The Big Picture: Risk vs. Reward
High-flying wrestling is a high-wire act without a net, and as Je'von Evans recently admitted to WrestleTalk, even the most fearless aerial artists have their limits. The young sensation revealed he is too scared to attempt a Shooting Star Press, a stark reminder of the thin line between a viral highlight and a career-ending disaster. This list ranks the absolute best high-risk spots in modern WWE and NXT, analyzing their difficulty, crowd reaction, and narrative stakes.
The Top 10 High-Flying Moments Ranked
10. The Orton-Evans Botched Counter (NXT — October 8, 2024)
High-flying innovation comes with a steep tax. In St. Louis, Je'von Evans faced Randy Orton in a match designed to elevate the rookie. They attempted an ambitious springboard RKO counter that fell apart in mid-air, resulting in a clumsy crash.
Orton saved the finish at the 12-minute mark with a standard RKO, but the mistake hung heavy over the young star. This entry earns its spot at number ten because it highlights the extreme difficulty of these maneuvers. While it sits below the rest of the list due to the execution failure, the courage to try this against a veteran like Orton proved Evans belongs on the big stage.
9. Tiffany Stratton's Pod Swanton (Elimination Chamber — February 24, 2024)
Tiffany Stratton took her stardom to Perth, Australia, by scaling the black chain-link walls of the Elimination Chamber. Standing atop the Plexiglas pod, she threw caution away with a spectacular senton onto three opponents, cementing herself as a main roster force.
We rank this at number nine because the landing zone was heavily protected. Having three superstars catch you reduces the impact and the danger. It beats the Orton-Evans botch because of clean execution, but cannot match the raw solo peril of higher ranks.
8. Sol Ruca's Barricade Sol Snatcher (NXT Stand & Deliver — April 4, 2026)
Sol Ruca defeated ZARIA at Stand & Deliver, but the highlight of the match was a ridiculous Sol Snatcher off the ringside barricade. Ruca used the barrier as a launching pad, pulling off her signature backflip cutter to the thin mats below, showcasing her insane core strength.
This ranks at number eight because of its sheer difficulty. It ranks below higher entries because the Sol Snatcher is becoming a regular part of her weekly matches. When a move becomes expected, it loses a fraction of its jaw-dropping magic, even if the execution remains flawless.
7. Je'von Evans' Spring-Assisted Cutter (NXT — February 2026)
Je'von Evans showed off his signature "bouncy" athleticism by hitting a spring-assisted cutter that defied the laws of physics. Bouncing off the middle rope with a level of speed few can match, he caught Bravo Americano out of nowhere and generated millions of viral views.
This ranks at number seven, beating out Ruca's spot due to the pure speed and velocity Evans generated. It sits below the top six because it occurred during a standard weekly television show. Without championship gold or a major feud on the line, the stakes were simply too low for a higher rank.
6. Charlotte Flair's WrestleMania Moonsault (WrestleMania 39 — April 1, 2023)
Charlotte Flair routinely executes a corkscrew moonsault to the floor during big events, and her WrestleMania 39 clash with Rhea Ripley was no exception. However, this spot is highly criticized by purists who note that Flair often misses clean contact. She frequently lands hard on her own knees while barely grazing her opponents.
This spot lands at number six because of its legacy on the grandest stage. It ranks above the weekly TV spots because of the pressure of performing in front of 80,000 fans. But it cannot rank higher due to the recurring execution flaws that make the landing look more awkward than devastating.
5. Logan Paul & Ricochet's Apron Spanish Fly (SummerSlam — August 5, 2023)
Logan Paul and Ricochet took their rivalry to Detroit, delivering a terrifying Spanish Fly off the ring apron. Both men flipped in unison, crashing through a wooden table on the floor in a high-stakes moment that could have easily gone wrong. The sound of the splintering wood echoed through the stadium.
This sits at number five because it required two athletes of different weights to align their rotation perfectly in mid-air. It ranks above Charlotte's moonsault due to the precision of the landing. It falls short of the top four because tables always absorb a significant portion of the impact.
4. Wes Lee's Spiral Tap (NXT Stand & Deliver — April 1, 2023)
Wes Lee defended his North American Championship in a chaotic five-way match that featured a stunning Spiral Tap to the outside. Lee launched his body with desperate, frantic energy, twisting through the air to wipe out the field and send the Los Angeles crowd into a frenzy. It was a career-defining defense that showed his willingness to sacrifice his body.
This ranks at number four because of the emotional intensity Lee brings to his high-flying arsenal. He makes every dive feel like a life-or-death decision. It ranks above the Spanish Fly because Lee did not have a table to cushion his fall, landing hard on the arena floor.
3. Je'von Evans' Double Springboard Tornillo (NXT Heatwave — July 6, 2025)
Facing the massive Oba Femi, Evans had to use his speed to survive. He did more than that, executing a double springboard Tornillo splash over the top rope to take down the 270-pound champion. It was a David vs. Goliath moment executed at the highest level.
This takes the number three spot because of the contrast in styles and the courage required to launch at a giant. It ranks above Wes Lee's dive because of the technical complexity of the double springboard. However, it sits behind the top two because Evans ultimately lost the match.
2. Logan Paul & Ricochet's Mid-Air Collision (Royal Rumble — January 28, 2023)
On January 28, 2023, Logan Paul and Ricochet created the most viral wrestling moment of the decade. Springboarding simultaneously from opposite sides of the ring, they met in the center with a brutal mid-air collision. The timing had to be accurate to the millisecond, as a single misstep would have resulted in a terrible head-on collision.
This ranks at number two because of its sheer innovation and cultural impact. It changed what fans expect from high-flying wrestlers. It is only beaten by a moment that combined this level of athleticism with historical title stakes.
1. Tony D'Angelo's Grand Slam Ascent (NXT Stand & Deliver — April 4, 2026)
Tony D'Angelo made history by defeating Joe Hendry, Ricky Saints, and Ethan Page to become the first-ever Grand Slam Champion in NXT history. The climax saw D'Angelo scale the turnbuckle and execute a massive top-rope belly-to-belly suplex on Hendry through a table. It was a career-defining risk for the heavyweight, and the crowd erupted as the referee counted the three.
This ranks at number one because it combined high-flying danger with maximum narrative weight. Unlike the other spots on this list, this move directly decided a historic championship change. It ranks above the Royal Rumble collision because it had the emotional payoff of a three-year journey.
Honorable Mentions and Final Thoughts
Several other moments narrowly missed the cut, including Kelani Jordan's split-legged moonsaults and Axiom's golden ratio cutters. However, they lack the era-defining impact of the top ten. If you want to understand why Je'von Evans is too scared to attempt a Shooting Star Press, just look at the physical toll of these spots.
The risk is real, and the room for error is zero. These superstars pay the price for our entertainment on a weekly basis.
