Long fall, bad landing. That’s the best way to describe the devastation a Powerbomb could do to an opponent. Supposedly invented by Lou Thesz, many wrestlers have used the move over the years. It usually is best done by giants - but falling or getting slammed from six feet off the ground surely hurts as much as seven or eight. You’re still getting muscled up and dropped on your back, sometimes at a dizzying speed.
With a move this devastating, plenty of superstars have coopted it into their repertoire over the years. There’s of course even been several variations from the Popup Powerbomb to the Buckle Bomb, to the Sunset Flip Bomb. But no matter a superstars’ size - if a superstar can get you up, chances are they’re going to want to Powerbomb you. Here are the 10 Best Wrestlers To Use The Powerbomb, Ranked.
10 The Undertaker - The Last Ride
When the Phenom returned to the WWE at Judgment Day 2001, he introduced the world to the American Bad Ass. He also came back with a new finishing move, an elevated Powerbomb called The Last Ride. As if getting dropped by a guy who’s six-foot-ten wasn’t bad enough. Now the Deadman lifts you up higher off of his shoulders before driving you right into the mat. Opponents were probably hoping to get a Tombstone instead.
9 Kevin Nash - The Jackknife
For a lot of fans who grew up during the Expansion and/or New Generation Era, one of the first times we ever saw the Powerbomb was from Big Daddy Cool Diesel. It’s an imposing vision to see. The seven-footer hoists his opponent up to his head and then gives them enough of a push off of him before falling seven feet straight down. Ever fall off of or jump off of the diving board back first? The Jackknife is kind of like that. Despite tall, Nash is also deceptively strong and has even gotten the Giant up on one occasion.
8 Chris Jericho - Double Powerbomb
The youngest AEW Heavyweight Champion of all time, Chris Jericho certainly knows exactly how to defeat opponents – he has the Lionsalt, the Walls Of Jericho, the Codebreaker, and now he has the Judas Effect. While the Powerbomb is an impressive move, The Living Legend knows that when he delivers it, it might not be enough to get the 1-2-3, so Jericho muscles up his opponent to deliver a second one for a Double Powerbomb.
7 Batista - The Batista Bomb
There have been plenty of variations of the Powerbomb over the years, but the Batista Bomb might be the most scintillating and devastating. Six, six and 290lbs, the Animal can pretty much get anyone up for his Powerbomb. The reason his is the most powerful is how he adds some more torque behind it – he comes crashing down with his opponent. You’re not falling down, the 2020 Hall Of Famer forces you down with him.
6 Big Van Vader - Powerbomb
There is seldom, if any debate – Big Van Vader is one of the best big men to ever compete in the industry. A star in Japan, WCW, and the WWE his athleticism and brutality were always second to none. The Mastadon and sure to be eventual Hall Of Famer had the massive Vader Bomb to use as his finisher, not many could kick out of a 450 lb man splashing you from the second or even top rope. Vader could also use a nasty Powerbomb as well to set up an even nastier bomb.
5 The Shield - Cerberus Bomb
The Shield debuted at the 2012 Survivor Series and immediately made an impact. The Hounds Of Justice quickly became known for their fury of offense that overtook just about any and all opponents.
But once it came down to ending the match, the trio would use their collective strength to deliver a triple Powerbomb. Corey Graves would refer to it as the Cerberus Bomb, referencing the Hounds as one collective three-headed dog from hell.
4 Kevin Owens - Apron Powerbomb
The apron is the hardest part of the ring. A Powerbomb is one of the hardest-hitting moves an opponent can endure. One might think that the two should have been married to each other years ago. But it wasn’t until the twisted mind of Kevin Owens came around that the Apron Powerbomb was invented. Owens already had the Pop Up Powerbomb in his bag of tricks, but to drive someone into the apron, upper back first is just plain evil. But what do you expect from a guy who has “Evil” tattooed on his arm?
3 Mike Awesome - Awesome Bomb
When you call your finisher the Awesome Bomb and when there are songs sung about it, it better be awesome. When you wrestle in ECW, a move called the Awesome Bomb better evoke a “holy profanity-laced” chant from the bloodthirsty ECW fans. Before WCW made Mike Awesome look like a complete joke, the former ECW champion was revered for his ability to smash opponents right through several tables through a match, and sometimes all at once. All using the Awesome Bomb!
2 Jushin Thunder Liger - Liger Bomb
In just a few short days, the legendary journeyman Japanese Star, Jushin Thunder Liger is set to retire from the industry. Since his debut for New Japan in 1984, Liger has trained in both the Dungeon and under Fujinami. He’s also toured the world over and has wrestled in just about every single promotion that has existed since 1984.
Everywhere he goes, he takes the Sitout Liger Bomb with him. Similar to the Batista Bomb, Liger takes you up and quickly slams down with you. But Liger sits down with you into a pinning combination.
1 Kota Ibushi - Golden Star Powerbomb
Unless you’re a fan of New Japan, the only time American audiences would have been able to see Kota Ibushi on the grand WWE stage. He might be a Cruiserweight, but there’s also nothing he can’t do. One half of the Golden Lovers even took the Deadman’s Last Ride and modified into a sit-out version - the Golden Star Powerbomb, which he delivers into a pinning combination.