WWE Superstar Trevor Murdoch performs a modified version in which instead doing of the 'see-saw motion', he stands over the top of his opponent before executing the move.
Another variation was seen in the United States as used by Brian Christopher, in which the sunset flip powerbomb is executed against a wrestler standing on the ring apron, facing toward the ring. In this variation Christopher would jump over the opponent as if to execute a sunset flip and complete the move by powerbombing the opponent from the ring apron to the arena floor.
Superbomb
Also known as a Top-rope Powerbomb the wrestler stands on the top turnbuckle. The move was popularized in America by the Pitbulls in ECW. They force the opponent to ascend to the top rope, standing usually on the top ropes with their legs spread. The wrestler then bends the opponent, placing their head between the wrestler's thighs. The wrestler then wraps their hands around the opponent's waist. The wrestler then lifts the opponent up, flipping them over, while jumping forward. The opponent falls down to the mat back first, and the wrestler usually falls to their knees or to a sitting position.
Another variation sees the opponent sitting on the top rope. The wrestler climbs up to the top rope and stands facing the opponent. They then bend the opponent over and take hold of them around the waist. The wrestler then flips the opponent up and over so they are sitting on the shoulders of the wrestler. At the same time, the wrestler spins around 180° and leaps forward, falling to the ground in a standing or sitting position and driving the opponent's back and shoulders to the mat.
Many variations of a regular standing powerbomb can be seen being done off of the top rope as well (For Example, a Super Tigerbomb, Super Thunder Fire Powerbomb, or a Super Crucifix Powerbomb)
Tiger bomb
- See Tiger driver.
Thunder Fire Powerbomb
Also known as Thunderfire Powerbomb, One shoulder powerbomb, or Canadian backbreaker rack powerbomb. The wrestler faces a bent opponent and places him in the standing headscissors position (bent forward with their head placed between the wrestler's thighs). The wrestler then grabs hold around the opponent's upper torso or waist, and lifts him on top one of the wrestler's shoulders on his back. The wrestler then bends forward and slams the opponent down to the mat on his back or shoulders. The wrestler can also drop down on one or both knees while slamming the opponent. Most notable user for this move is Atsushi Onita.
Mike Awesome used a running one shoulder powerbomb, which he called the Running Awesome Bomb. When throwing the opponent through a table Awesome would push the opponent off his shoulders by grabbing the opponent's armpits, similar to a crucifix powerbomb.
In a variation called Sitout Thunder Fire Powerbomb the wrestler sits down with his legs spread, dropping his opponent between them, instead of dropping down to his knees. He then bends forward while still holding his arms around the opponent's waist, pushing him down to a pinning predicament.
A variation known as a single leg one shoulder powerbomb or a single-leg Canadian backbreaker rack powerbomb sees the wrestler lift the opponent's near leg over his near shoulder, lift the opponent up by holding his thigh, and then slam him down to the mat back first. There is also a falling variation of this move.
Turnbuckle powerbomb
The wrestler faces a standing opponent, bends them forwards, takes a hold around their waist and then flips the opponent up and over so the opponent is sitting on the wrestler's shoulders. The wrestler then faces a corner of the ring and throws the opponent into the corner, driving the back and neck of the opponent to the turnbuckle.
Vertical suplex powerbomb
The wrestler lifts the opponent upside down as in a Vertical suplex and then pushes their upper body forward while sitting down, ending the move in the same position as the Sitout powerbomb.
Most notable user for this move is Kenta Kobashi, who calls it the Orange Crush. Originally he didn't push the opponents as far out, so they landed on their neck and shoulders instead of their back.
A variation of the move in which the wrestler lifts the opponent up and flips them in one fluid motion, releasing the opponent in mid-air, allowing them to fall down to the mat onto their back, while the wrestler falls to all fours beside him, was innovated by E.Z. Money, who calls it Cha-ching Powerbomb.
Double knee powerbomb
The wrestler lifts the opponent up as if doing an ordinary powerbomb. The wrestler then slams the opponent down but at the same time falls down on his back and raises his knees driving the knees into the back of the opponent.
Notes
References
- Mick Foley (2000). Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks. HarperCollins. p. 511. ISBN 0061031011.