Backbreaker

Backbreaker refers to a kind of professional wrestling move which sees a wrestler dropping an opponent so that the opponent's back impacts or is bent backwards against a part of the wrestler's body, usually the knee.

Former WWF Superstar Hercules even used this move as a finisher, along with a Full Nelson Submission Hold.

A variation of the Argentine backbreaker rack, known as the La Reinera, sees the opponent held across the wrestler's upper back rather than his shoulders/neck.

Another Argentine backbreaker rack variation called the La Atlántida, favored by Mexican luchador Atlantis, sees the attacking wrestler holding the opponent across the shoulders and behind the head in a side-lying position facing towards the rear, then pulling down on the head and one leg to laterally bending the opponent.

TNA wrestler Abyss used the Argentine version called the Shock Treatment.

Cedric Alexander uses a double knee version called the Lumbar Check.

A common variant of this hold has the attacking wrestler also apply a double underhook before or after lifting the opponent.

The double underhook variant is often seen when the hold is used to transition to another maneuver, such as a backbreaker drop or inverted powerbomb.

The catapult throw typically starts with the attacking wrestler standing and facing the opponent, who is lying on their back.

At this point the attacking wrestler will remain on the ground and raise their knees while still holding the opponent's legs.

The rebounding opponent will instantly trip, falling backwards onto the raised knees of the wrestler.

The wrestler performing the move stands in front of and slightly to the side of the opponent receiving it.

The attacking wrestler can continue the hold after impact for a cobra clutch submission attempt.

[2] First popularised by Carlito as the Backstabber, his brother Primo and cousin Epico would also use that move under the same name.

Roderick Strong uses a vertical suplex transition version called the End of Heartache.

The attacker lifts the opponent on their shoulders in a fireman's carry, then flips them over so their back lands on the top of their knee.

Similar to the spinning inverted facelock lariat backbreaker, this move starts with an inverted facelock then sees the attacker fall onto their back while performing a lariat so the opponent is pushed onto the attackers knees.

This move was popularized by Angelina Love who used it as her finisher in Impact Wrestling and called it break a bitch.

The attacking wrestler stands behind an opponent, grabbing them by their head or hair to seemingly perform a standard mat slam.

This move is usually performed at the end of a pendulum backbreaker, a move which sees a wrestler drop an opponent down on the wrestler's knee, thus weakening the back before the hold is applied, as well as setting the opponent in a proper position.

The maneuver results in the opponent's neck or back being slammed against the wrestler's knee.