10 Basic Pro Wrestling Moves (That Can Still Cause Serious Injury)

There are some pro wrestling moves that are very complicated and can cause injuries to both the performer and the wrestler taking the move. For example, a Shooting Star Press, a Moonsault, a Vertebreaker, a Spanish Fly, or a Canadian Destroyer, are very difficult moves that have caused many injuries over the years across promotions like WWE and WCW to name a few.

However, fans often forget that basic wrestling moves can also cause serious injury. No matter how simple it looks, or how basic the move is, there is always the risk of something going wrong and an injury occurring. So, without further ado, let's take a look at 10 basic pro wrestling moves that can still cause serious injury.

10 Suplex

John Cena v Brock Lesnar Extreme Rules 2012 Cropped

The suplex, in any of its variations, is one of the most basic moves in wrestling, in fact, many fans perform it at home (although they shouldn't). However, just because it's a basic move doesn't mean it can't cause serious injury. Over the years, several wrestlers have suffered serious injuries when taking a suplex, in any of its variations.

One of the most recent examples is the case of Big E, who suffered a devastating neck injury while taking a belly-to-belly suplex from Ridge Holland.

9 DDT

Randy Orton DDT's The Street Profits Cropped

The DDT is a move that any pro wrestler can perform with ease, because it really is a basic move. However, a small mistake could result in a serious injury, such as a concussion.

If both wrestlers do not execute the sequence well, the wrestler taking the DDT could hit his head or face straight into the mat, which could result in a serious injury.

8 Baseball Slide

The baseball slide is a very common move, which looks easy to execute, and is very difficult to get wrong, but can still cause serious injury.

Over the years several wrestlers have suffered injuries while performing a Baseball Slide, such as PAC, who broke his ankle while performing a Baseball Slide in a match against Chris Jericho in WWE. Enzo Amore, on the other hand, once suffered a concussion when his face hit the ropes while performing a Baseball Slide.

7 Body Slam

The Body Slam is one of the most popular wrestling moves, ever since Hulk Hogan Body Slammed Andre The Giant at WrestleMania 3. It is a basic move for powerhouse wrestlers, which 99% of the time works well.

However, one small mistake can result in a devastating injury, such as concussions, neck or back injuries. So, the Body Slam is a basic move, but it can be very dangerous if something goes wrong.

6 Powerbomb

A Powerbomb is a basic power move, performed by countless wrestlers around the world, and also performed by many fans at home. However, this basic move can cause serious injury.

If something goes wrong the wrestler can suffer a head, neck or back injury, even if the move is well executed, the impact can be so strong that it can cause injury. Several wrestlers have suffered injuries due to a Powerbomb, such as John Cena, Finn Balor or Droz, who had to retire from wrestling.

5 Superkick

The Superkick has become a basic wrestling move, because nowadays, many wrestlers use this move, like The Usos, the Young Bucks, Kevin Owens, Dolph Ziggler or Adam Cole. And we can't forget to mention the iconic Sweet Chin Music by Shawn Michaels.

So, this is a basic move, but it has caused serious injuries over the years, and the most devastating of all was Bret Hart's career-ending injury after taking a Superkick from Goldberg.

4 Suicide Dive

The Suicide Dive is a dangerous move that can cause serious injury. The wrestler who performs it can hurt himself by falling to the ground, or he can get caught between the ropes and suffer an injury.

Despite the risks, the Suicide Dive is a basic move that we see frequently on every wrestling show, and is performed by countless wrestlers, including Seth Rollins, Darby Allin, Liv Morgan and Mercedes Moné. This is a fun move to watch, which always gets the crowd fired up.

3 Piledriver

The Piledriver has always been a dangerous move, but even so, many wrestlers have used it and still use it today, so it can now be considered a basic move. This move is banned in WWE, but it is impressive how many wrestlers around the world use this move despite how dangerous it is.

If not executed perfectly, the Piledriver can cause serious injuries, especially neck injuries, the most dangerous of all. You probably remember when Stone Cold Steve Austin suffered a neck injury after taking a Piledriver from Owen Hart

2 Lariat

Recently, Adam Page suffered a concussion after taking a lariat from Jon Moxley, making it clear that this basic move can cause serious injury.

The lariat is an easy move to execute, as the wrestler slams his arm into his opponent's chest and that's it. But if something goes wrong, the wrestler can get hit in the neck or face, and that's when injuries occur.

1 Slap

A slap is not even a pro wrestling move, but many wrestlers, both men and women, often slap each other during matches. Anyone would say that a slap is a safe move, but it can actually cause serious injury.

For example, Victoria broke Beth Phoenix's jaw with a slap during a match on the June 5, 2006, episode of Monday Night Raw. So, even such a basic move like a slap can cause serious injury.