In the world of WWE, some moves are so popular that they become fan favorites, even if they come with a hefty price tag for the wrestlers who perform them. Many of these moves are physically demanding and come with their own set of risks and challenges.
While fans can’t get enough of them, the Superstars performing them sometimes wish they could leave them out of their routine.
Let’s take a look at 10 WWE moves that wrestlers may not love doing, but fans adore.
1. The Diving Headbutt
One of the most iconic yet brutal moves in WWE history, the diving headbutt is often associated with wrestlers like Chris Benoit and Daniel Bryan.
The move involves the wrestler leaping off the top rope and crashing head-first into their opponent. While it looks impressive and gets a massive pop from the crowd, the impact on the neck and spine can be devastating for the wrestler performing it.
Repeated use of this move can lead to severe neck injuries, making it one that many Superstars avoid if they can help it.
While it’s a fan favorite, the diving headbutt has been largely phased out of many wrestlers’ arsenals due to long-term health risks. It serves as a reminder of the toll wrestling can take on the body.

2. The Powerbomb
The powerbomb is a simple yet effective move where a wrestler lifts their opponent up and slams them down onto the mat, often with great force. While it looks great on TV, the move is notoriously hard on the person taking it.
Wrestlers are slammed down on their back, which can lead to spinal compression, neck injuries, and even long-term back pain. Despite these risks, fans love the spectacle of a big powerbomb, especially when it’s done by someone with the size and power of a wrestler like Kevin Owens or Batista.
Despite the risks, the powerbomb remains one of WWE’s most effective finishing moves because of its sheer impact and dramatic effect. It’s a move that fans never tire of seeing.
3. The Swanton Bomb
Jeff Hardy’s signature move, the Swanton Bomb, involves him diving off the top turnbuckle, twisting mid-air, and crashing into his opponent. The move is incredibly high-risk, especially since Jeff often performs it from great heights, such as the top of a ladder or even outside the ring.
While it looks spectacular and always gets the crowd on their feet, the impact on Hardy’s back, neck, and joints has taken its toll over the years. Hardy himself has spoken about the pain he endures from executing this move.
As impressive as it is, the Swanton Bomb requires a level of bravery and athleticism that few can match. It’s one of those moves that the fans love to see, but the performer might dread after years of wear and tear on their body.

4. The Moonsault
The moonsault is a breathtaking move that involves a wrestler flipping backward off the top rope and landing on their opponent. It’s a move that requires incredible agility, and it often gets one of the loudest reactions from the crowd.
However, executing a perfect moonsault is harder than it looks. Not only does it take a lot of athleticism, but it also places a significant amount of pressure on the back, shoulders, and knees of the person performing it.
While moves like the moonsault look effortless, they take years of practice and precise body control. It’s a beautiful move to watch but painful to execute, especially if not done perfectly.

5. The Superplex
The superplex involves one wrestler lifting their opponent from the turnbuckle, and then suplexing them backward into the ring. It’s one of the most impactful moves in wrestling because it delivers a stunning blow to both competitors, especially the wrestler being thrown.
The move not only requires strength but also puts immense pressure on the back, neck, and shoulders. Despite the risk of injury, fans love to see a superplex, especially when it’s done from the top rope.
The superplex is a crowd favorite, and its risk-to-reward ratio makes it a go-to move for many WWE Superstars, even if it takes a toll on their bodies over time.
6. The Frog Splash
Eddie Guerrero made the frog splash famous in WWE, and ever since, it’s been one of the most popular moves in the wrestling world. This move involves the wrestler jumping from the top rope, flipping mid-air, and landing stomach-first onto their opponent.
While it looks amazing, it’s also hard on the performer’s body, particularly on the ribs and chest. The move can lead to bruising, sore muscles, and even cracked ribs if not executed correctly.
The frog splash is one of those moves that looks effortless but comes with a lot of pain for the person performing it. It’s a move that fans will cheer for every time, but the wrestler might be feeling the aftereffects for days.
7. The Sharpshooter
The sharpshooter is one of the most iconic submission moves in WWE history, made famous by Bret “The Hitman” Hart. The move involves a wrestler locking their opponent’s legs and twisting their body into a painful submission hold.
While it’s a move that fans love to see, it’s also one that puts a lot of strain on the wrestler’s knees and lower back. For the wrestler applying the move, it can be a difficult position to maintain, especially if the opponent isn’t cooperating or if the move isn’t applied perfectly.

8. The RKO
Randy Orton’s RKO is one of the most iconic finishing moves in WWE. It’s a quick, unexpected move that can take anyone by surprise. However, despite its simplicity, the RKO is surprisingly tough on Orton’s body.
The move involves Randy catching his opponent’s head and driving them face-first into the mat. The whiplash effect and impact on Orton’s knees and back from executing the RKO over the years has taken a toll, making it a move he might not always love performing.
The RKO is a fan favorite because of its unexpected nature, but it’s still a move that places a lot of strain on the body, especially when done repeatedly.
9. The Chokeslam
The chokeslam is another iconic move that involves one wrestler lifting their opponent by the throat and slamming them onto the mat. While it looks devastating and gets a great reaction from the crowd, it’s also a tough move for the performer.
Lifting a grown adult by the throat and then throwing them down requires a lot of strength and can be tough on the wrestler’s back and arms. It’s no wonder that some wrestlers prefer to avoid the move unless necessary.
Despite its simplicity, the chokeslam is one of those moves that looks painful but has a lasting impact on both the wrestler and the audience. It’s a powerful move but can be taxing over time.
10. The Tombstone Piledriver
The tombstone piledriver is another move that fans love to see, especially when performed by The Undertaker. The move involves lifting an opponent upside down and driving their head into the mat. While it looks spectacular, it’s also incredibly dangerous.
The wrestler executing the move must be extremely careful to avoid hurting their opponent’s neck. For The Undertaker, who performed the move countless times throughout his career, the toll it took on his body was undeniable.
The tombstone piledriver remains one of the most iconic moves in WWE history, but it’s also a move that has led to many wrestlers choosing to avoid it due to its dangerous nature.
Conclusion: The Love-Hate Relationship with WWE Moves
WWE moves like the diving headbutt, powerbomb, and frog splash are crowd favorites, but they come with their own set of challenges for the wrestlers performing them. These moves are a reminder of the risks that WWE Superstars take to entertain fans.
While the moves are beloved by the WWE Universe, it’s clear that the physical toll they take on the performers is real. Still, despite the pain, these moves are what makes WWE so exciting and unpredictable. After all, the more shocking and dramatic, the better!