The Piledriver - What happened to it?

[UranageBackbreaker]

This is a question that's been bugging me for awhile.

Remember the old days, when guys like Jerry Lynn were using the basic piledriver, or it's variations, as their finisher? Or when Rhyno was using his Rhyno Driver on his opponents to put them through a table?

Whatever happened to those days?

I don't exactly remember when I stopped seeing the basic piledriver being used as a finisher. I don't even remember when I stopped seeing it be used as a regular move.

What has become of the piledriver? Where did it go? Is it coming back?

Someone please tell me!

 

[Tastycles]

The piledriver is an immensely dangerous move, and seeing as it isn't very flashy, which is what people want from their finishers these days, I think wrestling promotions decided it wasn't worth the risk. Piledrivers break people's necks, and that is obviously something people mant to avoid. Undertaker's record with the tombstone is pretty flawless, so he gets away with using it, but I think in the main, we shan't be seeing it used very often if for no other reason than it's dangerous and it doesn't look cool enough to be done anymore.

 

[Davi323]

What happened to the Piledriver? Owen Hart breaking Stone Cold Steve Austin's neck is what happened. The WWE decided the reward simply wasn't worth the risk.

 

[Schizophrenic]

The piledriver is an immensely dangerous move, and seeing as it isn't very flashy, which is what people want from their finishers these days, I think wrestling promotions decided it wasn't worth the risk. Piledrivers break people's necks, and that is obviously something people mant to avoid. Undertaker's record with the tombstone is pretty flawless, so he gets away with using it, but I think in the main, we shan't be seeing it used very often if for no other reason than it's dangerous and it doesn't look cool enough to be done anymore.

It CAN be dangerous when done by somebody who can't do it correctly or if an accident happens. Case in point, Petey Williams and his awesome Canadian Destroyer. It's a flipping piledriver and has NEVER injured anyone doing it and it's one of the flashiest move around. Jerry Lawler NEVER injured anyone with the Piledriver (unless it was on purpose). The piledriver in my mind is still an effective move and is one of the few moves around anymore that can still look sick and painfull. Then again people want flashly as stated and lets face it, half of the flashy moves look like they wouldn't hurt you in the least. Do I need to remind people of the "People's Elbow"?

I would like to see someone start using the Piledriver again as their finish. I think it does add that sense of danger to the match. Hell look at when Rhino was doing the Rhino Driver (I still think he should have started the Rhyno spelling in ECW) he looked like he legit could kill you with it and that's what made it great. Jerry Lynn as well, the guy jumped into it. In my oppinion the normal Piledriver is much safer than a Tombstone Piledriver for the simple fact if a guy slip and lets go, he has the legs to cushion the other. If Taker slips and drops the guy he's going right on the top of his head and we have another Steve Austin situation.