Piledriver (professional wrestling): Difference between revisions

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{{Short description |A banned

{{unreferenced|article|date=January 2007}}

Professional wrestling move}}

A '''piledriver''' is a [[professional wrestling]] [[Professional wrestling throws#Driver|driver]] move in which the wrestler grabs his opponent, turns him upside-down, and drops into a sitting or kneeling position, driving the opponent's head into the mat.

[[File:Piledriver.gif|thumb|Animation of a piledriver]]

A '''piledriver''' is a [[professional wrestling]] [[Professional wrestling throws#Driver|driver]] move in which the wrestler grabs their opponent, turns them upside-down, and drops into a sitting or kneeling position, driving the opponent head-first into the mat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vPQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6094,6435532&dq=piledriver+wrestle&hl=en|title=234-pound wrestler injures Andy Kaufman in grudge fight|publisher=St. Petersburg Times|access-date=2009-11-24}}{{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref> The technique is said to have been innovated by [[Wild Bill Longson]].<ref name="PWHF">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwhf.org/halloffamers/bios/longson.asp|title=Bill Longson|publisher=[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]]|work=PWHF.com|author=Luce, Don|access-date=28 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228071632/http://www.pwhf.org/halloffamers/bios/longson.asp|archive-date=28 December 2013}}</ref>

The most common piledrivers are the basic belly-to-back, or [[#Texas piledriver|Texas piledriver]], and the belly-to-belly [[#Tombstone piledriver|tombstone piledriver]] popularized by [[The Undertaker]], but many more intricate variants are in use.

The name is taken from a piece of construction equipment, also called a [[pile driver]], that drives countless massive impacts on the top of a large major foundation support, burying it in the ground slowly with each impact. The ''act'' of performing a piledriver is called "piledriving". Someone who has recently been the victim of a piledriver is said to have been "piledriven" (e.g. "The wrestler was ''piledriven'' into the canvas").

Piledrivers are generally considered to be one of the more dangerous maneuvers in wrestling because of the impact on the head and compression of the neck; if even slightly [[botch (professional wrestling)|botched]], the move can cause serious injury, even paralysis. A standard [[kayfabe]] piledriver properly done has the head barely touching the ground, if at all.

Notable wrestlers who have regularly used a piledriver during their career include [[Jerry Lawler]], [[Bret Hart]], [[Harley Race]], [[Paul Orndorff]], [[Abismo Negro]], [[The Undertaker]], [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]], [[The Brain Busters]], [[Buddy Rogers (wrestler)|Buddy Rogers]], [[Minoru Suzuki]], [[Karl Gotch]], [[Dangerous Danny Davis|Danny Davis]], and [[Kazuchika Okada]].

Therefore a standard piledriver and its closely resembling variants are banned in [[World Wrestling Entertainment]], although they are still used on rare occasions. It is also considered an automatic disqualification in pro wrestling matches held in [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]], [[Tennessee]], as the move is banned in that city. (Ironically [[Jerry Lawler]], a wrestler and promoter in that city, uses a piledriver as one of his finishing moves.) In some promotions in the [[United Kingdom]], the move can result in not only a disqualification, but a [[fine]]. In [[Mexico]], the piledriver (called a "Martinete") is an automatic disqualification and wrestlers usually act as if their neck is broken. "Martinete" generally refers to tombstone piledrivers, but it is also used for other variations.

The piledriver is often seen as one of the most dangerous moves in wrestling. The [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Reverse piledriver|reverse piledriver]] is directly responsible for shortening the career of [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] when his opponent, [[Owen Hart]], inadvertently botched the move, legitimately injuring Austin's neck at the SummerSlam 1997.<ref>{{cite news|title=Most Dangerous Finishers in WWE History |url=https://www.voicesofwrestling.com/2025/03/05/most-dangerous-finishers-in-wwe-history/ |access-date=26 March 2025 |work=Voice of Wrestling |date=5 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Due to this, the move is banned in the [[WWE]] with the exceptions of [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] and [[The Undertaker]] due to their experience and having already established the ''Tombstone'' (kneeling belly-to-belly variant) as a finisher. However, in recent years, certain variations of the piledriver have been allowed to be performed by experienced wrestlers and it is not banned in some other wrestling promotions such as [[All Elite Wrestling]].

==Danger and precautions==

[[File:Mike Bennett piledriver.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Mike Bennett (wrestler)|Mike Bennett]] (left) improperly executing a piledriver on [[B. J. Whitmer]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=ROH news: B. J. Whitmer injured receiving a piledriver at Saturday's show; Sources - ROH star signs long-term deal|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/ROH_News_29/article_72470.shtml|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=16 March 2014}}</ref> Here, Whitmer's head is positioned below Bennett's legs and is unprotected. The impact from the move gave Whitmer a neck injury.]]

The piledriver is generally considered a dangerous maneuver in wrestling because of the potential impact on the head and compression of the neck. The proper way to execute the move, in most cases, is for the wrestler performing the move to tuck the opponent's head between their legs before falling to the mat (there are variations that are performed differently, as the list below indicates). If done in this manner, the wrestler receiving the move will land with little or no contact made with the mat, and thus not run the risk of injury.<ref>''Hollywood Hulk Hogan'', [[Hulk Hogan|Terry Bolea]]'s autobiography, pg 202. Simon and Schuster. {{ISBN|0-7434-7556-9}}.</ref> If the head is not secured and is protruding from between the wrestler's legs, the wrestler receiving the move risks serious injury and potential paralysis, as they will likely land with the entire weight of their body on the top of their head.<ref name=edit>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2000/07/20/mat-matters-piledriver-ban-handicaps-everyone/|title=Piledriver ban handicaps everyone|author=Powell, John|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=2009-11-24|date=July 20, 2000}}</ref> Perhaps the most famous example of an injury from an improperly performed piledriver came at the [[SummerSlam (1997)|1997 WWF SummerSlam]] event. In a match between [[Owen Hart]] and [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], Hart was to perform a reverse piledriver on Austin, who later said that he was not sure if the move was a good idea to perform, as he was unsure if his head could properly be protected. As Austin had feared, Hart [[Botch (professional wrestling)|botched]] the move and dropped Austin on top of his head. The impact jammed Austin's neck and left him temporarily paralyzed. He continued and finished the match, but stayed away from the ring for two months to recover from the injury. The physical demands of Austin's standing as one of the top stars in the WWF did not allow much downtime for him to rest and take care of the injury, and as his career progressed, the damage got worse. Austin underwent fusion surgery on his neck in 1999, but it never fully healed. By 2002, Austin's doctors told him that he risked permanent disability if he did not retire, and he finally did so in April 2003.<ref>[http://prowrestling.about.com/od/wwerawwrestlers/p/steveaustin.htm Steve Austin - a biography of wrestling superstar "Stone Cold" Steve Austin] Eric Cohen, About.com Guide</ref>

The piledriver was officially banned in the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF, now known as the WWE) in 2000, unless the wrestler has special permission to use the move.<ref name=edit/> In a discussion in 2007, Stephanie McMahon said that only two wrestlers were allowed to use the move, "two of the stronger guys", [[The Undertaker|Undertaker]] and [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]].<ref name="Stephanie McMahon interview">{{cite web|url= http://oversight-archive.waxman.house.gov/documents/20081231140942.pdf|title=Committee on Oversight and Government Reform interview of Stephanie McMahon|page=120|access-date=2011-09-27|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110506035623/http://oversight-archive.waxman.house.gov/documents/20081231140942.pdf|archive-date= 2011-05-06}}</ref> In fact, [[The Undertaker]]'s tombstone piledriver continued to be his finishing move until his retirement in 2020.<ref name="wwemagoct07">{{cite journal| title =Amazing But True..| journal =WWE Magazine| issue = 16| pages =13|date=October 2007}}</ref> The piledriver is also banned in many other promotions and certain cities. It is also considered an automatic disqualification in professional wrestling matches held in [[Tennessee]], as the move is banned in that state.<ref>[http://prowrestling.about.com/od/thebiggestrivalries/a/Lawlervkaufman.htm Andy Kaufman vs. Jerry Lawler] Eric Cohen, About.com Guide</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=August 2024}} In some promotions in the [[United Kingdom]], the move can result in not only a disqualification, but also a fine.<ref>[[Frontier Wrestling Alliance#Rules]]</ref> In [[Mexico]], the piledriver (called a ''martinete'') is an automatic disqualification.

Because of the dangers of the piledriver, it is classed as a foul and is illegal in [[mixed martial arts]] under the [[Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abcboxing.com/unified_mma_rules.html |title=ABC Boxing - Association of Boxing Commissions - United States - Canada - Puerto Rico - US Virgin Islands |access-date=2011-05-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705135723/http://www.abcboxing.com/unified_mma_rules.html |archive-date=2012-07-05 }}</ref>

==Variations==

===Aided piledriver===

[[Image:Spike piledriver.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Jake O'Reilly (right) Anthony Darko (Left) execute an aided piledriver]]

Any [[Professional wrestling double-team maneuvers#Aided piledriver|double-team move]] in which one wrestler helps another to perform a piledriver on an opponent by pushing down on the opponent's legs for more impact. In a variation of the move, the second wrestler jumps off the turnbuckle while pushing the opponent's feet downward for even more damage; this is well known as a ''spike piledriver'' (not to be confused with a one-man [[#jumping piledriver|spike piledriver]]).

===Argentine piledriver===

The move is executed from aan [[Backbreaker#Argentine backbreaker rack|Argentine backbreaker rack]] (face up, with the neck and one leg cradled) position. The wrestler pushes the opponent forward while holding the opponent's leg with one arm, and the head with the other arm, and then sits down, driving the opponent head first down to the floor. [[Super Dragon]] used this move throughout his career, calling it the ''Psycho Driver''. He also has a cutthroat version (draping one of the opponent's arm across their neck, similarly to the setup of a [[Professional wrestling holds#Cobra clutch|Cobra Clutch]]) called ''Psycho Driver III''.

===Backflip piledriver===

This move was popularized by [[Super Dragon]] under the name the '''Psycho Driver'''. He would also occasionally drape the arm of the opponent across the opponent's neck and hold it in place while he delivered the move. This version is known as the '''Cut-Throat Psycho Driver''' or '''Psycho Driver III'''.

The user approaches an opponent from behind and grasps his torso with his legs, similar to a bodyscissors. The user then shifts their weight to suddenly roll backward until they are prone, pulling the opponent behind them so that their neck hits the ground in a fluid motion. An aerial version of this technique was innovated by [[Manami Toyota]] as the ''Victory Star Drop.'' Due to the high danger of this movement, it is not very common to see.

===Back Back-to -belly piledriver ===

[[File:Kaz Driver!.jpg|thumb|[[Frankie Kazarian|Kazarian]] performs the back-to belly piledriver]]

The wrestler faces the opponent, places his head between the opponent's thighs, and grasps hold of them. He then stands up, lifting the opponent upside down. The wrestler then either sits down or drops on to his knees, driving the opponent's head down to the mat.

The wrestler bends forward or crouches in front of their opponent, grabs hold of the opponent around the legs and stands up, lifting the opponent upside down facing the wrestler's back. The wrestler then either sits down or drops onto their knees, driving the opponent's head down to the mat. It was invented by [[Takao Omori]] as the ''Axe Guillotine Driver''. [[Hangman Page]] would executed the move in a kneeling position called the ''Rite of Passage''/''Dead Eye'', while [[Genki Horiguchi]] and later [[Orange Cassidy]] use a sitout variation called the ''Beach Break''.

[[File:Trent Barreta at Alpha-1 show-6.jpg|thumb|[[Trent Beretta|Trent]] performs ''Crunchie''.]]

A variation on this which is sometimes known as the '''Sunset Driver''' sees the attacking wrestler hook the opponent's legs underneath his/her arms while holding the opponent up in the back to belly position. From here the wrestler would drop to his/her knees, driving the opponent's head into the mat. This move will often see the attacking wrestler hold the move after landing for a [[Pinfall (professional wrestling)#Rana|rana]] style pinfall attempt.

A variation on this, sometimes known as the sunset driver, sees the attacking wrestler hook the opponent's legs underneath their arms while holding the opponent up in the back to belly position. From here, the wrestler drops to their knees, driving the opponent's head into the mat. This move will often see the attacking wrestler hold the move after landing for a [[Pin (professional wrestling)#Rana|rana]] style pinfall attempt. [[Trent Beretta]] calls it the ''Crunchie''.

====Kryptonite Krunch====

The Kryptonite Krunch is an ''[[over-the-shoulder]] back-to-belly [[piledriver]]'' in which the wrestler shoulders the opponent by clutching him/her around the knees and lifting him/her onto his/her shoulder so that the opponent's head is dangling by the waist of the wrestler. The wrestler then holds the opponent in place by holding his/her leg with one arm and applies a headlock to the opponent with his/her other arm. The opponent is now bent into a circle. The wrestler then drops to a seated position, driving the head of the opponent into the ground.

====Over-the-shoulder back-to-belly piledriver {{anchor|Kryptonite Krunch|Schwein|Over the shoulder back to belly piledriver}}====

The move was utilized nationally across the United States most often under the name ''Kryptonite Krunch'' by [[Mike Bucci|Nova]], although it has been done for years under many other names like the '''Reality Check''' as used by [[Michael Modest]] and the '''Schwein''' as used by [[Nobuhiko Oshima|CIMA]].

[[File:Schwein.jpg|thumb|[[Cima (wrestler)|CIMA]] performs ''Schwein'']]

This move begins with the wrestler facing the opponent. From there, the wrestler will pick up the opponent and place them over their shoulder so that the opponent's head is dangling over the wrestler's back by the waist of the wrestler. The wrestler then holds the opponent in place by holding their leg with one arm and applies a headlock to the opponent with their other arm, bending the opponent across the attacker's back. The wrestler then drops to a seated position, driving the head and upper back of the opponent into the ground. This move was innovated by [[Mariko Yoshida]], who named the move the ''Air Raid Crash'', and was popularized by [[Fit Finlay]], who dubbed it the ''Celtic Cross'', [[Cima (wrestler)|Cima]], who uses it as the ''Schwein'', [[Mike Bucci|Nova]], who called it ''Kryptonite Krunch,'' [[Sheamus]] who dubs the move ''White Noise'', [[Tommaso Ciampa]] uses the move calling it ''Air Raid Crash'', and [[Taichi (wrestler)|Taichi]] as ''Black Mephisto''. A common variation was popularized by [[Hiromu Takahashi]], where he puts his opponents into a Fireman's Carry, before Swinging his opponents into the over-the-shoulder back-to-belly Piledriver, calling it the ''Time Bomb''.

Another variation of the move called the ''Air Raid Crash Neckbreaker'' or ''Reverse Neckbreaker'' has the wrestler performing the move drop the opponent's head on their knee rather than the ground. Frequently used by [[Kazuchika Okada]], [[Colt Cabana]] and [[Toni Storm]].

Another method used when performing this over the shoulder piledriver sees the attacking wrestler lift the opponent over one shoulder but bring him/her across the wrestler's back and place the opponent's head under the other arm. This version is best known as [[Mariko Yoshida|Mariko Yoshida's]] '''Air Raid Crash''', a name which is often wrongly used when referring to the Kryptonite Krunch. [[Scott Colton|Colt Cabana]] uses a [[neckbreaker]] variation of the position of the air raid crash where he drops down to a kneeling position, and lands the opponent onto his knee.

===Cradle= Pumphandle back-to-belly piledriver ====

The user of this move first starts by putting the opponent into a [[Pumphandle Drop|pumphandle]] position, then lifting them into the air perpendicular to the ground and upside down, rotating them so that their back is against the chest. The user then proceeds to fall to a seated position, while dropping the opponent onto their head, neck, and/or shoulders. This move was popularized by [[Super Dragon]], who called it ''Psycho Driver II''.

The '''Cradle Piledriver''' is a variation on standard piledrivers which sees the attacking wrestler grapevine the opponents leg with their arm.

===Belly-to-back piledriver===

The most common of which is similar to a [[#Texas piledriver|Texas piledriver]] and was popularized by the legendary wrestler [[Karl Gotch]]. This move sees the attacking wrestler, from a position in which the opponent is bent forward against the wrestler's midsection, reach around the opponent's midsection and lifting them so that they are held upside down facing in the same direction as the wrestler, the wrestler then hooks his/her arms around one leg of the opponent before dropping to a sitting or kneeling position with the opponent's head falling between the wrestler's thighs down to the mat.

[[File:Bob Backlund and Don Muraco, circa 1982.png|thumb|Bob Backlund about to perform a belly-to-back piledriver on Don Muraco during a professional wrestling match, circa 1982.]]

Also known as a Texas, Sit-out, or traditional piledriver, this is the classic and original piledriver technique. From a position in which the opponent is bent forward and the opponent's head is tucked between the attackers thighs in a [[Professional wrestling holds#Standing headscissors|standing headscissors]], the wrestler grabs around the opponent's midsection and lifts so that the opponent is held upside down facing in the same direction as the wrestler, the wrestler then drops to a sitting position with the opponent's head falling between the wrestler's thighs down to the mat.

A Flowing or Snap version of this move exists which sees the wrestler perform this in one quick motion all at once for greater impact. [[Toni Storm]] uses this version as a finisher called '' Storm Zero''.

This variant can be used on other types of piledriver; most notably the '''[[#Tombstone piledriver|Cradle tombstone piledriver]]''' variation, instead of wrapping both of his arms around the waist of the opponent, the wrestler wraps one arm around the waist and places his other arm between the opponent's legs, grabbing hold of his other arm. The wrestler then drops down on his knees, driving the opponent down to the mat head first.

===Cross= Kneeling belly-armto-back piledriver ====

A variation of the piledriver where instead of dropping to a sitting position as in the basic belly-to-back piledriver, the wrestler drops to a kneeling position. It is often referred to as an Inverted Tombstone.

From a position in which the opponent is bent forward against the wrestler's midsection, the attacking wrestler crosses the arms of this opponent for a [[Professional wrestling holds#Straightjacket|straightjacket hold]] on the prone opponent before then lifting the opponent up into a vertical position and driving them down between the attacking wrestler's legs.

===Double underhookCradle piledriver===

[[File:Minoru Suzuki 3.jpg|thumb|[[Minoru Suzuki]] performs the cradle piledriver]]

In this piledriver a wrestler will bend his/her opponent forward, placing the opponent's head between the wrestler's legs (a standing head scissors), and hooks each of the opponent's arms behind the opponent's back. He/she then pulls back on the opponent's arms lifting him/her up so that the opponent is held upside down facing in the same direction as the wrestler, the wrestler then drops to a sitting or kneeling position dropping the opponent's head into the mat.

The cradle piledriver is a variation of standard piledrivers which sees the attacking wrestler grapevine the opponents leg with their arm. The most common of which is similar to a Texas piledriver. This move sees the attacking wrestler, from a position in which the opponent is bent forward against the wrestler's midsection, reach around the opponent's midsection and lifting them so that they are held upside down facing in the same direction as the wrestler, the wrestler then hooks their arms around one leg of the opponent before dropping to a sitting or kneeling position with the opponent's head falling between the wrestler's thighs down to the mat. It was invented by [[Karl Gotch]], known as the ''Gotch-Style Piledriver'' and is commonly used by [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling|NJPW]] wrestler [[Minoru Suzuki]] (Gotch's protege). It was once used by [[Jerry Lynn]], and [[Deonna Purrazzo]] also uses this move, known as the ''Queen's Gambit''.

This variant can be used on other types of piledrivers, including the cradle [[#Kneeling reverse piledriver|tombstone piledriver]] variation: instead of wrapping both of their arms around the opponent's waist, the wrestler wraps one arm around the waist and places their other arm between the opponent's legs, grabbing hold of their other arm. The wrestler then drops down on their knees, driving the opponent down to the mat head-first. This Variation is used by [[Hiroyoshi Tenzan]] as the ''Original TTD (Original Tenzan Tombstone Driver)'' and he also uses a Sitout Variation called the ''TTD (Tenzan Tombstone Driver)''. [[Kenny Omega]] also used the move as Signature Maneuver.

The version which sees the attacking wrestler fall to a seated position was popular with several wrestlers based around [[Independent circuit|independent promotions]] on the west coast of the [[United States]], where it is known as the '''Tiger Driver '98'''.

===FlipCross-arm piledriver===

The move which is also referred to as a ''front flip piledriver'' begins inFrom a position in which the opponent is bent forward against the wrestler's midsection, the attacking wrestler grabscrosses aroundthe his/herarms opponent'sof midsectionthe latchingopponent ontobetween thetheir opponent'slegs back,(a withdouble his/her[[Professional headwrestling toholds#Pumphandle|pumphandle]]) onebefore sidethen oflifting the opponent's hips,up keepinginto his/hera legsvertical aroundposition theand opponent'sdriving head.them Fromdown this positionbetween the attacking wrestler's pusheslegs. offIt theis matused withby his/her[[Sho legsTanaka|SHO]] to flipas the opponent''Shock overArrow.''

===Double-underhook piledriver===

As both wrestlers flip the attacking wrestler uses his/her body weight to land in a seated position driving the opponent's head down to the mat between the wrestler's thighs. It is most famously used by [[Petey Williams]] as the '''Canadian Destroyer'''.

Also known as butterfly piledriver and the ''Tiger Driver '98''. In this piledriver, a wrestler will bend their opponent forward, placing the opponent's head between the wrestler's legs, and [[Professional wrestling holds#Butterfly|hooks each of the opponent's arms behind the opponent's back]]. They then pull back on the opponent's arms lifting them up so that the opponent is held upside down facing in the same direction as the wrestler, the wrestler then drops to a sitting or kneeling position dropping the opponent's head into the mat. The namesake of the move is a tribute to [[Mitsuharu Misawa]], as it's a hybrid of a Tiger Driver and the Tiger Driver '91 (Misawa's innovated and seldom used big match finisher; a double underhook into a kneeling-release neck-first powerbomb). The Tiger Driver '98 was used by ROH legend [[Jay Briscoe]] as the ''Jay-Driller'', and is used by former TNA wrestler [[Josh Alexander (wrestler)|Josh Alexander]] as the ''C4 Spike''; and current TNA wrestlers such as [[Eddie Edwards (wrestler)|Eddie Edwards]] as one of his signature moves, while [[Sami Callihan]] uses this move as the ''Cactus Driver 97'' as a tribute to [[Mick Foley]]'s "Cactus Jack" persona. AEW commentator [[Excalibur (wrestler)|Excalibur]] previously used this in his wrestling career. In a kneeling position, this move was innovated by [[Jaguar Yokota]].

====Double-underhook back-to-back piledriver {{anchor|Vertebreaker|Back-to-back double underhook piledriver}}====

While in [[kayfabe]] it is the wrestler who flips the opponent over, in reality, as the wrestler jumps, it is the opponent who raises up to a standing position and performs a backflip to generate the momentum needed to flip him/herself and the attacking wrestler over.

[[File:Melissa Vertebreaker.jpg|thumb|[[Cheerleader Melissa]] performing her ''Kudo Driver'' (back-to-back double underhook piledriver) finisher on [[Wesna]]]]

Also known as the vertebreaker and the Kudo Driver, this move is executed from a position in which the opponent is standing behind the wrestler, the wrestler underhooks their arms under the opponent's arms. Then the wrestler twists their body around so that the wrestler is facing the ground and the opponent is standing with their back resting against the wrestler's back. Then the wrestler stands while the opponent is in an upside down position while both the opponent and the wrestler's arms are still hooked. The wrestler then drops to a sitting position. Another way to get the opponent into the position is to approach a standing opponent from behind, hook the opponent's arms, bend forward under the opponent, and then rise up, raising the opponent upside down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/classic-lists/15-wrestling-moves-that-really-exist/page-7|title=What a maneuver! 15 moves that really exist|date=2012-11-30|publisher=WWE|access-date=2014-03-13}}</ref> The move was invented by [[Megumi Kudo]], dubbing it the ''Kudome Valentine'', and is used by various wrestlers such as [[Homicide (wrestler)|Homicide]], [[Cheerleader Melissa]], [[Shane Helms]], [[Ryusuke Taguchi]] and [[Cody Rhodes]].

This technique is extremely dangerous, possibly one of the most dangerous maneuvers in professional wrestling, as the opponent's arms are restrained and their head is not placed between the wrestler's legs, giving them little to post against. It was banned by [[WWE]] in April 2003, except for in cases in which the wrestler received special permission to use the move.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2003/04/05/58704.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630075103/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2003/04/05/58704.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 30, 2012|title=Forget me not|date=April 5, 2003|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|author=Madigan, TJ|access-date=2009-11-24}}</ref>

A [[#Double underhook piledriver|double underhook]] variation exists in which the arms of a bent over opponent are placed in a [[Professional wrestling holds#Butterfly|butterfly]] prior to performing the flip. This move was innovated by [[Jake Crist|Crazy J]], who calls it '''The Suicide'''. Often J performs this variation [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Super|off the top turnbuckle]].

===PackageFlip piledriver===

[[File:Petey Williams destroyer.jpg|thumb|[[Petey Williams]] performing the ''Canadian Destroyer'' on Brent B]]

In this variation, the setup is almost the same as a [[#Texas piledriver|Texas piledriver]], but instead of grabbing the waist of the opponent, the wrestler puts their arms underneath the opponent's arms and grabs their legs by the knees. The wrestler then stands up, lifting the opponent until they are upside down, and drops to a sitting position with the opponent's head between their thighs.

[[File:Canadiandestroyer8yq.gif|thumb|Animation of a flip piledriver]]

The move, made famous by [[Petey Williams]], also referred to as the ''Canadian Destroyer'', ''Destroyer'', or a sunset flip piledriver, begins in a position in which the opponent is bent forward against the wrestler's midsection. The wrestler then grabs around the opponent's midsection latching onto the opponent's back, with their head to one side of the opponent's hips or between their legs, keeping their legs around the opponent's head. From this position the wrestler pushes off the mat with their legs to flip the opponent over. As both wrestlers flip, the attacking wrestler uses their body weight to land in a seated position driving the opponent's head down to the mat between the wrestler's thighs. [[Rey Mysterio]] occasionally uses the move, [[Bad Bunny]] used this move during [[WrestleMania 37]] and at [[Backlash (2023)]], which was coined by commentators as the ''Boricua Destroyer''. A [[double underhook]] variation exists in which the arms of a bent over opponent are placed in a [[Professional wrestling holds#Butterfly|butterfly]] prior to performing the flip. There is a diving variation from the second rope, [[Austin Jenkins|Adam Cole]] uses this move calling it the ''Panama Sunrise''.

According to Petey Williams, the move was suggested to him in 2003 while travelling to an [[IWA Mid-South]] show along with [[Chris Sabin]] and [[Truth Martini]]. Williams and Sabin originally planned to use the move in their match together but decided against it. The next month, Williams debuted the move in a match against [[Matt Sydal]]. It was not until 2004, when he debuted for [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling|TNA]], when he learned that TNA star [[Amazing Red]] had performed the move since the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite podcast|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WClhyYp5Eig |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/WClhyYp5Eig |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|title=The Lockdown Sessions: Petey Williams|publisher=Wrestling Travel|host=Justin Clapper|date=June 3, 2021|accessdate=August 26, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

An arm butterfly variation has been popularized lately by independent wrestler [[Kevin Steen]]. Japanese female wrestler [[Aja Kong]] can be seen using it at least a decade ago, notably in her classic match with [[Manami Toyota]] on March 26, 1995 in [[All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling]] (''Zenjo'').

===ReverseJumping piledriver===<!-- This section is linked from [[André the Giant]] -->

[[File:Adam Pearce piledriving Brent Albright.jpg|thumb|[[Adam Pearce]] performs the spike piledriver]]

Also known by the term '''belly-to-belly piledriver''', a wrestler would first stand facing an opponent before then grab the opponent's waist and turn them upside-down, holding them against their torso. The wrestler then jumps up and drops down to a seated position, driving the opponent's head down to the mat between the wrestler's thighs.

Also known as a spike piledriver or stiff piledriver and is performed in the same way as a [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Belly-to-back piledriver|basic piledriver]], however the wrestler will jump in the air before dropping down to the sitting position for more impact. This move was used as the finisher of WWE Hall of Famer [[Paul Orndorff]].

===Package piledriver===

The wrestler may also place the opponent on over his shoulder and fall to a seated position, driving the opponent's head to the mat between his legs. This move is often known by the name '''Fire Thunder''', or '''Fire Thunder Driver''' as named by [[Mr. Gannosuke]].

[[File:Kevin Steen package piledriver.jpg|thumb|right|[[Kevin Owens|Kevin Steen]] executing his package piledriver finisher on [[Tyson Dux]]]]

A package piledriver is almost the same as a basic belly-to-back piledriver, but instead of grabbing the waist of the opponent, the wrestler puts their arms underneath the opponent's arms and grabs their legs by the knees. The wrestler then stands up, lifting the opponent until they are upside down, and drops to a sitting position with the opponent's head between their thighs. A version of this move also exist that can be performed without underhooking the arms of the opponent.

There is also an inverted version of the move in which an attacking wrestler reaches between an opponent's legs with one arm and reaches around that opponent's back from the same side with their other arm before lifting their opponent upside down into a belly-to-belly position. The attacker then grabs the opponent's legs by the knees, jumps up, then drops to a sitting position with the opponent's head between their thighs. [[Aja Kong]] innovated the move. This move was popularized by [[Kevin Owens|Kevin Steen]] during his time on the independent circuit. It is used by [[Chase Owens]] as ''Package Driver.'' Another notable user is [[Shane Taylor (wrestler)|Shane Taylor]]. [[Pentagón Jr.]] uses the package piledriver as the ''Fear Factor''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Molina |first1=Josh |title=Impact Wrestling results: Austin Aries vs. Eddie Edwards |url=https://www2.f4wonline.com/tna-results/impact-wrestling-results-austin-aries-vs-eddie-edwards-263521 |access-date=October 10, 2021 |work=f4wonline.com |date=August 10, 2018}}</ref>

Another variation, innovated by [[Samoa Joe]], sees him hold the opponent and their head to his side, not between his legs, similar to a [[#Scoop side piledriver|scoop side piledriver]] without the scoop. This move is a variation of his '''Island Driver'''.

===Pulling piledriver===

[[Mike Quackenbush]] innovated a cross-legged variation, named the '''Quackendriver II''', which sees him after positioning his opponent in the belly to belly position lift one of his arms up and cross the opponents legs over each other and bend them downwards. While holding the opponents legs in this position he falls to a sitting position.

Also known as a stump piledriver and Cactus Driver (after Cactus Jack, one of [[Mick Foley]]'s alter egos), this is a variation of piledriver where, instead of wrapping their arms around the opponent's waist, a wrestler grabs onto the back of the waistband of an opponent's tights to lift them upside down before dropping into a sitting position. Mick Foley was famous for have used this move which he called the ''Stump Puller''.

===Reverse piledriver===

====Tombstone piledriver====<!-- This section is linked from [[André the Giant]] -->

Also known as a belly-to-belly piledriver, a wrestler faces an opponent and grabs the opponent's waist and turns them upside-down, holding them belly-to-belly against their torso. The wrestler then jumps up and drops down to a sitting position, driving the opponent's head down to the mat between the wrestler's thighs. This move was best remembered as being used by Owen Hart as a finisher.

The wrestler may also place the opponent over their shoulder and fall to a seated position, driving the opponent's head to the mat between their thighs. This move is often known by the name '''Fire Thunder''', or '''Fire Thunder Driver''' as named by [[Mr. Gannosuke]]. [[Bam Bam Bigelow]] and [[Rikishi]] used this move as a signature move, calling it the ''Greetings from Asbury Park'' and the ''Rikishi Driver'' respectively. [[Walter (wrestler)|WALTER/Gunther]] has used this move mainly on the [[independent circuit]]. Former AEW wrestler [[Fénix (wrestler)|Rey Fénix]] also uses this move as a finisher calling it the ''Fénix Driver/Fire Driver/Fire Thunder Driver'' which sees him sometimes transition into the move from a [[Suplex#Inverted Suplex|reverse suplex lift]] or [[Professional wrestling throws#Fireman's carry throws|fireman's carry]]. [[Jessicka Havok|Havok]] of [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling|TNA]] uses this move which was later dubbed the ''Sick Driver'' when portraying her Jessicka character.

This variation of a ''belly-to-belly piledriver'' refers to any belly-to-belly piledriver that involves the wrestler holding the opponent in a belly-to-belly position, then falling to a kneeling position.

====Kneeling reverse piledriver{{anchor|Tombstone piledriver|Kneeling belly-to-belly piledriver}}====

The name "Tombstone Piledriver" was popularized by [[The Undertaker]], and later [[Glen Jacobs|Kane]]. However, the move had been used under that name by other wrestlers many years beforehand. [[Peter Polaco|Justin Credible]] used a spinning variation named '''That's Incredible!'''

[[File:TakerTombstone.jpg|thumb|[[The Undertaker]] performs the ''Tombstone Piledriver'' (a.k.a. reverse kneeling piledriver)on [[Ric Flair]].]]

The wrestler first stands facing an opponent and places their stronger arm between the opponent's legs and their weaker arm on the opponent's opposite shoulder. The wrestler then lifts the opponent onto their stronger shoulder, turning them upside-down, similar to a [[Professional wrestling throws#Scoop slam|scoop slam]] lift. The opponent is then lowered while being held so that the opponent's head is hanging between the standing wrestler's knees. The wrestler then falls or jumps to their knees, driving the opponent's head into the mat. The move was innovated by [[Karl Gotch]], but the move was first utilized by [[Andre The Giant]] in the 1970s, before it was popularized by [[The Undertaker]] and was later used by his ([[kayfabe]]) brother [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]]. However, contrary to the popular belief, the name ''tombstone'' predates Undertaker's debut and has been used since at least 1972.<ref>{{cite web | title=Andre the Giant vs. Strong Kobayashi (5/6/1972) | website=[[YouTube]] | date=13 April 2025 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9HDvOdfPvM&t=1049s }}</ref> Other famous practitioners include [[Dynamite Kid]], [[Satoru Sayama]], [[Don Muraco]], [[Matt Riddle]] ''(during his independent circuit wrestling)'', Owen Hart, and [[Kazuchika Okada]]. An over the shoulder of the version of this move also exists and was used by The Undertaker early in his career. [[Masakatsu Funaki]] uses a variation of the move, known as the ''Hybrid Blaster'', where he places one of the opponent's arms in a hammerlock before delivering the piledriver. [[Kyle Fletcher]] also uses that hammerlock variant called ''Grimstone''. [[Kris Statlander]], [[Kota Ibushi]], [[Konosuke Takeshita]], [[Adam Page|"Hangman" Adam Page]], [[Mariah May]] and [[Xia Brookside]] also use a cradle variant.

There is a variation known as a '''Tilt-a-whirl piledriver''' when the motion used to turn the opponent upside down is similar to a [[Professional wrestling holds#Tilt-a-whirl|Tilt-a-whirl]].

====Pumphandle reverse piledriver====

This variation sees an attacking wrestler first lock an opponent in the [[Professional wrestling holds#Pumphandle|pumphandle hold]] before then using the hold to raise the opponent up over the shoulder of the attacking wrestler. From here the attacking wrestler brings the opponent down into the belly-to-belly position before then sitting down for a [[#Reverse piledriver|reverse piledriver]] with the opponent's head impacting the mat between the legs of the attacking wrestler. [[CM Punk]] used this during the indies as the ''Punk-Handle Piledriver''.

===Rope-assisted piledriver===

[[Delirious (wrestler)|Delirious]] performs a double pumphandle reverse piledriver, named the '''Chemical Imbalance II''', in which he stands behind a bent over opponent and threads both of the opponent's arms between their legs. He then grabs both of the opponent's wrists with both hands and lifts up, forcing the opponent to flip forward. The opponent then lands on their head in the piledriver while Delirious falls to a sitout position.

This version sees an attacking wrestler place the opponent on an elevated surface, usually the ropes/turnbuckle/ring apron, while the opponent is bent forward against the wrestler's midsection. The attacking wrestler next draws the opponent away from the elevated surface leaving the opponent's waist over the elevated surface (i.e. ring ropes), making them the only thing other than the wrestler keeping the opponent off the ground. The attacking wrestler then grabs the top rope while pushing off the mat with their legs simultaneously like a see-saw so that the opponent is forced to dive forward onto his/her head with extra force due to the height of which they were dropped. Innovated by Independent Wrestler, Rocky Rage, as The Ebola Driver in 2014. Popularized by [[Maxwell Jacob Friedman|MJF]] as the ''Heat Seeker''.

===Scoop side piledriver===

Facing histhe opponent, the wrestler reaches between theirthe opponent's legs with their right arm and reaches around the opponent's neck from the same side with their left arm. They then lift the opponent up on their chest so that they are facing downwards. The wrestler then moves their left arm from around the opponent's neck to around the opponent's torso. They then turn the opponent so that they are upside down on one side of the wrestler. The wrestler then jumps up and falls down to a sitting position, driving the opponent down to the mat neck and shoulder first. The move was popularized by [[Hayabusa (wrestler)|Hayabusa]], who called it ''H Thunder'', and by [[Mitsuharu Misawa]], who called it the ''Emerald Flowsion''.

===Scoop slam piledriver===

Facing their opponent, the wrestler reaches between histhe opponent's legs with their right arm and reaches around the opponent's neck from the same side with their left arm. They then lift the opponent up and turn them around so that they are held upside down, as in a [[Professional wrestling throws#Scoop slam|Scoopscoop slam]]. The wrestler then drops down to their knees, driving the opponent down to the mat neck and shoulder first. There is also [[Professional wrestling throws#Michinoku Driver II|a seated version of this move]]. It was innovated by [[Taka Michinoku]] and used by [[Emma (wrestler)|Tennile Dashwood]], [[Nick Aldis]], and more.

===Vertical suplex piledriver===

[[Steve Corino]] uses a slight variation of this move where he first lifts the opponent up to a [[Professional wrestling holds#Fireman's carry|Fireman's carry]]. From that position Corino swings the opponent to his front with the move continuing like a regular Scoop slam piledriver.

The wrestler applies a [[professional wrestling holds#Front facelock|front facelock]] to the opponent and hooks the opponent's near arm over their shoulder and lifts them into a [[Suplex#Vertical suplex|vertical suplex]] position. They then turn the opponent 180°, force the opponent into the [[#Reverse piledriver|reverse piledriver]] position, then drop to a sitting position, dropping the opponent on their head. This move was first used by [[Jushin Thunder Liger]] on [[Ultimo Dragon]], then the move became popular through use by [[Scott Steiner]], who called it the ''Steiner Screwdriver''. [[All Elite Wrestling|AEW]] wrestler [[Brian Cage]] currently uses the move as the ''Drill Claw''. [[Tomohiro Ishii]] briefly used the move in 2013 as the ''Ishii Driller.'' [[Naomichi Marufuji]] invented a [[Suplex#Fisherman suplex|fisherman suplex]] variation called ''Pole Shift.''

====Sitout scoop slamWheelbarrow piledriver====

Similar to the [[Facebuster#Wheelbarrow facebuster|wheelbarrow facebuster]] but instead of dropping their opponent face first, they drop their opponent so that the opponent lands on their upper back and neck between the legs of the wrestler, facing towards them usually resulting in a pin.

''See [[Professional wrestling throws#Michinoku driver II|Michinoku driver II]]''

===Spike piledriver===

Spike piledriver can refer to either [[#Jumping piledriver|jumping piledriver]], [[Professional wrestling double-team maneuvers#Aided piledriver|aided piledriver]], or [[#Reverse tombstone piledriver|reverse tombstone piledriver]].

===Texas piledriver===

Also called a '''belly-to-back piledriver''', '''traditional piledriver''', or simply '''piledriver''', this is the classic and original piledriver technique. From a position in which the opponent is bent forward against the wrestler's midsection, the wrestler grabs around his/her opponent's midsection and lifts so that the opponent is held upside down facing in the same direction as the wrestler, the wrestler then drops to a sitting position with the opponent's head falling between the wrestler's thighs down to the mat.

A slight variation on this, often used by [[Mick Foley]], sees the wrestler not lift the wrestler upside down, but rather pulling the bent opponent forward while the wrestler sits back, pulling the bent opponent's head down to the mat between the wrestler's thighs.

====Jumping piledriver====

Also known as a '''stuff piledriver''' or a '''spike piledriver''', from a position in which the opponent is bent forward against the wrestler's midsection, the wrestler grabs around their opponent's midsection and lifts so that the opponent is held upside down facing in the same direction as the wrestler, the wrestler then jumps in the air and drops to a sitting position.

====Reverse tombstone piledriver====

Variation of the [[#Texas piledriver|Texas piledriver]], instead of dropping to a seated position the wrestler drops to a kneeling position. This move is sometimes referred to as a '''Spike piledriver'''.

===Vertebreaker===

From a position in which the opponent is standing behind the wrestler, the wrestler underhooks his/her arms under the opponent's arms. Then the wrestler twists his/her body around so that the wrestler is facing the ground and the opponent is standing with his/her back resting against the wrestler's back. Then the wrestler stands while the opponent is in an upside down position while both the opponent and the wrestler's arms are still hooked and then the wrestler then drops to a sitting position. Another way to get the opponent into the position is to approach a standing opponent from behind, hook the opponent's arms, bend forward under the opponent, and then rise up, raising the opponent upside down.

This technique is extremely dangerous, as the receiver's arms are restrained and his/her head is not placed between the wrestler's legs, giving him/her little to post against. The wrestler receiving the technique is almost entirely dependent on the wrestler's strength and coordination to avoid serious neck injury.

Though the move is often referred to as a '''reverse gory special piledriver''', or a '''back to back double underhook piledriver''', it is best known in Japan as a '''Kudo driver''', a name in reference to the move's original inventor, Japanese female wrestler, [[Megumi Kudo]], who actually called it the '''Kudome Valentine'''. [[Gregory Helms|"Sugar" Shane Helms]] popularized the name '''Vertebreaker''', a reference to a character from the comic book ''[[Spawn (comic)|Spawn]]'', in America after using the move under that name in [[World Championship Wrestling]].

===Vertical suplex piledriver===

Better known as the '''Steiner Screw Driver''' or '''PilePlex'''. The wrestler applies a [[professional wrestling holds#front facelock|front facelock]] to the opponent and hooks the opponent's near arm over their shoulder and lifts them into a [[Suplex#Vertical suplex|vertical suplex]] position. They then turn the opponent 180°, and force the opponent into the [[#Reverse piledriver|reverse piledriver]] position, they then drop to a sitting position, dropping the opponent on their head. [[Scott Steiner]] popularized this move, after he learned it in [[Japan]].

==See also==

*[[Professional wrestling throws]]

==References==

{{Commons category|Piledrivers}}

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{{Wrestling Moves}}

{{The Undertaker}}

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[[Category:Banned sports tactics]]

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