Powerbomb A Powerbomb is a wrestling throw in which an opponent is lifted up ( usually so that they are sitting on the wrestler ' s shoulders ) and then slammed back - first down to the mat . The standard powerbomb sees an opponent first placed in a standing headscissors position ( bent forward with their head placed between the attacking wrestler ' s thighs ) . He is then lifted up on the wrestler ' s shoulders and slammed down back - first to the mat . A prawn hold is commonly used for a pinning powerbomb . Powerbombs are sometimes used in mixed martial arts competitions , when a fighter attempts to slam another fighter who has him trapped in a triangle choke . Variations . Gutwrench powerbomb . Innovated by Akira Hokuto who named it the Dangerous Queen Bomb and popularized by Steve Williams , who dubbed it the Doctor Bomb , this move involves a wrestler standing over an opponent locking their arms around the opponent ' s waist and lifting them up , flipping them over , and slamming them down to the mat back first . Usually the wrestler sits down while slamming the opponent . Erick Stevens currently uses a kneeling version of this powerbomb after which he folds up the opponent for a pinfall attempt . Jack Swagger uses this move as one of his finishing move . Inverted powerbomb . Better known as an inverted front powerslam , this move sees the attacking wrestler faces a bent - over opponent and apply a gutwrench waistlock before lifting the opponent up so they are lying across the wrestler ' s shoulder , facing upward , with the wrestler maintaining the waistlock to hold them in position . The wrestler then falls forward or into a sitout position while flipping the opponent forward , driving the opponent horizontally belly - down into the ground . This variation is commonly associated with Faarooq and Bobby Lashley , both referring to the move as the Dominator . A first variation of this move used by Japanese wrestler Yutaka Yoshie exists seeing the attacking wrestling running and / or jumping forwards before slamming the opponent horizontally body - first into the ground . This variation is called the Canadian Hammer named by him . A second variation exists called a double underhook inverted powerbomb in which the attacker and opponent face each other , the opponent bent forward . The attacker hooks the opponent ' s arms back in a reverse nelson . The attacker then lifts the opponent into an upside - down vertical position lying across the wrestler ' s shoulder , facing upward , with the wrestler maintaining the reverse nelson to hold the opponent in position . The attacker then falls forward while flipping the opponent forward horizontally belly - down into the ground . Jackknife powerbomb . The term Jackknife powerbomb can refer to a normal powerbomb which sees the wrestler keep his / her head between the opponent ' s legs and keep a hold on the legs with his / her arms before then flipping forward planting his / her feet and bridging back , completing a Jackknife pinning hold Multiple powerbombs . A variation of the powerbomb where the wrestler does not release the opponent upon impact , but instead locks his hands and performs a dead lift , raising the opponent back up for another powerbomb , and may repeat more than once . This move was popularized in the western world by former professional wrestler - turned UFC fighter Brock Lesnar . This move is dangerous to perform due to the sheer strength needed to perform the dead lift and if done incorrectly ( releasing too early , dropped incorrectly , etc . ) , it can cause a great deal of injury ( one infamous incident saw Brock Lesnar break Hardcore Holly ' s neck after dropping him too early and at an incorrect angle ) . During his early run in the WWF , Chris Jericho would use this move on smaller opponents ( Tajiri , Crash Holly , etc . ) . Release powerbomb . A variation of the powerbomb where the opponent is lifted into the air , and then dropped without any extra force exerted for a pinfall attempt . Sometimes the wrestler steps back while releasing the opponent , which is known as a sheer drop powerbomb due to the high elevation , or the opponent would be thrown horizontally away from the wrestler rather than merely dropped . The step back variation was popularized in the United States by Sid Vicious , and later by Kevin " Diesel " Nash , who called it the Jack Knife . However , with the name it was later confused with the other Jackknife powerbomb . Reverse Powerbomb . See Reverse Powerbomb Rope aided powerbomb . The wrestler takes hold of an opponent , who is lying on the mat , by their legs . The opponent then grabs hold of one of the ropes with both hands as the wrestler pulls them backwards , lifting them off the mat . At this point the opponent releases their grip on the rope and is brought down to the mat . Corner sitout powerbomb . The opponent begins sitting in the corner of the ring and facing outwards , while holding on to the ring ropes . The wrestler takes hold of the opponent by the legs and pulls them upwards and backwards , falling into a sitting position as they do so . The move ends with the opponent ' s back on the ground and their legs over the shoulders of the wrestler , placing the opponent in a pinning predicament . Rydeen bomb . This high - lifting sitout / sitdown spinebuster , also popularly known as a sky lift powerbomb in which a wrestler will take hold of an ( often charging ) opponent with each hand placed under the opponent ’ s arm pits . At this point the attacking wrestler will lift the opponent into the air as high as possible , before dropping to a seated position so that the opponent falls backfirst between the wrestler ' s legs . A wrestler will often place his hands on the falling opponent ' s chest or hook their legs to attempt a pin . Satoshi Kojima is credited with naming the move the Rydeen Bomb , while D ' Lo Brown is credited with being among the first American wrestlers to use the move , which he called the Sky High regularly . There is also a standing side slam variation , currently used by Lance Cade , which is known as a sitout / sitdown side slam spinebuster or a ura - nage driver . Scoop lift powerbomb . In this variation of a powerbomb an opponent is first scooped so they are horizontal across an attacking wrestler ' s chest . The wrestler then pushes the opponent up and turns them , so that they are sitting on the shoulders of the wrestler , before then slamming them down in a powerbomb motion . This move was innovated by Monty Brown , who calls the move the Alpha Bomb . Sitout powerbomb . Also called a sitdown powerbomb , this is any powerbomb in which the wrestler drops into a sitting position as they slam their opponent down to the mat . This maneuver can be done with many variations of the powerbomb . The most common sitout variation is that of a standard powerbomb , in which the opponent is placed in a standing neck scissors , and then lifted up on the wrestler ' s shoulders . At this point , the wrestler slams the opponent down , and at the same time falls to a sitting position . In Japan the move is often known as Liger Bomb , due to Jushin Liger who popularized it . Liger ' s variation actually differs from the regular sitout powerbomb in that the opponent is dropped down in a higher angle , on their shoulders instead of flat on their back , this allows him to trap the opponent ' s arms under his legs , since they are closer to him . Liger also uses a running variation which drops the opponent regularly flat on their back , known as a Running Liger Bomb . In the United States , both the standing and the running variations are commonly referred to as just Liger Bomb . This powerbomb is also commonly associated with The Beast and Batista , who named it the Batista Bomb . A variation of the Running Liger Bomb was performed by Último Dragón , who named his variation the Dragon Bomb , in which he lifts the opponent , runs towards the ropes , and performed a slingshot sitout powerbomb . Yet another variation of the sitout powerbomb is currently and popularly used by Claudio Castagnoli under the name Ricola Bomb , in which he crosses the opponent ' s arms before lifting them up and then dropping them . There ' s also a variation where the opponent is first pumphandled , before being slammed into the mat with the powerbomb . Slingshot powerbomb . From a position in which the opponent is sitting across the wrestlers shoulder , the attacker bounces the opponent ' s back across the top rope . The attacker then spins around , using the momentum to powerbomb the opponent . Spinning powerbomb . The wrestler lifts the opponent up onto his shoulders and spins around several rotations before sitting down and slamming the opponent down to the mat , as in a sitout powerbomb . A release variation sees the wrestler remain standing or kneeling and just throwing the opponent away from them onto their back to the mat . Spin - out powerbomb . This is a belly to back powerbomb , usually beginning in the back suplex position where the wrestler stands behind their opponent and puts their head under the arm of the opponent . They then lift the opponent up using one arm around the waist of the opponent and another under their legs . The wrestler then spins the opponent around 180° , dropping them to the mat back first as they drop to a sitting position . Known under the name Blue Thunder Driver , a name invented by Jun Akiyama . The move is also known as Blue Thunder Powerbomb because it resembles a powerbomb more than a driver . there is also a sit - out variation , a side variaton , a slingshot variation , a neckbreaker variation and a front powerslam version , the last one used by Batista in his time in Ohio Valley Wrestling under his " Leviathan " gimmick , where instead of hitting the powerbomb , he lifts his opponent into a running powerslam position , driving the opponent into the mat . Another variation of this move ends in an inverted side slam position and with the wrestler going down to a kneeling position . This version has been used by John Cena throughout his career , which he calls the Proto - Bomb while wrestling as " The Prototype " and the Killswitch , in WWE , Cena currently uses the original name ( Spin - Out Powerbomb ) . Sunset flip powerbomb . A move in which a wrestler will roll / flip over an elevated opponent facing them in a reverse body scissors and use the momentum to pull the opponent down to the mat back first . A variation of the move which was innovated by Super Shisa , who called it the Yoshi Tonic . This variation sees a wrestler wrap their legs around the waist of an opponent who is facing away from the attacking wrestler . The wrestler uses a ' see - saw ' motion to throw himself forward pulling the opponent over the top of them and down to the mat . This version is technically known as a leg - trap sunset flip powerbomb . Notable users include Amazing Red , MsChif , Melina and Rey Mysterio . Former WWE Superstar Trevor Murdoch performs a modified version in which instead doing of the ' see - saw motion ' , he stands over the top of his opponent before executing the move . Another variation was seen in the United States as used by Brian Christopher , in which the sunset flip powerbomb is executed against a wrestler standing on the ring apron , facing toward the ring . In this variation Christopher would jump over the opponent as if to execute a sunset flip and complete the move by powerbombing the opponent from the ring apron to the arena floor . Superbomb . This move was popularized in America by The Pitbulls in ECW . The attacking wrestler forces the opponent to ascend to the top rope , standing usually on the top ropes with their legs spread . The wrestler then bends the opponent , placing their head between the wrestler ' s thighs . The wrestler then wraps their hands around the opponent ' s waist . The wrestler then lifts the opponent up , flipping them over , while jumping forward . The opponent falls down to the mat back first , and the wrestler usually falls to their knees or to a sitting position . Another variation sees the opponent sitting on the top rope . The wrestler climbs up to the top rope and stands facing the opponent . They then bend the opponent over and take hold of them around the waist . The wrestler then flips the opponent up and over so they are sitting on the shoulders of the wrestler . At the same time , the wrestler spins around 180° and leaps forward , falling to the ground in a standing or sitting position and driving the opponent ' s back and shoulders to the mat . Many variations of a regular standing powerbomb can be seen being done off of the top rope as well ( ex . Super double underhook powerbomb , Super thunder fire powerbomb , Super crucifix powerbomb , etc . ) Thunder fire powerbomb . Innovated by Kyoko Inoue , who dubbed it the Niagra Driver , and also known as a One shoulder powerbomb , the wrestler faces a bent opponent and places him in the standing headscissors position ( bent forward with their head placed between the wrestler ' s thighs ) . The wrestler then grabs hold around the opponent ' s upper torso or waist , and lifts him on top one of the wrestler ' s shoulders on his back . The wrestler then bends forward and slams the opponent down to the mat on his back or shoulders . Turnbuckle powerbomb . The wrestler faces a standing opponent , bends them forwards , takes a hold around their waist and then flips the opponent up and over so the opponent is sitting on the wrestler ' s shoulders . The wrestler then faces a corner of the ring and throws the opponent into the corner , driving the back and neck of the opponent to the turnbuckle . Vertical suplex powerbomb . The wrestler lifts the opponent upside down as in a vertical suplex and then pushes their upper body forward while sitting down , ending the move in the same position as the sitout powerbomb . Kenta Kobashi is the most well known user of this move and calls it the Orange Crush . However , he only uses the move in very high profile matches . A variation of the move in which the wrestler lifts the opponent up and flips them in one fluid motion , releasing the opponent in mid - air , allowing them to fall down to the mat onto their back , while the wrestler falls to all fours beside him , was innovated by E . Z . Money , who calls it Cha - ching Powerbomb . Another variation used by Kenta Kobashi known as " Spike Vertical Suplex Powerbomb " , where he didn ' t push the opponents as far out , so they landed on their neck and shoulders instead of their back .