5 most overused moves in AEW

AEW currently has one of the most impressive rosters in the pro wrestling industry. From veterans like Chris Jericho to younger wrestlers like Darby Allin, the company's long list of talented performers is nearly endless.

Part of the joy of watching the promotion from week to week is seeing the innovative matches they produce. As each performer uses their unique wrestling style, the weekly bouts fans are always fresh and exciting.

However, certain moves that were once devastating have begun to be used on a near regular basis. Unfortunately, such an over-reliance has undermined how devastating the tactics once were.

With that being said, let's look at the five moves that AEW wrestlers vastly overuse.

#5. Nonstop superkicks are a regular in AEW now

Perhaps the most commonly-used move in pro wrestling right now, a superkick has the same standard as a dropkick nowadays. The move definitely looks like a brutal hit, but it barely puts opponents down anymore.

Superkicks have come a long way since the days of Shawn Michaels' Sweet Chin Music. Instead of being an incredible finisher as it once was, the move now lacks the impact it had whenever HBK hit it.

After Since Michaels' retirement, groups like The Young Bucks have popularized the superkick again. For how often it's used, though, it's a maneuver that's about as remarkable as a clothesline now.

#4. AEW is overdoing the Powerbomb Symphony

Many AEW wrestlers have used powerbombs in the past. Kenny Omega favors a combination powerbomb, buckle-bombing his opponents into the corner and then hitting a sit-out spinebuster. In Eddie Kingston's first match with the promotion, he even hit a powerbomb on Cody Rhodes into a pile of thumbtacks. More recently, Wardlow began using on a series of powerbombs on his opponents, nicknamed the "Powerbomb Symphony."

Like other moves highlighted here, seeing the powerbomb so regularly has diminished its effectiveness. It's a move that always looks like it should end a match, but wrestlers' ability to kick out of it has made it a shadow of its former self.

Even having Wardlow perform it so many times in a row is starting to make them feel as commonplace as Brock Lesnar's multiple German suplexes.

#3. Penta El Zero M's package piledriver is losing its previous impact

Penta El Zero Miedo's unique wrestling style is full of great offensive moves. He climbed through the top of promotions like Lucha Underground with his lethal-looking moveset. In AEW, however, his in-ring tactics have been significantly watered-down.

Perhaps no better example of this can be found than through Penta's package piledriver. It's a move that Penta makes look incredibly stiff, especially when he manages to hit it on the ring apron. While it managed to put away numerous opponents on AAA and Lucha Underground, AEW wrestlers regularly kick out of it without any issue whatsoever.

Even worse, some performers have even kicked out of the assisted package piledriver Penta uses in tag team matches, leaving the importance of the move to wither away.

#2. AEW's various versions of the Canadian Destroyer is taking away the move's impact

A move as widely used as the superkick in AEW, the Canadian Destroyer, should be one of the most protected moves in the ring. Like many finishers on this list, it's a devastating maneuver that looks like it could knock out any wrestler.

First pioneered by Petey Williams, the Destroyer is as flashy as it is devastating. In AEW, however, numerous wrestlers have frequently used the Canadian Destroyer as a signature move rather than a finisher.

It should be seen as a powerful maneuver to close any match, whether it's being used by Rey Fenix or Dustin Rhodes. Instead, fans have seen the Destroyer and its numerous variations used to anti-climactic effect time and time again.

#1. The Cross Rhodes is a shadow of its former self

It's hard to remember a time when The Cross Rhodes used to pin Cody's opponents. Over the years, every wrestler seems to kick out of the move at two. It speaks volumes on how overly-used the move has become that the star has hit it at least twice every match to win.

Back in his WWE days, when Cody hit The Cross Rhodes, it was a guaranteed victory. Nowadays, opponent after opponent kicks out of it, severely undermining its impact and The American Nightmare himself.

As the company's executive vice president, one might think Cody would be more protective of his finisher. But as seen in his matches, the reality couldn't be further from the truth.