Finish Them! (Series 1)

[TheOneBigWill]

This is going to be the start in what I hope can spawn into a series of threads. Depending on how much attention it can gain, will determine how long it’ll last.

The subject: Wrestling's Best Finishing Moves. Each week I’m going to match-up two random Finishing moves against one another. The objective in this is to discuss and determine which move is better used as a Finishing maneuver in Professional Wrestling.

I’ll post polls that’ll remain open for 1 week. After each week, the winning Finishing maneuver, voted on by you the members, will move on to face another randomly selected Finisher. There is no set deadline on when this overall objective will end. That’s up to the posters. When the thread series dies out, then so will the project.

The Objective: (beyond discussion, that is) To discover which moves this forum's members find to be the best through selective criteria. That criteria? You can use these in scales of 1-5, 1-10, however you like.

1. Effectiveness. (When its used, will it keep the opponent down for the end?)

2. Standout/Flashiness. (Can it shock and awe, amaze, the audience? If so, how much?)

3. Uniqueness. (How unreal, yet realistic, can you get? here's a video to better explain:

[youtube]-DxX7op5AYA[/youtube]

4. Surprising: (Can this move be used out of more than one position? Can it be hit anywhere, at anytime, to finish an opponent off? example: Diamond Cutter)

Now then, the above criteria is what I’d appreciate everyone to use when determining their vote/winner. However, I obviously can’t force or stop anyone from merely voting through pure favorite either. The fun will come through discussion, which I hope leads to debates among you all, on why Finisher ‘A’ is better than Finisher ‘B’.

Here are the first two selected Finishing Maneuvers.. the poll will remain open until May 30th.

Crippler Crossface

VS.

Flying Elbow Drop

As always, this thread involves explaining your decision and the spam rules should be enforced here. So make sure to explain your opinions. Thank You.

 

[It's...Baylariat!]

This is pretty even to me, because both of the advantages to the Crippler Crossface and the Bionic Elbow Drop. The Crossface has the realistic impact to it, in that it's a submission move that can legit hurt someone if it were to be used to subdue someone. Plus the surprising factor that the Crossface can come out of nearly anywhere helps it's cause, too.

Savage's Bionic Elbow Drop has the flashiness and the effectiveness to offset the crossface though. And despite the effectiveness of the Crossface, the occasional escape through the ropes take place. Matter of fact, it happened pretty often. The elbow drop had TWO people kick out of the move... Ricky Steamboat and the Ultimate Warrior. Not too shabby.

SO by a neck, (no pun intended) I'll give the advantage to Savage due to his move's knockout power and flashy look to it.

 

[ABMorales787]

1. Effectiveness. (When its used, will it keep the opponent down for the end?)

Crossface: It holds you down. Its a very difficult maneuver to get out of once its locked in.

Elbow: The sad thing about this move is how it's been some what butchered over the years. Randy Savage made it look like the epitome of a finishing move. However then there are guys like Shawn Michaels, Owen Hart and Eric Young. Even though its one of their main moves, its not their best. How is a move that was a definitive match ender in the 80's spiral down to a simple setup for another finisher a decade later?

2. Standout/Flashiness. (Can it shock and awe, amaze, the audience? If so, how much?)

Crossface: This is a rough move. It can come out of anywhere. It will get the crowd popping. However in most matches it is seen more than once. It little by little takes the feel away.

Elbow: As a setup or not, it is always a nice looking maneuver that pumps up the crowd. It has provided some memorable "Holy shot" moments. Eric Young off the steel cage. Randy Savage off a steel cage. Shawn Michaels off a 20 foot ladder to a garbage can. Shane McMahon crashing and burning on several occasions.

3. Uniqueness. (How unreal, yet realistic, can you get?)

Crossface: It was new when it first appeared. Its a very realistic hold. Lock it on a friend and pull then watch him beg for mercy.

Elbow: Its a very basic elbow drop. Its a realistic move that could very well kill someone if done wrong.

4. Surprising: (Can this move be used out of more than one position? Can it be hit anywhere, at anytime, to finish an opponent off? example: Diamond Cutter)

Crossface. As long as the wrestlers are within arms reach, this move can be locked. No matter what. Unless the wrestler has no arms.

Elbow: This move will always be seen from a mile away unfortunately.



My Pick:
The Crippler Crossface.

Its a very in your face maneuver can be seen as a credible finishing move by virtually anybody who does it. I know WWE wants to wipe it as a finisher, but it just looks too credible at this point. The Elbow drop on the other hand has already suffered a loss of credibility. Unless its from a ladder from the top of a cage or through a table, it won't be seen as a finishing move.

 

[Spidey Revivey]

You can use these in scales of 1-5, 1-10, however you like.

1. Effectiveness. (When its used, will it keep the opponent down for the end?)

Crippler Crossface: 7/10
Bionic Elbow Drop: 9/10


Benoit didn't necessarily win his matches off of the Crossface compared to his Flying Headbutt-Pin. Not as much anyways in my opinion. And guys would go for the rope or get out of the hold- I have seen that numerous times.

Randy Savage...watching older videos I have to say he had to at least pin the guy with his move 90% of the time.

Point for The Bionic Elbow Drop

2. Standout/Flashiness. (Can it shock and awe, amaze, the audience? If so, how much?)

Crippler Crossface: 6/10
Bionic Elbow Drop: 7/10

Crossface was a move you rarely see anywhere in wrestling. The swiftness and tenacity counts for something here.

However, the Bionic Elbow Drop is, above all else, a flying move. Back then you didn't see that half as much as you do now. Of course it shocked the crowd seeing that- if you never saw that move before, and Savage was the guy who did it, your jaw would drop too.

Barely making it, a point for The Bionic Elbow Drop.

3. Uniqueness. (How unreal, yet realistic, can you get?)

Crippler Crossface: 9/10
Bionic Elbow Drop: 7/10

Originality all the way. The Crossface, like I stated before, was something you don't see often- even in today's wrestling. Taking the guys arm and swinging it into a submission move is both the most unrealistic and realistic move I have ever seen.

Bionic Elbow Drop has practically been done over and over again and isn't even considered a Finisher anymore by today's standards. A real shame, because like I said back then it was a golden move, especially with a muscled up guy doing it.

Point for the Crossface and modern wrestling is to thank for it.

4. Surprising: (Can this move be used out of more than one position? Can it be hit anywhere, at anytime, to finish an opponent off? example: Diamond Cutter)

Crippler Crossface: 10/10
Bionic Elbow: 5/10

Crossface was THE move to pull off anywhere. You didn't necessarily have to be in the ring to do it, and it was also the move to reverse on an opponent when they tried to hit their finisher..from anywhere! Even the top-rope wasn't a safe haven.

The Bionic Elbow can only be done while you were on top of something, ex. The ringpost. Anywhere else it might as well be called just an Elbow Drop.

It was a tough call, but on the grounds of a finisher that can be done anywhere and executed with originality my vote has to go to the Crippler Crossface.

 

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

This is difficult.

1. Effectiveness.

Both moves used to signify the nail in the coffin for the majority of opponents who weren't ME talent. The originators of the moves (Savage and Benoit) would win 90% of their matches, in Savage's case, 99.9%, with those moves.

Since then however, both moves have had their impact watered down but to different degrees. Other than Chris Benoit, i've literally seen 4 people use the Crippler Crossface, and only one person win with it. Those 4 people are DX, Samoa Joe and Tommy Dreamer, and it was Dreamer who won an I Quit match with CW Anderson, by applying the Crippler Crossface with a thread of barbed wire. Now personally, i'd say the addition of the weapon further waters down the effectiveness of the move. However, add in to the fact that the only submission expert among those 4 was Joe, kinda gives it more credibility again.

With the Elbow drop, a lot of guys have used it and not got the 'W' immediately afterward. The guys above have listed the countless numbers of guys who used the flying elbow as a set up, but there's also Test and Perry Saturn who frequently won matches with a Flying Elbow in their early WWF runs, but decided to jack that move in for other ones.

So, personally, because the Flying elbow has been abused far, far, far more than the Crossface, i'd say the Crossface is still the more effective finisher.

2. Flashiness/Stand out move.

I wouldn't say there was anything 'flashy' about the Crossface. Benoit would either jump on a down opponent or simply force him to the floor by grabbing his arm and putting all his body weight onto the guys shoulder. Ok he could do it at any time, but that's still all it consisted of.

The flashiness of the Flying Elbow depended on the height and velocity of the guy doing. Perry Saturn rarely did an Elbow that didn't involve him launching himself half way across the ring.

So i'd say that the Elbow Drop always has the potential to be flashy, but the Crossface is literally the same execution each time with very little variation. It's only the counter before the holds execution that could have been flashy, and not the execution of the hold itself, imo.

So Flying Elbow wins there.

3. Uniqueness.

If you were to ask a mark, who does the Crippler Crossface, their only answer would be Benoit. Ask them about the Elbow and they'll probably say Shawn Michaels, with older fans saying Savage, and guys with good memories listing the random ones like we have already.

Crossface wins hands down.

4. Surprising

Well, unless it was off some scaffolding, or a ladder or the Titantron, you can tell a flying elbow is coming from the moment the guy goes through the ropes towards the turnbuckle.

Benoit used to grab guys at random intervals for the Crossface, and even countered some moves out of nowhere to apply it. For example i can remember in the '04 Rumble, Bradshaw going for the Clothesline From Hell, and Benoit grabbed his arm as he swung it, forced him to the ground and he's in the Crossface (totally pointless application, but you can see what i'm getting at)

Another thing to add, is that like all high flying moves, the Elbow takes too long to set up, even when the guy doing it isn't working the crowd as he does it. You often find yourself thinking 'Ok the guy on the mat is going to roll away or put his knees up' and a lot of the time they don't. You only assume that's going to happen because the move comes towards the end of the match, the wrestlers are tired, and whoever's climbing the turnbuckle might do so very slowly, and you just think 'well, even i would have gotten up and moved out of the way by now'.

With all of that taken into consideration, over all, i'd say The Crippler Crossface wins.

 

[Daniel]

Effectiveness
Crippler Crossface - Looks very painful once its locked in. Applies extreme pressure to the neck and face.
Flying Elbow Drop - Would hurt like hell to be elbowed in the ribs from a great height. Looks ineffective as it is now a regular move done by many people.

I'll go crossface on this one.

Standout/flashiness
Crippler Crossface - Looking at videos, it always got a big pop when used. However it wasn't the flashiest of submissions.
Flying Elbow Drop - Looked flashy back in the day, but nowadays it is just a normal move. However, how flashy it looks depends where it is hit from. From the top of a steel cage would look better than the top of a turnbuckle.

The Flying Elbow Drop takes this one as it has the potential to standout.

Uniqueness
Crippler Crossface - When you think Crossface, you think Benoit. No one does it in mainstream wrestling to my knowledge. It also looks very real.
Flying Elbow Drop - As it is used pretty often, there is nothing unique about it.

Crossface wins this one hands down.

Suprising
Crippler Crossface - Could come out of nowhere as long as there was a takedown just before it. In or out of the ring, it didn't matter, the Crossface could be locked in.
Flying Elbow Drop - When Savage or anyone else approached the turnbuckle you could see it coming a mile off. It could be hit from anywhere elevated, so at least it added a bit of variety.

Crossface again. So i'll be voting for the Crippler Crossface.

 

[TheOneBigWill]

Just to give everyone who's interested, a reminder, this Series will close this Saturday. (May 29th) The winning Maneuver will advance to face a new one at that point, in another week of discussion. Now then, my take is this..

1. Effectiveness (When its used, will it keep the opponent down for the end?)​

Crippler Crossface: When considering this finishing move, I look to Chris Benoit who was the individual who mastered the move. Through the majority of Benoit's matches, when he won, it was by submission to this move. The crossface is rarely a maneuver that can be escaped, unless the opponent can reach the ropes and cause a break.

Due to Benoit's size, however, if he faced a larger opponent it was possible for that opponent to merely over-power him and lift up and out of the hold. Because of this, I would give the Crossface a 3 out of 5 for effectiveness. While it has decided several victories and outcomes, its not a 100% sure thing.

Flying Elbow Drop: When considering the Flying Elbow, I looked to Randy Savage who in his own way revolutionized the sport with this very move. He was considered a high flier, when there was no such thing.

As said above, roughly over 95% of the time Randy Savage won a contest - it was because of this move. Which means, when he used it, it was one of the most effective moves there was. While I know the likes of the Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan have kicked out, (as well as apparently Ricky Steamboat) and once again as said above - no one else to their knowledge has, I have to agree that I can't recall a time in Savage's prime, when anyone kicked out of this move. For that, I'd give the Elbow Drop a full 5 out of 5.

2. Standout/Flashiness (Can it shock and awe, amaze, the audience? If so, how much?)​

Crippler Crossface: Through my definition of flashiness, and standout, I look at how well a specific move can hold a crowd's attention. Whenever the Crossface is pulled out, it has always received a huge pop. Regardless who's applying the move.

As its been noted, sometimes this move is applied on more than one occasion in a match. However, I can't recall a time in a Benoit/Kurt Angle match, or any other Benoit match, where the maneuver didn't constantly get cheered for (or popped) each time it was used. Someone mentioned that it lost its flasiness a little each time, but I think it actually was reversed of that. I think the fans cheered louder each time it was applied, because in everyone's mind it could always result in a tapout. For that, I give the Crossface a 4 out of 5.

Flying Elbow Drop: In today's Industry, the Flying Elbow Drop is barely rewarded with a hand clap. It'll always receive flashes from cameras but rarely unless its by Savage, did it ever receive any kind of active ovation.

Now, not without its flashiness back in the 80's, when it constantly received huge pops. I'm looking at each move in a throughout standpoint. And throughout, the Elbow Drop has went from being electric in the 80's, to barely noticable in the present. For that, the Elbow Drop gets a 3 out of 5.

3. Uniqueness (How unreal, yet realistic, can you get?)​

Crippler Crossface: When you break the Crossface down, its a rear chinlock. Nothing more than that, tied with an armbar of sorts. When you think of the move as such, it doesn't only seem bland, but very weak. On that note, its also a move thats done by almost everyone.. and people don't even realize it. For that, you have to give some amount of credit for the type of reaction and response the Crossface has been given over the years.

When I think of unique, I'm sure I could give some credit to the Crossface because its a hybrid move. (again, a chinlock and an armbar) Yet at the same time, its as real as you can get. As its been said, pull back on your chin and it'll hurt. There isn't much more I can say, and I may not even be able to explain it properly. However, in my opinion, the Crossface (albeit pop-worthy) isn't as unique as many give it credit for being. It gets a 2 out of 5 here.

Flying Elbow Drop: Now, after giving the Crossface what I just did, many would think - surely you wouldn't rate a simple elbow drop higher, would you? Actually, yes, yes I would. And this is why..

In the 70's-80's, wrestling wasn't high flying, it wasn't high impact. A Suplex, Body Slam, and Leg Drop captured the majority of the attention from the audience. And back then, anything off the top rope was almost unheard of. While an Elbow Drop from a standing position is pure, plain & simple.. one that comes off the top rope is more amazing, and absolutely breath-taking. It wasn't done by everyone when Savage did it, like it is now.

Its because of this, that I give the Flying Elbow Drop a 3 out of 5.

Once again, before I get grilled. I'm basing this off the fact that again - the Crossface is a chinlock/armbar, something that a lot of individuals have always been doing for years. Benoit simply modified it and made it look impressive. Whereas, while the Elbow Drop from a standing position is as basic as you get.. you can't name me anyone before Savage, who used the Flying Elbow Drop. And you likely couldn't name me anyone (much less 5+) other than Savage, before the 90's, that would come to use it either.

4. Surprising (Can this move be used out of more than one position? Can it be hit anywhere, at anytime, to finish an opponent off? example: Diamond Cutter)​

Crippler Crossface: Crossface will get an automatic 5 out of 5 here. Simply put the Crossface can be applied anywhere in the ring, or outside of it. From a standing position, from behind, even from the ground or catching an opponent coming off the top rope. Be it a reversal the likes of Big Show's Chokeslam, or merely switching up a German Suplex into a drop down Crossface.. the move came out of nowhere more often than not.

Flying Elbow Drop: The weakest category for the Elbow Drop would have to be the element of Surprise. You can not give this move anything higher than a 1 out of 5. If you did, then you're being far more generous than you realize.

Throughout the years, the only difference between hitting the Elbow Drop off the top rope.. is hitting it off something even higher. Either way, your opponent be him dazed or otherwise, will ALWAYS see it coming. It all depends on if they have the strength, energy and ability to move out of the way - on whether it connects.

My Winner: Crippler Crossface (14) over Flying Elbow Drop (12)

 

[Checkmate]

First of all, I love this thread (and the overall concept). Just want to put that out there.

Next, I feel that the 4 categories, though accurate and relevant, all hold a different amount of credibility in a purely subjective manner. Thus, I personally wouldn't rank them all on scales of 1-5, 1-10, or any comparable scale. Everyone, based on personal experience, opinion, and even age will and should feel that the different natures of a finisher hold more or less relevance than others. I believe that it is quite the interesting subject to dissect though and will hopefully represent it well with this post.

Category 1: Effectiveness

Well, both were FINISHING moves, so I would figure that both were effective enough. This category suffers a bit because of the booking of the users, but Savage and Benoit both had their fair share of wins and losses, so perhaps it is more equal than I initially thought. To be even more fair, I'd compare them at the users peak.

The Crippler Crossface was one of Benoit's endgames, along with the Sharpshooter and the Flying Headbutt. However, the Crossface was normally the primary finisher for Benoit. Yet, it would often have to be locked in (or at least attempted) several times throughout the matchup before a victory could be achieved. I wouldn't take off too many points for that, as it is often the fault of a submission finisher, but it is a flaw anyway.

The Elbow Drop is drastically different. It was Savage's primary endgame, and more often than not, it was used once for the win. Yes, it was NOT flawless, as guys like Warrior and Hogan did kick out after it, but against the average opponent, the Elbow Drop spelled defeat.

Point Elbow Drop.

Category 2: Standout/Flashiness

This is another category where I'd say both moves clearly earn points, but in quite the different way.

The Crossface is unique, it stands out instantly from most every other submission move. While it isn't the most "flashy" of moves, very few submissions are, unless that is your kind of thing. More often than not, it takes some time to end a match, leaving the audience with some time to wind down before the actual finish. So, even if it is unique and stands out, it really can't be called "flashy". It is a move meant to be effective, not to show off.

The Elbow Drop is perhaps the epitome of a move that stands out and is flashy. It screams for attention, and while it may not be unique anymore, was quite different from the scene in the 80s. Now, guys jump off the top rope doing 450 splashes on a routine basis, but Elbow Drops, Splashes, and Axe Handles were pretty much the limit during the Randy Savage era, and the Elbow Drop was all about Randy Savage.

I'd say point Elbow Drop.

Category 3: Uniqueness

I briefly summed this up in the last category, but believe this goes easily in favor of the Crossface. When the audience factor is taken away, the Crossface is the more unique of the two moves.

To elaborate on this a bit, as I do believe the Elbow Drop is quite unique as well, I'd dive into the actual move. With an Elbow Drop, the basis of the move is a jump from the top rope to hit a fallen opponent with an Elbow. Simple, yet effective. However, this leaves room for improvement, variation, and further innovation. So, while it in itself is a unique move, even the small chance to change the move for the better means it has not reached the peak of "unique".

The Crossface, on the other hand, has reached that peak. I can't see room to improve the Crossface, and if that room exists, nobody has found it yet.

Point: Crossface

Category 4: Element of Surprise

Honestly, I don't value this category too highly. That is personal opinion, as there are a great many finishers that could max out the scale if not for this category, and those moves have been used with great efficiency. But, I do understand the relevance of the category, and will give my opinion regardless.

The Crossface isn't the most surprising of moves, but as a submission always holds the capability of a counter hold. Given that I was a fan of Benoit, I know that he indeed used the Crossface as a counter to many different moves (my favorite was always a chokeslam or a clothesline). So, there would be some surprise factor involved, but not always.

The Elbow Drop really isn't stealthy at all. It really is the epitome of a "finisher" so to speak. It is used to FINISH a downed opponent. It requires set-up, and something that requires set-up can't really be surprising, can it? Without going too much further, I'd just call this one here.

Point: Crossface


So, overall I'd score it evenly at 2-2, since I didn't scale the categories individually. However, I would say that based on my personal opinions of each category that I would value the Elbow Drop more than the Crossface as a finisher. I would rather have an "Effective" and "Flashy" finisher than a "Unique" and "Surprising" finisher. But again, that is the subjectiveness of the world of wrestling.

I look forward to more of these. Till next time.

 

[Ferbian]

1. Effectiveness. (When its used, will it keep the opponent down for the end?)

Crippler Crossface: This move was damn effective, we've seen the best of the best tap out to this move, this is the move that had Triple H tapping out for the first time, and the first time a main event at Wrestlemania ended via submission. My score for this would be 4/5

Bionic Elbow Drop: This move put it's share of superstars down that's for certain, sadly it's not really something that puts anybody down anymore, due to it being seen as a regular move now, but that doesn't make it any less effective. my score for this would be 4/5

2. Standout/Flashiness. (Can it shock and awe, amaze, the audience? If so, how much?)

It's kinda an odd thing here, due to the Elbow Drop not being a stand-out move, but it's flash flashy.

Crippler Crossface: It certainly stands out, but the fact that it's by far not flashy, and doesn't leave the crowd in shock unless the opponent is a tough guy tapping, it hurts it, the score for this will be 2/5

Bionic Elbow Drop: it's flashy, but it doesn't stand out due to it being somewhat of a regular move now.
But it certainly had the crowd amazed I can imagine, gonna give it a score of 3/5

3. Uniqueness. (How unreal, yet realistic, can you get?)

Crippler Crossface: Definitely unique, there's no arguing that, it's a move you don't see regularly, back then, or now.
The move looked realistic as hell, I mean holy shit Benoit was basically bending his opponent backwards, I've heard people say that Benoit put extra intensity into it, so this move definitely gets a 5/5

Bionic Elbow Drop: high-flying back then wasn't unique, it may very well have been from guys the size of Randy Savage, but it wasn't unique, the move was somewhat unique, but it's not anymore, so it kinda hurts it.
Sure it's unrealistic, but can still seem realistic, due to it being an elbow you get dropped on top of you, my score is gonna be: 3/5

4. Surprising: (Can this move be used out of more than one position? Can it be hit anywhere, at anytime, to finish an opponent off? example: Diamond Cutter)

Crippler Crossface: he could almost pull that move out of nowhere, tackling his opponent to the ground, he did it with Orlando Jordan, when he beat him in.. 25 seconds (or something like that, I kinda forgot, around the 20 mark) but it's still a submission move, something that needs to be applied, it's not too surprising. 4/5

Bionic Elbow Drop: name says it all, it's an elbow drop, means Savage had to climb the ropes to make it, so it's nowhere near surprising 1/5

Crossface: 15 Bionic drop: 11

 

[Jack-Hammer]

1. Effectiveness

Crippler Crossface - As Benoit's finisher, this was a move that he used to finish off most of his opponents. The pressure placed on one's neck could potentially have been excrutiating.

Flying Elbow Drop - While this has become a fairly common move, Randy Savage was extremely successful with it. In Savage's hayday, virtually no one could escape once hit with it.

Edge - Flying Elbow Drop - I'm giving the edge to Savage's elbow drop as he just had more overall success with the move. As a 5 time World Champion, Savage's Flying Elbow Drop was responsible for the majority of those title wins and could be used effectively regardless of an opponent's size. The problem with the Crossface is that Benoit often had trouble applying it to men like The Undertaker, Kane and The Big Show as they often used their sheer brute strength to simply power out of it.

2. Standout/Flashiness

Crippler Crossface - The Crippler Crossface looked unique and looked as though it could very much hurt someone if the one applying it really wanted to do so. It typically gotta huge pop once it was slapped on.

Flying Elbow Drop - The Flying Elbow Drop from Randy Savage came about when there really weren't all that many high flyers about doing something so exciting. If Savage jammed the point of the elbow into someone, lots ot damage could have been done. The crowd always came alive when Savage was on the top.

Edge - Crippler Crossface - The Crossface simply looked unique and simply required more technical ability to apply than merely jumping off the top rope. Also, the flying elbow has become such a common move that it just doesn't really stand out when compared to the Crossface.

3. Uniqueness

Crippler Crossface - The Crossface, in some ways, is little more than a modified reverse chinlock, but the modifications make the move stand out. Trapping the arm between one's legs and using all of one's weight to pull back on the head also made it look like something completely alien to an old fashioned chinlock move.

Flying Elbow Drop - When Randy Savage used the move as his finisher, it made him stand out as he was able to hit it with a lot of velocity and he positioned his body to make it seem as though he was driving his entire weight down through the point of his elbow.

Edge - Crippler Crossface - As has been said really, the Crossface in and of itself just looks like a much more unique move than merely dropping an elbow off the top rope. Anyone can technically do an elbow off the top but you were convinced that one had to be well trained in submission wrestling to effectively pull off the Crossface.

4. Surprising

Crippler Crossface - Benoit was someone that I saw apply the Crossface as counters to suplexes, body slams, back breakers and chokeslams. Under the right circumstances, he could use his own body's weight and the momentum that other wrestlers against them and pull them to the mat, slap on the Crossface before they even realized it was happening.

Flying Elbow Drop - The Flying Elbow Drop really wasn't all that surprising of a move. More often than not, Savage had to set someone up with a body slam before climbing to the top and hitting it. Most of the time, fans knew it was coming and exactly when.

Edge - Crippler Crossface - The fact that Benoit was able to hit the move in so many different situations and even on men of all different sizes makes it much easier to surprise an opponent, catching them off guard right when they think they've got you.

Overall - Crippler Crossface - Overall, I think the Crossface was the superior finishing maneuver. It was more unique and could be applied in a number of different ways as a counter to the moves of other wrestlers. Benoit was able to give the impression that skill was required to use it effectively where as the Flying Elbow Drop could literally be done by anyone and has pretty much become a common place maneuver, usually as a set up maneuver that's easily countered merely by rolling out of the way.