The Phoenix Splash - Who Did It Best?

#1 Hayabusa

Once again, no one can perform a particular wrestling move better than its creator.

Hayabusa created the Phoenix Splash during his run in FMW during the 1990s. During that period, his initial finisher from the top rope was the Firebird Splash, which is known as the 450 Splash.

As time went on, he made this move into something bigger by turning 180 degrees before hitting the 450 spin. This move would eventually become his primary finisher and the move synonymous with Hayabusa’s name.

Although other wrestlers have hit the move faster, with more impact, or with better rotations, all of them modelled their execution of the Phoenix Splash after Hayabusa’s execution. Without Hayabusa innovating the move, none of the other wrestlers on this list would’ve ever hit the move to begin with.

To this day, watching Hayabusa hit his Phoenix Splash is so much fun. Even his costume makes the move better, as his mask bands flying through the air help visualize how quickly his body flies and spins through the air.