The discussion around finishing moves is fairly divisive in modern wrestling. Some fans love the frequent drama of constant kick-outs, whereas others believe that all finishers should be protected and do what their name suggests: finish the match. The WWE 2K games have leaned into the "dramatic kick-out" side of the argument in recent years, with some opponents needing to be hit with two, three, or even four finishers to secure the pinfall.
Thankfully, the recently released RetroMania Wrestling offers an alternative to fans who want a more old-school experience. Not only does the game take wrestling gameplay back to its classic arcade-style, but it also makes finishers extremely powerful like they were in wrestling's golden age. RetroMania currently doesn't tell players in-game how to perform each characters' finishing moves, so to help them out, this article will list every move and how to perform them in alphabetical order.
NOTE: Every move on this list requires the playable character to have a full and flashing momentum bar to be performed.
16 Animal
Animal is one-half of the WWE Hall of Fame tag team The Road Warriors, also known as the Legion of Doom. The legendary tag team plays a significant role in the game's story mode, where they are constantly mentioned in high regard.
The Animal's finisher is the Running Powerslam, a move now utilized by Braun Strowman. To perform the Running Powerslam, players need to press the Right directional button and Strong Grapple (B on an Xbox controller).
15 Austin Idol
Austin Idol was prominent in wrestling's golden age of the 1980s, where he was best known for his feud with Jerry "The King" Lawler, which won him the Wrestling Observer's Feud of the Year award 1987.
Austin Idol's finisher is the Piledriver, a move commonly associated with The Undertaker. The move is performed in the same way as Animal's finisher, with the Right button and Strong Grapple on a standing opponent.
14 Blue Meanie
Blue Meanie is best known for his work in Paul Heyman's ECW, as well as for the infamous incident at ECW One Night Stand where JBL hit him with a few shoot punches in a battle royale. Despite his size, Blue Meanie has one of the most athletic finishers in RetroMania Wrestling with the Meaniesault.
To perform the Meaniesault, players need to get to the top rope with their opponent on the ground and press Strong Grapple.
13 Brian Myers
Brian Myers is currently a member of the Impact Wrestling roster, though he is best known for his work in WWE, where he competed under the name Curt Hawkins. He has won tag team championships during his time at both Impact and WWE, though one of his most notable storylines was his WWE losing steak.
Myers' finisher is the Heat Seeking Elbow. It is performed in the same way as the Meaniesault, with a Strong Grapple on the top rope.
12 Colt Cabana
Colt Cabana is currently a member of both the NJPW and AEW rosters, though he has competed in numerous other companies and territories across his career. He is also known for his podcast The Art of Wrestling, where he famously interviewed CM Punk shortly after his departure from WWE.
Colt Cabana's finisher is the Colt 45, which is performed on a standing opponent with Right and Strong Grapple.
11 Hawk
Hawk is the other half of the aforementioned Road Warriors tag team. The tag team competed in numerous companies and territories, including WWE, NJPW, AWA, and All Japan Pro Wrestling. Sadly, both Hawk and Animal had untimely deaths due to heart attacks, though they are fondly remembered today as one of the greatest tag teams of all time. They're also considered to have one of the best tag team signature moves of all time with the Doomsday Device.
Hawk's finisher, the Backbreaker, is performed with Right and Strong Grapple.
10 Hollywood Nova
Hollywood Nova is best known for his work in Extreme Championship Wrestling, where he was a part of the Blue World Order, which included the aforementioned Blue Meanie. He also competed for WWE under the name Simon Dean, with a gimmick of a fitness-obsessed trainer.
Hollywood Nova's finisher is the Kryptonite Krunch, which is again performed with Right and Strong Grapple against a standing opponent.
9 Jeff Cobb
Like many wrestlers on this list, Jeff Cobb has competed in a vast range of different companies. He is currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling, though he has also competed for Lucha Underground under the name The Monster" Matanza Cueto and for AEW, where he most notably competed against Jon Moxley.
Jeff Cobb's Tour of the Islands finisher is one of the most tricky to perform, as it requires players to perform a Strong Grapple on a running opponent.
8 Matt Cardona
Matt Cardona is currently signed to Impact Wrestling, though he is best known for this work under WWE, where he competed as Zack Ryder. He is credited as being influential in the WWE's transition into the world of social media, as he managed to get himself over with crowds despite not appearing on TV, thanks to a YouTube series.
Matt Cardona's finisher is the Radio Silence, which is performed by using a Strong Grapple while running at an opponent.
7 Johnny Retro
Johnny Retro is an alternative name for John Hennigan, who is currently signed to WWE as John Morrison. He has been partnered with The Miz for a significant part of his WWE career, and the pair recently compete against Damien Priest and musician Bad Bunny at WrestleMania 37. Johnny Retro is the main character of the game's Story Mode, so it's certainly worth learning his finisher.
To perform Retro's finisher Starship Pain, players need to throw their opponent into a corner and press Strong Grapple.