Zangief's Atomic Suplex is an example of how he can threaten multiple ways at range 1. This move has excellent speed for its power, and when he engages with the Critical Trigger, it will beat an enemy Grasp due to enhanced speed. The move pushes foes away, but against a cornered enemy, there are no downsides.

The Critical version chases the enemy down, which will often result in a corner trap that forces an opponent to waste tons of resources escaping Zangief's follow-up attack.