Why WWE wrestlers slap their leg before kicking their opponents
The Uso brothers, Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso, are set to compete at SummerSlam on Saturday (August 1), and here’s why they slap their legs before kicking their opponents.
This weekend, SummerSlam, one of WWE’s biggest live events, will take place at the Minnesota Vikings’ U.S. Bank Stadium. Over two nights, fans will see exciting matches like CM Punk defending the WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes, and Roman Reigns putting his World Heavyweight Championship on the line against Seth Rollins.
Rising star Oba Femi will also face off against former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar in a fierce ‘Hell in the Cell’ match, following Oba’s incredible body transformation. At WrestleMania, Oba surprised everyone by beating Lesnar, which looked like it might be Lesnar’s last match. But then, Lesnar made a shocking comeback with a win at Clash in Italy, leveling the score between them.
The Usos will join the action on the first night as part of The Bloodline, along with Jacob Fatu, against LA Knight, Soko Sikoa, and Royce Keys in a tag team match. The Usos are undefeated in tag team matches at SummerSlam (Jimmy is 4-0 and Jey is 5-0) and will aim to keep their perfect record going.
The Usos have some signature moves, including the USO Splash, a powerful leap from the top rope that often finishes matches. They’re also known for the Samoan drop, where they catch a rushing opponent and slam them onto the mat. But their most satisfying move is the superkick, a strong kick to the jaw, sometimes done quickly one after another, or together as a double-team.
You’ll notice the Usos slap their thighs before delivering the superkick. Wrestlers do this to make the kick sound more real and convincing. A sharp superkick is one of the coolest things to watch in wrestling.
Back in 2021, WWE’s then-boss Vince McMahon banned wrestlers from slapping their legs during kicks after he was unhappy seeing it done too obviously on SmackDown. He even put up signs telling wrestlers not to do it. While Vince stepped down in January 2024 after serious allegations, it’s unclear if this rule is still in place.
Still, thigh slaps remain a popular trick among wrestlers worldwide because they create a loud “snap” that helps make leg strikes feel more intense and exciting. The Usos, in particular, love using this move and will probably show off their superkicks at SummerSlam.