During my time as a WWE wrestler, I took a ton of iconic finishers. Which ones were the most painful to take, and which ones were the easiest? Watch the video and find out.
How do they do the wrestling moves on the side rail outside the ropes? Looks like it hurts like hell. Ddt or suplex outside the ropes onto the apron is such an impressive spot. ?? Big fan maven.
100%, like he worked for WWE for 4 years, which doesnt seem like a lot compared to some talent but, the 4 years he was in were WILD and he definitely had his moments. Regardless of him never going back again or not (and as he's said, he was offered it twice...) he still experienced stuff that 99.9% of wrestlers could only dream of and worked with some of the absolute best in history!
@@cankarahan8013 with the walls of jericho there are some different factors that can make it hurt more or less and some of them are in neither persons control. Height plays a factor, flexibility also plays a big factor. I wrestled in indies in Nova Scotia and British Columbia, and taking crabs, walls etc from shorter guys always sucked it hurt the quads so much, but if a taller guy did it, i barely felt it unless they really squatted.
Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho & Kevin Nash have all said that the Big Show was the among the safest wrestlers to work with because he is so strong while being athletic, he even could "save" a wrestler from themselves when a spot started to go sideways.
His chokeslams (Was it called Showstopper) always felt safe to take for wrestlers (as a viewer) since he would hold wrestlers in the back and goes to knee with them while impact was not as great as say from Kane or Undertaker's.
In the more "modern" days, i heard the same about AJ Styles His Styles Clash could have broken numerous necks but he made sure the guy taking it wouldn't be hurt if they screwed up (like Ellsworth for exemple)
@@PowderClaws I always said Big Show is by far the strongest wrestler in history when it comes to people lifting strength, refence his slams of Viscera vs when Mark Henry slammed Viscera... Show may not be the strongest guy on the weight machines like Mark Henry but people strength is different and Show was the best.
In my opinion, Randy's RKO is currently the most iconic finisher. Others are cool too, but Randy is a master of defense and shows his masterpiece every time. Just through his adaptations, like most recently with KO's Stunner... always legendary.
I took a British Bulldog running powerslam, into a sand pit, aged about 12 - didn't hurt a bit. I agree about figure 4s though 😂 it's a genuine submission and very painful. As is the Boston Crab
0:27 Power Bomb 1:38 Leg Drop 2:44 Figure Four 3:59 Choke Slam 4:29 Frag Splash 6:12 Swanton bomb 6:48 Spear 7:38 RKO 9:21 Batista Bomb 10:45 Walls of Jericho 11:55 Tombstone 13:21 Super Kick 15:00 Pedigree 16:19 DDT 17:19 Alabama Slam 18:24 Stone Cold
Maven, I just want to say your channel easily has the best wrestling content on youtube. Informative, funny, and with a great charismatic and knowledgeable host. Keep doing what you're doing because I love it. Cheers 🙂!
@@Makai77Agree, so is the undertaker! But somehow Maven is the most entertaining out of all the wrestling personalities, i don’t know what it is. Maybe the home network experience but Maven easily has this format on lockdown.
@@Doubleaspeaks There are tons of really good channels and podcasts from wrestlers from Maven to Shane Douglas. My 3 favorites are Dutch Mantell, Maven and maybe Kurt Angle. But there are a lot of honorable mentions like Ted Dibiase, Jake Roberts and Shane Douglas. I even like Francine's podcast (and no, she's fully clothed lol).
@@kenterminateddq5311 I think you hit the nail on the head on why i like Maven more lol. Ive seen Shane’s and Dutch’s shows and also clips, but i like em as a long format thing. When i want to be quickly entertained they have clips that are short but just don’t mesh well without the longer context, while Maven has specifically geared his thing with shorter content! Sidenote: checking out francine 👀
I love how Maven gives positive feedback to all of the superstar finishers. So humble and informative, thanks Maven. One of my favorite wrestling moments is when you kicked the Undertaker over the top rope.
For someone who was obsessed with WWE during 05-2011 era this channel has really reconnected me and reawakened my passion for WWE. Keep up the work Maven. The way you show old clips is great
It's fascinating hearing input from someone who actually worked with these guys and was in the business for a number of years. You definitely earned a subscription.
@@joeabernathy3113same. I am completely addicted to this channel lol. Especially since he worked with most of my favorites. The attitude/ ruthless aggression era.
This kind of content is perfect for people like me who love wrestling but stopped watching some years ago and now have trouble connecting with the new product. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. The fact you entertained me 20 years ago and you're entertaining me now in such a different format is a whole story in itself.
Maven, first of all, thank you for doing all these videos and giving us a peek behind the curtain. Really cool of you to do. Second, in 2002 I helped out in organizing a Smackdown Your Vote event with Kurt Angle and Hurricane Helms. They both agreed that Undertaker's Last Ride was the worst move to take. Kurt said that Lesnar's F5 was a close second because he was so strong that he couldn't really control how fast he went and you didn't necessarily have to be in the right position for him to execute the move.
@@user-uh2pi4bo6h signatures are usually synonymous with finishers...some wrestlers may have TWO signatures but ONE finisher. Like the Rock.. he has the elbow and the rock bottom.. both are signatures and both can be finishers also..
Im a guy that wanted to be a wrestler but realized it wasn’t for me , so seeing your channel and how in depth you are about the business is awesome . You show how difficult it really is to be in that business and I respect you and your time in there man keep up the good work !🤙🏾
First video I've seen of your channel and I just want to say thank you for sharing your insight on that job. Really interesting to see the real impact these athletes dish out and take themselves for our entertainment, particularly the likes of Jeff Hardy. Grew up with him and Matt Hardy as my WWE heroes and still watch some of their old matches from time to time. It's really good to hear someone speak so highly of Jeff as a professional, particularly with all his issues in mind.
Hearing a real expert break this down is so cool! I always dreamed of pro-wrestling , but it’s one of a few things I genuinely don’t think i’m “tough enough” for. Getting perspective like this solidifies that thought 😂 Awesome video
I worked as a wrestler in the Carolinas in the early 90s. My finisher was a superkick, but I hit it when they rebounded off the ropes much like what Goldberg did. In one match my dance partner was supposed to duck and hit his finisher instead, but when the kick came, he didn't duck in time. Luckily he only got his bell rung and nothing permanent.
It gives a good feeling seeing Maven interacting with wrestling again (Even as a RU-vid Channel). Hearing his take and input towards the business in a more educational and understanding way. Love the energy and positivity!
The original Walls of Jericho looked incredibly painful. The one where it didn't look like the Boston Crab rather, but the one where you were turned halfway almost on your side. I was really hoping to see where you ranked the Rock Bottom, but then again, I don't recall where you ever took one. Legit list from a legit guy!
Hey, Mave! I'm so glad I found your channel. I actually believe that someday a great wrestler will come because of you and all the valuable information that you share! It's the type of stuff that wrestling fans all wanted to know from the point of view of an actual wrestler. Maybe today or tomorrow or in a year an 11 year old kid will watch some of your videos and be mesmerized. And all the information and advice that you share may help somebody pursuing a career in the business in a vary serious way. Stay healthy and happy, Mave, you're a wonderful human being! ❤
@@apk4381 I wouldn't say he was a jobber at all man. If anything he came up from winning tough enough and people thought he shouldve been jobbing instead of straight to the midcard and THEN working with Taker etc. Plus you don't need to be a jobber to take finishers lol
Hi Maven, I must admit, I wasn't a big fan of yours when you were in the WWE. But I gotta tell you, your wrestling videos are among the best on the Internet. I really enjoy your content, it's informative and quite entertaining. Now I feel guilty for not being a fan of yours back in the day! Keep those videos coming.
@@MavenKHuffman you replaced my Stache Club Wrestling :) in my consumption. You and the guy who does the play by play wrestling match are the best. He a wrestler I think.
This is awesome man. Content I didn’t know I’d want. I’m glad for you that you took all the feather swanton’s as Jeff and Matt have said recently Jeff no longer lightly taps anyone. In his words “the swanton is actually killer on my back. So I just started warning people and killin em’ with it.”
Maven Huffman's latest video is like a trip down memory lane with those classic WWE finishers. The ranking of the most painful ones got me reminiscing about the golden era of wrestling. Great content!
In regards to painful splashes, RVD had a reputation for absolutely potatoing people with his 5-Star splash, although tbf it was about as damaging to him as well.😆 And speaking of which, I remember once where Jeff and Matt had to do a cage jump version of their moves. Matt modified his leg drop to land mostly on his opponent so he wouldn't break his tailbone while Jeff just did a normal Swanton from the top of the cage.😮
In the No Mercy 2001 commercial Jeff/Matt do leg drops off ladders thru tables onto people. Matt basically sits on the guy on the table's chest and knocked him out. Jeff landed to the side fell on his back and knocked himself out. Furthermore Matt relates that Jeff was initially willing to do the Swanton Bomb for the shot but he talked him out of it.
Modern day Jeff has a reputation for just landing on guys full force with the swanton lol. Not that he's trying to it's just that he's older and not as athletic and controlled as he used to be.
The superkick has always looked incredibly dangerous to me. Too much force and you make contact, you run the risk of breaking someone's neck, jaw, or both. Always enjoyed Shawn's delivery of it.
Found this channel by accident, WOW, I am hooked, new subscriber.. great content, flawless delivery from someone who was in the business, provides a level of authenticity that no other wrestling channel can provide. Thank you Maven for being the ultimate professional!
Growing up when I did in the 90s, I was always a fan of Diamond Dallas Page's Diamond Cutter finisher. Glad to see he got a mention! The thing I loved so much about it was that it was so versatile. Most other wrestlers have a big hype leadup to their finishing move, while DDP seemed to be able to pull it unexpectedly out of nowhere and often used it as a way to turn matches around than definitively finish them.
Wow! This opened my eyes a little bit. The moves I always thought hurt the least turned out to be the ones you actually felt and vice versa. Glad to know and see why the wrestlers who are icons in the ring, are there for a reason. Big kudos to them in not only making impactful finishers, but also ones that kept their opponents safe 💯
Anyone who doesn't follow wrestling, or shows much interest would probably take a glance at Maven's career and dismiss it as something that simply came and went. But look closely and you'll see that he was in the BEST situation to deliver arguably the best educational and entertaining content in this day and age. He's a modern day wrestling archivist who can speak completely from experience--and be completely credible. A CHARISMATIC, BRILLIANT, WELL-SPOKEN WRASSLIN SCRIBE. He had a long enough career during a golden era and worked with many of the greats. He was trained in both old school and more modern ways, essentially getting the best of both worlds. In turn, he's able to impart knowledge in the most informative and enjoyable manner that we all look forward to. All his content has been a treasure trove of knowledge, and this tier list is just more icing on the layer cake of dropkicks and wrestling know-how. You're absolutely killing it, Mave. Looking forward to more.
@@apk4381He wasn’t a jobber, a jobber is a Gillberg, James Ellsworth, and Barry Horowitz. Guys who were basically a joke and you knew they were going to lose EVERY match. And had no storyline or character. He was a low mid carder with the potential to be a higher mid carder (Example IC champ) he was a guy who had the look but they messed up with the character and storylines, obviously he does have a good personality and can talk. He was also around in an era with a ton of stars and only one major company. He’s definitely a lot better than most the new guys taking up space in WWE and AEW.
You know what? I am never a pro wrestling fan. Never, especially knowing it's a work. However, after watching your videos here disclosing truths, you totally earned my respect. All of you! You guys are so great that you took the blunt of force to protect the partner, while giving a good show! You guys deserve applause!
This is awesome, Maven! Thank you! Having someone break it down and not just that but you show so much respect and admiration for your fellow wrestlers! Fun watch~
Excellent content! I’ve realized for a while, all of my favorite finishers and 90% showmanship, the more ridiculous the better. People’s Elbow, Sweet Chin Music (but especially when he “tunes up the band”). No one would get kicked in the face after a guy stomps 10 times letting you know “you’re getting kicked in the face”. The performance! Thank you!
I know its been said enough in these comments but Maven's channel is just solid content, not a screamsheet clickbait style of wrestling content and its so great to see. Thank you for being a refreshing content creator. And I miss your in ring work.
I have been a big wresting fan in my teens so I saw most of the guys you worked with on the television when they still were active wrestlers but I ultimately grew out of it. Yet this video spiked my interest and I definetly not regretting having watched it thourougly, it's really interesting hearing about those moves from an insider. So, thanks for the trip down Nostalgia Lane! :)
Ok, let’s say im impressed. Seriously, it’s something that im happy to watch it and not experience it. But, still is cool to learn about from watching a behind the scenes explanation. Also, very impressed by how even trained professionals are taking real risks, and the fact that a person should really be in top physical condition to perform at these levels of physical activity. Thank you for being entertaining and informative.
Maven, I want to say thank you for making your RU-vid channel, and being as honest and open as you have been about everything in WWE and your life as a whole. You are 100% one of my favourite wrestling RU-vidr’s right now. We appreciate you brother.
The other key difference in a safe Tombstone is being taller than the person you're giving it to. It helps a lot with keeping their head off of the mat, which is why he was so stellar at giving them. Few people matched him in height. Owen should have known better and damn near paralyzed Austin for good. Also. I didn't know this as a kid but the reason the super kick sounds so good when Shawn delivers it is he slaps his thigh. At first I thought it was the sound of the boot connecting with someone's face.
The beauty of it was that you never really see the slap. He hid it so well. Other wrestlers make it so painfully obvious whether the motion is too apparent or poorly timed but Shawn had sweet chin music down to an art
There are a couple of sad ironies about the Owen Tombstone: 1) Back when he was in WCW, Austin had performed the sitdown Tombstone and actually injured a Japanese wrestler (I believe it was NJPW legend Masahiro Chono). Supposedly, he warned Owen to not to perform the move with a sitdown. 2) Thing is that Owen used performed the Tombstone with a kneeling bump, which is a ltitle safer than a sitdown. He went against that for that match with Austin and the rest is history
As people have stated, sit down vs standard tombstone changes a lot of the dynamics. Sit down being that there is certainly much tighter window, as when you hold someone vertically you could tell very easily if their head clears your knees for a safe delivery. With regards to the actual comfort of giving it, I think Mark said he was happy to stop doing it as it is a lot of force going to his knees, where as sit down disperses over a wider area.
@@h0m3st4rthat's bullshit, that kid was a demon, the coroner said that poor girl died of a sustained beating. He didn't just piledrive her, he wasn't just playing, he wasn't just imitating WWE. He beat her to death.
Was a WWE/WWF fan growing up and can remember some of your matches...happy to see you starting to blow up on YT cause you seem like a really cool down to 🌎 guy...I'll throw you a 👍 forsure
Loving this channel Maven! Top request would be a video on all the props in the WWE (tables, ladders, chairs, stairs, sledgehammer, etc) and what hurt the most, what isn't as bad as it seems. Always been curious, and hearing your insights has been incredibly refreshing!
Just been recommended this video, and as such your channel, and I'm really impressed! It's rare to find a former WWE employee who is neither a suckup or holding a grudge. You show great respect, and just the right level of analysis and entertainment. Great work! :)
Great video Maven! I'd love to see a video about vice versa: "Which WWE Finishers are the Most Painful to the User?" For example, the leg drop messed up Hulk Hogan worse than the guy he gave it to and Randy Orton's RKO was part of the reason he needed back surgery. I also think moves like the backstabber (Carlito) and codebreaker (Y2J) hurt a lot... especially delivering it anywhere outside of the ring.
alot ....... for the code breaker and backstabber i dont see it hurting much more then a standard suplex or even a ddt anything that involes u falling on your back
Stone Cold stunner causes neck and spine problems because of abrupt drop onto hard surfaces. What a shame Austin did that for us while sacrificing himself. Also, Y2K's finisher was the walls of Jericho. It was a submission type maneuver.
Great video Maven, I discovered your channel yesterday and have been binge watching it ever since. It's been a while since I've kept up with wrestling but I don't think I'll ever fully lose the bug. Your channel allows for me and others to consume great wrestling content without being up to date on the WWE or any other organization. Thank you for all of the content you put out.
As someone who grew up watching WWE but stopped after they went PG, this content is great and you've earned yourself a sub from me! Adds a lot more context to the moves and I'm happy that the pros in the industry go to such lengths to protect each other. Wrestling is one of the things that inspired me to take Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, so it'll always be a part of my life :)
Omg my all time favourite underrated wrestler got his own channel. I gotta tell ya Maven. I always make you in every WWE2K game as LowKi. And I'm dead ass serious too making for dang sure the likeness and moveset is from your run as champion in ring of honour. I downloaded your brutal epic matches against Aj Styles and the ultra brilliant all time favourite you taking it to Samoa Joe. Your energy, those kicks, da chops, dat springboard, the hold da head down for kicking smackdown, I will never forget your reign in roh. My God you just blew me away win or lose. I really hope you do a review about your marches against Samoa Joe and also I feel like you got glossed over at wwe.
This is easily one of my favorite videos from recent memory. It got me feeling like a kid again. I was very surprised by quite a few. 10/10 content, immediately subscribed, thank you 🙏🏽
Great video to see how these finishers actually feel. Love that the bigger the super start the safer the move seems to be. They just know how to deliver the move in a safe but convincing way.
I gotta say between this channel and Stevie Richard's channel, really good insight into the wrestling world and how things "really" work. I've been a wrestling fan for over 40 years now. I was around for when WWF hit it big (and I still remember when Iron Shiek lost the title to Hogan setting off the big explosion for the industry), WWF fell off the map in the early 90s, WCW went through all sorts of highs and lows, WWF's Attitude era to WWE and everything in between. So it's always fun seeing so much discussion involving the business.
@@ohkay2360 Yes, I obviously made my comment all about me. I didn't compliment Maven for his insights and discussion about wrestling at all. All about me me me me. I'm so sorry.
@@ohkay2360 How long have you taken comments out of context and cherry picked just a portion of said comment to somehow come up with your genius statement that I'm making it all about me, and now I'm apparently self-absorbed with myself. Amazing. If you don't mind, I'll just keep enjoying Maven's content (and Stevie Richards etc.). You can keep on compaining about nothing.
Another amazing video. So glad you and your friend decided to make this channel. So honest and respectful even to those that you didnt like. The video where you mentioned being slightly bitter as a bouncer highlighted how honest and humble you are to me. Cant wait til you hit 1mil. !Edit: You guys definetly deserve it
I think Kane in his prime was the best fighter in the world. I think he would have killed the UFC worse than Brock did. If Kane grabs anyone or lands a punch, it's game over. I don't care if you're Tyson Fury or Feancis Ngannou
@@user-jh6fr3pu3bi often wonder that. There were some wrestlers who wouldve been insane in the ufc but prime kane naturally wouldve been a force even with minimum training.
I´m from Spain and I'm so glad for finding this channel. Here we don't have much information about real pro wrestling and Maven talks about things that lot of fans maybe hadn't thought about. As a big pro wrestling fan I have to thank you so much!
I was anticipating hearing your thoughts on the Walls of Jericho. Me and my brother used to play wrestle as kids, and while we never knew what we were doing, we still tried every submission and finisher we could. The Walls of Jericho was the most painful move out of anything in my opinion. He did it once and never again, so I'm glad to hear that child me wasn't overreacting and that it actually is painful lol
I forgot the name of it. Chris had another submission where it was similar to the walls of Jericho, but he would put his knee on your back. My brother put me in that and I almost cried
Bro same! And my sis and I are both from Winnipeg so we were totally gonna try it. Well, she tried it on me and Holy Christ. We were like "Oh those Don't Try This Home warnings weren't lying" 😂😂😂 Jesus
Love your wrestling videos! You stopped wrestling in WWE right before I got into it, but absolutely love your stuff. Love how even on the ones that were tough, you didn’t use it as a time to bury someone. If you’re taking suggestions, I would love to see a decade by decade mt Rushmore, even better if it spans outside wwe.
Maven love your videos as a person who grew up during the ruthless aggression era. Love your insights! Brings back so many good memories from watching wwe back in the day! Please keep making content on a weekly basis
0:28 Power Bomb (Last Ride by taker ) 1:38 Leg Drop (Known for Hulk Hogan) 2:45 Figure 4 way lock (Known for Rick Flair) 4:00 Choke slam (Big show ,Kane ) 4:27 Frog Splash (Eddie Gurero) 6:14 Swanton Bomb (jeff Hardy) 6:49 Gore/Spear (Rhino,Edge,Roman Reign) 7:45 RKO (Randy Orton) 9:00 Power Bomb By Batista 10:45 - Walls Chris jericho , boston crab 11:55 Pile driver /Tombstone (Kane/Taker) 13:20 Super Kick, Sweet chin music (HBK) 15:00 Pedigree (HHH) 16:20 DDT 17:20 Hardcore Holly Alabama 18:10 Stone Cold Stunner (Kevin Ovens)
I do agree about the Figure Four, I used to do some pro wrestling with a couple of buddies backyard style and I only ever got the Figure Four locked on me once in my short career but it absolutely hurt so I can see how it depends on who's doing it as to if you feel it or not.
@@chondrinenigma The good thing for me was, One of my buddies actually had some actual wrestling training so thankfully we were safe with it but that Figure Four hurt. funnily enough when you "reverse" the pressure of a Figure Four it doesn't hurt you feel nothing when you roll onto your stomach to reverse the pressure.
Me n my buddys used 2 backyard wrestle yrs n yrs ago boy was we dumb we made like 15 to 20 vhs tapes have no idea where in the world those things are hopefully they dnt see the light of day lol. It was pretty crazy had 2 rush a buddy 2 the ER right when I started driving cuz lightbulb broke the wrong way n cut artery in his arm 1 time but after few stitches hes was fine told the nurses he fell on his bike lol Kool video tho was hoping 2 see the secrets 2 the peoples elbow lol jk
Walls of Jericho is one of my favorite finishers. Not the Boston crab that he did later, the original Walls of Jericho (Liontamer) and I’m glad to know that it hurts as much as it looks. I wanted to see his take on Last Ride because Take would lift guys by the tights, further extending the height of the slam, i always thought that was insane to endure
I knew that's one move that would really hurt as not everybody is that flexible. I knew the pile driver wouldn't hurt, as long as the person giving it is taller as his knees would absorb all the pain and the other person's neck would never touch the mat. I'm surprised with the frog splash as it always looked like the person giving it would land on their hands and knees while avoiding actually landing their body on the person taking it.
@@saysoun752 yea. I loved the frog splash but i wouldn’t think it was too bad since they arched their body to not land on the opponent but he says it hurt so imma believe it. Makes the frog splash even more legendary now
Hi Mav, I just wanted to say that you're a absolutely amazing & inspirational human being ❤ after finishing up on my military service in the Australian Army, I was going through a bit of depression! After a long time, I decided to follow my other dream... That's to be a professional wrestler. Yes, I'm 41 years old, but I won't let age dictate my new dream! I'm only 2 months in wrestling school, but I'm already visualising myself in the ring! Once again bro, thank you, appreciate you more than you'll ever know ❤
Submission holds in general are so interesting to me, would love to hear about more of those and how "real" they actually are, like the Sharpshooter, for example.
I don’t know much about submissions but I’ve seen the walls of Jericho used in a couple mma fights (to success). Though its really rare probably because of how hard it is to lock in
Undertaker's omoplata is a real sub (Shinya Aoki is one of the best to do it with that sub), so is the sleeper hold (which is basically a rear naked choke without the hooks). The Walls of Jericho or the Boston crab has been done once to success in an MMA fight but it's hard to lock in due to the position you have to be.
Thank you Maven for entertaining us on another Friday! I was wondering what I could watch with my coffee, and there you were in my subs. Great list; definitely room for more, even with non-finishers.
Extremely interesting video. Thank you kindly for the insider knowledge. I was really surprised where some of the finishers landed on your list. I hope I never find out for myself!
This was a lot of fun to listen to. I was a big wresting guy during the attitude-era, and though I haven't watched wrestling really in like 20 years now, a lot of this stuff just takes me back to that wondrous time. Would definitely have thought that the Spear (or Gore) would hurt a hell of a lot though.
