5 Regular moves done with a difference by creative WWE Superstars

The move-set that a wrestler possesses often times helps him create a unique identity for himself in the minds of the audience. Similarly, some wrestlers possess specially fine-tuned move-sets that specifically highlight certain aspects of their persona, so as to sell better to the audience. Austins intensity as a persona was constantly highlighted through his dogged and overbearing fighting style. Hulk Hogans repeatedly displayed remarkable powers of recovery, having taken a beating all match long, was a fixture in WWE programming during the Hogan Era in the 80s, and borrowed its roots from the super-hero like image of him that the company had employed as an advertisement strategy then.Developing a clearly defined move-set that does not blatantly overlap with that of any other wrestler and yet is reflecting of his own in-ring persona is a daunting task for the wrestler to say the least. That being said, time has thrown up its fair share of wrestlers who have created niche moves for themselves; Moves that are recognized by fans globally as signature moves belonging to particular wrestlers. The following is a list of such moves, convened by creative minds that saw opportunity where others saw just a regular move.

#1 Clothesline off the 2nd Rope

While Dean Ambrose’s singles career in the WWE still in its formative stages, one can only hope that his future holds important title runs, for the in-ring creativity that he displays is often understated, and certainly overshadowed by his erratic personality. Ambrose has established the clothesline off the second rope as his signature move, and has been using it regularly in matches.

While bouncing off the ropes and attacking the opponent is hardly an innovative move, the fact that Ambrose uses the 2nd rope adds an extra dimension of complexity to it. Tangling into the top rope while trying to bounce off the 2nd rope always looks likely while attempting that move but Ambrose has commendably prevented any major botches thus far.

The most impressive aspect of how Ambrose pulls off this spot, is how he engineers it on the back of suffering a really hard hit, sometimes even after taking a super-kick to the face from the imposing boot of Luke Harper.

Recently, Ambrose has also been utilizing the space between the mat and the bottom rope, to re-orient himself towards attacking his opponent when whipped towards the ring from the outside. With such unconventional use of the second and bottom ropes, we can attest an underlying witticism to Dean Ambrose, beneath all the lunacy that he is much touted for.

#2 Vintage Orton!

Randy Orton, WWE’s Apex Predator, is one of those superstars whose move-set greatly coincides with their personas, as far as symbolism is concerned. The poise with which Orton bides his time before stinging forth with an RKO is surely reminiscent of a coiled Viper, waiting to strike.

A supreme performer, Randy Orton’s ingenuity in creating new and refreshing spots for the RKO over the years is also well-demonstrated by his penchant for setting up opponents for a DDT. The ropes, the announcers’ table, the barricades and even the steel steps are all props whose purpose have been manipulated to facilitate Orton’s infamous DDT.

Recently, owing to his acrimonious brushes with the WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, Orton has found himself entrusted with the satisfying task of dealing with the pesky “J&J Security”, much to the delight of the audience; and deal with them he does, often times using the DDT from the second rope as his weapon of choice!

#3 Headlock-Headstand

Dolph Ziggler is a sound in-ring performer, whose big “push” in the WWE has been coming now for quite an extended period of time. Is it perhaps any wonder then that many fans, especially those comprising the IWC, extol his virtues repeatedly?

To be fair to Ziggler, he has always performed in a manner that justifies the inordinate amount of internet support that he receives. Despite not having spectacular microphone skills by any stretch of imagination, Ziggler’s metronomic displays of in-ring acumen have arguably more than plugged the perceived chink. Apart from displaying remarkable mobility in the ring, Ziggler also executes a wide range of spots of varying natures.

A particular highlight in his repertoire, the headstand, transitioned initially from a headlock position with the opponent on the mat, demonstrates well-honed technique and athleticism. While Ziggler may not realistically ever find himself at the top of the food-chain in the WWE wrestler hierarchy, such continued displays of innovation is sure to solidify the niche that he has carved for himself in the IWC at the least.

However, upon noting the greater precedence that in-ring ability has commanded in the WWE off late, one can begin to hope with some conviction that Dolph Ziggler may yet catch his major break.

#4 Old School!

The Undertaker has served as the locker-room leader in the WWE for the best part of 2 decades now, and his repertoire of moves have been in keeping with the awe that his “Deadman” persona has constantly evoked from the WWE Universe. Be it the Last Ride, or the Tombstone Piledriver, The Undertaker delivers his moves with aplomb and verve, displaying incredible agility for a big man in the process.

Another such innovative spot that the Undertaker has been responsible for using is known quite brusquely as ‘Old School’ for the want of a more definitive name.The crux of the move involves the Undertaker walking the top rope, in order to set up an aerial attack on his opponent, whose arm has already been twisted and held. During his American Badass gimmick, the Undertaker himself used to utter the words “Old School” before he climbed the turnbuckles.

While the established wrestlers do enjoy a degree of creative control in determining their in-ring manifest, it is iconic to note that the in-ring announcers who were announcing the Undertaker’s match when he pulled out “Old School” for the first time on TV had no clue what to call the move.

This dilemma continued for a good period of time, with play-by-play commentators often choosing to focus on the balance and agility displayed by the Undertaker in executing the move, instead of actually knowing what to term it!

#5 The People\'s Elbow

It is quite ironic to note that what ended up as “The Most Electrifying Move in Sports Entertainment” started off as little more than a backstage “double-dog-dare”. By Triple H’s own admission, The People’s Elbow started off as an attempt to make The Undertaker break character and laugh during WWE house shows.

The Rock was the one who chose to accept the gauntlet thrown out, but no wrestler who was part of the WWE roster then could proclaim to foretell just how note-worthy the move would turn out to be in the history of the WWE. Indeed, few other moves rendered by fewer other superstars could even begin to scale the emotional anticipation that The People’s Elbow from The Rock creates amongst the audience.

As Triple H mentioned in the same interview, during the Attitude Era, every one of those wrestlers pushed each other onto better performances. Perhaps “The People’s Elbow” was started as a joke, but it grew into being an entity by itself, thanks to the unbridled charisma of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Taking away all the ritualistic shenanigans that The Rock performs as precursors to the move, surprise registers at how simplistic the move is in itself – just a regular elbow drop! Little wonder then that The Rock is one of the greatest ever wrestlers to strut his stuff in the WWE.