Why WWE wrestlers slap their leg before kicking opponents

The Uso brothers, Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso, are competing at SummerSlam on Saturday (August 1), and here is why they slap their legs before kicking opponents.

This weekend, arguably the second-biggest WWE premium live event takes centre stage when SummerSlam takes place at the Minnesota Vikings' U.S. Bank Stadium.

Over the course of two nights, CM Punk will defend the WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes, and Roman Reigns will put his World Heavyweight Championship on the line against Seth Rollins.

WWE rising star Oba Femi will also square off against former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar for a grudge 'Hell in the Cell' match following his insane body transformation.

Oba Femi destroyed Lesnar on his WrestleMania debut in what looked to be the 49-year-old's last ever match before 'The Beast Incarnate' made a shock return to level the series with a victory at Clash in Italy.

The USOS also join the action on night one as The Bloodline, featuring Jacob Fatu, take on LA Knight, Soko Sikoa and Royce Keys in a tag team match at the Bank Stadium.

Undefeated in tag team matches at SummerSlam (Jimmy 4-0 and Jey 5-0), the five-time WWE SmackDown champions will be looking to continue their 100 per cent record on Saturday evening.

Why WWE wrestlers slap their leg before kicking opponents

The USOS have several trademark moves in their locker, including the USO Splash, a high-impact splash executed from the top rope, often used as their primary tag team or individual match-winner.

A Samoan drop is also commonly associated with the pair, and this is when they catch a rushing opponent and drive them back-first into the canvas.

Arguably the most satisfying of the lot, though, is when they deliver a devastating superkick to an opponent's jaw, either frequently hit in rapid succession or as a double-team when working together.

USOS are known for slapping their thighs before landing the superkick, and the reason wrestlers do it is to mimic the legitimate sound of kicking their opponents in the face.

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A crisp superkick is one of the most satisfying things to watch in professional wrestling, but in 2021, it became twice as hard for in-ring talent to deliver a resounding Superkick — or any leg strike, for that matter - when then-WWE executive Vince McMahon banned wrestlers from slapping their legs during kicks.

McMahon came to this decision as he felt incensed after witnessing an overt thigh slap on an episode of WWE SmackDown, and he quickly put up signs demanding stars refrain from using the age-old practice during their performances.

Although the 80-year-old officially resigned from his role at WWE in January 2024 following severe sexual assault and trafficking allegations, it is unknown whether the thigh slap ban is still in practice.

Nonetheless, thigh slaps are a common sleight-of-hand trick performed by thousands of in-ring performers across the globe, and the goal is to create a resounding noise, the satisfying "snap" that communicates the physical and emotional aspects of a leg strike.

It's why the move is so popular with many wrestlers, notably the USOS, who will likely perform their superkick at SummerSlam.