Superkick or DDT which one should go back to finisher status

[Vice honcho room temperature]

Superkick and DDT are two moves that are super similar in how popular they became, generally associated with one person as the version, sometimes people tried to reclaim it (Raven's DDT and Stevie Richards and Glacier had superkicks as finishers too) and thus not protected because everyone did it.

So if you were god of pro wrestling booking and could rewind a movie which one deserves its game over finisher status back. I'd say a DDT is easier to do as anyone but at least it was booked as a momentum shift move where superkick parties are a parody at this point. But again if I tried a superkick I'd look like a doofus like I am but I can grab a head and fall back if needed.

[Instant Classic]

Super kick as a finish was deadly to me as a kid, now it’s done every match 2-3 times.

[Wieners=$$$]

I'll say DDT, but with the caveat that the wrestler must sell their proficiency with the maneuver. It isn't that they are the only one to use the move, but someone who knows how to use it to end a match. It's all about selling it to the audience.

Same could be said for the Superkick, but the DDT has multiple-variations that a wrestler could work into their matches. Much like the Cutter/RKO.

[Ben Wyatt]

DDT. Hell, I really wish Drew used the Future shock to actually win a match or 2 because that thing usually looks fantastic

[Cyno]

DDT, but it has to have a special spin on it. Superkicks are like lariats to me where they come off like such a basic move because it's been used for so long, but it's a nice treat when they have that special something to set them apart as a finisher, like Shawn Michaels' tuning up the band for SCM or Adam Page flipping into the ring for the Buckshot.

[Clash, Never a Meter Maid]

Neither. More crazy looking drivers and head drops off ladders. /sarcasm

[HMARK Center]

By sheer dint of the position the wrestlers wind up in after doing them, I'd say DDT has more of a case to be a finish more of the time.

A superkick involves both wrestlers still potentially being on their feet after it's done; nothing wrong with it finishing a match, but it lends itself to also transitioning to other spots very well since you're already in position to jump, hit the ropes, or do any number of other things.

With a DDT everyone ends up on the mat, so it feels more like a period at the end of a sentence, whereas the superkick can be a period, or can just as easily be a comma. That said, when people do use it as a finish I prefer to see some kind of interesting spin on it; Jake executed his with real snap and quickness, Raven used to have his opponent to a full roll through when he'd do the Evenflow variation, etc. Normal ass DDT doesn't have the same weight it might've once carried.

[James Fabiano]

DDT. Provided you got guys who can make it look like a finisher. Not the grab a front facelock/let's tumble over transition deal.

[ianriccaboni]

Neither. It's about who does it, when they do it, and how it's communicated. A skilled production can make anything a believable, exciting finish including a punch or a roll up.

There's a difference between a desperation version of each and someone who has their opponent right where they want them. It's usually up to the commentator to set and deliver the expectations.

[Bo Rida]

Jan 13, 2022 12:25:49 GMT -5 Cyno said:

DDT, but it has to have a special spin on it.

This. I don't mind a regular ddt not being a finisher but many variations should be, especially the draping one.

[HMARK Center]

Jan 13, 2022 15:37:08 GMT -5 ianriccaboni said:

Neither. It's about who does it, when they do it, and how it's communicated. A skilled production can make anything a believable, exciting finish including a punch or a roll up.

There's a difference between a desperation version of each and someone who has their opponent right where they want them. It's usually up to the commentator to set and deliver the expectations.

Very much agreed on the last point; there’s almost always a decent reason commentary can give why a move did or didn’t result in a pin fall in a given situation. Not blowing smoke on this but it was something it seemed like you and Caprice put effort into, and it’s something that comes up a decent amount in AEW commentary as well: you have the times where a move is snapped off fast but maybe gives up impact/execution for speed/quickness, where a wrestler can’t follow up with a pin quickly enough or executes their pin poorly for whatever reason, or in some cases there are finishers that really aren’t meant to be “one shot kills” and it’s ok to play that up on commentary (e.g. how Cody Rhodes never seems to win with a single Crossroads, but a Brody King Gonso Bomb is basically death).

[Lizuka #BLM]

I'm really fine with both being as they are now but of the two I guess the superkick. Maybe it's because I'm a product of the late 90s but I've pretty much always thought any variation of the DDT makes for a shitty finisher.

[Starshine]

I mean, all it would take is some wrestler deciding "the DDT/Superkick is my finisher" and going from there. Just about any move can be given finisher status.

[A Platypus Rave]

Jan 14, 2022 2:44:19 GMT -5 Starshine said:

I mean, all it would take is some wrestler deciding "the DDT/Superkick is my finisher" and going from there. Just about any move can be given finisher status.

Yeah, even Jake when talking about the DDT becoming a transition something along the lines of cause they aren't doing it right... one should be all ya need if done right.

[Deleted]

DDT. I'm a sucker for a good DDT.

If I never saw a superkick again (unless it's from HBK), I'd be happy.

[nihilismizhawt]

Arn Anderson and Michael Hayes used DDTs in the 80's and it didn't finish matches.

I think the body slam and headlock should go back to finishers. 

[tafkaga]

The superkick has never been a finisher in my mind.

Driving someone's head into the floor should be a fairly deadly move.

[King Devitt]

Jan 14, 2022 12:54:20 GMT -5 @dax said:

DDT. I'm a sucker for a good DDT.

If I never saw a superkick again (unless it's from HBK), I'd be happy.

100% this.

Jake's DDT is my favorite finishing move of all time.
Seconded by Raven who had an amazing 'snap' to the execution of his DDT.

I love the move, and wish it was the knockout blow it used to be.

[The Ichi]

Idk, it feels to me like DDTs usually are finishers now. Granted I don't watch WWE so maybe it's a problem there.

[Mozenrath]

Both can be finishers fine. Any good finisher is the exclamation point at the end of a match, and like a powerbomb or a top rope move, these are evergreen.