A Powerbomb is a wrestling throw in which an opponent is lifted up (usually so that they are sitting on the wrestler's shoulders) and then slammed back-first down to the mat.
The standard powerbomb sees an opponent first placed in a standing headscissors position (bent forward with their head placed between the attacking wrestler's thighs). He is then lifted up on the wrestler's shoulders and slammed down back-first to the mat. A prawn hold is commonly used for a pinning powerbomb.
Powerbombs are sometimes used in mixed martial arts competitions, when a fighter attempts to slam another fighter who has him trapped in a triangle choke.
Variations[]
Argentine powerbomb[]
The wrestler places their opponent face-up across their shoulders, as in an Argentine backbreaker rack, hooks the head with one hand and a leg with the other, and the wrestler will then spin the opponent's head away from the wrestler, dropping the opponent down to the mat. Often the wrestler drops to a seated position while spinning the opponent.
The move is most greatly recognized as the finisher of female Japanese wrestler Lioness Asuka, who dubbed it the Towerhacker Bomb. However, this move is also known as a Rack Bomb (a shortened portamentau of this maneuver's actual name) after being popualrized in America by Adam Pearce.
Chokebomb[]
Also known as a Sitout two handed chokeslam and a Choke driver. The most common move referred to as a Chokebomb sees an attacking wrestler grasps an opponent's neck with both hands and then lift them up into the air. From here the attacking wrestler would throw the opponent back down to the mat while falling to a seated position. This would see the opponent land in a position where their legs are wrapped around the wrestler with their back and shoulders on the mat. This allows the attacking wrestler to lean forward and place both his/her arms on the opponent for a pinfall attempt. Popularized by Albert / A-Train while working in the WWF/E, in which he called it the Baldo Bomb (while as Albert) and later the Derailer (while as A-Train). Another version is used by The Boogeyman, where he falls forward instead of falling into a sitting position.
Crucifix powerbomb[]
The wrestler places his opponent in between his legs then the wrestler lifts his opponent over his shoulder and holds both his arms in a cross position. The wrestler finally runs and throws his opponent onto the mat neck first. Razor Ramon popularized although it was innovated by Danny Spivey and uses it as his finisher, dubbing it the Razor's Edge while in WWF and later calling it the Outsider's Edge upon his move to WCW and then simply the Edge during his stint in TNA. Shawn Hernandez popularized a variation he calls the Mega Bomb or the Border Toss which sees him throw the opponent away instead of dropping them to the mat. Lance Rock uses an inverted version called Blackout.
Sitout crucifix powerbomb[]
Also known as a Splash Mountain, this powerbomb is similar to the aformentioned powerbomb, but instead of the wrestler falling forward to drop the opponent, the attacking wrestler falls to a seated position for a pinfall attempt instead of releasing the opponent. This move is used mainly by deceased WWE Legend Eddie Guerrero, and current WWE superstar Matt Hardy. Where both of them refer to the move as Splash Mountain.
Double powerbomb[]
Due to convenience of wording this name can refer to a maneuver either performed by two persons on one, or one person on two; generally both opponents will be far smaller than the wrestler attempting the move. One opponent is placed on the attackers shoulders as per a standard powerbomb, then the other will be placed on the first opponents shoulders, facing in the same direction. This is normally performed by putting the first opponent's head between the seconds legs whilst they are sitting on the second or top turnbuckle. Finally, both opponents will be slammed to the mat. This move is infrequently used as it can cause spinal injury to the attacker or a cracked pubis to the opponent.
Double underhook powerbomb[]
Innovated by Mitsuharu Misawa and also known as a Tiger Driver, the wrestler faces a bent over opponent, and underhooks the opponent's arms with both arms. The wrestler then lifts the opponent in the air and flips them over, throwing them back down and driving the back and shoulders of the opponent to the ground. The wrestler may also fall to their knees as they slam the opponent down. This move is also known as a Butterfly powerbomb.
But one move that is more impact than the common double underhook powerbomb, is called Lifting and Spinning Sitout Double Underhook Powerbomb or Tremendous Bomb. Named after an 18 year old wrestling fan and inventor in the philippines. this move is preformed, when a wrestler faces a bent over opponent, and Clutch the opponent's arms with both arms, then lift the opponent, turn right, sit and spin the opponent on the left for greater impact, body first to the mat and hook the right leg for the pin. Scott Steiner, had used a version of the Double underhook powerbomb, referred to as a Twisting double underhook powerbomb, or a Double arm buster, that Steiner used in the late 1990s, where Steiner would twist the opponent around into the underhook hold before executing the powerbomb.
A sitout double underhook powerbomb is known as a Tiger Driver. And is the most common variation of a Double underhook powerbomb.
Elevated powerbomb[]
This move, which is similar to a normal powerbomb, was made popular in the United States by The Undertaker who referred to it as the Last Ride. Instead of slamming the opponent directly on the mat from the shoulders, the attacking wrestler would first lift the opponent even higher by holding on to the opponent and extending their arms up, lifting the opponent up off the shoulders of the attacking wrestler just moments before slamming them down to the mat. This move requires a huge strength to keep them up. It is done to heavier and larger opponents from the top rope as a counter to a top rope punching but cannot get elevated.
Falling powerbomb[]
This move starts by lifting up an opponent like a normal powerbomb, but when the opponent is on the wrestler's shoulders the wrestler falls forward, slamming the opponent onto the ground.
Andrew Martin would be known for using a variation in which he first lifts the opponent like a Gutwrench powerbomb, along with Kane using another variation of this move. Another meaning for this term is when a wrestler has his opponent in a powerbomb position and the wrestler's partner performs a brainbuster and his partner performs a sit-out bomb
Dangan Bomb[]
Innovated and named by Masato Tanaka this move is performed when the wrestler will put the opponent in to the position for a back body drop, lift them up and then catch them in mid air as if going for a spinebuster but instead put the opponents legs on their shoulders then drive the opponent to the mat like a falling powerbomb.
Fireman's carry powerbomb[]
The wrestler lifts the opponent on to his shoulders, into the Fireman's carry position. The wrestler grabs hold of the opponent's near leg with one hand, and his head with the other. He then pushes the opponent's upper body up and simultaneously spins them, causing them to end up in front of the wrestler face up. The wrestler then either sits down or stays standing. He may also wrap his hands around the opponent's upper legs. Mammoth Sasaki uses a Airplane spin sitout variation of this move.
Ganso bomb[]
Translated literally from Japanese as Originator Bomb but in English more commonly referred to as the original powerbomb, this move, innovated by Lou Thesz, sees the attacking wrestler bend an opponent over and grab them in a belly to back waistlock before then lifting the opponent until they are vertical. The attacking wrestler then drives the opponent down on their neck and shoulder while either remaining in a standing position, sitting position or dropping down to their knees. The move is considered one of the most dangerous moves in wrestling as the person taking the move is in freefall, dropped onto their own head or neck without protection.
For a long time, the only widely known instance of this move being used intentionally was its appearance as a counter move in a single All Japan Pro Wrestling match, where Mitsuharu Misawa countered a Toshiaki Kawada powerbomb with a headscissors. However, Kawada remained standing, allowing Misawa's own momentum to put him into the proper position for the move. The rarity of the move added to its mystique as a legitimately dangerous spot, and for a long time it was regarded as one of wrestling's most dangerous moves as well as one of the most damaging within storyline contexts.
The move is also known as the Hangman's DDT; this name was invented and popularized by two video games, WWF WrestleMania 2000 and WWF No Mercy, which were developed by AKI and released on the Nintendo 64 in the United States. Having previously developed Japanese wrestling games featuring Toshiaki Kawada (such as Virtual Pro Wrestling 2), AKI left the move, along with many other Japanese moves, in the US games they developed as a bonus feature. However, most Americans didn't know what the Ganso Bomb was or even that "ganso" was a real word, so calling it by its original name in an American game would have sounded like Engrish. The name "Hangman's DDT" was thus concocted.
Gutwrench powerbomb[]
Innovated by Akira Hokuto who named it the Dangerous Queen Bomb and popularized by Steve Williams, who dubbed it the Doctor Bomb, this move involves a wrestler standing over an opponent locking their arms around the opponent's waist and lifting them up, flipping them over, and slamming them down to the mat back first. Usually the wrestler sits down while slamming the opponent. Erick Stevens currently uses a kneeling version of this powerbomb after which he folds up the opponent for a pinfall attempt. Jack Swagger uses this move as his finisher, calling it The Swagger Bomb.
Inverted powerbomb[]
Better known as an inverted front powerslam, this move sees the attacking wrestler faces a bent-over opponent and apply a gutwrench waistlock before lifting the opponent up so they are lying across the wrestler's shoulder, facing upward, with the wrestler maintaining the waistlock to hold them in position. The wrestler then falls forward or into a sitout position while flipping the opponent forward, driving the opponent horizontally belly-down into the ground. This variation is commonly associated with Faarooq and Bobby Lashley, both referring to the move as the Dominator.
A first variation of this move used by Japanese wrestler Yutaka Yoshie exists seeing the attacking wrestling running and/or jumping forwards before slamming the opponent horizontally body-first into the ground. This variation is called the Canadian Hammer named by him.
A second variation exists called a double underhook inverted powerbomb in which the attacker and opponent face each other, the opponent bent forward. The attacker hooks the opponent's arms back in a reverse nelson. The attacker then lifts the opponent into an upside-down vertical position lying across the wrestler's shoulder, facing upward, with the wrestler maintaining the reverse nelson to hold the opponent in position. The attacker then falls forward while flipping the opponent forward horizontally belly-down into the ground.
Jackknife powerbomb[]
The term Jackknife powerbomb can refer to a normal powerbomb which sees the wrestler keep his/her head between the opponent's legs and keep a hold on the legs with his/her arms before then flipping forward planting his/her feet and bridging back, completing a Jackknife pinning hold
Multiple powerbombs[]
A variation of the powerbomb where the wrestler does not release the opponent upon impact, but instead locks his hands and performs a dead lift, raising the opponent back up for another powerbomb, and may repeat more than once. This move was popularized in the western world by former professional wrestler-turned UFC fighter Brock Lesnar. This move is dangerous to perform due to the sheer strength needed to perform the dead lift and if done incorrectly (releasing too early, dropped incorrectly, etc), it can cause a great deal of injury (one infamous incident saw Brock Lesnar break Hardcore Holly's neck after dropping him too early and at an incorrect angle). During his early run in the WWF, Chris Jericho would use this move on smaller opponents (Tajiri (who would often use a Flip-over DDT to counter the move), Crash Holly, etc).
Release powerbomb[]
A variation of the powerbomb where the opponent is lifted into the air, and then dropped without any extra force exerted for a pinfall attempt. Sometimes the wrestler steps back while releasing the opponent, which is known as a sheer drop powerbomb due to the high elevation, or the opponent would be thrown horizontally away from the wrestler rather than merely dropped.
The step back variation was popularized in the United States by Sid Vicious, and later by Kevin "Diesel" Nash, who called it the Jack Knife. However, with the name it was later confused with the other Jackknife powerbomb.
Reverse Powerbomb[]
Rope aided powerbomb[]
The wrestler takes hold of an opponent, who is lying on the mat, by their legs. The opponent then grabs hold of one of the ropes with both hands as the wrestler pulls them backwards, lifting them off the mat. At this point the opponent releases their grip on the rope and is brought down to the mat.
Corner sitout powerbomb[]
The opponent begins sitting in the corner of the ring and facing outwards, while holding on to the ring ropes. The wrestler takes hold of the opponent by the legs and pulls them upwards and backwards, falling into a sitting position as they do so. The move ends with the opponent's back on the ground and their legs over the shoulders of the wrestler, placing the opponent in a pinning predicament. Matt Hardy frequently uses this move.
Rydeen bomb[]
This high-lifting sitout / sitdown spinebuster, also popularly known as a sky lift powerbomb in which a wrestler will take hold of an (often charging) opponent with each hand placed under the opponent’s arm pits. At this point the attacking wrestler will lift the opponent into the air as high as possible, before dropping to a seated position so that the opponent falls backfirst between the wrestler's legs. A wrestler will often place his hands on the falling opponent's chest or hook their legs to attempt a pin. Satoshi Kojima is credited with naming the move the Rydeen Bomb as well as innovating it. There is also a standing side slam variation, currently used by Lance Cade, which is known as a sitout / sitdown side slam spinebuster or a ura-nage driver.
Scoop lift powerbomb[]
In this variation of a powerbomb an opponent is first scooped so they are horizontal across an attacking wrestler's chest. The wrestler then pushes the opponent up and turns them, so that they are sitting on the shoulders of the wrestler, before then slamming them down in a powerbomb motion. This move was innovated by Marcus Cor Von, who calls the move the Alpha Bomb.
Sitout powerbomb[]
Also called a sitdown powerbomb, this is any powerbomb in which the wrestler drops into a sitting position as they slam their opponent down to the mat. This maneuver can be done with many variations of the powerbomb.
The most common sitout variation is that of a standard powerbomb, in which the opponent is placed in a standing neck scissors, and then lifted up on the wrestler's shoulders. At this point, the wrestler slams the opponent down, and at the same time falls to a sitting position.
In Japan the move is often known as Liger Bomb, due to Jushin Liger who popularized it. Liger's variation actually differs from the regular sitout powerbomb in that the opponent is dropped down in a higher angle, on their shoulders instead of flat on their back, this allows him to trap the opponent's arms under his legs, since they are closer to him. Liger also uses a running variation which drops the opponent regularly flat on their back, known as a Running Liger Bomb. In the United States, both the standing and the running variations are commonly referred to as just Liger Bomb. This powerbomb is also commonly associated with The Beast and Batista, who named it the Batista Bomb.
A variation of the Running Liger Bomb was performed by Último Dragón, who named his variation the Dragon Bomb, in which he lifts the opponent, runs towards the ropes, and performed a slingshot sitout powerbomb.
Yet another variation of the sitout powerbomb is currently and popularly used by Claudio Castagnoli under the name Ricola Bomb, in which he crosses the opponent's arms before lifting them up and then dropping them.
There's also a variation where the opponent is first pumphandled, before being slammed into the mat with the powerbomb.
Slingshot powerbomb[]
From a position in which the opponent is sitting across the wrestlers shoulder, the attacker bounces the opponent's back across the top rope. The attacker then spins around, using the momentum to powerbomb the opponent.
Spinning powerbomb[]
The wrestler lifts the opponent up onto his shoulders and spins around several rotations before sitting down and slamming the opponent down to the mat, as in a sitout powerbomb. A release variation sees the wrestler remain standing or kneeling and just throwing the opponent away from them onto their back to the mat.
Spin-out powerbomb[]
This is a belly to back powerbomb, usually beginning in the back suplex position where the wrestler stands behind their opponent and puts their head under the arm of the opponent. They then lift the opponent up using one arm around the waist of the opponent and another under their legs. The wrestler then spins the opponent around 180°, dropping them to the mat back first as they drop to a sitting position.Known under the name Blue Thunder Driver, a name invented by Jun Akiyama. The move is also known as Blue Thunder Powerbomb because it resembles a powerbomb more than a driver. there is also a sit-out variation, a side variaton, a slingshot variation, a neckbreaker variation and a front powerslam version, the last one used by Dave Michael Bautista (Batista) in his time in Ohio Valley Wrestling under his "Leviathan" gimmick, where instead of hitting the powerbomb, he lifts his opponent into a running powerslam position, driving the opponent into the mat.
Another variation of this move ends in an inverted side slam position and with the wrestler going down to a kneeling position. This version has been used by John Cena throughout his career, which he calls the Proto-Bomb while wrestling as "The Prototype" and the Killswitch, in WWE, Cena currently uses the original name (Spin-Out Powerbomb).
Sunset flip powerbomb[]
A move in which a wrestler will roll/flip over an elevated opponent facing them in a reverse body scissors and use the momentum to pull the opponent down to the mat back first.
A variation of the move which was innovated by Super Shisa, who called it the Yoshi Tonic. This variation sees a wrestler wrap their legs around the waist of an opponent who is facing away from the attacking wrestler. The wrestler uses a 'see-saw' motion to throw himself forward pulling the opponent over the top of them and down to the mat. This version is technically known as a leg-trap sunset flip powerbomb. Notable users include Current TNA wrestler Amazing Red, MsChif, WWE Diva Melina and Rey Mysterio. Former WWE Superstar Trevor Murdoch performs a modified version in which instead doing of the 'see-saw motion', he stands over the top of his opponent before executing the move.
Another variation was seen in the United States as used by Brian Christopher, in which the sunset flip powerbomb is executed against a wrestler standing on the ring apron, facing toward the ring. In this variation Christopher would jump over the opponent as if to execute a sunset flip and complete the move by powerbombing the opponent from the ring apron to the arena floor.
Superbomb[]
This move was popularized in America by The Pitbulls in ECW. The attacking wrestler forces the opponent to ascend to the top rope, standing usually on the top ropes with their legs spread. The wrestler then bends the opponent, placing their head between the wrestler's thighs. The wrestler then wraps their hands around the opponent's waist. The wrestler then lifts the opponent up, flipping them over, while jumping forward. The opponent falls down to the mat back first, and the wrestler usually falls to their knees or to a sitting position.
Another variation sees the opponent sitting on the top rope. The wrestler climbs up to the top rope and stands facing the opponent. They then bend the opponent over and take hold of them around the waist. The wrestler then flips the opponent up and over so they are sitting on the shoulders of the wrestler. At the same time, the wrestler spins around 180° and leaps forward, falling to the ground in a standing or sitting position and driving the opponent's back and shoulders to the mat.
Many variations of a regular standing powerbomb can be seen being done off of the top rope as well (ex. Super double underhook powerbomb, Super thunder fire powerbomb, Super crucifix powerbomb, etc.)
Tiger bomb[]
- See Tiger driver
Thunder fire powerbomb[]
Innovated by Kyoko Inoue (although many argue it was innovated by Atsushi Onita), who dubbed it the Niagara Driver, and also known as a One shoulder powerbomb, the wrestler faces a bent opponent and places him in the standing headscissors position (bent forward with their head placed between the wrestler's thighs). The wrestler then grabs hold around the opponent's upper torso or waist, and lifts him on top one of the wrestler's shoulders on his back. The wrestler then bends forward and slams the opponent down to the mat on his back or shoulders.
Turnbuckle powerbomb[]
The wrestler faces a standing opponent, bends them forwards, takes a hold around their waist and then flips the opponent up and over so the opponent is sitting on the wrestler's shoulders. The wrestler then faces a corner of the ring and throws the opponent into the corner, driving the back and neck of the opponent to the turnbuckle.
Vertical suplex powerbomb[]
The wrestler lifts the opponent upside down as in a vertical suplex and then pushes their upper body forward while sitting down, ending the move in the same position as the sitout powerbomb. Kenta Kobashi (the move's innovator) is the most well known user of this move and calls it the Orange Crush. However, he only uses the move in very high profile matches.
A variation of the move in which the wrestler lifts the opponent up and flips them in one fluid motion, releasing the opponent in mid-air, allowing them to fall down to the mat onto their back, while the wrestler falls to all fours beside him, was innovated by E.Z. Money, who calls it Cha-ching Powerbomb.
Another variation used by Kenta Kobashi known as "Spike Vertical Suplex Powerbomb", where he didn't push the opponents as far out, so they landed on their neck and shoulders instead of their back.
Notes[]
References[]
- Template:Cite book