Hand Gestures

[IrishCanadian25]

A debate that rages on, still to this very day in pro wrestling circles, is what makes a professional wrestler go from "good" to "great."

One school of thought believes it's the physical look. The handsome, large, muscular frame. The cocky smile. The long hair. Take your pick.

Another school of thought believes it's the 'technical skill' of a wrestler. Number of maneuvers they use in a match, difficulty of their style, submission vs pin, etc.

The smarky business side of the fanship says its the connection with the fans and the ability to move merchandise.

Well, folks, I'm going to solve this once and for all. The answer is simple. If you want to set yourself apart from the rest of the pro wrestling world, you don't need great music, an awesome finishing move, or even a great look - all you need is a hand gesture. Or an arm gesture. Something involving your upper extremities.

Let's examine examples:

Hulk Hogan. Cups the ear to hear the fans, flexes like a maniac. Greatest wrestling star of the 80's and maybe the 90's.

Stone Cold Steve Austin. Double middle fingers. WWE even sold foam middle fingers for many years and made a killing.

The Rock. Stand on the second rope, one arm in the air. He did great things with his eyes, too, but the arm gesture was the flashbulb icon.

The Undertaker. Right rand raises slowly like he's taking a soul.

Kane. Arms up slowly, down suddenly, flames ensue. Awesome.

Randy Orton. His modified Jesus pose at Wrestlemania a couple years back in front of that awesome red logo after he beat Legacy signaled the full face turn. I went bat shit, so did you.

Chris Jericho. Standing atop the entrance ramp, back to the camera, arms out and shaking.

The Ultimate Warrior. Hammerfist pump, then shaking the ropes.

John Cena. Yes, John, we can still see you even when you wave your hand in front of your face. And school kids across the world are doing it.

Aaron Rodgers. Discount double-check! Yes, I realize he's not a pro wrestler, but fuck you, it's my thread.

Triple H. Stand facing the hard camera, outside the ropes, lights out. Strong double crab flex, spitting water simultaneously. Let the cameras flash!

So you get my point. I dare any of you to defy this impenetrable logic. Post here to discuss the marvel that is pro wrestling hand gestures. Which are your favorites, how important are they, and the big question - who needs a hand gesture in wrestling today?

 

[The Unforgiven]

I think that the most memorable hand gesture was the NWO. When somebody from WCW threw up the hand signal you instantly knew that they had joined the NWO.

 

[nightmare]

Damn IC, your sig brings forth a glaring omission to the list..... The 4 Horsemen. One of the most iconic signals in wrestling. Although im sure that the 'Wooooooo!' helped a bit....


In all, you are on to something. A good taunt takes a man over the top and gives the fans something else in the arsenal to cheer or boo the talent. When you go to a show, fans feel part of the action by shouting catch phrases & thowing up hand gestures to everyone. It can make or break a character. See Randy Orton: Anyone mimic him when he used to grab his wrist above his head? It looked like he was choking for christ sake. It was generic. Now, how many folks hit that lovely 'Orton Pose' in unison when he stood in front of the pyro? Yup, alot more. It is something that can be overlooked, but is important to the character development. Hell, what would the super kick be without HBK tuning up the band? It makes sense.

Also you can include pyro, and more importantly theme song, into that category. Shitty entrance= going nowhere. Would Goldberg have been as over without his grand entrance and pyro? Maybe not, but it definately would have made him less intimidating if he came out to Garth Brooks & carried a dead parrot....

(+1 for use of a Monty Python reference)

Once again, IC is on to something here folks.