The Burning Hammer - Who Did It Best?

#4 Michael Elgin

'Big Mike' is one of ROH's and NJPW's top stars

Michael Elgin has long been known as one of the strongest wrestlers in both ROH and in New Japan. Yet to show people that he can be as vicious as the rest of NJPW’s regular roster, he surprised everyone in this match by hitting his own version of the Burning Hammer.

Elgin’s version here is something of a middle position between Tyler Reks’ kiddie version and the original. While he does start the move correctly, Elgin sits down and allows his opponent to land with their entire body flat on the mat, instead of head-first.

While this take on the move certainly does look painful, you can clearly see that Naito doesn’t land square on his head.

Yet we’re giving credit where it’s due, and Elgin did show his determination by hitting a move that almost never appears in wrestling rings anywhere these days.