We haven’t seen this wresting move performed in WWE in over a decade.
During a “SmackDown” segment between Kevin Owens and Randy Orton, Owens used a piledriver on “The Viper,” which caused Orton to be stretchered off and taken away in an ambulance.
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— WWE (@WWE) November 9, 2024
A PILEDRIVER???
Kevin Owens what is wrong with you??? Absolutely disgusting. This has gone too far. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/488iJjmLbV
It was a shocking scene, one in which announcer WWE Michael Cole screamed at Owens, “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“There’s a reason that damn move is banned!” Cole exclaimed on-air.
The piledriver adds another level of intrigue to the storyline, as Orton was out of action for 19 months after undergoing back surgery.
It remains to be seen if Orton will remain off television.
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Why Was The Piledriver Banned By WWE?
The piledriver was banned by WWE in the early 2000s because of the life-threatening injuries that resulted from it. One of the scariest incidents occurred when Owen Hart delivered a piledriver on “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, leaving him temporarily paralyzed in the ring.
Wrestlers would have to get special permission from Vince McMahon to perform the move. Only two wrestlers were allowed to use the Tombstone piledriver afterward: The Undertaker and Kane.
Kevin Owens hit Randy Orton with the first piledriver on WWE television since CM Punk performed it on John Cena 11 years ago!! #Smackdown pic.twitter.com/NNAGQUu6BW
— Public Enemies Podcast (@TheEnemiesPE3) November 9, 2024
According to Public Enemies Podcast, the last time a piledriver occurred on WWE television was 11 years ago in a match between CM Punk and John Cena on “Monday Night RAW.
Related: SmackDown Results For November 8th, 2024: The OG Bloodline Are Back!