Flashy kicks are not a part of functional martial arts. Kicks that are too high open you up for attacks to your standing leg, groin, or sweep. Flashy kicks are not the norm for function because they come with a big risk that is usually not worth the success of landing it.
Flashy kicks are things that people usually do when they are at a higher fighting skill level than his opponent. Sort of like showboating in boxing. You rarely see fighter do flashy kicks when the fighting skills are almost equal to or lower than their opponent. You can look up TKD vs whoever and what you'll see is all of the flashy stuff gets shutdown.
The only time I've seen anyone get away with flashy techniques on a consistent basis is when it's Style vs Style. For example, TKD kicks are extremely flashy when it's TKD vs TKD. Boxing is extremely flashy when it's Boxing vs Boxing. Kung fu is really flashy when it's Kung Fu Style A vs Kung Fu Style A. When you have system A vs System B, those flashy techniques are going to be put on lock down.
I'm even guilty of this. Jow Ga vs Jow Ga. yeah I can be fancy and pull it off. But me vs anything else you'll see how quickly I throw away the fancy stuff. I'll still throw the same techniques, but I won't be fancy with it.
Small joint manipulations, wrist locks, etc. do work against every one. Here's why. Joint manipulations, wrist locks, are used to destroy the joint. What we often see in Hollywood is not the realistic application of a joint lock.
Here are some videos of wristlocks that you say don't work. Anyone who isn't double jointed in the wrist or who doesn't have flexible wrist will tell you that Wristlocks work.
For me personally I rather have a larger joint locked. Smaller joints can give away quickly before you know it. I always like how BJJ people look shock after experiencing a good wrist lock. Kung Fu people just grin and say. "Told you." From my experience, the people who I had an easy time doing a wrist lock on where those who didn't realize what I was trying to do until it was too late. Just like the BJJ guys just let their hand sit there without response. Yeah that's a no no. You always have to be aware of how people are grabbing your hand or positioning your hand. The sooner you realize that the better. Wait too long and you'll fell the pain. It's real