Is the RKO the best finisher in the WWE at the moment?

[Any007]

Is RKO ,as we all know use by Randy Orton, the best finisher in the WWE right now? I would say yes. It can strike sudden or be set up and executed. Both ways he hits it gets the crowd up off their feet and leaves a clear impression to close out the match.

I think it's "explosiveness" makes it the best TV finisher - it catches the eye of the casual viewer without necessarily standing up so well to the critical eye.

So what are your thoughts?

 

[LFC till i die]

Although i like the RKO finisher i prefer the GTS. I like how the RKO can be hit out of nowhere but i love the impact of the GTS.

A lot of people might say the RKO is their favourite finisher in the WWE but that might be because most of the wrestlers finishers are shite.

 

[Calderownz]

All finishers are pretty much takes on other finishers and moves from the past. Still, I would have to say that the move is the most sellable.

It makes sense that you strike with it from whenever and it's sudden. MOst finishers should be as it would have the "punch you don't see, hurts the most" aspect to it. However, visually, I'd say that Sin Cara's top rope finisher is up there for aesthetic reasons.

I'm also a big fan of the look to del Rio's arm bar finisher.

 

[3/4 Facelock]

I do like the RKO. I like it because you have to apply a 3/4 Facelock which sets up all sorts of awesome moves.

HOWEVER....

Is the RKO the best finisher at the moment? Fuck no. I would put the ribbon on the Labelle Lock or the STF. Going further I feel any finisher off the top rope is also better than the RKO.

 

[Shadow of Darkness]

Come on man!

do u realy think RKO is the best finisher,

go to hell, RKO is just the improvised version of the unpredictible Stone Cold Stunner. It is just a SC Stunner wanna be move. Just overrated, with no real deal. Even stunner used to look realy an real awsome move. But RKO is just a unreal acted move.

my vote goes for-

Starship Pain, i know it is a modified version of crockskew moonsault, but it is still a great move, which actually looks real.

hell yah!

 

[#hamler]

It is the best finisher. There's no getting around it. The RKO is the most over finisher in the WWE, how can it not be the best? You people really think Randy Orton would be anything had it not been for the RKO? Some might go so far as to say the RKO is the main reason Randy Orton is so over with the WWE audience and probably the reason he is where he's at today. The RKO can be hit from any position, at any time necessary. It's plain as day; the RKO is currently the best finisher in the WWE.

 

[Good Golly It's Ollie]

Whether it's the best finisher or not, it's probably the most over.

Which more or less equates to it being the best, so yeah.

I think a large part of the appeal of the best finishers are related to a small number of criteria, which if you look at the most over finshers, they all share similar structures. Here are the things which I believe, make the best finishers the best:

1) Short with next to no set up required
The move can be hit unexpectedly, which often produces a far more excited reaction than a move with a longer setup. Although, sometimes longer setups build more tension and also lead to a great reaction. See Rock Bottom vs. People's Elbow, or Randy's "The viper is coiled!" RKOs vs. his "Outta Nowhere!" RKOs.

2) Can be performed from a multitude of positions
Because it adds even more 'Outta Nowhere!" factor. RKO, Orton's learned to counter aerial moves into that shit. Which frankly, is awesome. This alone puts it right up there with the best finishers. Also, he can do it from the mat or standing.

3) Relatively simple follow-through from a recognisable clutch
Yes, we love Sin Cara's crazy tilt-a-whirl headscissor whatever, but the best finishers are the most easily recognisable and simple maneuvers. Compare Sin Cara with Evan Bourne. Bourne has a better finisher. Shooting Star Press is rarely done and although difficult to actually perform, is pretty simple in terms of its shape. Again, see Stunner, AA, Rock Bottom, RKO.

Having a recognisable clutch to start the move, which is not frequently used in other moves very much, also helps. See the double underhook to start the Pedigree. I also think this gave McCool one of the most recognisable Diva finishers, in spite of it being a Styles move. How many other moves in WWE start with a double underhook these days? The Future Shock, and that's probably it.

4) Looks like it makes an impact/inflicts strain
The 'strain' is for submission finishers really. This is obvious, but important. A finisher needs to look painful.

5) NAME OF POWER!
I'm gonna use newcomer Jinder Mahal here. His finisher is a Full Nelson slam - Excellent choice, it's not often done in WWE, it's short, easily recognisable, impactive, and people were already reacting to it by like his third squash match. However, Josh and Cole keep saying 'Oh, here's that maneuver again!" Which needs to change because it can't go on being 'that maneuver' forever.

Names of Power should either help a wrestler's gimmick, or enforce that the wrestler has worked on making his version of the move more devastating. Remember, Alberto doesn't do an armbar, he does an 'armbreaker'. If not that, then the name should at least make the move stand out. A lot of people don't like Wade's Wasteland, but at least it has a much cooler name than 'Front-falling Fireman's Carry Slam'.

So yeah, the RKO is probably one of the best, if not the best, finishers right now, because it fulfills all of these things. It's short, quick, hits the mat fast, and although it's just a cutter, it's got a name of power, which separates it from other cutters. No fancy stuff but can go into long setup if necessary.

 

[Dan E. Inferno]

I've got to agree with the OP here. I believe the RKO is the best finisher for a number of reasons. It's extremely easy to execute and sell. How many other finishers can be executed on Mark Henry just as well as on Rey Mysterio. Not many, that's for sure. It can be hit suddenly from almost any position (think back to Evan Bourne), and it gets a great pop every time he hits it. What's more is that it looks impactful and it keeps his opponents down for three the vast majority of the time. Personally, I can't think of a better finisher in WWE right now.

 

[S.J. Maximus]

There is no question about it, the RKO is the best finisher in the WWE and it has been the unchallenged best since Taker, HHH, and HBK ditched the full-time road schedule. No other move in the entire WWE gets a louder pop and his build-up to the move is only rivaled by the 619 and Evan Bourne's AirBorne. It's billed to be the strongest move in the WWE too, just like the Stunner was when it was the best finisher in the WWE, so it's really hard to argue against it

 

[whoopin' ass]

not the way he does it. when it is comes out of nowhere, like Austin's stunner, it is a good move. when he does that whole build up to it, it looks stupid because you would think any wrestler who ever watched an Orton match would know what is coming and get the hell away from him. I guess it depends on what your definition of "best" is. can he hit it out of nowhere and is it a strong move? yes. but like other said, the gts is also pretty sweet, just takes more set up. it is definately one of the better ones out there.

 

[LoudClearVoice]

I agree that the RKO is the best finisher in the WWE right now. The Stone Cold Stunner was slightly better because of the setup (kick, then double finger).

The RKO is great because he can hit it so quickly and with basically no setup (unless he does the thing where he pounds on the mat). Plus, it just looks really cool when he hits it.

Some finishers are stupid looking or they look like they hurt the guy doing the move more than the guy receiving the move but that's not the case with the RKO.

 

[Gilly?]

I'm not too fussed about the RKO, I think it's because I find Blandy Boreton rather dull. If it's sold right I think the Cross Rhodes looks much more effective. Even Bourne sells it great, the smiley little twerp.

 

[sheldonator90]

Starship Pain, i know it is a modified version of crockskew moonsault, but it is still a great move, which actually looks real.

Starship Pain's nowhere near the best move, it's essentially the split-legged moonsault RVD did, finishing moves now are essentially moves wrestlers used to use, the same with the Skull Crushing Finale, Jericho use to use it years ago but that was known as a reverse russian leg sweep.

RKO is one of the best finishers, but it's because most of the rest aren't that good or recycled moves

 

[Rampage Bentley]

What? The RKO? Seriously?

The RKO is one of the moves that my friends who don't watch wrestling make fun of when they see. Is it explosive? Sure. Can it be done out of nowhere? Sure... the problem is it doesn't look like it hurts... because it doesn't and it's such an unbelievable finisher. My vote is going to go to the GTS.

 

[Deadlysyns]

Starship Pain's nowhere near the best move, it's essentially the split-legged moonsault RVD did, finishing moves now are essentially moves wrestlers used to use, the same with the Skull Crushing Finale, Jericho use to use it years ago but that was known as a reverse russian leg sweep.

RKO is one of the best finishers, but it's because most of the rest aren't that good or recycled moves

Seriously the RKO is a Recycled Diamond cutter end of story i like the GTS more the RKO seriously i don't think it would have as much of a knockout effect as the GTS

 

[#hamler]

What? The RKO? Seriously?

The RKO is one of the moves that my friends who don't watch wrestling make fun of when they see. Is it explosive? Sure. Can it be done out of nowhere? Sure... the problem is it doesn't look like it hurts... because it doesn't and it's such an unbelievable finisher. My vote is going to go to the GTS.

Kayfabe wise, it hurts like fuck. The reason the RKO is so over is because it looks devastating when used. The fans believe it, so it is the most hurtful move in the WWE and quite possibly the most over during the current era.

A real-life RKO could easily snap someone's neck, cause a concusion - pretty much death. The way Randy Orton does it is perfectly safe. We all know it's scripted, but and RKO is real life could fuck someone up.

 

[Rampage Bentley]

A real-life RKO could easily snap someone's neck, cause a concusion - pretty much death. The way Randy Orton does it is perfectly safe. We all know it's scripted, but and RKO is real life could fuck someone up.

No, it wouldn't do any of those, you can't give someone a concussion when their head never hits anything. If you tried RKO'ing someone in real life it would end with them still standing and you falling on your ass, also you'd get made fun of incessantly from that point on, if not beat up. It's a joke move.

 

[mancpenguin]

It is the best finisher. There's no getting around it. The RKO is the most over finisher in the WWE, how can it not be the best? You people really think Randy Orton would be anything had it not been for the RKO? Some might go so far as to say the RKO is the main reason Randy Orton is so over with the WWE audience and probably the reason he is where he's at today. The RKO can be hit from any position, at any time necessary. It's plain as day; the RKO is currently the best finisher in the WWE.

I agree - the RKO is one of the main reasons why Randy Orton has had the push that he's had and also one of the reasons he is at the top of the WWE at the moment. I have to admit he's not my favourite but the sudden ending that the RKO gives his matches means he is rarely dull. Also the RKO on Evan Bourne was almost as awesome as the Sweet Chin Music on Shelton Benjamin.

 

[#hamler]

No, it wouldn't do any of those, you can't give someone a concussion when their head never hits anything.

Sure it does. In fact, how the hell would it not hurt? You're basically being dropped face first on the mat as well as your neck getting squeezed tight on the opponent's shoulder with the force and velocity of the opponent as he lands on the mat. It's basically a reverse neck breaker.

If you tried RKO'ing someone in real life it would end with them still standing and you falling on your ass, also you'd get made fun of incessantly from that point on, if not beat up. It's a joke move.

If you're trying to use any wrestling move in a fight, you deserve an ass kicking.

 

[ForeverRKO]

did everyone forget about Randy's Punt Kick? it sent Chris Jericho into retirement , and it eliminated the whole new nexus in Randy's feud with CM Punk , john cena couldnt even get rid of Nexus like he promised. When you get hit with the infamous Punt Kick you're almost certain to miss a few weeks . RKO is still better then anyone else's finisher , barely edging CM Punk's GTS because you cant do a GTS out of nowhere. and i also like Gail Kims finisher , if WWE used it right it can be a powerful weapon against anyone especially a high flier.

 

[Blue Chipper]

It's aesthetically pleasing but I think a good finisher is one that's based on the crowd reaction, and I don't think any finisher gets a bigger reaction than the Attitude Adjustment. I personally like it as well. The RKO is close.

 

[Cebeards]

I'm Randy Orton's size (6'4", 265 little heavier but oh well), let me RKO you in real life and tell me it doesn't hurt. You can be tough over the internet, but yes, in real life it would ruin your neck.

Anyway, based on finishers it is the best in the WWE right now. It has the perfect pinch for Orton's character, the strike. For those who say the set up is stupid cause you could just move...really? How many times recently has he even hit it when he does the set up, not many, he usually gets pushed off then hits it surprisingly.

Arguments for the GTS can take the dick, yea it's different but It's inconsistent (starship pain inconsistent), it hardly ever looks like there is contact. It can't be done to a super heavyweight at least not by Punk.

RKO to me, holds a spot along the lines of Sweet Chin Music, I know it doesn't have the history (yet) of the super kick but it has the style.
-it's a quick strike
-if set up in necessary, there is a set up (foot stomping/fist stomping)
-you can do it out of almost any situation
-you can do it to anyone, yea, big and little alike

For a wrestling finishing move it does it's job. It hypes people up for a match ending and with Orton's execution you can believe that the match should be over with that move.

And since everyone wants to equate moves to real life situations, I'll take the future shock followed by a one legged boston crab....bitches, the knock out punch would work too, just wouldn't have the rasslin' feel to it.

 

[HBKStreakbuster]

To me, a great finisher is one where it looks like it would jack you up for real. That being said, the RKO is pretty weak because it takes full participation by the opponent. In real life, nobody would let their face hit the ground like that and they could just stiffen up their body up to prevent it.

My vote goes to Sheamus..his kick looks very real and very painful, and his other finsiher where he lifts you over his head and flings you also looks painfull!!!!

 

[LoudClearVoice]

It's aesthetically pleasing but I think a good finisher is one that's based on the crowd reaction, and I don't think any finisher gets a bigger reaction than the Attitude Adjustment. I personally like it as well. The RKO is close.

The Attitude Adjustment is a pretty weak finisher, for a guy who is supposed to be the face of the WWE, IMO.

It's only really over with the Little Jimmys and Little Jennys.

The RKO seems to be over with everyone.

 

[Blue Chipper]

The Attitude Adjustment is a pretty weak finisher, for a guy who is supposed to be the face of the WWE, IMO.

It's only really over with the Little Jimmys and Little Jennys.

The RKO seems to be over with everyone.

By everyone you mean the 10%ers, am I right? Nah, I'm kidding, It is over with smarks and casuals alike. But it is of my personal observation that the AA gets a bigger reaction. Fans believe that it is a conceivable impactful move. Really my preference.