Stevie Richards Reveals Secrets of the Superkick

[@Bridgey938]

Stevie definitely had one of the best superkicks.

[@bluehefner888]

Lance storm #1

[@Bridgey938]

@@bluehefner888 good shout

[@ShadowAngel-lt8nw]

@@bluehefner888 No, the #1 is obviously Chris Adams, since he invented it and knew best how to properly execute it.

[@bluehefner888]

@@ShadowAngel-lt8nw ok his superkick isn’t even top 5 and your lying to yourself if you think that forreal

[@ShadowAngel-lt8nw]

@@bluehefner888 Don't worry it's not that bad of a thing to be as clueless as you are, but maybe you shouldn't display your ignorance like that. It just puts a bad spotlight on you.

[@brandondmatthews]

Stevie is incredible. What a stand-up guy. I appreciate his honesty and humility.

[@Mokujinko]

You see a bit of pain in Stevie's eyes when he talks about the ruthlessness inherent to the business. It's obvious he's a man of good moral character. If he lowered himself to stabbing some backs it would weigh too heavily on his conscience. Glad he made the choices he did and maintained his integrity. Those that didn't probably don't like what they see in the mirror when all's said and done, no matter how many zeroes they add to their bank account.

[@tdylan]

Unfortunately there are a lot of people that don't lose a moment of sleep over being "ruthless." They call it "playing the game." No HHH pun intended.

[@chrisevans9688]

​@@tdylan Chris Evans good job wwe and one and one is good news soon gool thanks you guys often now my right now is tomorrow night with next week we will talk now

[@erikaw7767]

Well getting into that business means the ego drove him lol. Why not compromise to make it worth it more and he could probably help more people with more money and opportunity.

[@chrisevans9688]

@@erikaw7767 Chris Evans now on Monday night soon and will talk tomorrow is good news did you can see me at this weekend and time we go back and look out now that we can do it next week

[@RE-sc9bz]

Stevie is one of my favorite parts of the attitude era... every time he was on screen it was a good time. Truly a humble guy, wish you the best man!

[@MrShanester117]

😂😂😂

[@brandondmatthews]

Stevie is incredible. What a stand-up guy. I appreciate his honesty and humility.

[@raygowan1968]

I really like Stevie's answer about the kick as a finish. It reminds me of an interview with James Storm when in NXT was asked what made his "Last Call" different than every other superkick being thrown 15 times in a match. His response was "Mine knocks your a$$ out". Hunter and Shawn said 'Ok makes sense' Same thing Stevie says. His is different because it ends the match.

[@kenterminateddq5311]

Stevie has possibly the most underappreciated superkick in the business.

[@DethronedByEli]

Nothing irritates me more is when the usos don’t do anything but the super kick. And the stupid most annoying, irritating tag team the young bucks

[@michaelr.4878]

I think that it is a fair statement to say that Stevie was too nice for the wrestling business. He was too decent and normal.

[@weatheredtome]

What about Mick Foley then?

[@MrShanester117]

And he spits in his mouth when he talks. So there’s that

[@takerhulk3163]

​@@weatheredtomehe was a nice guy but was willing to do crazy stuff plus very tough

[@weatheredtome]

@@takerhulk3163 agreed

[@MR.__G]

@@takerhulk3163yeah that was huge difference. Foley damn near killed himself just to entertain us.. and let me also add he was entertaining on the mic. Between the rock n sock connection and his run as commissioner, that was all great stuff

[@rogueflynn]

I’ll show you! You’ll see! I love that intro. Stevie is so awesome!

[@SupermanHopkins]

5:56 Gentleman Chris Adams' superkick is the stuff of legend. There will never be another one like it, especially since the move has been so devalued in modern times.

[@johnstrika9170]

His was thrown like a legit superkick due to his Judo background

[@pighugger5783]

​@@johnstrika9170lol

[@JamesSmith-sw3nk]

Shawn Micheals could throw his Super Kick with either leg. Lance Storm had a great Super Kick too.

[@SuvenH]

His said that his ambidextrous. I wonder if that means he boths arms have equal muscle strength as opposed to someone who is right handed and has a stronger right arm than left arm. Could be the reason why he was so athletic, if he is as strong in both arms as a right handed person who is stronger on the right arm than left.

[@AlphaProto]

I loved the hop back Lance Storm would do before he threw his kick. It's not tuning up the band, but it's enough start up to feel he is powering up the kick.

[@JamesSmith-sw3nk]

@@SuvenH I trained heavy for football (8yrs). When you lift free weights, ex: bench press with bar and plates etc then your arms will become the same strength. If you use "machine" weights to train then you are much more likely to keep your "strong arm" stronger. Legs are naturally equal because you use them equally, when walking, running etc. My high school gym only had machine weights. The first time I went to the college gym with free weights, I put 2 plates (225lbs) on the bench press and my right arm easily made the lift, my left arm couldn't. The strength coach laughed and said: "I see You've been training on machines." It took about 3 months of heavy training to get both arms similarly strong. When you get muscular, it not uncommon to have slight muscle size differences on your arms. I had a 23 1/2" right bicep and 22 1/2 " left bicep and a 20 1/2" left forearm and a 19 1/2" right forearm. Both arms were similarly strong.

[@stingrey1571]

hbk could be in your face and still hit a superkick.

[@Captain_Commenter]

At any given time, somewhere in the world there is an Uso doing a superkick.

[@JoKiR90]

😂😂😂 if you listen real closely, you can hear the leg slap no matter where you are

[@wrestlefigsuk]

Remember when Michaels used the superkick as a transition move, early on in his singles career?

[@herecomesdatrain]

His finishing move was a teardrop suplex right

[@wrestlefigsuk]

@@herecomesdatrain not heard called a “teardrop suplex” I’m not saying it wasn’t but I do recall it as like a back suplex.

[@northofnashira2575]

@wrestlefigsuk It was called that in video games and press guides to give it a pretty name. Teardrop as in Heart Break.

[@mykoniichistorychannel]

@@herecomesdatrainCorrect. Most people call it the Saito Suplex, but I learned as tear drop as well.

[@shauncampbell5288]

Janetty did as well

[@kdizzle901]

Shawn Michaels makes it look so real

[@howardcraigiv518]

Chris Adams was doing the super kick way before HBK down in Texas for WCCW wrestling for Fritz

[@herecomesdatrain]

Even though I was born in the 1980s but I love gentleman Chris Adams superkick

[@fayerson]

Kabuki too

[@howardcraigiv518]

@@herecomesdatrain One of the Best Super Kicks in all of Pro Wrestling

[@howardcraigiv518]

@@fayerson yes indeed

[@FyreStarting]

He was the innovator but WWE gets unwarranted credit for everything. It’s sad, really.

[@thebackyardairgunner8776]

Love Stevie. Always liked when he was doing the bWo stuff and was like BUY THE T SHIRT! BUY THE T SHIRT !

[@mikedoux2521]

Man, you just gotta love Stevie!

[@Cajunman1977-k3f]

Chris Adams kick was the best.

[@dickborg452]

I agree

[@living_the_mac_and_cheese_life]

one of the most underrated

[@BigBeardCorey]

U was so great and underrated it’s crazy

[@warrenfreeman8395]

This was an excellent breakdown of the psychology of the Superkick. I wrestled on an Indy show in 2014. I didn't know I was going over until I basically got in the ring. I pinned the guy with a Superkick and everyone was shocked that I used that as a finish. Now this was 2014 right around the time that Superkick started to really become overused. Like Stevie said today It's completely bastardized. I am a super kick mark. I enjoy a good super kick I.E Shawn Michaels (obviously) Stevie, Kevin Owens, Dolph Ziggler had a great Superkick that deserves more praise. I just miss the days when the Superkick actually meant something...

[@Shannon-tm7ek]

I agree with Stevie about the super-kicks 100%. But if people knock the Bucks about that, the Usos are as bad or worse- at least the Bucks use it mostly comedically in their Jackie Chan-like fighting style.

[@northofnashira2575]

James, you have a show with Stevie. You have had Meanie on before. Can you get Nova on with the other 2 and do a BWO roundtable episode? I would love to hear the story of how Stevie's appearance at the ECW Arena the night before Royal Rumble in Philly 2004 got cleared by WWE. I think it was a 3PW show (Meanie's Fed). Stevie didn't wrestle, just 3 BWO skits throughout the night if I remember correctly. It was a great show, and I wish I had it on DVD or something.

[@gazb2740]

A Bret VS Shawn three part special would be worth a watch. One episode each for their careers and the final comparing the two and who's better.

[@MR.__G]

I would love to see them watch their mania 12 match and just go through all the details. That’ll be 2 hours of gold !

[@romans3-22]

At the end of the day Stevie got the best of Shawn, look at that full head of hair

[@weatheredtome]

Check the bank account instead

[@marman51212]

Shawn looks like an extra from Tales from the Crypt these days.

[@MR.__G]

@@weatheredtomewow you definitely have no sense of humor 😂

[@weatheredtome]

@@MR.__G tell a better joke and I might

[@borklazer587]

@@weatheredtome your mom

[@Ballpython77]

I was always a fan a Stevie. A great humble honest worker.

[@alexanderdavison7784]

I've always been a Brett fan, but neither of them touch Billy Robinson or Sotoru Sayama( the original Tiger Mask ) I'm the ring. Those are my top two. Shawn knew how to dramatise spots, and Brett's storytelling in matches was great. For me, Billy was the best technical wrestler. Verne Gagne took a lot of credit for producing some of the greatest wrestlers of all time, but the one who was teaching them in ring in the AWA at the time was Billy. Sayama is the most well rounded performer IMO because he was trained in Japanese style, Lucha and in England/Europe and he spent time in the States as well. His style was flashy and he had great spots, but his technical wrestling was awesome too. Also he trained with Billy. Having said all that, I'm not much of a sports entertainment fan. Which is what fans are exposed to for the most part in the states. Wrestling at the top is basically a stunt show and not very interesting to me.

[@tomtalker2000]

I love Stevie's method of explaining this business and various moves. I especially like his detailed breakdown when he goes to his board. I am hoping that trainers out there are utilizing this method of learning among everything else. Because some folks are "visual learners". And i think if they incorporated a "class day" where they had to take notes and homework assignments along with tests. This would also be a great learning tool for students. Sure many trainers will say pro wrestling is "hands on" you have to be in the ring to learn. However, i disagree with that because again i go back to some folks are visual learners and excel by learning in a different way. You figure if people are putting out $5-6k for wrestling school. This should be one of the learning tools before you graduate and start having televised matches. I've watched is business for 40yrs now. So i've seen a lot in that time. And i've also worked for my local indy fed doing promotional marketing. So i'm no stranger to this business and how it works.

[@MeLoNHeAd00]

DDT same deal !

[@thesaltnation5570]

Dont worry about ur ceiling stevie we love you my home turf philly especially ECW! And what ur doing now is amazing ❤ so cool and i hope you get a million subs buddy maybe you and maven can do a episode

[@TeeKoon]

Philly had the best audience that was made for ECW! A part of the show success.

[@louclarkson6098]

One of the things that made old school superkicks look so good was that even though they did the slap, their arm still swung in a way that made sense and they'd sneak in the slap when their hand wooshed past their leg. Unlike today where they all just deliberately slap straight down for everyone to see.

[@CJWhite-bg3vl]

Every time I see one of these I like Stevie just a little bit more.

[@simulantmind2204]

Does Stevie's own channel still exist? I liked what he was doing before. Look at Maven Stevie!!! Come back to us.😊

[@cornfedjuggalo]

Love the "Animals" pic behind you....

[@DJRitty]

Marty was one helluva talent.

[@indymudshow]

HBK is a goat in the biz there's no doubt. But I got to say, that glacier had the best super kick of all time. He didn't have to slap his thigh. And it always looked brutal and legit. It's a shame he's not talked about more just because of the gimmick

[@Game-ib3ql]

Loved his match with Taker at Mania.

[@resop3]

Smoking Joe Frazier never sweated an undercard boxer throwing a left hook.

[@chadwhitten7879]

Stevie, Your superkick is Top three of all time, In my opinion. 1:Shawn becaues of the amount of success it brought him. 2 Chris Addams' 3 Stevie's

[@willanderson2747]

Stevie was very good in the ring and on the mic 🎤

[@Kevin-nm3ti]

Used to get so annoyed by Right to Sensor. Always got mad when they won especially back when the tag titles meant a lot. What a great heel; just great work.

[@janiluckarin6633]

doktor stevie, this is the true under the learning tree :)

[@marman51212]

I really liked Stevie Richards in ECW. I wasn’t watching WWE when he was there, but I did see him try to kill JBL with a chair and thought it was wonderful.

[@Robby_C]

4:25 - i wouldn't consider that OCD at all... I would argue thats the proper way to approach it.

[@justint8635]

Definitely. It's very responsible.

[@cmusa9677]

Even the names are similar. 😂😂

[@Dan-jy7kv]

This guy's the best

[@NYCrazyRob]

11:04 What music is this? It sounds so familiar. Like Megaman X or something.

[@imm311]

I think it's a Demon Hunter song.

[@MCRiddle859]

I'd have to say that Bret was the better story teller, as well as that he did everything before Michaels had his opportunities; so Michaels had inspiration to work with in his matches against many of the same guys that Bret worked.

[@masterchief5824]

i'll show you... you'll see !!

[@jeangentry6656]

The use of the Superkick as a regular move is similar to how moves that were "protected" in the 80s, like the DDT, Leg Drop, Flying Elbow, etc transitioned into being regular moves (unless stated to be a finisher) in the 90s and beyond, when guys like HBK, Stevie, etc were young. It's just the passage of time. It'd only be a problem if wrestlers stopped doing the Superkick. Adams invented it, HBK perfected it, and Stevie and others have used it, and current talent keep it alive today. While I do think Ring Psychology is becoming a lost art, that's on the performers, not the moves they use.

[@Sweeptheleg83]

I think Adams had the best one but Stevies looked great too.

[@boots8562]

Modern-day Adam Cole looks like Stevie Richards!

[@Drekal684]

The argument on "who was better, Bret or Shawn?" always bugs me because it falls into a common fallacy I've noticed. Just because two things are different does not necessarily make one of them better than the other. They can be better in particular aspects, perhaps, in particular ways, but that does not necessarily mean that one of them was better overall than the other. That's why I agree with the view that they were both equally great. They both specialised in wrestling in different ways, and which you think is better is down to your personal taste.

[@gcgc6381]

If Victoria dawned a B.W.O. shirt, godamn, 😍

[@errole]

Can you talk about the Stroke finisher.

[@northofnashira2575]

How is there a best super kick conversation and Lance Storm's name doesn't come up?

[@herecomesdatrain]

Good question

[@ncnuggets]

Not for nothing, but Stevie even sounds like Shawn. 😅

[@goldstud]

stevie richards and shawn michaels should have been the new rockers

[@adriangonzalez6199]

Savio vega has the best kicks ever

[@Jserner]

Jobio!

[@johnstrika9170]

Chris Adams' Superkick>>>>>everyone else

[@muzman486]

Vince saw the majority of the ECW crew as joke jobbers from day 1. They never had a shot outside of the midcard. The only two guys that ever had a shot were taz but Vince couldn’t get over his height and RVD because the crowd reactions were undeniable. Maybe the Dudley’s but they were a tag team. I hate to say it but the creative I hate the most in 2000 was right to censor, that fucking siren theme song was pure hell on the ears and the whole act was cringe, I always fast forward those segments upon rewatches. Everyone in that group deserved better.

[@cking509]

He'll show me. I'll see.

[@Beavis-ry6tj]

It's a bit like the whole thing where a DDT became just another move done by almost everyone up and down the card for a two count or a double down. But if Jake Roberts or Raven happened to be on that same card then theirs would stand out because when they hit it, that ended the match. Although in most cases, if Jake or Raven were on the card then nobody did it out of respect to the veteran.

[@justinlast2lastharder749]

There were at least DDT variations as well like double armed...Ravens DDT was always done so quick and suddenly that it looked so much more brutal than anyone else's.

[@DensilGrant]

Honestly I never understood the hype with Bret found him boring

[@TonyDanza4Lyfe]

Stevie tell us about the million and mlb 2k!!!!

[@MrShanester117]

What about? He didn’t follow the rules so he didn’t win. Plain and simple

[@Hypno_BPM]

i still don’t get why Stevie felt like he needed a host , i thought he was doing fine on his own

[@knightmare1015]

Yeap. A lot of people who worked for more than one promotion get the psychology of pro wrestling and people like Tony Khan and the younger generation don't get it. AEW doesn't understand story telling and psychology behind it while WWE definitely does especially now that Vince McMahon is gone and not involved with creative. If I was a pro wrestler, the only things I'd want to know in advance is whom is going over and how much time we have in our match. Other than that, call it in the ring.

[@TheElectricSheep]

I think Bret is better, but I think it is preference. Bret is better in ring wrestler, but Shawn is the showman.

[@frankyturrizo4240]

Has anyone in the comments said that Lance has the best super kick ? Also, Shawn Michaels the greatest athletic high flyer? RVD m effer

[@donaldanderson6408]

Way to many people doing that move uso spam the hell outta the super kick at mania

[@ShengNotShane]

I always liked the way he delivered the kick, separate from Shawn. Stevie’s I’d call a leaping super kick.

[@Youareme42o]

Yeah boooyyy.

[@csmith3243]

Used to be my favorite finisher, but The Usos made me hate the superkick

[@dwoodstwin]

In 2024, the secret of the super kick is to do it 100 times a night.

[@fredkrueger526]

Announcer’s table is overused

[@shawnathin7450]

I would love to see that how is better Bret or Shawn. To me Bret is the better physical wrestler and Shawn has the entertainment aspect with a good wrestling and athletic skills. One of my favourite matches is there iron man match.

[@billybeeeeeeeeee]

ANGLE IS BETTER THAN BRET AND SHAWN lol Please do a comparison of the 3 lol

[@themobseat]

I wish you would have showed video of the kick. What makes Stevie's kick different than a super kick?

[@randolphdefreese7874]

No disrespect to Stevie,but i always called him a "Poor man's HBK"

[@chadwhitten7879]

Shawn is a more all around performer and showman than Bret.

[@Drollpanther]

Bret > Shawn

[@Zero-is-infinite]

We can end Brett v Shawn now. Their careers in ring are done and which is still giving back to the industry and not sayin the same lines in interviews. If shawn was sober and never got hurt it maybe who’s better flair or HBK fr fr

[@jeffnettleton3858]

James, I know your young; but, it's a little embarrassing to see a Brit ask if Chris Adams is the innovator of the Superkick. Chris Adams' superkick looked like an actual combat tactic and it grew out of his legit background in judo. Shawn took it because it was SO over in Texas, in the heyday of World Class.

[@Robby_C]

The thing with the "leg slap" is that its something that can be hidden... It actually drives me nuts how many guys don't even bother trying to disguise it anymore.... especially the AEW guys. At some point in the mid-00's all the guys in the indies started working matches in front of crowds they same way they would in a training session... they don't work their hold, they don't sell anything, they don't hide things... it just go through the motions... it really bugs me... it completely defeats the purpose of the "work" but none of them care because they are too worried about getting the next "spot" and the indy fans never cared because they all think they are "smart" anyway so they are too busy critiquing "work rate" so they can post about it on a message board... 🤮

[@warrenfreeman8395]

The most egregious recent example of the super kick being bastardized was this year 's. WrestleMania match between Jey and Jimmy Uso. That shit was awful! Their spear spot of the stage the following night during the main event was better than their entire match the previous night

[@tardiscommand1812]

Marty’s kick was much better than Shawn’s

[@caponhead]

obligatory bret vs shawn comment

[@jackogood]

Steviekick**

[@Squirrely23]

U also look and sound like him too

[@JosephMiller-gh6mv]

I always. Thought Stevie Ray should've been HBK buddy lindell what he was to ric flair and copy HBK how he dress his dance and so on

[@kuma1388]

Wonder if the top guys are jealous that the mid card/lower card/ and behind the scenes guys have the best podcasts? That is facts. As far as the kick goes, well at least it was better than the tear drop. But it’s been ruined. Look at the match between the usos, it was 50 super kicks. It was terrible.with awful leg slaps the whole match. “Jobbers” are profiting today by exposing the shit they had to live through. Now that kayfabe is dead they are the top guys. I love it.

[@egomaniac247]

Here's what's NOT a secret.....thigh slapping...so sick of guys in wrestling not even trying to hide it. Hell I've seen idiots like Adam Cole slap their leg WHEN THEY MISSED THE MOVE. Stevie, Shawn, Lance, and Chris Adams had great ones.

[@vanhausen2603]

BWO

[@cromwandelure9901]

I understand needing to grow the channel but honestly, the content was better and more enjoyable before bringing in the interviewer. He just doesn’t match Stevie’s energy or charisma, or in ring knowledge. This feels more like the interviewers show with Stevie as a guest than Stevie’s show

[@thepainfulreality]

And the interviewer blows a lot of smoke up the guests ass

[@memeslich]

Shawn Michaels was so much better, Bret never had much of a character or catch phrases. Shawn told america to suck it and they loved it.

[@jamesplaysgames3574]

Stevie is definitely aging better than Michaels.

[@NiceOne1706]

Michaels had a way longer and punishing career. Guy was bashed in the head so many times he’s permanently cross eyed. He’s a good bit older than Stevie also.

[@jerrymarshall5965]

The superkick is overused today by too many wrestlers and it’s not even a finisher now just another spot in the match

[@robertkelly8559]

Shane wasn’t profitable, but this will be?

[@northofnashira2575]

@robertkelly8559 He explained this in his video about Shane dropping. Stevie is doing a lot of the pre and post production work that is normally handled completely by James. Shane's schedule was also inconvenient since it involved recording on the weekends.

[@gingerbeardmcnally4423]

Bret was a better technician where Shawn was a better performer both had amazing performances so like he said. A wash

[@eddieoliver930]

Sean Michaels was a great wrestler when he wanted to be but because he did so many intentional things to disrespect and expose wrestling he cant be the GOAT like the Hitman.

[@takerhulk3163]

The Bucks should watch this

[@BigBoyToys-ce5qg]

Why? I'm pretty sure the Bucks, who have been wrestling for decades and have been massively successful, know what they are doing

[@takerhulk3163]

@@BigBoyToys-ce5qg should only take one llol