Highlights

• The Shooting Star Press is a visually captivating move in professional wrestling that pushes the boundaries of what is physically possible in the ring.
• Despite its ban by WWE due to the high risk of injury, the move has made a comeback and is now regularly seen on TV.
• The move requires exceptional athleticism, timing, and precision, but it has also caused serious injuries to wrestlers, highlighting the ethical dilemma of including such high-risk moves in matches.

A world where gravity takes a backseat and bodies become instruments of acrobatic finesse—welcome to professional wrestling's aerial ballet. At the center stage of this mesmerizing spectacle stands the Shooting Star Press, a move that defies the laws of physics and leaves spectators in awe. Wrestlers launching themselves from the heights of the ring, twisting and turning like human projectiles, only to land with breathtaking precision on their opponents, have etched the Shooting Star Press into the annals of wrestling history. But beneath its brilliance lies a tale of controversy and injury, a reminder that in the world of high-risk performance, the line between applause and anguish is as thin as the air that these daredevils briefly navigate.

WWE Once Banned The Shooting Star Press

The move's origins can be traced back to Japanese wrestling and its influence on the global wrestling community. Innovators like Jushin "Thunder" Liger and Yoshihiro Tajiri were instrumental in popularizing high-flying maneuvers, showcasing a style that showcased a blend of wrestling technique and aerial prowess. These pioneers set the stage for the development of moves like the Shooting Star Press, which pushed the boundaries of what was physically possible within the confines of a wrestling ring.

Despite its breathtaking appeal, the Shooting Star Press found itself on WWE's banned moves list for a prolonged period. This prohibition stemmed from the move's inherent risk and the potential for catastrophic injury if not executed flawlessly. Wrestling organizations, including WWE, have a responsibility to prioritize the safety and well-being of their performers. As a result, moves with a high degree of difficulty and associated risks often face restrictions, as was the case with the Shooting Star Press. But over the years WWE has clearly lifted this ban as the move is seen regularly on TV.

RELATED: 10 Best Wrestlers To Use The Shooting Star Press, Ranked

How The Shooting Star Press Is Performed

The Shooting Star Press, often hailed as one of the most visually captivating maneuvers in professional wrestling, has become a signature move of high-flying wrestlers. This acrobatic display is a testament to the remarkable athleticism, timing, and precision required to execute it flawlessly. Wrestlers who incorporate the Shooting Star Press into their repertoire demonstrate not only their mastery of physical control but also their commitment to pushing the boundaries of aerial artistry within the squared circle. The beauty of the Shooting Star Press lies in its intricate sequence of movements that demands an exceptional level of agility, balance, and spatial awareness. To execute the move, a wrestler ascends the ropes to a significant height. From this elevated position, they leap backward, initiating a graceful back flip while remaining fully aware of their surroundings. This critical spatial awareness allows them to make split-second adjustments midair to ensure a safe and accurate landing on their opponent.

The Shooting Star Press is a high-stakes endeavor that leaves little room for error. Wrestlers must judge the timing and distance with absolute precision to avoid landing too close or too far from their intended target. This meticulous calibration of movements highlights the level of dedication and practice required to make the move a seamless part of a wrestler's arsenal. Wrestlers who specialize in high-flying techniques like Ricochet, have made the Shooting Star Press an essential component of their in-ring repertoire.

The Shooting Star Press Has Seriously Injured Wrestlers

The legacy of the Shooting Star Press, while undeniably impressive, is marred by a history of controversy and injury that serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in executing such a breathtaking move for both the performer and the receiver. The wrestling world was reminded of the Shooting Star Press's dangers to the receiver of it during a fateful episode of SmackDown in 2004. In a match, Billy Kidman attempted to showcase his aerial prowess with the move. However, a misjudgment in rotation caused Kidman's knees to land squarely on his opponent Chavo Guerrero's head, resulting in a devastating concussion for Guerrero.

RELATED: Shooting Star Press: The Wrestling Move That Almost Killed Brock Lesnar

However, the most infamous example of the dangerous move is what once happened to its performer at the grandest stage of them all, WrestleMania 19. In a WWE Championship match against Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar, known for his unparalleled strength and athleticism, decided to unleash the Shooting Star Press. However, the move took a disastrous turn. As Lesnar soared through the air, he over rotated and missed Angle entirely, landing with a bone-jarring impact directly on his head. The scene was unsettling as Lesnar, clearly dazed and disoriented, struggled to regain his bearings. Miraculously, he managed to continue the match, displaying an astonishing resilience in the face of adversity. It was later revealed that Brock had suffered from a massive concussion and had almost broken his neck.

The incident demonstrated the high stakes that come with executing high-flying moves in a live performance setting and underscored the potential dangers inherent in such maneuvers. While the move's visual appeal is undeniable, the potential for catastrophic injury is equally evident. Wrestlers, promoters, and fans alike find themselves grappling with ethical questions: Should moves like the Shooting Star Press be included in matches, considering the potential harm they can cause?