#3 The spinning backfist
While the spinning backfist has been used in MMA numerous times – most notably by Shonie Carter in his 2001 fight with Matt Serra – I can’t really recall it being used all that often in the realm of WWE.
In fact, the only time I can recall it being used was in a super-obscure match – the Women’s match at Survivor Series 1995, when Aja Kong used it to finish off Alundra Blayze. Outside of a fun spoof of the 2012 Anderson Silva/Chael Sonnen finish by Daniel Bryan and CM Punk, it’s never really appeared.
Now would be a good time for that to change.
With striking finishes becoming more and more popular inside the WWE – from Sami Zayn’s Helluva Kick to Roman Reigns’ Superman punch, why someone hasn’t taken the spinning backfist is a mystery to me.
The move could be made to look even more devastating in the ring than it is in MMA. After all, in MMA it’s a strike that only works if you manage to surprise your opponent with it. Otherwise it’s often easily avoided, as was the case when Sonnen threw one at Silva.
In WWE however, the wrestler performing the move could whip their opponent into the ropes and deliver the spinning backfist as their opponent bounces back towards them. It’d look awesome and all it’d require would be some great timing.
Seth Rollins has great timing, and since his Curb Stomp was banned he’s been in dire need of a new finisher – the Pedigree is good but it’s too heavily linked with HHH. The spinning backfist though is right there for the taking and could replace the Curb Stomp perfectly.
