Stunner A stunner is a common term in wrestling referring to the seated three - quarter facelock jawbreaker giving a stunner to Vince McMahon , Jr . maneuver , predominantly used by Stone Cold Steve Austin , but originally invented by Mikey Whipwreck , who dubbed it Whipper - Snapper . It involves an attacking wrestler applying a three - quarter facelock ( reaching back and grabbing the head of an opponent , thus pulling the opponent ' s jaw above the wrestler ' s shoulder ) before falling to a seated position and forcing the opponent ' s jaw ( but predominantly the opponent ' s neck ) to drop down on the shoulder of the attacking wrestler . It is currently illegal in 7 states because of the danger involved in using it . The free hand is sometimes used to hold the top of the head . Variations . Elevated stunner . With an opponent placed on an elevated surface , a wrestler applies a three - quarter facelock and then draws the opponent away , leaving only the opponent ' s feet over the elevated surface . The wrestler then falls to a seated position so that the opponent is forced to dive forward across the shoulder of the attacking wrestler . This is believed to have more impact due to the angle of which the opponent is dropped . The elevated stunner can also be performed as a double - team move . Piggyback stunner . In this elevated stunner variation , the opponent is first raised up in a piggy - back position . From here , the attacking wrestler applies a three - quarter facelock and drops down to a seated position while still holding the opponent ' s head to force them to fall into the stunner . This move is also known by the name Backpack Stunner . Osaka Stunner . Innovated and named by Super Delfin , this variation sees the wrestler apply an inverted facelock on an opponent , before hooking their tights and lifting them straight up in the air so that they are upside down . The wrestler then lets the opponent ' s body fall backwards over their shoulder and when the opponent ' s feet lands on the mat the wrestler drops to a seated position to force the opponent ' s jaw to drop down on the shoulder of the attacking wrestler . This move is often called " Osaka Street Cutter " , which is incorrect , since a Cutter ends with the attacking wrestler landing on their back , while in a Stunner , the attacking wrestler drops to a seated position rather than their back . An " Osaka Street Cutter " is an uncommon variation of the Osaka Stunner , whereas instead of ending in a seated position , the attacking wrestler jumps up and lands on their back , sometimes , the wrestler could land on back - first on " another " opponent ( as in a standing senton ) , causing tremendous damage on both opponents . TKO . The Total Knock Out ( TKO ) , popularized by Marc Mero , is an elevated stunner variation in which the opponent is first raised over the shoulders of a wrestler in the fireman ' s carry position . From here , the attacking wrestler throws the legs of the opponent out backwards and drops down to the mat while taking hold of the opponent ' s head to force them to fall into the stunner . The name originally referred to the cutter variation . The name has since been used to refer to both types . Vertical suplex stunner . This elevated stunner first sees the attacking wrestler apply a front facelock , hook the opponent ' s near arm over their shoulder and lift them as for a standard vertical suplex . However , in mid - move , the attacking wrestler forces the opponent to turn 180 degrees and then apply the three - quarter facelock , forcing the opponent to drop down with their jaw across the attacking wrestler ' s shoulder as they fall to a seated position to hit the stunner . Innovated and popularized by Masato Tanaka as the Shotgun Stunner . A cutter version is also possible . Rolling stunner . This version sees an attacking wrestler first place an opponent ( who is in front of them ) in an inverted facelock before rolling themselves under the opponent , turning both wrestlers over so that the opponent can be dropped into the stunner . This has been widely referred to as the Whipper - Snapper II due to its use , on occasion , by Mikey Whipwreck . Twist of Fate . In this variation , the wrestler first applies a front facelock , before pivoting 180 degrees to bring themselves into the three - quarter facelock position and dropping down to a sitting position and forcing the opponent ' s jaw to drop down on the arm of the attacking wrestler . This variation was innovated by Matt Hardy . The name , " Twist of Fate " , originally referred to the cutter version , which was innovated by Jeff and his brother Matt , the Hardy Boyz , and also popularly used by Lita for years starting when she joined the Hardyz as Team Xtreme in 2000 . The name has since been used to refer to both types .