WWE’s All Time High-Risk Finishers - Go to Sleep (CM Punk)

Watch enough WWE programming and you will eventually hear a commentator describe a Superstar engaging in what is commonly called a “high-risk” maneuver.

Whether it’s Michael Cole describing WWE Champion CM Punk ascend to the top rope or Jerry “The King” Lawler expressing disbelief at Christian’s connection of the Killswitch, high-risk maneuvers can help modern competitors gain a clear and decisive edge over their opposition. So it’s no wonder that all levels of Superstar, from seasoned veterans like Rey Mysterio to up-and-coming grapplers like Antonio Cesaro, add an element of danger to their signature finisher moves.

It’s common for the WWE Universe to be left in awe by a well-timed finisher, but it’s just as easy for them to forget just how difficult these carefully designed moves are to implement. So WWE.com tips its cap to the Superstars who regularly put themselves in harm’s way for a chance at glory by reviewing 15 of the riskier finishing maneuvers in the history of WWE.

Go to Sleep (CM Punk)

The Go to Sleep does just what it promises: puts its victims’ chances at victory to bed. It does this not with a gentle goodnight kiss, but with a violent goodnight knee to the face. One of WWE’s most devastating finishers, the GTS has been used with great success by WWE Champion CM Punk. But, like many moves that require lifting, tossing and catching an opponent, the difficulty level is very high, with lots of variables that can go wrong.

Punk must catch and lift someone onto his shoulders, toss them off and catch them perfectly in the face with his knee. The timing must be just right, and if an opponent is more alert and conscious than The Second City Savior planned, he just exposed his neck and back to a counter, perhaps a sleeper hold or even quick roll-up.

However, there is little debate that when this maneuver hits, it hits hard and all but guarantees victory.