10 wrestling moves that are more painful than they actually look

#6 Wasteland

Wade Barrett setting up The Miz for The Wasteland

The Wasteland, which is a forward fireman's carry slam, was popularized by former WWE Superstar Wade Barrett (Stu Bennett) who used it as his finisher before switching to the Bull Hammer Elbow. Barrett used to put the opponent on his shoulders and then flung them off forwards onto the mat from a standing position.

#tbt Wade Barrett Wasteland to Dolph Ziggler @StuBennett @HEELZiggler pic.twitter.com/NZoWo0zfAQ

— 💫👑 (@normanh_edits) February 17, 2018

Now, the move may not seem like much but it takes a lot of effort on the opponent's part to make it work. Although wrestlers never intend to legitimately hurt their opponents and neither did Barrett, getting slammed on the mat after getting flung off from a height of over six feet can take a toll on the opponent's back.

The Wasteland helped Barrett to become the winner of the first season of NXT, back when it was a game show, and also nearly made him a world champion.

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#5 Cross Rhodes

Cody hitting Dary Allin with the Cross Rhodes

The finishing move of AEW wrestler and current AEW TNT Champion Cody, Cross Rhodes is a rolling cutter. The move sees Cody trapping his opponent's head under his left arm and holding their right arm with his own right arm. After turning a little bit counterclockwise for some momentum he spins his opponent clockwise and slams them onto the floor.

Even with two Cross Rhodes, it’s STILL not enough to put the #AEW Chairman way!Watch #AEWDynamite NOW on @TNTDrama 8e/7c #AEWonTNT @AEWonTNT pic.twitter.com/XLQbQmbmu4

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) April 9, 2020

Although it may look like a harmless move because of how quickly Cody hits his opponents with the move, it can often disorient the opponent due to the sudden clockwise turn. WWE NXT Superstar Damian Priest also uses a version of this move and calls it The Reckoning.