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, some promotions have banned the use of some maneuvers.
Moves are listed under general categories whenever possible.
Video Professional wrestling aerial techniques
Arm twist ropewalk chop
The wrestler takes hold of one of the opponent's wrists and twists that arm in an arm wrench. The wrestler then climbs up the corner turnbuckles and walks on the top rope, before jumping down and striking the opponent's chest, back or the back of their neck. This is often referred to as Old School, the name used by The Undertaker, who popularized it.
Maps Professional wrestling aerial techniques
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.
Diving calf kick
With the wrestler standing over the top turnbuckle or the top ropes, he jumps off and slightly twists so he's elevated in the midair facing away from the opponent, with one of his sides facing the mat. From this point, the wrestler delivers a kick with the back of his leg.
Diving clothesline
This is 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, involves the wrestler wrapping his arm around the opponent's head.
Diving crossbody
This move is used by many, usually light, wrestlers. 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, called a reverse crossbody, where the wrestler faces away from the prone opponent before executing the crossbody maneuver.
Diving DDT
The wrestler stands in an elevated position (usually the top rope) and faces the standing or bent-over opponent. As they dive, the wrestler wraps their near arm around the opponent's head in a front facelock and swings themselves backwards in midair, landing back-first and simultaneously forcing the opponent's head into the mat.
Diving double axe handle
Also known as a diving axe handle, diving double axe handle smash or diving 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.
A common variation of the diving double axe handle sees the wrestler standing over the top rope, facing away from the ring (facing the fans). From this point, the wrestler jumps and twists his body (from this point, the wrestler would be facing the inside of the ring), and quickly holding both fists together, striking the double axe handle.
Diving elbow drop
A diving elbow drop is executed by diving onto a supine opponent with one's elbow cocked, driving the elbow into the opponent's shoulder, chest, or head.
Diving back elbow drop
This less common variation sees a wrestler stand facing away from a standing or supine opponent and in an elevated position, usually the top turnbuckle. The wrestler then dives backwards and strikes the opponent in the shoulder, chest or head extending and cocking one elbow.
Diving pointed 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. This move was popularised by Jerry Lawler.
Diving headbutt
Also known as a diving headbutt drop. A diving headbutt is delivered from the top rope or turnbuckle to anywhere on the opponent's body, often the chest. 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 discovered that this move could cause spinal damage, as well as head, legs, or chest injuries and brain damage. The move is regarded as one of the most dangerous moves in professional wrestling.
Diving hurricanrana
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, who popularized the maneuver.
Phoenixrana
With this variant, the wrestler first, facing away from the ring and situated on the top turnbuckle, performs a 180° turn in mid-air and then performs front flip (see Phoenix Splash) before executing a hurricanrana into a pin.
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 across a supine opponent. There is also a variation where a wrestler jumps from the elevated area and lands with both knees across the prone opponent and is referred to as a Diving double knee drop.
Meteora
This version of the diving double knee drop sees the attacker performing the maneuver on the top turnbuckle or other elevated platform jumping forward onto a standing or seated upright opponent with both of each knee striking both of each their shoulders simultaneously. Springboard, slingshot, and standing/running versions of this move are also possible with the latter being used while the attacker is charging towards an opponent, against a charging opponent, or a combination of the two.
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 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. This move can also be performed from a position that is not elevated, although this variation is rarer.
Diving leg lariat
A leg lariat in which a wrestler jumps from a raised platform towards an opponent and wrap his leg around the opponent's head/neck, knocking them to the ground.
Diving 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.
Blockbuster
In this variation of a diving neckbreaker, the wrestler performing the maneuver will climb to the top rope and wait for his opponent to face him. Once the opponent does, the wrestler jumps and performs a somersault in mid air. While somersaulting, the wrestler will catch the opponent's head and neck with his hands and perform a falling neckbreaker as he lands.
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
The wrestler jumps down from a raised platform onto 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 backflip moonsault, but instead of landing on a fallen opponent in the splash position, the wrestler continues the rotation so that he/she drives both feet into the opponent.
Mushroom stomp
While situated on the middle turnbuckle, a wrestler jumps over a charging opponent and drives his feet into the opponent's back in order to push him into the turnbuckle or the ground with greater force, before landing on his feet. The technique's name is a reference to the stomping attacks used by video game character Mario.
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 performs a thrust kick in mid-air on a standing opponent.
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 is similar to a normal splash. Instead of impacting stomach first, the wrestler lands back first across the opponent.
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.
Corkscrew 630° senton
In this version of the 630 senton, the wrestler performs a corkscrew before executing the move, turning 180° in the process.
Moonsault senton
The attacker jumps to the top turnbuckle or jumps onto the ropes, facing away from the ring, and executes a 450° backflip, like a moonsault but twisting 90° more, landing in an ordinary senton position. There is also a standing version of this move.
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 has 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 or supine on the mat.
A variation of this move, the Banzai Drop, sees a wrestler standing above a fallen opponent climb up onto the second turnbuckle (facing away from the ring) and jump down, landing on the opponent's stomach or chest.
Molly-Go-Round
This variant on the seated senton, which is technically described as a diving somersault 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.
Rolling senton bomb
A variant of the senton bomb where the attacking wrestler, facing away from the ring, does a 180° twist followed by the senton bomb. This was popularised by Jeff Hardy calling it Whisper in the Wind.
Corkscrew senton bomb
Another variant of the senton bomb, the attacking wrestler facing the ring does a 360° twist in the air before impact. A.J. Styles popularised this by calling it the Spiral Tap.
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. It was innovated by The Great Sasuke calling it Senton Atomico. Jeff Hardy famously uses this move,calling it the Swanton Bomb.
Shiranui
The shiranui is a backflip three-quarter facelock falling inverted DDT. This move has a wrestler put the opponent in a three-quarter facelock and run up the corner turnbuckles or ring ropes 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. Sometimes a standing variant is performed by wrestlers with adequate leaping ability or when assisted by a tag team partner. The move is popularly known, especially in North America, as Sliced Bread #2, a name created by wrestler Brian Kendrick and used by many other wrestlers. In a slight variation named sitout shiranui the wrestler lands instead to a seated position, driving the opponent's head between his legs.
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; the 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
The shooting star press is a technique invented by Jushin Thunder 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. 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. In the senton variation, this move is called the shooting star senton.
The move was previously banned in WWE in 2005 for safety reasons, as the move can easily be botched and cause serious injuries, much like the piledriver.
Corkscrew shooting star press
This move sees a wrestler jump forward while twisting 360° and performing a backflip. This move is used and has been popularized by Neville who calls it Red Arrow.
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 driving 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 knee drop
This move sees a wrestler jump forward from the second turnbuckle followed by executing a backflip in mid air then landing knee first on an opponent who is on their hands and knees. It is a finishing move used by Speedball Mike Bailey.
Shooting star DDT
The opponent is facing the wrestler on the turnbuckle. The wrestler then does a backflip towards the opponent catching the opponent into a DDT on the way down.
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 another 90 ending in a senton.
Splash
The basic splash, which is also known as a body 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, also known as the Firebird splash, involves the attacker facing the ring from on top of the turnbuckles, then jumping and flipping forward 450°, landing on the opponent in the splash position.
Corkscrew 450° splash
The move was innovated and popularized by Hayabusa, who named it the Phoenix Splash. The attacker, 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
Also known as a Flaming Star Press or an inverted/reverse 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.
Imploding corkscrew 450° splash
The attacking wrestler stands on the top turnbuckle facing towards the ring and performs a 180° turn in mid-air and then performs a 450° splash inwards (facing the turnbuckle).
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 the turnbuckle in the same corner, 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.
Eddie Guerrero made the frog splash famous in the mid '90s and early 2000s. However, the move itself was innovated by La Fiera in Mexico in the early 1980s. Later it was used by Art Barr in the late 1980s and was named by 2 Cold Scorpio who remarked Barr "looked like a frog" whilst performing the move which resulted in Barr naming it the "frog splash". After Barr's death in 1994, Guerrero used the move in tribute to his fallen tag team partner.
There is a high-angle turning variation named the Five-Star Frog Splash where the opponent is not placed perpendicular to the corner. Instead attacker turns in mid-air to land on the opponent in the splash position, regardless of which direction the opponent is lying in. It was made famous by ECW, WWF/E and TNA superstar Rob Van Dam as it was used as his finisher. 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.
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. 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 walk 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 the 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 Giro. Outside of Mexico, the move is incorrectly referred to as Topé con Hilo. 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.
Over the top rope suicide dive
Instead of going through the ropes the wrestler goes over the top ropes.
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 an Avalanche 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, and powerslams from the top or second rope are referred to as avalanche powerslams, or cutters and stunners from the top or second rope are referred to as elevated cutters and elevated stunners, respectively.
Topé
A topé (from the original spanish tope, meaning Headbutt), 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 standing 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
- Professional wrestling holds
- Professional wrestling throws
- Professional wrestling attacks
- Professional wrestling double-team maneuvers
- Glossary of professional wrestling terms
Notes
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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