10 Wrestling Moves Prohibited by WWE

Every wrestling technique carries inherent risks, which is why WWE consistently advises against attempting them at home. However, certain maneuvers are deemed excessively hazardous, particularly in an era where concussion studies and athlete safety are increasingly prioritized. As a result, WWE has banned these moves. While some bans are predictable, others may come as a surprise.

10. Curb Stomp

Seth Rollins' former finishing move, the most recently prohibited technique, seems almost baffling in its ban. While the name may be off-putting, WWE has historically rebranded contentious moves without hesitation (older fans might recall the original names of John Cena’s finishers). Surprisingly, this move is relatively safe to execute, as it allows the opponent to use their arms to cushion the fall and even adjust their head to minimize impact. However, WWE’s stance is clear: any move targeting the head is off-limits, especially with the heightened focus on concussion prevention. Ultimately, prioritizing the safety of performers is a decision that’s hard to dispute, regardless of the rationale.

http://www.sportskeeda.com/slideshow/5-reasons-why-wwe-banning-the-curb-stomp-is-ridiculous Source: sportskeeda.com

9. The Piledriver

A legendary finishing move and arguably the first to be explicitly banned by WWE, following an incident where Owen Hart accidentally caused a severe neck injury to “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. This injury sidelined Austin during the peak of his career and contributed to his early retirement. The Piledriver, in its various forms, involves flipping an opponent upside down and driving their head into the mat. Jerry Lawler famously used the classic version, while The Undertaker and Kane employed a safer modification, the Tombstone. Although the Tombstone isn’t banned, it’s reserved for special occasions and executed with extreme care to avoid any risk. The Piledriver’s prohibition marked WWE’s initial steps toward reducing neck injuries, a priority that remains in place today.

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8. Canadian Destroyer

This maneuver has been prominently showcased by only one wrestler on a major stage: Petey Williams, formerly of TNA. Executing the Canadian Destroyer demands exceptional athleticism from both participants, making it impractical for regular use in WWE, especially against heavier opponents. The move begins like a powerbomb setup but transitions into a backward flip, culminating in a piledriver. Its classification as a piledriver variant is the primary reason for its ban in WWE. While the flipping motion reduces the downward force, the complexity increases the risk of error, making it a high-stakes move.

http://gifsoup.com/view/1025197/canadian-destroyer.html Source: gifsoup.com

7. Vertebreaker

Popularized by “Sugar” Shane Helms during WCW’s final days, the Vertebreaker is as perilous as its name suggests. The move involves holding an opponent upside down on your back and then dropping them onto their head, neck, and shoulders. Its execution demands immense strength, precision, and timing, making it feasible only against smaller wrestlers. The lack of visibility during the move and the razor-thin margin for error make it exceptionally hazardous. WWE swiftly banned the Vertebreaker, a decision that was hardly controversial given its inherent risks.

http://wcwworldwide.tumblr.com/post/111422146361/this-day-in-wcw-history-shane-helms-hits-the Source: wcwworldwide.tumblr.com

6. Brainbuster

Dick Murdoch is credited with popularizing the Brainbuster, a move that evolved into a more aggressive variation of the suplex. Instead of a standard vertical suplex, the wrestler drops straight down, causing the opponent to land primarily on their neck and shoulders. A safer adaptation, Goldberg’s Jackhammer, allows the opponent to land flat on their back. WWE banned the Brainbuster due to the uncontrollable nature of the fall and the inherent risks of targeting the neck from a height. Interestingly, in Japan, the standard vertical suplex is called a Brainbuster, while the neck-targeting version is termed a “vertical drop Brainbuster.”

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5. Randy Orton's Punt

Remember when Randy Orton’s signature move, the punt, was a storyline device to inflict severe head injuries, sidelining opponents for weeks? While the execution often appeared underwhelming—more of a graze than a full-force kick—it was portrayed as his most devastating technique, even surpassing the RKO. However, with growing awareness of concussion risks, WWE wisely decided to phase out the move. Nowadays, Orton might tease the punt during intense Pay Per View matches, but it’s almost certain he’ll be thwarted before landing it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GETeK8ptPA Source: YouTube.com

4. Shooting Star Press

The Shooting Star Press was banned after Brock Lesnar’s near-catastrophic attempt at WrestleMania XIX. This high-risk maneuver, performed from the top rope, is prone to over- or under-rotation, and the inability to see the landing spot until the last moment makes it particularly hazardous. Wrestlers like Billy Kidman faced criticism for sloppy executions, with Kidman even injuring Chavo Guerrero during a match. While exceptions have been made for performers like Evan Bourne and Neville—whose Red Arrow adds an extra twist—the move remains largely prohibited. A safer, grounded version has been performed by stars like John Morrison.

http://mindofcarnage.com/2015/10/22/who-told-brock-lesnar-to-do-the-shooting-star-press-at-wrestlemania-xix/ Source: mindofcarnage.com

3. The Pedigree

The Pedigree is undeniably hazardous, as it forces an opponent face-first into the mat while their arms are hooked to prevent cushioning the fall. Although the head is ideally positioned to avoid contact with the ground, even a minor error can lead to severe injury. Consequently, WWE banned the original version of Triple H’s Pedigree after incidents where wrestlers were hurt while taking the move. The current version, used by Triple H and Seth Rollins, involves releasing the opponent’s arms before impact, allowing them to use their arms to break the fall and reduce the risk of neck or head injuries.

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2. Burning Hammer

The Burning Hammer is so perilous that it has been used sparingly in professional wrestling, exclusively by Kenta Koi, and never in WWE. Similar to John Cena’s Attitude Adjustment, it begins with a fireman’s carry. However, the opponent lies on their back across the wrestler’s shoulders and is dropped sideways, landing on their head, neck, and shoulders. Koi, a legendary Japanese wrestler and mentor to Hideo Itami, acknowledged its danger, using it only seven times in his career. A safer, modified version was briefly employed by former WWE star Tyler Reks, but it differed significantly from Koi’s original.

http://gifsoup.com/view/1391723/koi-burning-hammer.html Source: gifsoup.com

1. Chair Shots To The Head

While not technically a wrestling move, the rise of hardcore wrestling during the Attitude Era led to a surge in chair shots to the head. Once a rare occurrence, they became a regular feature, with matches often requiring multiple shots to conclude. The infamous 1999 Royal Rumble “I Quit” match, where Mankind endured numerous unprotected head shots, and the chilling footage from Beyond The Mat highlighting the toll on Mick Foley, remain unforgettable. Following the Chris Benoit tragedy and increased concussion research, WWE rightly identified head shots as a significant health risk. Even “protected” shots, where wrestlers block with their forearms, are risky due to timing issues. Consequently, WWE has minimized chair shots and banned head shots entirely, with modern chair shots now targeting the back.

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