History Main / FinishingMove

* ''Film/PacificRim'': While not called as such, the Jaegers seem to have weapons that are normally used to finish off a {{Kaiju}} and end the fight, such as Gipsy Danger's Plasma Caster or Striker Eureka's [[MacrossMissileMassacre Anti-Kaiju Missiles]]. A straighter example is [[spoiler:Gipsy Danger's [[ChestBlaster Nuclear Vortex Turbine]], which sees one use in an actual fight and that's to kill [[TheDragon Slattern]].]] Considering the film is a gigantic homage to Tokusatsu and SuperRobot anime, this is no surprise.
* In ''Film/{{Serenity}},'' the Operative has a particularly sweet one where he effectively paralyzes his victim, then places his sword at such an angle that the victim slowly overbalances and is impaled. He forces people to almost literally fall on their sword. He uses it in the intro, delivering a YouHaveFailedMe to a scientist. [[spoiler: Mal is immune because he had that nerve cluster moved due to an old war injury.]]

* Ultra and Ultimate combos in ''VideoGame/KillerInstinct''. Ultra Combos function like a fatal NoHoldsBarredBeatdown, while an Ultimate Combo is your standard "Fatality" finisher. Since both kill your opponent these could change which ending that you get in ''Killer Instinct 2''. If you're doing exceptionally well in a battle, you can also go for the dreaded [[CherryTapping "Humiliation"]], where you force your opponent to dance in shame.

* Ultra and Ultimate combos in ''VideoGame/KillerInstinct''. Ultra Combos function like a NoHoldsBarredBeatdown, while an Ultimate Combo is your standard "Fatality" finisher. If you're doing exceptionally well in a battle, you can also go for the dreaded [[CherryTapping "Humiliation"]], where you force your opponent to dance in shame.

** In ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'', you can only defeat bosses with the finishing move at the end of a combo, a reaction attack, or a magic spell. This can make it difficult if you're faced with a boss that's difficult to finish a combo against.

* ''VideoGame/FZero'': Captain Falcon's [[MemeticMutation Falcon]] [[MegatonPunch Punch]] that he uses to finish off Black Shadow. He sacrifices himself in the process though.

* ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'''s famous Giga Drill Break([[SpellMyNameWithAnS er]]). In the dub, Kamina and Simon do refer it as Finishing Move (''Hissatsu'', meaning Certain Kill in Japanese) the first time they perform the move. [[spoiler:Subverted after the TimeSkip and ostensible GenreShift, when the move not only fails to defeat a foe, but ''is performed offscreen'', in blatant violation of the rules of the genre. Of course, the foe is defeated shortly thereafter, but the point is made.]] It also doesn't quite work against [[spoiler:Lordgenome]], although this might be because Simon neglected to howl "FINISHING MOVE!" before the attack.

** Wrestling/BretHart's Sharpshooter / Wrestling/{{Sting}}'s Scorpion Deathlock ([[OlderThanTheyThink which he got]] from Wrestling/RikiChoshu). They have some differences, such as Sting wraps his opponent's legs around his right leg while for Bret, it's on his left instead, but you would be hard pressed to find two wrestling fans who could tell what the difference between them is.

** The moonsault, a notoriously difficult move to execute, is not often used as a finisher, but has a prominent place in the FiveMovesOfDoom in lightweight and ladies' wrestling. However, some wrestlers still utilize it as a finisher, most notably Sabu, Wrestling/ChristopherDaniels, and [[Wrestling/IoShirai]] with the triple jump moonsault and Best Moonsault Ever variations for the former two, while the latter one uses slightly modified versions which also differ depending on her character alignment (the regular moonsault but with lots of hang time as a {{Face}}, and a version with a lower-angle rotation that favors landing impact over height as a {{Heel}}).

** The moonsault, a notoriously difficult move to execute, is not often used as a finisher, but has a prominent place in the FiveMovesOfDoom in lightweight and ladies' wrestling. However, some wrestlers still utilize it as a finisher, most notably Sabu, Wrestling/ChristopherDaniels, and Io Shirai with the triple jump moonsault and Best Moonsault Ever variations for the former two, while the latter one uses slightly modified versions which also differ depending on her character alignment (the regular moonsault but with lots of hang time as a {{Face}}, and a version with a lower-angle rotation that favors landing impact over height as a {{Heel}}).

** Wrestling/JohnnyGargano's Gargano Escape.
** Wrestling/BryanDanielson's Cattle Mutilation in his Wrestling/RingOfHonor days and Lebell Lock in WWE.

** The Sharpshooter/Scorpion Deathlock is actually a hybrid of the Boston Crab and the Figure-Four. And thus, it is more painful kayfabe-wise than a plain Crab. It has a better look too, due to the move itself resembling a scorpion upon execution. Hence, the Scorpion Deathlock and Scorpion Hold/Sasori-Gatame names (with the latter being its original name, given by the move's innovator, Wrestling/RikiChoshu).

** Wrestling/CMPunk's post-Wrestling/RingOfHonor finishers are the Go To Sleep and the Anaconda Vice, which are innovated by Wrestling/KentaKobayashi and Wrestling/HiroyoshiTenzan, respectively. And there are differences between Punk and Tenzan's execution of the Vice, just like the Sharpshooter and Scorpion Deathlock above (Tenzan locks with his right arm, while Punk uses his left instead).

* ''VideoGame/TheDishwasher'', an XBLA HackAndSlash game, has finishing moves ([[DiagonalCut "Clean Kills"]] and [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown "Messy Kills"]]) as a key part of its gameplay flow. When an enemy's cybernetics start sparking, one or both of the grab or heavy attack buttons will appear over their head. Using the indicated attack will reward you with restored health or a [[LimitBreak skull magic]]...Though the player would probably do them anyways, as the finishers are both [[BloodyHilarious very violent]] and [[CatharsisFactor very cathartic.]]

* In certain games in the ''VideoGame/{{Atelier}}'' series (''VideoGame/AtelierMeruru'', the UpdatedRerelease of ''VideoGame/AtelierRorona'', and the Dusk trilogy), using a LimitBreak to finish a fight will result in a ThemeMusicPowerUp and an extended animation.

* In ''VideoGame/Blasphemous'', certain attacks can stun enemies, opening them up to a brutal Execution, and each enemy has a special Execution animation too. Killing enemies this way grants you extra Fervor (mana) and Tears of Atonement (currency) compared to killing them normally. You're also invincible during the animation, in case you're also under heavy fire.

* ''VideoGame/TheForceUnleashed'' combines this with {{Reaction Command}}s; when a boss's health is low enough, pressing the right buttons and/or moving the Wii Remote at the right intervals allows Starkiller to perform an over-the-top (and often [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill brutal]]) finisher that varies from one boss to the next.

* In ''VideoGame/DeadByDaylight'', if the killer brings the Memento Mori offering at the start of the game they will be able to kill their victims rather than hooking them if the requirements for the kind of Mori are met. [[TheManyDeathsOfYou Each of them have a special animation for the occasion]] from whacking them a few times, to cleaving their skull, to ravishing their body like a wild animal.

* ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'':
** Astral Heats. Unlike instant kills, you can only use an Astral Heat in the final round of a battle, when your opponent has 20% or less health remaining, and you have a full special bar. (one win for each character in a best-of-three fight, or any match in the story mode). They changed the conditions for [[VideoGame/BlazBlueContinuumShift the sequel]]. Now you can do it on any [[TheresNoKillLikeOverkill game setting round]] and when your opponent has 35% life remaining, but you need a spare Barrier Burst in order for it to work. They even changed some of their properties so they can now be comboed into.

** ''Series/JAKQDengekitai'': The initial finishing move for the team is for all four members to grab the enemy, toss them into the air, kick them even higher into the air, and then make the monster explode by pointing their fists at it to send a burst of all their powers into their body. In later episodes the last part is cut out so the enemy explodes after being kicked.

** ''Series/JAKQDengekitai'': The initial finishing move for the team is for all four members to grab the enemy, toss them into the air, kick them even higher into the air, and then make the monster explode by pointing their fists at it to send a burst of all their powers into their body.

** Jinbe has thus far showcased two finishers: Vagabond Drill and Demon Brick Fist. The former is mostly used to stop larger foes such as [[AttackOfThe50FootWhatever Wadatsumi]] and [[TheJuggernaut Big Mom]] in their tracks before pushing them away, while the latter is [[MegatonPunch an incredibly powerful and destructive punch]].

** The original Sentai team ''Series/HimitsuSentaiGoranger'' had the Goranger Storm, where the rangers would pass around a soccer ball-like weapon to charge it with their power and then launch it at the monster, causing it to explode. Near the end of the first half of the show, the ball was upgraded to have the ability to transform into something the victim is weak against before exploding. In the second half of the show the ball was replaced with a football-like missile and the name was changed to the Goranger Hurricane. This move is so iconic that similar moves would appear in many following seasons. It was used several times in ''Series/TaiyouSentaiSunVulcan'' and ''Series/NinjaSentaiKakuranger'' and in two episodes of ''Series/GekisouSentaiCarranger'', once being used by a team of monsters pretending to be rangers, and later a giant size version was done by the ranger's mechs using a cannonball the enemy fired at them. You can also count on this move showing up whenever somebody using the powers of the Gorangers shows up. While ''Series/ResshaSentaiToqger'' didn't use a ball, their initial team finishing move could also manifest something the target is weak to.

** Wrestling/RickRude used a hangman's neckbreaker called the Rude Awakening, which was preceded by gyrating his hips to give the ladies a glimpse of what a [[CatchPhrase REAL MAN]] looked like. And before that, he used what is commonly referred to as the "Torture Rack", popularized by Wrestling/LexLuger.

** In ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry4'', Nero's Buster moves against bosses won't necessarily finish the boss off, but they tend to do a lot of damage, and they definitely ''look'' like finishing moves. Notably, finishing off Sanctus Diabolica with a Buster changes the animation so it dramatically repeats the moment of impact three times, and Nero shouts the OnceAnEpisode ''"Jackpot!"'' CatchPhrase. A Buster is also required to defeat the post-final boss, The False Savior.

* A variation in the web series ''WebVideo/CriticalRole''. DM Matthew Mercer allows the player who gets the killing blow on the boss (or the last remaining opponent on the field) to describe the final attack, leading to many a Crowning Moment of Awesome. Players and viewers alike practically live for the phrase [[CatchPhrase "How do you want to do this?"]].

** The original Sentai team ''Series/HimitsuSentaiGoranger'' had a move where the rangers would pass around a volleyball-like weapon to charge it with their power and then launch it at the monster, causing it to explode. They later gained an improved version of this move that used a football-like missile with the power to transform into something that the target is weak to. This move is so iconic that similar moves would appear in many following seasons. It was used several times in ''Series/TaiyouSentaiSunVulcan'' and ''Series/NinjaSentaiKakuranger'' and in two episodes of ''Series/GekisouSentaiCarranger'', once being used by a team of monsters pretending to be rangers, and later a giant size version was done by the ranger's mechs using a cannonball the enemy fired at them. You can also count on this move showing up whenever somebody using the powers of the Gorangers shows up. While ''Series/ResshaSentaiToqger'' didn't use a ball, their initial team finishing move could also manifest something the target is weak to similar to the Goranger's upgraded finisher.

** In the ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' anime, Ash's Charizard ''always'' performs a ''literally'' over-the-top Seismic Toss to finish off his opponents, first flying high into the sky, and, as soon as he builds momentum (by ''circling the Earth''), tosses the opponent brutally back to the ground. [[spoiler:An emergency Flamethrower from Harrison's Blaziken is the only time the move didn't finish its opponent off.]]

*** Luffy's ''Gomu-Gomu no Battle Axe'', ''Gomu-Gomu no Rifle'' and ''Gomu-Gomu no Bullet'' are also very flashy finishers that are used to beat foes in the first part of the series. But [[SuperMode Gear Fourth]] kicks it up to the extreme with Gomu Gomu no King Kong Gun which powerful enough to smash Domflamingo straight through the island of Dressrosa and create a crater. Not long afterwards he created a variation, Gomu Gomu no Kong Organ, which is basically launching smaller but multiple King Kong Guns at once.

*** In the New World Zoro introduces more finishing moves such as ''Great Dragon Shock'' (which bisected Monet), [[KiManipulation Haki-enhanced]] ''Billion-fold World Trichiliocosm'' (used to wreck Pica) and ''103 Mercies Dragon Damnation'' after unlocking [[AwesomenessIsAForce Conqueror's Haki]] and creating the King of Hell style while fighting King.

*** Sanji's ''Hell Memories'' is his strongest attack post timeskip, scorching the small mountain-sized Wadatsumi. He eventually surpasses even that with Boeuf Burst once he unlocks [[TechnicolorFire Ifrit Jambe]], a stronger variant of [[IncendiaryExponent Diable Jambe]]; it's powerful enough to send a dinosaur flying.

*** Sanji's ''Hell Memories'' is his strongest attack post timeskip, scorching the small mountain-sized Wadatsumi; he eventually surpasses even that with Boeuf Burst once he unlocks [[TechnicolorFire Ifrit Jambe]], a stronger variant of [[IncendiaryExponent Diable Jambe]]; it's powerful enough to send a dinosaur flying.

** Luffy's ''Gomu-Gomu no Battle Axe'', ''Gomu-Gomu no Rifle'' and ''Gomu-Gomu no Bullet'' are also very flashy finishers that are used to beat foes in the first part of the series. But [[SuperMode Gear Fourth]] kicks it up to the extreme with Gomu Gomu no King Kong Gun which powerful enough to smash Domflamingo straight through the island of Dressrosa and create a crater. Not long afterwards he created a variation, Gomu Gomu no Kong Organ, which is basically launching smaller but multiple King Kong Guns at once.
** Zoro's ''Onigiri'' was his go-to finisher for the first part of the series, and it was a OhCrap moment for Zoro when Mihawk [[NoSell blocked it]] with a little knife. ''Tiger Hunt'', ''Dragon Twister'', ''Lion Strike'', [[RazorWind ''108 Pound Cannon'']], ''Demon Aura Nine-Sword Style Asura'' and ''Flying Dragon Fire Blaze'' are Zoro's grandest Finishing Moves.
** In New World Zoro introduces more finishing moves such as ''Great Dragon Shock'' (which bisected Monet) and [[KiManipulation Haki-enhanced]] ''Billion-fold World Trichiliocosm'' used to wreck Pica.
** Sanji is no slouch when comes to fishing moves, ''Mouton Shoot'' typically blows opponents away whether it be rapid fire kick (manga) or a single powerful kick (anime). Sanji's ''Concasser'' is more savage, strong enough to even [[TapontheHead knock Luffy out]], and ''Anti Manner Kick Course'' is spectacular even [[Attackofthe50FootWhatever Oars the giant]] was toppled over when he took this attack to the shin. Also ''Three-Spot Decoupage'' which is a [[RoundhouseKick triple roundhouse]]. Special mention to Sanji [[RapidFireFisticuffs ''Extra Hachis'']] which is kick-version of Luffy's ''Gomu-Gomu no Gatling'' and ''Venaison Shoot'' in ''[[Anime/OnePieceFilmStrongWorld Strong World]]'' where Sanji imitates a [[GatlingGood Mini-gun]] with his legs. Sanji's ''Hell Memories'' is his strongest attack post timeskip, scorching the small mountain-sized Wadatsumi.

** Trafalgar Law’s Gamma Knife is a OneHitKill as he slices the target internal organs, [[ArmorPiercingAttack ignoring all defenses]]. [[spoiler: Unfortunately Law was fighting a dude who could repair his vitals with string powers]].

*** The Tombstone was not the only finisher. Other staple endgame moves include The Last Ride powerbomb, the Hell's Gate submission hold, and on rare occasion the Chokeslam (which is usually a signature move in matches, but can be used to keep foes down in non-match segments). During the Biker gimmick, he would occasionally use a Triangle Choke as a finisher.

** Wrestling/TheBigShow's [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin knockout punch]]. In WCW, he was known for the choke slam. When he moved to the WWE, he changed it due to back problems (and the fact that it's on a lower part of both Wrestling/TheUndertaker's and Wrestling/{{Kane}}'s FiveMovesOfDoom.)
** Wrestling/TheUndertaker's Tombstone Piledriver may be the last piledriver anyone sees in the WWE, since Vince has banned the piledriver for anyone else because an improper setup endangers the victim's neck. Except the one time Wrestling/CMPunk [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique didn't get the memo.]] The Tombstone is also safer than most piledrivers, since it can make the target ''look'' like their head is hitting the mat harder than it actually is. And when using it outside the ring (usually at the top of the entrance ramp), camera angles can be used to hide the fact that the target's head didn't actually hit the floor at all.

** Chair shots, kendo sticks, guitars, etc. even though they are still just as dangerous. Recently, to [[TakeALevelInBadass Gain A Level Of Badass]], Wrestling/TripleH used a sledgehammer, and getting hit by a car (and even car bombs) became a standard prop. Wrestling/EddieGilbert [[CarFu once did that]] to Wrestling/JerryLawler on the TV show in Memphis.

* In ''Film/{{Serenity}},'' the Operative has a particularly sweet one where he effectively paralyzes his victim, then places his sword at such an angle that the victim slowly overbalances and is impaled. Though it only works once, when delivering a YouHaveFailedMe to a scientist, [[spoiler: Mal is immune because he had that nerve cluster moved due to an old war injury.]]