Power Drop

The Power Drop is one of Alex's special attacks, introduced in the Street Fighter III series as a hidden variation of the Power Bomb if done while the opponent is not facing him, and becomes a separate move in Street Fighter V.

Input

Street Fighter V	+ (Only after Flash Chop or Sledge Hammer)

Description

Alex slamming Cammy to the ground using Power Drop.

Executed by performing a half-circle back motion and pressing punch after hitting the opponent either with Heavy Flash Chop or Sledge Hammer, Alex grabs his opponent around their waist, lifts them up, and falls backwards while bridging his back and legs, slamming them down to the ground shoulder and upper back first.

During the EX version, Alex rolls over his opponent after completing the first suplex. With his arms still around their waist, he jumps and lifts this opponent off of the ground, falling backwards while bridging his back and legs, slamming them on their upper back.

Tactics

Alex using Power Drop.

This command grab can only be performed if Alex is able to hit his opponent with either Heavy Flash Chop or Sledge Hammer. If his opponent blocks either attack, then Alex cannot link into this move. While it does not inflict much damage by itself and while it's not as strong as Alex's main command grab, the Power Bomb, pairing it with Heavy Flash Chop or Sledge Hammer can result in a damaging duo attack-grab combination.

When Alex has his V-Trigger active, the Power Drop can give Alex a number of meaty pressure situations. For example, after Alex hits his opponent with this move, if they try to do a quick rise and counter with a 3-frame move, Alex can intercept with Standing Medium Kick or Crouching Medium Punch, cancel into his Sledge Hammer and linking into his Power Drop command grab. By maintaining offensive pressure and keeping his opponent on their heels with frame trap normals and command throws, Alex can deal a ton of damage and make his opponent think twice about pressing buttons.

Worth noting is that the Power Drop was nerfed in Champion Edition in terms of damage and stun, but only when done from a Heavy Flash Chop, as Lariat was also buffed to cancel into both moves, granting Alex the ability to easily confirm into Power Drop.

Gallery

Alex's Normal and EX Power Drop against Cammy in Street Fighter V.

Trivia

• Even though Alex says 'Back Drop' while executing this move, he is actually performing another professional wrestling move called the German Suplex. It is also technically known as a belly-to-back waist lock suplex or a back arch throw.
• In Tekken, King's Reverse Arm Slam Combo has a set of chain of command grabs that feature two belly-to-back suplexes, similar to Alex's EX Power Drop.
• Alex's German Suplex technique in this attack is actually suited less for actual street fighting. In an actual fight applications UFC fighters like "Dan Severn" would use the "German Suplex Release" variant due to higher impact upon landing.