Using the same move or moves

[dlg3000]

Has any wrestler during the pre-1990 WWF days ever used the Figure Four Leg Lock? During the 80s during the NWA/JCP days, quite a few wrestlers used the figure four leglock including Ric Flair, Wahoo McDaniel, Dusty Rhodes, Jesse Barr, and Ricky Morton. I am assuming that there was nothing unprofessional about someone using another wrestler's move in those days. I read somewhere that signature moves didn't come into play as much decades ago like they do today. For instance, some wrestlers today would get upset when another wrestler uses the same move they have. Those are just subtle little things I noticed. Maybe it has always been that way, but it seems that nowadays, some fans and even some wrestlers would get upset if they see two wrestlers using the same move.

[JoDaNa1281]

Greg Valentine & Tito Santana used it.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Bret says in his book he was chastised for using a piledriver to finish his first WWF match. It was Mr. Wonderful's finish and a huge no-no to use it.

Jericho also talks about him and Lance Storm receiving heat for doing a double drop kick finish, since it was basically Gibson and Mortons.

I think the big deal is using someone's finish as a regular move. Doesn't it seem wrong if you see someone do a tombstone and it's not Kane or Taker and there's no pin?

It makes the move look worse. Just my opinion.

[Throwback]

scorpion death lock < Sharpshooter

[johnnyk9]

So many people used the atomic drop back in the day

[Mozenrath]

The Figure Four Leglock was a wildly popular finisher in the territory days. It was kind of like the Reverse DDT or Pumphandle Slam of its time, except it was actually over.

[ICBM]

From everything I have read/heard from the WWF guys and NWA, AWA or World class guys i the 80's, Vince started really protecting each guy's spots during the that time. So that the characters would be distinct. This has been a practice outside of WWF for a long time but Vince really took hold of it when he was building up WWF in the 80's and it was one of the tangable things from an in ring standpoint, that you can look at as evidence of his changing wrestling. Today this is a very prevelent practice in almost every promotion national or indy. Watch either TNA or WWE programming and pay attention to the finishes of three matches in a row. One will be clean, one will be no contest and one will be submission. I don't mean that is exactly how it will go down. What I mean is they will be distinct so as not to rob heat from the next guy or especially the main event. If you have a submission guy in the main event and you need him to use his finish in the main event match, than you should not have the last three guys use submissions during their finish

[Pervy Stone Cold]

Jan 3, 2011 1:05:54 GMT -5 dlg3000 said:

Has any wrestler during the pre-1990 WWF days ever used the Figure Four Leg Lock? During the 80s during the NWA/JCP days, quite a few wrestlers used the figure four leglock including Ric Flair, Wahoo McDaniel, Dusty Rhodes, Jesse Barr, and Ricky Morton. I am assuming that there was nothing unprofessional about someone using another wrestler's move in those days. I read somewhere that signature moves didn't come into play as much decades ago like they do today. For instance, some wrestlers today would get upset when another wrestler uses the same move they have. Those are just subtle little things I noticed. Maybe it has always been that way, but it seems that nowadays, some fans and even some wrestlers would get upset if they see two wrestlers using the same move.

Bret Hart used it as one of his moves too. He and Shawn Michaels had a lot of similar moves.

[ANTLOL]

There are many wrestlers using the same move. I don't see the big deal and it would make no sense why someone should not use someone else's effective move. Furthermore, I have no problem with people from different feds using other people's killer finishers as special moves that in 99% of the cases do NOT lead to a 3-count. When Goldberg was the man in WCW, Billy Gunn or Hardcore Holly started using the Jackhammer. I bet many Goldberg fanboys got as upset as HHH fanboys got when they saw Jarrett using the Pedigree. This happens. Just because one fed heavily protects certain moves does not mean that it restricts others to do so as well.

If I was a wrestler and free to choose my finisher I'd use the Pedigree, the Stroke or the Reverse DDT. Why? They all are effective, they can be used on any opponent regardless of size and it's easy to avoid botching them. Could I (5'10'', 200 lbs) pedigree Big Show? Sure (if he cooperates). Could I spear Big Show? Yes, but it would look ridiculous and fake. Could I jackhammer Big Show? LOLNO.

[ICBM]

Jan 5, 2011 15:13:19 GMT -5 ANTLOL said:

There are many wrestlers using the same move. I don't see the big deal and it would make no sense why someone should not use someone else's effective move. Furthermore, I have no problem with people from different feds using other people's killer finishers as special moves that in 99% of the cases do NOT lead to a 3-count. When Goldberg was the man in WCW, Billy Gunn or Hardcore Holly started using the Jackhammer. I bet many Goldberg fanboys got as upset as HHH fanboys got when they saw Jarrett using the Pedigree. This happens. Just because one fed heavily protects certain moves does not mean that it restricts others to do so as well.

If I was a wrestler and free to choose my finisher I'd use the Pedigree, the Stroke or the Reverse DDT. Why? They all are effective, they can be used on any opponent regardless of size and it's easy to avoid botching them. Could I (5'10'', 200 lbs) pedigree Big Show? Sure (if he cooperates). Could I spear Big Show? Yes, but it would look ridiculous and fake. Could I jackhammer Big Show? LOLNO.

Dead on dude. Spread it out and it isn't a big deal. I remember guys I worked with clowning Booker T for the Book end. I defended it with the headlock logic(if nobody ever copies the headlock we'd have no transitions) DDP also use it but eventually just started taking it all the way around for a traditional "Sambo Suplex" but WWF fans still called it a rip off and more lame wcw copycatting

[Vice honcho room temperature]

Well early on there were only so many moves. Besides kayfabe was easier and people cared so you can say that he mastered that move that's why he finishes matches with it.