Best TNA Finishers Wasted On Bad Wrestlers (2024)

While TNA can be accused of having inconsistent direction as a wrestling promotion since its inception in 2005, there is one thing that cannot be denied - they have always had an incredible roster of talent. Whether fans are looking at their peak era which included the likes of AJ Styles and Kurt Angle, or their current focus on the future with Josh Alexander and Jordynne Grace, TNA has always had an eye for showcasing talent.

TNA's in-ring action has always been top-notch with their peak athletes, however, not every wrestler on the roster is going to put their best foot forward. Some wrestlers may be below par in comparison to others but have been able to deliver in one aspect - a killer finishing maneuver. While this one aspect is important, a great move attached to a below-average wrestler does not always indicate success.

Hernandez - Border Toss

He's A Monster, But Not A Good One

• The border toss is a throwing variation of the Razor's Edge
• Hernandez is a former seven-time TNA/NWA tag team champion

In the history of TNA tag teams, the Latin American Xchange ranks very highly for their accomplishments and the amount of punishment they dealt out. Together, both Homicide and Hernandez were a revered team, but Herndandez's singles career left more to be desired.

Despite being a hulking mass, Hernandez was limited as a singles star and never achieved success in the company. However, there is no denying his imposing presence that when combined with his Border Toss maneuver made his presence felt.

Suicide - Suicide Solution

Should Have Stayed In His Video Game

• The Suicide Solution is an overhead flipping leg hook belly-to-back suplex
• Suicide is a former two-time X-Division champion

From a looks standpoint, Suicide looks like a very imposing character that could intrigue audiences. However, the wrestling world quickly soured on the wrestler who was seemingly transported from the TNA Impact video game onto their television based on how strange the idea sounded.

Ultimately, Suicide wound up gaining some success in the company in the X-Division, and while some of the wrestlers portraying him were extremely talented, the character continually struggled. Despite increasingly risky maneuvers and spots in their matches, Suicide never turned into the X-Division cornerstone the company wanted him to be.

Havok - Tombstone Piledriver

A Move Not Seen Often Today Is Not In Great Hands

• The tombstone piledriver was made famous by the likes of The Undertaker and Kane in WWE
• Havok is a former Knockouts World and tag team champion

Putting together two wrestlers in a tag team can easily accentuate the positives and hide the negatives of those involved. Together, Decay - made up of Havok and Rosemary - is a great team that has pushed the women's tag team division forward for TNA, but separately is a different story.

At one point, Havok was considered one of the better female wrestlers on the independent circuit. However, she has not been able to retain that level of lustre during her TNA run and her in-ring abilities have wavered in recent years, leading fans to wonder if she should be the one who continues on the legacy of the tombstone piledriver.

Sami Callihan - Package Piledriver

Callihan Has Never Been Able To Click

• The package piledriver was made famous by Kevin Owens on the independent scene as Kevin Steen
• Sami Callihan is a former Impact World Champion

Despite being a former Impact World Champion and helping support the company through an uncertain period of rebuilding, fans have never truly embraced Sami Callihan as the top player in TNA. With many wrestlers who are either more charismatic or more proficient in the ring on the roster, Callihan has struggled to maintain his footing with the larger fanbase in wrestling.

While the piledriver itself is a dangerous maneuver, the package piledriver seemingly has extra danger added to it as a result of the precarious position of the receiver. Kevin Steen - now Owens - used the package piledriver as a feared maneuver during his Ring of Honor run, but Callihan does not inspire the same fear as those who used it before him.

Rachael Ellering - Bosswoman Slam

This Move Is Best Left With Abyss

• The Bosswoman Slam is a spinning sidewalk slam made famous by TNA legend Abyss
• Rachael Ellering is a former Impact World Women's tag team champion

Despite being a second-generation wrestler, Rachael Ellering has not had an easy road to gaining traction with top wrestling companies. With things in NXT, AEW and TNA, she has never fully connected with fans during her career and is often left in the dust among the roster.

While there is always room for improvement, Ellering has been given many opportunities to showcase her skills, but she has never fully caught on with audiences. When a move that is so synonymous with a TNA-legend like Abyss is used by a wrestler who is not a fan-favourite choice, it can raise some eyebrows.

Steve Maclin - Mayhem For All

Hard To Believe He Is A Former World Champion

• Mayhem for All is a lifting inverted front face lock into a sit-out scoop slam piledriver
• Maclin is a former Impact World Champion

Steve Maclin's association with the unfortunate Forgotten Son's stable in WWE will be a black mark on his career forever, even if he was not the person who initiated the controversy. Ultimately, his association with Jackson Ryker doomed his career with the company before he even got to showcase his skills.

After being released from WWE, Maclin appeared in TNA and quickly became world champion, but fans struggled to understand why given his status as a sub-par wrestler. Maclin is a vanilla performer who did not seem suited to be at the top of the company, even if his finishing move looks awesome.

David Finlay - Trash Panda

Next Generation Doesn't Always Mean A Great Wrestler

• The Trash Panda is a brainbuster on Finlay's knee
• David Finlay is a former Impact World tag team champion

With the combination of spending time in Japan along with his status as a Finlay family member, David Finlay seemed poised to be on top of the wrestling business in short order. Unfortunately, apart from success in the tag team circuit alongside Juice Robinson, Finlay has gotten lost in the shuffle alongside many other talented performers.

It is easy to compare David Finlay to similar wrestlers like Adam Cole, but he does not have the same level of charisma that others do that could elevate him higher. Ultimately, Finlay has gone down as just another wrestler on the roster who is quickly forgotten about, regardless of his pedigree.

Matt Morgan - Hellevator

He Improved In TNA, But Not Enough

• The Hellevator is a vertical suplex turned into a front slam
• Matt Morgan is a former two-time Impact World Tag team champion

During WWE's reorganization following the attitude era, there were plenty of new faces on the roster as the company struggled to find new top stars. In line with WWE's usual talent search were many big-man wrestlers who did not have prior experience in the industry, similar to Matt Morgan.

After his WWE tenure, Morgan transitioned to TNA where he was placed into the main event scene after showing improvement. However, Morgan's level of improvement was not at the same level as many of the other talented wrestlers on the TNA roster, and he never reached the expectations that others had of him.

Curry Man - Spicy Drop

At Least The Wrestler Under The Mask Is Great

• The Spicy Drop is an Argentine facebuster into a DDT
• Curry Man was portrayed by multiple TNA wrestlers, most notably Christopher Daniels

In an attempt to continue the kayfabe of Christopher Daniels being fired from TNA in 2008, he returned to the company as the comedic Curry Man, who was a far cry from his previous persona. While comedy will always have a place in wrestling, Curry Man quickly got on the nerves of fans despite how talented Daniels was under the mask.

While Curry Man's stint with the company was short-lived, he did not win over the fans in the same way Christopher Daniels did. With a limited move set and abilities due to the gimmick, it was better that the man of spice left quickly.

Jimmy Rave - The Move That Rocks The World

A Forgotten X Division Mainstay

• The Move That Rocks The World is a swinging leg hook fireman's carry slam
• Jimmy Rave had multiple stints in TNA over his career

The X-Division had many wrestlers come and go over the years, and not all of them were able to leave an undeniable impact like AJ Styles of Samoa Joe. Jimmy Rave was involved in both the tag and X-Division during his many stints with TNA, but he was never able to break out.

Not everyone in a company can be a top star, but Jimmy Rave was certainly a good hand to have on the roster. Without the flash of other X-Division performers, it was easy for Rave to get lost in the shuffle.