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All top stars that the WWE has ever produced have one thing in common - a crowd popping finisher, be it a Stone Cold Stunner or a Randy Orton RKO. A finisher is perhaps the most important ingredient in portending any wrestler as a legitimate threat in WWE's world.
So, let us take a look at 5 WWE superstars who need to tweak their game a bit to reach the next level.
Don't agree with me or have a different name in mind? Share your opinion in the comments section below.
#5. The Miz
Current Finisher: The Skull Crushing Finale
The Miz used a swinging neck-breaker during his initial days as a WWE superstar. While it was good enough to bring him tag team gold, The Miz knew that it could not fetch him a win against the likes of Orton and Cena.
Then came the Skull Crushing Finale and fast forward to today, The Miz has been a WWE Champion and a multi-time Intercontinental Champion. But, it seems that something is stopping him from reaching the next level.
New Finisher: Busaiku Knee
The Miz has copied a lot of moves that Daniel Bryan used to do in order to taunt him. So, why not adopt his finisher which has already pinned John Cena.
While The Miz has constantly improved in the ring and on the mic, evolving into one of the WWE's best, it seems history is repeating itself by stagnating him on the same level for far too long. Thus, once again, The Miz could find himself challenging for the WWE World or Universal championships by just adopting a more lethal finisher.
#4. John Cena
Current Finisher: The Attitude Adjustment
John Cena is a living legend who is a 16 time WWE champion. While the Attitude Adjustment has been incremental in those 16 Championship reigns, it cannot be denied that he has lost the championship 16 times because the same move couldn't get the job done.
These days, it is almost a taken for granted fact that Cena's opponent will very likely kick out of the AA at least once. This is perhaps a reason why Cena's stock has fallen to some extent in the eyes of the WWE Universe.
New Finisher: The Canadian Destroyer
John Cena has added a lot of new moves in his arsenal in the last few years. The springboard stunner and dropkick are a few that leap to the mind. But, one move that he is very good at performing is the Canadian Destroyer. It is a move that looks devastating and is certainly more believable than the AA.
It is one thing if someone kicks out of your finisher once, but if Roman Reign's can kick out of your finisher 4 times in a match, then perhaps it is time to move on to something new.
#3. Braun Strowman
Current Finisher: Running Powerslam
Braun Strowman is the hottest thing in WWE today. He has laid waste to every superstar standing on his path and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future.
Braun has given us countless memorable moments within a span of a year but, one thing that fails to impress me is his finisher. The Powerslam is just not believable as a finisher, more so when it manages to pin guys like Reigns and Big Show. It is perhaps best acceptable as a signature move.
New Finisher: Burning Hammer
The Burning Hammer was made popular by the legendary Japanese Wrestler, who used the move only 7 times in his career and each time, it was able to put his opponent away. While the original version of this move is quite dangerous, Tyler Reks introduced a safer version during his short stint with the WWE, proving that this move could be used inside Vince McMahon's ring.
Braun's career can have a very high ceiling, and the first step towards reaching that could be dropping his finisher and moving on to something more awe-inspiring. Just imagine Braun performing a Burning Hammer on Brock Lesnar and winning the WWE Universal Championship.
#2. Dolph Ziggler
Current Finisher: Zig-Zag
Much like The Miz, Dolph Ziggler is in desperate need of a new finisher. This is perhaps more evident because of the fact that he has recently been switching between the zig zag and the superkick as his finisher.
While the Zig-Zag should never have been a finisher in the first place, the superkick is also not a wise choice these days. Almost everyone uses a superkick of his own in today's WWE and this has somehow dampened the potency of this once legendary move. Moreover, Ziggler using the superkick gives his critics a point to call him a rip-off of HBK.
New Finisher: Inverted Jumping DDT
The jumping DDT looks like the most effective move in Dolph Ziggler's playbook. So, why not give it a twist and use that as a finisher. Moreover, this would also look like an advanced version of the current Zig-Zag.
Dolph is one of the most talented wrestlers in the world right now and yet he has not been able to really break his shackles in the WWE. A change in finisher might just catapult him into the next stage of his career where he could start winning again.
#1. Velveteen Dream
Current Finisher: Purple Rainmaker
Velveteen Dream is one of the fastest growing performers in NXT today and the ever increasing reaction of the audience towards him suggests that he is one of the most over performers of the brand.
While Dream has had excellent matches with the likes of Aleister Black and Johnny Gargano, the one thing that has disappointed me is his Purple Rainmaker (diving elbow drop) finisher. Although there is nothing wrong with the way he executes the move (it is in fact quite impressive), there is always a question that lingers every time he hits the move - is it good enough to beat the top stars on the main roster? More often than not, the answer to that question is negative.
New Finisher: Swinging Reverse STO transitioned into DDT
The reverse STO transitioned into a DDT is the most jaw-dropping move in Velveteen Dream's armament and guarantees a pop from the crowd every time he uses it. Moreover, it looks way more impressive than a diving elbow drop.
Velveteen Dream has 'Future megastar' written all over him. But, the only thing missing is a finisher lethal enough to topple all the superstars standing in his way. But, maybe what he needs is already there in his bag of manoeuvres.
