WWE has recently addressed the health of Randy Orton after a brutal unsanctioned fight with Kevin Owens on SmackDown. Despite security's best efforts to separate them, Owens delivered a dangerous piledriver to Orton, a move that WWE had previously banned. This devastating move left Orton motionless on the mat, requiring paramedics to carry him out on a stretcher. The injury came as WWE had already warned Orton about the risks of such moves, especially in the build-up to Crown Jewel 2024. This incident highlighted the ongoing concern WWE has with moves that can lead to severe injuries.
Here are three wrestling moves WWE has banned for safety reasons:
1. Shooting Star Press
The Shooting Star Press was banned after a botched move during a 2004 SmackDown match between Billy Kidman and Chavo Guerrero. Kidman’s knee landed on Guerrero’s temple, knocking him out and causing a concussion. This was just over a year after Brock Lesnar’s own botched Shooting Star Press at WrestleMania 19, which caused a concussion and affected the main event. Though the move was banned for years, WWE allowed Evan Bourne to use it when he joined in 2008, as he performed it safely, eventually leading to its quiet unbanning.
2. Muscle Buster
Samoa Joe's signature finisher, the Muscle Buster, was banned after a tragic incident during a match with Tyson Kidd at NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable in 2015. While performing the move, Joe accidentally ruptured a ligament in Kidd’s vertebrae, almost paralyzing him and effectively ending his career. While Joe continued to use the Muscle Buster in NXT, he abandoned it on WWE’s main roster in favor of the Coquina Clutch, which is safer.
3. Piledriver
The piledriver is one of the most dangerous moves in wrestling, banned in WWE after a near-career-ending injury to Stone Cold Steve Austin at SummerSlam 1997. During a match with Owen Hart, Hart executed a piledriver that caused Austin’s head to spike against the mat, temporarily paralyzing him and bruising his spinal cord. Although Austin made a recovery, the injury altered his wrestling style and shortened his career. This incident led WWE to ban the piledriver for safety concerns.
These moves, while iconic, come with serious risks. WWE’s decision to ban them demonstrates the company’s commitment to wrestler safety, even if it means cutting out some fan-favorite moves from the roster.
