5 Moves that have been banned in WWE

Professional wrestling is a career that punishes the body.

To make it in WWE, you have to be tough, mentally and physically, able to go for weeks without seeing your loved ones, and be willing to take painful bumps every night.

Leave it to a former ECW Champion, Tazz, to infamously cry that "wrestling ain't ballet", to show just how tough it is (though if you've seen any ballet documentaries, you'll know how painful dance can be).

Over the years, the WWE Universe has witnessed countless moves, which Superstars work together on to produce an entertaining and exciting product. But despite this, there are some moves deemed so dangerous, that they will never be shown on WWE TV, for a variety of reasons.

Here are five moves that have been banned in WWE, and why.

---

#5 The Burning Hammer

Kobashi sets up the Burning Hammer.

One of the most dangerous moves in wrestling, the Burning Hammer was the invention of Kenta Kobashi, who after realizing the risk, only used it a handful of times in his career.

A reverse Death Valley Driver, the move would see a Superstar hoist his opponent onto his back, with the opponent facing upwards. From there, the Superstar would slam the opponent down, though not fully onto their face, but instead onto the back of their neck.

This, of course, could have devastating repercussions if the tiniest mistake was made, including neck damage, nerve damage and even paralysis.

Interestingly though, the main reason the move was banned in WWE wasn't because of it being a hazard (though that surely played a part). Instead, the company reportedly thought the move was too similar to John Cena's AA.

Whilst The Brian Kendrick did use the move in 2016, he was quickly told not to ever again.

#4 The Curb Stomp

Rollins curb stomps Neville in 2015.

The favored move of Seth Rollins, the Curb Stomp is the move that helped the Architect win his first WWE World Championship at WrestleMania 31.

And whilst Rollins was able to topple many a foe with the move, it was banned, though not because of injuries. Instead, the move was banned after being viewed by Vince McMahon, according to Rollins, who thought the move was a bad way to represent the company.

Speaking on the Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast in 2017, Rollins said that he was sad that the move had been banned, but understood the decision from a marketing aspect. Though Rollins did use the move in 2018, the news of whether the move is re-instated remains unclear.

With many speculating about the act of stomping someone's head into the ground having gang or racial hatred connotations, the company probably did right to ban the move, to avoid a PR disaster.

#3 Chair shots to the head

The Undertaker dishes out a chair shot to the head.

Whilst not technically a move, but there are plenty of fans who are still bitter about chair shots to the head being banned on WWE TV. During the height of the Attitude Era, chair shots to the head were commonplace in the WWF, and even more common in ECW.

However, following the company's move to a PG rating in 2008, all chair shots to the head are banned, with a hefty fine being imposed on Superstars who dare to use it.

Following the Benoit double murder-suicide, the WWE began looking at the damage of blows to the head more serious, with chair shots obviously being something that could lead to brain damage.

Despite the rule, and the fine, Triple H and The Undertaker did bust out chair shots to the head at WrestleMania 27.

#2 The Vertebreaker

The Hurricane, the inventor of the Vertebreaker, which is now banned in WWE.

With his bright green attire, love of Superheroes (especially Green Lantern) and his wacky persona, it's hard to see The Hurricane as anything than a fun-loving guy. But the former Cruiserweight Champion actually had one of the most dangerous moves in WWE, The Vertebreaker, which is now banned.

An invention of Hurricane Helms, the Vertebreaker would see a Superstar lift their opponent into a backdrop, before dropping them with a revere piledriver, leaving their opponents to take the brunt on their head and neck.

Amazingly, Helms never injured anyone with the move, though plenty of imitators outside of the WWE did. It was with this in mind that the company thought it was too dangerous, even for the man who had invented the move and banned the company's resident Superhero from ever using the move again.

#1 The Punt

Randy Orton punts Michael McGillicutty, now Curtis Axel, before the move was banned.

When Randy Orton changed from cocky legend killer to ruthless ring-general, so did his moveset. One new move in the Viper's repertoire was The Punt: a swift kick to the head, usually preceded by a run by Orton to build momentum.

Whilst the move began as a way to write Superstars off TV, WWE quickly turned on the move, as the brutal kick began injuring various members of the roster, including Vince McMahon himself. Seeing it as a move that could cause lasting head trauma, and one that is far too easy for fans to imitate, the move is now banned.

Whilst Orton has teased the move in the years since, he is usually thwarted at the last minute, as WWE continues to take concussions more and more seriously as part of their wellness policy.