I asked ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude how wrestling moves are performed and it blew my mind

If you’ve been following my articles for a while, you probably already know some of my biggest passions.

I love learning the ins and outs of AI tools, diving into autobiographies, getting lost in video games and exploring all kinds of music. Another longtime obsession of mine is the “sport” of professional wrestling. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated by the in-ring action and the larger-than-life personalities behind some of wrestling’s most memorable promos.

Legendary performers from the United States, Japan, Mexico and beyond have mastered the art of making every move look brutal while using skill, timing and technique to help protect their opponents.

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With that in mind, I turned to ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude to explain how two iconic wrestling finishers manage to look so devastating while being executed as safely as possible. By the end of the experiment, I came away with an even greater appreciation for the craft behind the sport I’ve loved for years

The RKO

Randy Orton’s RKO comes out of nowhere and always looks like it smashes the opponent’s face into the ground with a smooch force as possible.

I’ve been watching Orton land this move since 2004 and have always wondered how he makes it look so good while simultaneously making his foe’s descent into the mat face-first not as bad as it looks.

With this prompt, I presented it to my three chatbots turned wrestling experts to truly learn how the RKO is performed and safe on the opponent (victim?) taking it: How is Randy Orton’s finishing move, the RKO, done safely yet still looks painful on the wrestler that takes it?

• ChatGPT described the RKO as a move that “looks like a sudden, skull-rattling faceplant — but when done correctly, it’s surprisingly controlled and safe.” It emphasized that the move is highly collaborative, with the wrestler taking it positioning their body to absorb the impact properly. ChatGPT also noted that the person receiving the RKO usually lands flat on their chest, not directly on their face. Just as importantly, it explained that Randy Orton’s role is more about timing and control than brute force.
• Gemini broke the move down with a chart titled Comparison of Roles, featuring three categories: Feature, What Randy Does and What the Opponent Does. It focused on the landing, grip and impact of the RKO. According to Gemini, Orton takes a full back bump — one of wrestling’s safest and most common falls — while reaching back to cradle the opponent’s chin or neck and absorbing much of the sound and impact with his own back. The opponent, meanwhile, performs a front bump by landing flat on their chest and thighs, keeping their neck muscles tight to avoid whiplash and using their hands and body to create the loud smack fans hear.
• Claude offered a step-by-step explanation in four key points. It said the opponent often leaps forward to help generate momentum, tucks their chin to protect the head and neck, extends their arms and takes the landing on their chest and forearms rather than their face, essentially turning the move into a controlled front bump. Claude also explained how the elevated “Outta Nowhere” version can be performed safely: when Orton hits the RKO from a jump or off the ropes, the added airtime can actually make the landing more controlled, creating a smoother impact with less raw force.

The Hidden Blade

As an AEW fan, I’ve become a massive fan of Will Ospreay’s hybrid wrestling style that combines high-flying offense, hard-hitting strikes and vicious slams.

One of the sickest-looking maneuvers he pulls out to finish an opponent is the “Hidden Blade,” a snappy elbow strike that looks like it always KO’s anyone it comes in contact with. Once again, I went to my three chosen chatbots to crack the code on how it’s safely performed and still manages to look so excruciating on TV:

• ChatGPT described the Hidden Blade as a finisher built on precision, trust and illusion. It centered its explanation around three key points: it is not a direct shot to the head, because the opponent positions themselves so the contact zone is controlled; the opponent helps create the impact by snapping their head and upper body forward at the moment of contact; and Will Ospreay focuses on controlled contact rather than full force, using body rotation to create the illusion of power. ChatGPT said the move looks especially dangerous because it visually targets the head and neck area — something audiences instinctively react to — and because its sudden speed leaves little room for error.
• Gemini gave the Hidden Blade a funny but fitting nickname: the “Deltoid Lariat.” It explained that Ospreay makes contact with the back of the opponent’s neck or shoulders using the padded part of his upper arm and shoulder rather than a bony joint like the elbow. That helps spread force across a wider area, reducing the risk of localized injury. Gemini also added a fun bit of trivia: the move’s name is likely inspired by the Assassin’s Creed video game series, where the Hidden Blade is a stealth weapon used for surprise attacks. In wrestling, Ospreay uses it as a strike from the opponent’s blind spot.
• Claude organized its analysis into three sections: How It’s Done Safely (from Ospreay’s side), How It’s Done Safely (from the opponent’s side) and Why It Looks So Devastating. Claude noted that Ospreay’s arm is extended rather than bent, which helps disperse force more safely than a concentrated elbow strike. It also explained that the opponent subtly adjusts their head and neck position to minimize real contact, often dipping or turning at the right moment. As for why it looks so brutal, Claude said the sound plays a huge role: the slap of Ospreay’s arm combined with the opponent’s mat bump creates a noise that feels genuinely violent.

Bottom line

As someone who vividly remembers watching “Exposed! Pro Wrestling’s Greatest Secrets” when it debuted in the ’90s (yes, I’m that old), I’ve always been fascinated by how wrestlers pull off their flashiest moves while working to keep their opponents as safe as possible.

I had a lot of fun learning the mechanics behind the RKO and the Hidden Blade, and I’ll definitely be watching for the visual cues ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude pointed out the next time I see either finisher on TV — or even better, live in person.

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