Chris Jericho's WWE Finisher Moves Explained

Alright, wrestling fanatics, let's dive deep into the legendary career of Y2J, Chris Jericho! This guy has thrown down in countless epic battles, and you know what that means – a whole lot of devastating finisher moves! We're talking about the signature techniques that ended matches, sent opponents packing, and solidified Jericho's status as one of the all-time greats. When you think of Chris Jericho in WWE, you don't just think of his incredible mic skills or his flamboyant ring gear; you think of those moments where he locked in a hold or landed a blow that meant the end was nigh. These weren't just moves; they were statements. They were the exclamation points on some of the most memorable matches in WWE history. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and let's break down the iconic finishers that made Chris Jericho a true legend in the squared circle.

The Walls of Jericho: The Submission Sensation

First up, we absolutely have to talk about The Walls of Jericho. This submission hold is arguably Jericho's most famous and most recognized finisher. We're talking about a move that made grown men tap out in agony, guys! It’s a masterclass in applying pressure and leverage, designed to contort the opponent into an uncomfortable, pain-inducing position. The setup often involves Jericho catching an opponent, sometimes even in mid-air, and transitioning into this incredibly painful-looking hold. He’d wrap his legs around the opponent's torso, using his feet to hook their arms, and then torque their body backward while simultaneously applying pressure to their neck or shoulders with his arms. The visual of a struggling opponent, their face contorted in pain, trying desperately to reach the ropes or reverse the hold, is etched in the memory of wrestling fans everywhere. It wasn't just about the physical pain; it was psychological warfare. Opponents knew that once Jericho got them into The Walls, their chances of winning were slim to none. This move became synonymous with Jericho's dominance during his early runs in WWE, especially during his Undisputed Championship reign. It was the ultimate exclamation point, the definitive way Y2J would say, "Game over." The sheer effectiveness and visual impact of The Walls of Jericho made it a go-to finisher that consistently delivered satisfying conclusions to his matches. It’s a testament to Jericho’s ring intelligence and his ability to connect with the audience through his in-ring work. The Walls of Jericho wasn't just a move; it was a brand, a symbol of his submission prowess that fans eagerly anticipated seeing applied. It’s the kind of finisher that careers are built on, and Jericho certainly built a legendary career around this submission masterpiece. Many imitators have tried, but no one executes it with the same flair and finality as the Ayatollah of Rock 'n' Rolla himself.

The Codebreaker: A Devastating Knee Strike

Next on our list, we have the Codebreaker. This finisher is a testament to Jericho's adaptability and his willingness to evolve his arsenal. While The Walls of Jericho was his submission king, the Codebreaker brought a sudden, explosive impact to his matches. Think about it, guys – a devastating knee strike to the face? That’s brutal! Jericho would often set this up after Irish-whipping his opponent or catching them off guard. The move itself is simple in execution but incredibly effective: Jericho would grab his opponent, often by the head or neck, lift them slightly, and then drive his knee forcefully into their face or jaw. The suddenness and the sheer impact of the Codebreaker often left opponents stunned and unable to kick out. It’s a move that looks incredibly painful and has a high degree of perceived damage, which is exactly what you want in a finisher. The Codebreaker became Jericho’s primary offensive weapon in his later career, showcasing his ability to stay relevant and dangerous even as he aged. It provided a different kind of excitement compared to his earlier submission finisher; it was about raw, impactful offense. The Codebreaker represented a shift in Jericho's style, moving towards quicker, more impactful strikes that could end a match in an instant. It’s a move that fans would cheer for, anticipating the knockout blow. It demonstrated Jericho’s versatility, proving he wasn’t just a submission specialist but a complete offensive threat. This finisher added another layer to his already impressive repertoire, making him a dangerous opponent for any generation of wrestlers. The clean, decisive nature of the Codebreaker made it a perfect modern-day finisher, fitting seamlessly into the fast-paced action of today's wrestling landscape. It’s a move that’s easy to understand, visually striking, and leaves no doubt when it’s successfully executed.

The Liontamer: The Precursor to Greatness

Before we were all chanting "Y2J!" and witnessing the agony of The Walls of Jericho, there was another submission move that played a crucial role in Chris Jericho’s early career: The Liontamer. Now, some might confuse this with The Walls of Jericho, and honestly, they share some similarities because they're both masterfully applied submission holds. However, The Liontamer has its own distinct flavor and was instrumental in establishing Jericho’s dominance in promotions like WCW before he made his monumental jump to WWE. This move typically involved Jericho applying a Boston Crab variation, but with a unique twist. He would often sit back on the opponent's legs, using his own legs to trap theirs, and then hook the opponent's head or chin with his arm, applying immense pressure to the lower back and neck simultaneously. The visual was just as painful, if not more so, than The Walls of Jericho. Opponents would be bent backward at an unnatural angle, with Jericho applying excruciating pressure. The Liontamer was a key part of his early persona, showcasing his technical wrestling ability and his submission game. It was the move that opponents feared, the one that often signaled the end of their challenge against the young, ambitious Chris Jericho. It laid the groundwork for the success he would later achieve with The Walls of Jericho, proving that he had a knack for creating incredibly effective and devastating submission holds. It’s important to remember The Liontamer because it represents the foundation of Jericho's submission prowess. It was the original pain-inducer, the move that started it all and helped build the legend of Chris Jericho before he even stepped foot in WWE. It’s a classic submission hold that deserves its recognition as a pivotal part of his career. When you think of Jericho’s legacy, don’t forget about the move that first put the world on notice about his submission game. It’s a foundational element of his iconic status.

The Discus Elbow Smash: A quick, impactful strike

Let's talk about another one of Chris Jericho's effective, albeit less frequently used as a primary finisher, impactful maneuvers: the Discus Elbow Smash. While not always the move that ended matches definitively like The Walls of Jericho or the Codebreaker, it served as a crucial setup for his more devastating finishers or as a significant offensive strike in its own right. This move involves Jericho performing a spinning back elbow, but with a distinctive, almost predatory motion. He’d often catch his opponent off-guard, perhaps after they’d missed an attack or were stunned. The spinning motion adds momentum and power to the elbow strike, making it a sudden and impactful blow. It’s the kind of move that can daze an opponent, setting them up perfectly for a Codebreaker or a quick pinfall. The Discus Elbow Smash showcased Jericho's ability to incorporate quick, sharp strikes into his offense, adding another dimension to his in-ring performance. It’s a move that looks vicious and can genuinely knock the wind out of someone. For fans watching, it’s a moment of anticipation, knowing that Jericho is about to unleash something painful. It demonstrates his understanding of pacing and momentum within a match, using these strikes to build towards the ultimate conclusion. While it might not have the same iconic status as his primary finishers, its effectiveness and visual appeal make it a memorable part of Jericho's vast offensive repertoire. It’s a testament to his creativity that even his secondary moves have a certain brutality and effectiveness that fans appreciate. He doesn't just go through the motions; every strike, every hold, is delivered with intent and purpose. The Discus Elbow Smash is a prime example of how Jericho masterfully blends technical skill with impactful offense, making him a consistently engaging and dangerous competitor.

The Triangle Choke: Another Submission Specialist's Tool

As we continue to explore the arsenal of the master technician, Chris Jericho, we can't overlook his proficiency with the Triangle Choke. While The Walls of Jericho might be his most famous submission, Jericho has always been adept at applying various submission holds, and the Triangle Choke is a prime example of his versatility. This move is a highly effective grappling submission that targets the opponent’s neck and arm, restricting blood flow and potentially causing unconsciousness. Jericho would often transition into this hold skillfully, sometimes from a grounded position or by catching an opponent in a scramble. The way he locks it in is a thing of beauty – he uses his legs to create a figure-four around the opponent’s neck and one arm, squeezing with immense pressure. It’s a move that looks incredibly painful and requires significant flexibility and strength to apply and maintain. The Triangle Choke demonstrated that Jericho wasn't just about flashy strikes or his signature holds; he possessed a deep understanding of submission grappling. It added another layer of threat to his matches, as opponents always had to be wary of his ability to lock in a fight-ending submission from almost anywhere. This versatility kept his opponents guessing and added a sense of realism and danger to his encounters. It showcased his technical prowess and his ability to adapt his offense to different situations. Many wrestlers rely on one or two signature moves, but Jericho’s ability to fluidly transition between different submission holds, including the Triangle Choke, made him a truly formidable opponent. It’s a move that, while perhaps not as visually spectacular as some of his other finishers, is incredibly effective and speaks to his deep roots in wrestling technique. The Triangle Choke is a reminder that beneath the rockstar persona and the catchphrases, there was always a highly skilled and dangerous professional wrestler capable of ending a match with pure technical skill. It’s a fundamental grappling move executed at the highest level by one of the best.

The Springboard Dropkick: A High-Flying Surprise

Now, let's switch gears a bit and talk about a move that, while not exclusively a finisher, often served as a spectacular precursor or a match-altering maneuver for Chris Jericho: the Springboard Dropkick. This move added an element of high-flying excitement to Jericho's repertoire, especially during his earlier years. Imagine this, guys: Jericho is on the ring apron, his opponent is in the center of the ring, and suddenly, BAM! He launches himself off the ropes, uses the top rope for a boost, and delivers a perfectly timed dropkick right to the opponent's chest or face. It’s a visually dynamic move that requires incredible agility and precision. The springboard element gives it that extra pop, making it more impactful and exciting than a standard dropkick. The Springboard Dropkick was often used to gain momentum, to knock an opponent off their feet when they thought they had the upper hand, or even as a setup for one of his signature finishers. It showed that Jericho wasn't just a submission specialist or a brawler; he could also incorporate exciting aerial maneuvers into his matches. This versatility kept audiences on the edge of their seats, never quite knowing what to expect next. It’s a move that fans would pop for because it represented a moment of high-octane action and skillful execution. While it might not have been the definitive match-ender for most of his career, its impact on the flow of the match and its sheer visual appeal made it a standout move in his arsenal. The Springboard Dropkick is a perfect example of how Jericho could blend different styles of wrestling to create a compelling performance. It’s a reminder of his athleticism and his commitment to putting on an exciting show for the WWE Universe. It’s the kind of move that shows the athleticism and flair that made him so popular.

The Moonsault: A Flair for the Dramatic

Chris Jericho's career has been defined by his ability to innovate and to bring an electrifying presence to the WWE. Part of that electrifying presence comes from his willingness to incorporate high-risk, high-reward maneuvers, and the Moonsault is a perfect example of this. While he might be more renowned for his submission holds and striking ability, Jericho occasionally busted out the Moonsault, particularly in his earlier runs, adding a significant dose of aerial excitement to his matches. This move involves Jericho climbing to the top rope, doing a backflip, and landing on his opponent with his body. It’s a visually stunning maneuver that requires immense athleticism, timing, and courage. When Jericho hit a Moonsault, it wasn't just an attack; it was a statement. It was a display of his ability to perform breathtaking acrobatics, leaving the crowd in awe. The Moonsault often served as a high-impact move that could stun an opponent or even lead to a quick pinfall if executed perfectly. It was a testament to his dedication to putting on a show and his understanding of how to engage the audience with spectacular offense. While it wasn't a permanent fixture in his finisher rotation like The Walls of Jericho or the Codebreaker, its occasional use made it even more special. Fans knew they were witnessing something extraordinary when Y2J decided to take to the skies. The Moonsault showcased a different side of Chris Jericho, proving he was a well-rounded performer capable of executing complex aerial maneuvers. It added another layer of excitement to his matches and reminded everyone why he was considered one of the most dynamic superstars in WWE history. It’s a move that epitomizes his flair for the dramatic and his commitment to delivering a memorable performance every time he stepped into the ring. This move is a classic for a reason, and Jericho’s execution of it was always top-notch.

The Final Verdict: A Finisher's Legacy

So there you have it, guys! We've delved into the incredible array of finisher moves that Chris Jericho has utilized throughout his illustrious WWE career. From the agonizing submission of The Walls of Jericho to the sudden impact of The Codebreaker, and even the foundational Liontamer, Jericho has consistently proven himself to be a master of ending matches. Each move wasn't just a way to win; it was a part of his character, a statement of his dominance, and a moment that fans eagerly anticipated. Whether he was locking in a painful hold or delivering a devastating strike, Chris Jericho always found a way to leave his opponents and the WWE Universe in awe. His legacy isn't just built on championships and catchphrases; it's cemented by these incredible, match-ending maneuvers that have become legendary in their own right. Chris Jericho's finishers are a testament to his longevity, his adaptability, and his sheer brilliance as a professional wrestler. He evolved, he innovated, and he always found ways to keep his offense fresh and exciting, ensuring that every match felt like a potential showstopper. He’s a true legend, and his finishers are a huge part of that enduring legacy. Keep cheering for Y2J!