5 Most Protected Finishers in AEW

Finishers are an integral part of pro wrestling. Unlike combat sports, which it simulates, a pro wrestling match always ends with a dramatic finish. A boxing match can end in a first-round knock-out punch out of nowhere. If a similar thing happens in pro wrestling, it will cause distaste among fans.

A great pro wrestling match is all about building anticipation for a great finish. Both competitors gradually build towards a dramatic end. They escape each other’s finishing hold or move by teasing the upcoming finish. Finally, one of them perfectly executes his/her finisher to bring the perfect ending. To count a move or hold as a finisher one has to win a significant number of matches using it. Once in a while an opponent kicks out from a finisher, it is called a false finish.

Historically, finishers are the most protected moves or holds in wrestling. Ed "Strangler" Lewis earned his nickname for finishing his matches by strangling his opponents with the sleeper hold. Therefore, finishers are essential to the gimmick of a wrestler. This seems to be lost art in the modern era of the sport. Cody Rhodes’ finisher lost his charm for over-usage. He used Cross Rhodes multiple times in a match and let almost everybody kick-out of it. As a result, he is using a Double Underhook Piledriver as his finisher recently.

But this is not the case for all the talents in AEW. A handful of them still protect their finishers like the old-timers. This list will rank the five most protected finishers in AEW.

5. CM Punk’s GTS managed to finish matches decisively till now

CM Punk’s return is a game-changer for AEW. Wrestling fans are once again excited after his return from a seven-year hiatus. Day in and day out, he is proving that he is still the “Best in the world” in the ring, in the mic, and in the commentary.

Since his return, he has won most of his matches using Go To Sleep. No one has been able to kick-out of it. It is a perfect finisher for CM Punk. There are two reasons to rank it 5.

First, Punk hasn’t been AEW for a long time. Therefore, it is unfair to count GTS as the most protected finisher. Secondly, he failed to pin Darby Allin and Eddie Kingston after using GTS. This is a red flag for claiming the spot for “most protected”

4. Britt Baker's Lockjaw is the perfect submission finisher

The “Good Doctor” was not the best worker when he joined AEW. But she put on hard work to become one of the best performers in the company. She is most improved in terms of psychology and in-ring craft. The current AEW Women’s Champion is putting on a wrestling clinic every time she enters the squared circle.

Lockjaw is the perfect finisher for her gimmick. She is a dentist in real life and brings that persona into her wrestling character. She knows the functioning of the oral part of the body. Therefore, it is convincing for her to press the mandibular nerve each time with precision. Her opponents tap out every time she locks in the finisher.

The only problem with this finisher is that Baker often finds it hard to lock in. It usually requires multiple attempts to execute successfully.

3. Black Mass is the finisher that causes an instant knockout

Malakai Black's supernatural persona got instantly over in AEW. He is an accomplished martial artist specializing in Dutch Muay Thai. Striking is the top tool of his game.

Since his arrival, he has been knocking people out with his Black Mass. It is a simple Back Spin Kick. It has been used by other wrestlers including X-Pac in the past. But no one executes it with a torque like Black. This is not just finishing matches for him, it causes an instant blackout. Therefore, it is often utilized to put angles in non-wrestling segments.

There is no problem with the finisher itself. It can be worked on by anyone anytime. But Malakai has been seen using the Black Mist recently. Though the Black Mist blends perfectly with his supernatural gimmick, he botches it often. The Black Mass has been overshadowed by the botchy Black Mist.

2. Kenny Omega never lost a match using One-Winged Angel as his finisher

Omega’s One-Winged Angel is the most protected finisher in modern wrestling. Although wrestling old-timers like Jim Cornette often criticize Kenny Omega for "burying" the wrestling tradition, Kenny should be commended for his attempt to protect the finisher.

One-Winged Angel is one of the most difficult moves to execute. It cannot be executed on a significantly larger opponent. Omega does not use it to win every match. But whenever he used it, he successfully pinned his opponent.

Kenny Omega is the only person in North America who's kicked-out of the move. Adam Page executed the move on Omega in Full Gear in 2021. This is the only reason this finisher missed the number one spot. Kenny eventually lost the match at Full Gear. If this was the finish of the match then One Winged Angel would have been perfectly protected.

1. The Judas Effect is the perfectly protected finisher in AEW

Chris Jericho is widely regarded as the master of reinvention. Jericho has walked long since his Lionheart days. He has used multiple finishers throughout his career. Liontamer and Codebreaker are the two most prominent ones. He debuted his current finisher at the inaugural AEW event Double or Nothing.

Chris Jericho's wrestling style has changed over the years. He works in a more matt-based brawling style than previous high-flying style. The Judas Effect fully goes with his current veteran brawler persona. He is known for putting younger talents “over” in his late-career. Despite that, he always protected the finisher.

No one has been able to kick-out of it, not even Jericho himself. He let MJF use The Judas Effect only to get knocked out and submit to MJF’s Fujiwara Armbar. Chris Jericho sets the perfect example of how to protect finishers in the modern era.