Powerbomb

Apowerbombis aprofessional wrestlingthrowin which an opponent is lifted (usually so that they are sitting on the wrestler's shoulders) and then slammed back-first down to the mat.The standard powerbomb sees an opponent first placed in astanding headscissorsposition (bent forward with their head placed between the attacking wrestler's thighs). The opponent is then lifted on the wrestler's shoulders and slammed down back-first to the mat.Aprawn holdis commonly used for a pinning powerbomb.

An animated example of a powerbomb

Powerbombs are sometimes used inmixed martial artscompetitions, when a fighter attempts to slam another fighter who has him trapped in atriangle choke.In professional wrestling, it is also sometimes used by a bigger wrestler as a counter to an attemptedhurricanranaby a smaller wrestler. While it was associated with super-heavyweight wrestlers, the move was invented byLou Thesz.

Variations

Argentine powerbomb

The wrestler first places their opponent face-up across their shoulders, as in anArgentine backbreaker rack,hooks the head with one hand and a leg with the other, and the wrestler will then spin the opponent's head away from them, dropping the opponent down to the mat. Often the wrestler drops to a seated position while spinning the opponent. Innovated byLioness Asuka,who called it theTowerhacker Bomband popularized byAJ Stylesas theRack Bomb.

Crucifix powerbomb

Mikael JudasperformingEl Crucifijoon Pendleton

The wrestler places the opponent's head in between their legs, then grabs the opponent's stomach, lifts the opponent over their shoulder, and holds both their arms in acrossposition over their head. The wrestler finally runs or falls to their knees and throws the opponent onto the mat back and neck first.Sheamusemploys the running variation, dubbing it theCeltic Cross.The falling variation is often associated withRazor Ramon,who popularized the move; calling it theRazor's Edge(also known as theOutsider's EdgeorDiamond's Edgeduring his time inWCWas Scott Hall and Diamond Studd respectively). Hall also (though rarely) used a version of this move with the opponentpositioned on the second ropeaway from him.Damian Priestuses the move as a tribute to Hall. The throwing variation is used byBad Luck Falewho calls it theBad Luck Fall,Hernandezwho calls it theBorder Toss,andEthan Pagewho calls it theEgo’s Edge.

Sitout crucifix powerbomb

Also known as aNiagara Driver,Splash Mountain Bomb,orBlack Tiger Bomb,this powerbomb is similar to the crucifix powerbomb, but instead of the wrestler falling forward to drop the opponent, the attacking wrestler falls to a seated position for a pinfall attempt instead of releasing the opponent. Innovated byKyoko Inoueand popularized byBlack Tiger.A top rope version was used byKonnanas well. It is used byRoman Reignsas a signature move.

Dangan bomb

This move, invented byMasato Tanaka,is performed when the wrestler will put the opponent in to the position for abelly to back suplex,lift them up and then catch them in mid air as if going for aspinebusterbut instead put the opponents legs on their shoulders then drives the opponent to the mat like a falling powerbomb.

Multiple powerbomb

Due to convenience of wording, this name can refer to a maneuver either performed bytwo persons on one,or one person on two; generally both opponents will be far smaller than the wrestler attempting the move. One opponent is placed on the attackers shoulders as per a standard powerbomb, then the other will be placed on the first opponents shoulders, facing in the same direction. This is normally performed by putting the first opponent's head between the seconds legs while they are sitting on the second or top turnbuckle. Finally, both opponents will be slammed to the mat. A variation this move is called triple powerbomb, and it is performed by three wrestlers. Two wrestlers lift an opponent with a belly-to-back hold and place the opponent's legs on the third partner's shoulders, who executes the powerbomb while the other two push the opponent from the carrying partner's shoulders. There is also an avalanche variation of this move performed from the middle rope. This was popularized byThe ShieldinWWE.

Double underhook powerbomb

Also known as a Tiger driver or Tiger bomb. The wrestler faces a bent over opponent, andhooks each of the opponent's arms behind the opponent's back.The wrestler then lifts the opponent in the air and flips them over, throwing them back down and driving the back and shoulders of the opponent to the ground. The wrestler may also fall to their knees as they slam the opponent down. Asitout versionis commonly known as aTiger Driverand was invented byMitsuharu Misawa.Ahmed Johnsonused the sitout version as well, calling it thePearl River Plunge.Tyler Bateuses the move as his finishing maneuver, calling it theTyler Driver '97andToni Stormcalling itStorm Zero.

Kneeling double underhook powerbomb

Will Ospreayperforming theTiger Driver '91onMJF

Another variation credited toMitsuharu Misawa.In this version, the wrestler keeps the arm hooks applied during the entire move, causing their opponent to land on their head, neck, and shoulders. Misawa popularized the move asTiger Driver '91.The name refers to the January 29, 1991 match in which Misawa debuted the maneuver againstAkira Taue.Kota Ibushiuses this move as finishing move.Masahiro Chonoused it as finishing move on rare occasions, most famously used to win the first everG1 Climax.Will Ospreayalso uses the move renamed it to theStorm Driver '93,along withMariah May,who renamed it toGlamour Driver '98.It is rarely attempted due to the dangerous nature and risk factor of the move.

Elevated powerbomb

This move is similar to a standard powerbomb. Instead of slamming the opponent directly on the mat from the shoulders, the attacking wrestler first lifts the opponent even higher by holding onto the opponent and extending their arms up, lifting the opponent up off the shoulders of the attacking wrestler just moments before slamming them down to the mat. This move was used prominently byThe Undertaker,who named it theLast Ride.A sitout version is used byKota Ibushi,who calls it theGolden Star Bomb,and a pop up variation is used byKeith Lee,who calls it theSpirit Bombas a homage toDragon Ball Z.

Falling powerbomb

This move starts by lifting an opponent like a normal powerbomb, but when the opponent is on the wrestler's shoulders the wrestler falls forward, slamming the opponent onto the ground. This move was popularized byKane.

Fireman's carry powerbomb

The wrestler lifts the opponent onto their shoulders, into thefireman's carryposition. The wrestler grabs hold of the opponent's near leg with one hand, and their head with the other, then pushes the opponent's upper body up and simultaneously spins them, causing them to end up in front of the wrestler face up. The wrestler then either sits down or stays standing. They may also wrap their hands around the opponent's upper legs.

Folding powerbomb

The move sees the wrestler lifts the opponent and drops them on the mat, while sliding forward and lifts his legs off the mat, putting his full body weight on top of the wrestler and thus pinning their shoulders more firmly against the mat. Popularized byGenichiro Tenryu,Toshiaki Kawadaand recentlyGunther.Samoa Joeused this to transition into a number of submission holds.

Ganso bomb

Translated literally fromJapaneseasOriginator Bomb( nguyên tổganso), but inEnglishmore commonly referred to as the original powerbomb, this move sees the attacking wrestler make an opponent bend over and grab them in a belly to back waistlock before then lifting the opponent until they are vertical. The attacking wrestler then drives the opponent down on their neck and shoulder while either remaining in a standing position, sitting position or dropping down to their knees. The move is considered one of the most dangerous moves in professional wrestling as the person taking the move is in freefall, dropped onto their own head or neck without protection. It was invented byLou Theszand popularized by Toshiaki Kawada as theKawada Driver.AJ Stylesused during his tenure with New Japan Pro-Wrestling as theHollow Point.Brock Lesnarinadvertently used the move onHardcore Hollyin 2002 which injured his neck. This was actually due to Hollysandbaggingthe move thus making it difficult for Lesnar to perform the move correctly.

Gutwrench powerbomb

This move involves a wrestler standing over a bent over opponent, locking their arms around the opponent's waist and lifting them up, flipping them over, and slamming them down to the mat back first. The difference compared to a regular powerbomb is that the opponent's head does not go between the wrestler's thighs, instead they remain slightly in front or to the side of the wrestler. Thefalling variationwas used byJack Swaggeras theSwagger Bomb."Dr. Death" Steve Williamspopularized thesitout variation,naming it theDoctor Bomb.Kenny Omegaalso uses the sitout variation as theDr. Willy Bomb.

Inverted powerbomb

Also known as an Inverted front powerslam, this move sees the attacking wrestler faces a bent-over opponent and apply a gutwrench waistlock before lifting the opponent up so they are lying across the wrestler's shoulder, facing upward, with the wrestler maintaining the waistlock to hold them in position, known as anoverhead gutwrench backbreaker rack.The wrestler then falls forward, standing or into a sitout position while flipping the opponent forward, driving the opponent horizontally belly-down into the ground. A double underhook version of this move also exists.Ron Simmonsmade the standing variation famous, calling it theDominator,Bobby Lashleyutilized a kneeling version as a finisher, whileYujiro Takahashipopularized the sitout version, calling itTokyo Pimps.

Kneeling powerbomb

This variation of a powerbomb is similar to an ordinary powerbomb, however, instead of the wrestler remaining standing, the wrestler falls into a kneeling position while driving the opponent back-first into the mat.

Repeated powerbomb

As the name implies, the wrestler performing the move will do so multiple times. To start, they will lift the opponent into powerbomb position and perform the move. Without letting go of the opponent's waist, the wrestler raises them up again and drops them. Depending on the wrestler, they may continue to repeat the process and may pin the opponent after the last one. Although neither wrestler does this anymore,Chris Jerichoand Brock Lesnar used the multiple powerbomb as a signature maneuver when they debuted inWWE;Jericho's version was a double and Lesnar's a triple although some times a double.

AEWwrestlerWardlowuses a unique take on this sequence. Instead, he simply powerbombs the opponent, picks them up from the mat, and powerbombs them again for each separate time as needed to defeat them. He refers to this as thePowerbomb Symphony.

Pop-up powerbomb

As the name implies, this move begins with the opponent rushing towards the attacker who then flings the opponent vertically up into the air. The move is finished by catching the opponent and performing a powerbomb. This move was popularized byKevin OwensandScott Steiner.Oba Femiuses this move as a finisher, named theFall From Grace.

Release powerbomb

A variation of the powerbomb where the opponent is lifted into the air and then dropped withoutbeing forced into a pin.

Kevin Nash,Big Van Vader,Bubba Ray Dudley,Chris Benoit,Sycho Sid,Lita,Sara Del Rey,John Bradshaw LayfieldandSableuse this move.Raquel Rodriguezuses a one-arm version of the move itself, calling it theChingona/Texana Bomb.

Corner sit-out powerbomb

Also called anAlley Oop,the opponent begins sitting in the corner of the ring and facing outwards, while holding on to the ring ropes. The wrestler takes hold of the opponent by the legs and pulls them upwards and backwards with a twist, falling into a sitting position as they do so. The move ends with the opponent's back on the ground and their legs over the shoulders of the wrestler, placing the opponent in a pinning predicament.

Running powerbomb

In this variation of the powerbomb, the wrestler runs before they releases the opponent. A wrestler may also sit down for a pinfall attempt.

Schoolboy Powerbomb

The moves sees the attacking wrestler drop down behind the opponent and put one arm up between the opponent's legs to pull the opponent over the attacking wrestler so that they fall flat on their back. The wrestler, while still holding the opponent, then stands up to using their free hand to either place it on the opponent's back or the grab their own wrist to aid themselves in lifting the opponent off of their back upwards to then slam them back down onto the mat. The wrestler may slam the opponent while standing, dropping to one or both knees, orsitting out.Giovanni VinciandRoman Reignsare users of this move with Reigns using the sitout version.

Scoop lift powerbomb

In this variation of a powerbomb an opponent is firstscoopedso they are horizontal across an attacking wrestler's chest. The wrestler then pushes the opponent up and turns them, so that they are sitting on the shoulders of the wrestler, before then slamming them down in a powerbomb motion. A seated version is also possible. This maneuver was occasionally performed by "The Alpha Male"Monty Brownand was referred to as theAlpha Bomb.Raquel Rodriguezuses a one arm version of the powerbomb known initially as theChingona Bomb,now dubbed theTexana Bomb.

Sit-out powerbomb

In this variation of a powerbomb, the attacking wrestler falls to a seated position as they slam the opponent down. Some wrestlers remain in seated position to pin the opponent, while others choose not to. The move can either be performed as a standard powerbomb or as agutwrench powerbomb.The move was popularized byJushin Liger,who used it as a finisher, known as theLiger Bomb,and was also famously used byBatistaas theBatista Bomb.

Slingshot powerbomb

From a position in which the opponent is sitting across the wrestlers shoulder, the attacker bounces the opponent's back across the top rope. The attacker then spins around, using the momentum to powerbomb the opponent. This move is used byDax HarwoodandThe Miz.

Spinning powerbomb

Vanessa Kravenperforming a spinning sit-down powerbomb onLeah von Dutch

Also called a spiral bomb. The wrestler lifts the opponent up onto their shoulders and spins around several rotations before sitting down and slamming the opponent down to the mat, as in asitout powerbomb.Arelease variationsees the wrestler remain standing or kneeling and just throwing the opponent away from them onto their back to the mat. Agutwrench variationis also possible, with the wrestler dropping the opponent as in a normal gutwrench powerbomb. This maneuver was used byDiamond Dallas Page,but thesitoutvariation was popularized byMichael Elgin,who adopted it as his finisher as theElgin Bomb.

Spin-out powerbomb

Also known as aBlue Thunder Driveror aBlue Thunder Bomb,this is abelly-to-backpowerbomb, usually beginning in theback suplexposition in which the wrestler stands behind their opponent and puts their head under the arm of the opponent. They then lift the opponent up using one arm around the waist of the opponent and another under their legs. The wrestler then spins the opponent around 180°, dropping them to the mat back first as they drop to a sitting position. Invented byJun Akiyama,it is used as a signature move bySami Zayn,as well asKonosuke Takeshita.Apollo Crewsuses a toss variation of the move.John Cenauses a kneeling variation of the move, dubbing it theProtoplex.

Straight jacket powerbomb

Also known as apyramid driver,this move can be executed when a wrestler lifts the opponent on the shoulders between the legs, but crossing the both arms during his bent-over position before, and drops on the mat with a seated position to set up a pin. It was used bySuper Crazywith the name calledCrazy Bomband byClaudio Castagnoliin a sit-out variation called theRicola Bomb.

Sunset flip powerbomb

Daniel Bryanperforms a sunset flip superbomb toTriple HatWrestleMania XXX.

This move sees the wrestler bend over and place their opponent in a standing head scissors. However, the wrestler moves forward slightly so the opponent's midsection is between the wrestler's thighs instead of their head. The wrestler wraps their arms around the opponent's midsection in a waistlock, then jumps and rolls forward, under the opponent's legs, and into a seated position, forcing the opponent to fall back to the mat. The resulting position can lead to asitout pin.This is often called aYoshi Tonicin Japan orCode Redin America, the latter name coined byAmazing Red,and would since be used as a signature move byMercedes Monéwho refers to the move as theCode Blue,notably from 2019-2021 during her time in WWE as Sasha Banks, and as finishers byZelina VegaandRoxanne Perez,the latter referring to the move asPop Rox(formerly known asPop Rokduring her time in the independent circuit and in Ring Of Honor as Rok-C). The top rope version is also used sometimes, as seen in the picture above. The move is also very dangerous, because when the wrestler flips over the opponent's back, if they put too much downward force on their legs, it could result in a leg injury.Seth Rollinswas injured while attempting to perform a sunset flip powerbomb by applying too much downward force on his leg, thus injuring it. An avalanche leg trap variation is used byHirooki Gotoon rare occasions asKaiten.

Superbomb

The attacking wrestler forces the opponent to ascend to the top rope, standing usually on the top ropes with their legs spread. The wrestler then bends the opponent, placing their head between the wrestler's thighs. The wrestler then wraps their hands around the opponent's waist. The wrestler then lifts the opponent up, flipping them over, while jumping forward. The opponent falls down to the mat back first, and the wrestler usually falls to their knees or to a sitting position. This variation was popularized byChris Candidoas theBlonde Bombshell,while Bubba Ray Dudley used a sit-out version.

Another variation sees the opponent sitting on the top rope. The wrestler climbs up to the top rope and stands facing the opponent. The wrestler then bends the opponent over and takes hold of opponent around the waist. The wrestler then flips the opponent up and over so they are sitting on the shoulders of the wrestler. At the same time, the wrestler spins around 180° and leaps forward, falling to the ground in a standing or sitting position and driving the opponent's back and shoulders to the mat or can jump backwards away from the turnbuckle to drop into a seated position.

Another variant of the Superbomb was popularized byB. J. Whitmer,who used the move to toss himself and fellow wrestlerJimmy Jacobsinto a crowd at aRing of Honorshow in June 2006.

Tilt-A-Whirl Powerbomb

The attacking wrestler stands facing the opponent, who is often charging at the attacker, before bending the opponent down so they are bent in front of the attacking wrestler as he/she stands over them then the wrestler reaches around the opponent's body and lifts them up, spinning the opponent in front of the wrestler's body. As the wrestler brings the opponent back down to the mat, the wrestler kneels, slamming the opponent onto the mat.

Thunder fire powerbomb

The Great Sasukeperforming a thunder fire powerbomb

The wrestler faces a bent opponent and places them in the standing headscissors position (bent forward with their head placed between the wrestler's thighs). The wrestler then grabs hold around the opponent's upper torso or waist, and lifts them on top of one of the wrestler's shoulders on their back. The wrestler then bends forward and slams the opponent down to the mat on their back or shoulders. It is also known as an Over-the-shoulder powerbomb or a One shoulder powerbomb. Innovated bythe Great Nita(Atsushi Onita). The lateMike Awesomeused the standing, a running, and kneeling versions of this move as finishers, collectively dubbedAwesome Bomb.Sid Viciousalso used the kneeling version of this move as a finisher early in his career and would often drop his opponents off to his side instead of forwards.

Turnbuckle powerbomb

Also known as thebuckle bomb.This move sees the wrestler faces a standing opponent, bends them forwards, takes a hold around their waist and then flips the opponent up and over so the opponent is sitting on the wrestler's shoulders. The wrestler then faces a corner of the ring and throws the opponent into the corner, driving the back and neck of the opponent to the turnbuckle. The move was famously used byKenta KobashiandSeth Rollins.The move is considered to be dangerous if done wrong, which led toStingtemporarily retiring from wrestling (he has since returned to the ring since 2020 withAEW) andFinn Bálorinjuring hisshoulderin 2016. WWE banned it in 2020 afterNia Jaxbotched the move onKairi Sane.However, in recent years, Seth Rollins has continued to use the move semi-regularly, with Balór also using it against Rollins at Summerslam 2023, suggesting that WWE may have lifted the ban.

Snap powerbomb

This variation sees a wrestler catching an opponent mid-air or lifting them up in a standard powerbomb, before slamming him to the mat as quickly as possible. It was used as a finisher byChris Benoitunder the nameWild Bomb.

Suplex powerbomb

The wrestler lifts the opponent upside down as in avertical suplexand then pushes their upper body forward while sitting down, ending the move in the same position as thesitout powerbomb.A fall-forward and standing versions are also possible. The move was invented byKenta Kobashiwho called itOrange Crush.El Genericoused the move with a double pumphandle cradle before delivering theOrange Crush.Jon MoxleyandRoderick Strongused the standing version.

References

• Mick Foley(2000).Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks.HarperCollins.ISBN0-06-103101-1.