Professional wrestling holds include a number of set moves and pins used by competitors to immobilize their opponents. This article covers the various pins, stretches and transition holds used in the ring. Many of these holds are based on actual, real-world martial arts holds that can injure or kill; therefore, these should never be tried except under qualified supervision.
Moves are listed under general categories whenever possible.
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Stretches
An element borrowed from professional wrestling's catch wrestling origins, stretches (or submission holds) are techniques in which a wrestler holds another in a position that puts stress on their body. They are usually employed to weaken an opponent or to force them to submit, either vocally or by tapping out: slapping the mat, floor, or opponent with a free hand three times.
Many of these holds, when applied vigorously, stretch the opponent's muscles or twist their joints uncomfortably, hence the name. Chokes, although not in general stress positions like the other stretches, are usually grouped with them as they serve the same tactical purposes.
In public performance, for safety's sake, stretches are usually not performed to the point where the opponent must submit or risk injury. Likewise, chokes are usually not applied to the point where they cut off the oxygen supply to the opponent's brain. A notable exception is Japanese shoot-style wrestling, in which wrestlers are expected to apply legit submissions to end matches.
While some stretches rely entirely on the acting ability of the opponent to sell them as painful or debilitating, many are legitimately effective when fully applied. They should not be attempted without proper training and supervision, as there is significant risk of serious injury.
Head, face, and chin locks
Anaconda vice
The Anaconda vice is done from a position in which the wrestler and the opponent are seated on the mat. The wrestler sits on the opponent's right side (the wrestler's left), and with his right arm, goes around the left side of the opponent's head and grabs his right wrist, bending the arm upwards. Then, the wrestler maneuvers his left arm through the "hole" created by the opponent's bent right wrist, and locks his hand upon his own right wrist, then pulls the opponent forward, causing pressure on the opponent's arm and neck.
The hold was innovated by New Japan Pro Wrestling star Hiroyoshi Tenzan after a training excursion to Calgary to train with Tokyo Joe.
Significant confusion has occurred with this move due to its usage by the wrestler CM Punk, who uses a finisher named the Anaconda Vice that is in fact an arm triangle choke, not an anaconda vice. Further confusing the matter is that Punk used to use the original anaconda vice but has since ceased using it.
In a varation called the Anaconda Cross the opponent's other arm is also trapped as it is wrapped over the opponent chest, and pinned under the wrestlers's arms. This variation was also innovated by Hiroyoshi Tenzan.
Camel clutch
Terry Funk locked in a camel clutch by The Sheik
The wrestler sits on the back of his opponent, who is face down on the mat, and reaches under his opponent's arms to apply a chinlock. The wrestler then leans back and pulls the opponent's head and arms back (and as a result, pulling the torso back as well). In its early years, this was thought of as a potentially match ending submission but these days it enjoys only limited use and effectiveness.
It was innovated by Salvador Gory Guerrero, who gave the move to his tag team partner, El Santo, who then popularised its use. It was first known as the La de a Caballo ('on horseback'). Lebanese-American wrestler The Sheik and Iranian wrestler The Iron Sheik used it as a finisher, giving it the name "camel clutch".
Later, Scott Steiner would use a standing variation of the camel clutch (which applies more pressure to the neck, rather than to the torso like the normal camel clutch) as a finisher starting in the nWo era of WCW; WCW announcers called it the Steiner Recliner.
Double chickenwing camel clutch
An Attacking wrestler stands behind an opponent and applies a double chickenwing. The wresler then forces the opponent face-down to the mat, sits on his back, and pulls backwards, stretching the opponent's neck and upper body backwards.
Side camel clutch
The opponent lays down on the mat face down. The wrestler lays on the opponent's back sideways with his torso pressing the opponent's lower back, and his legs on the mat for leverage. The wrestler then reaches forward and locks his hands around the opponent's face and pulls back, causing the opponent's neck and upper body to bend backwards.
This move is essentially a Crossface in which the opponent's arm isn't locked.
Chinlock
The opponent is on the ground, and the wrestler is up. The wrestler sits the opponent up and places his/her knee in the opponent's back. He/she grasps the opponent's chin and wrenches the chin either to the side, or straight back. This is an actual effective technique, that if not done carefully could strain, or even snap the tendons in the opponents neck. Also called a rear chin-lock.
A version of this hold, coined as a Reverse chinlock with a bridge by Jim Ross in an edition of WWE RAW, where the wrestler kneeling before the opponent grasps the opponent's neck into a reverse chinlock, before flipping forward to plant his feet and bridge his back adding additional pressure to the opponent's neck and upper back.
Clawhold
Also known as The Iron Claw, the clawhold was a finishing hold of Teutonic heels, Fritz Von Erich and Baron Von Rasche. The claw was a squeezing of the temples by the thumb and pinky, while the palm compressed the face. Usually the ref would declare the opponent incapacitated and call the match. A ruthless user of the hold, such as Blackjack Mulligan, could draw blood either by breaking the nose or inducing a hemorrhage.
Cobra clutch
Also known as a cross-arm lock or cross-arm choke. The wrestler stands behind the opponent and uses one arm to place the opponent in a half nelson. The wrestler then uses their free arm to pull the opponent's free arm across the opponent's neck, thereby using the opponent's own arm to choke them. This can be set up as a bomb technique as well; after setting the clutch, sitting down and dropping the opponent on the back, using their hands as handles.
Crossface
Chris Benoit locks in the Crippler Crossface
The wrestler applies this move by first locking on to the arm of a standing opponent, hereby putting pressure on the shoulder, the wrestler goes down (otherwise his shoulder could be broken) The hold sees a wrestler lock one arm of a fallen opponent, who is found belly first on the mat with the wrestler on top and to the side, and placing it between his/her legs before locking his/her hands around the opponent's chin (or lower face) and pulling back to stretch the opponent's neck and shoulder.
Though the move was invented by Dean Malenko it is mostly recognized as Chris Benoit's Crippler Crossface, to whom Malenko gave the move.
A variation of this move, known as a spinning headscissors crossface, sees the attacking wrestler perform a spinning headscissors before wrapping around the opponent's body and bringing the opponent's arm between the attacker's legs, forcing them to the ground and applying the crossface hold.
Chickenwing over the shoulder crossface
A variation of a crossface in which a wrestler goes to a fallen opponent and places one arm over the wrestler's nearest shoulder before applying the crossface where the attacking wrestler locks his/her hands around the opponent's chin (or lower face), then pulls back to stretching the opponent's neck and shoulder.
Not to be confused with Crossface chickenwing.
Front chancery
The wrestler faces his opponent, and both are in same position (prone or standing). The wrestler then places his forearm under opponent's chin and armpit on top of it. The wrestler may also underhook his opponent's arm with his free arm.
Front sleeper
The wrestler places the opponent in a front chancery and rolls backwards, pulling the opponent over him an onto their back, with the wrestler ending up laying on the opponent. The wrestler then squeezes the opponent's torso with his legs, similar to a body scissors and arches his back backwards, pulling the opponent's head forward, and thus appling pressure on the neck.
Front facelock
The wrestler faces his opponent, who is bent forward. The wrestler tucks the opponent's head in his armpit and wraps his arm around the head so that the forearm is pressed against the face. The wrestler then grabs the arm with his free hand to lock in the hold and compress the opponent's face.
Full nelson
Chris Masters applies
The Master Lock (full nelson) to Steven Richards
From behind his opponent, the wrestler slips both arms underneath the opponent's armpits and locks his hands behind his neck, pushing the opponent's head forward against his chest. It can be combined into either a suplex (throwing the opponent backwards) or a slam (lifting the opponent while in the nelson and then releasing).
A full nelson can also be done as a combination of a half nelson maneuver with one of the wrestler's hands and arms holding one of the opponent's arms and the other arm being held by the wrestler's legs (an arm scissors) to complete the nelson.
Sugar hold
The wrestler sits on the back of a face-down opponent and slips both arms underneath the opponent's armpits and locks his hands behind his neck, pushing the opponent's head forward against his chest.
Half nelson
Standing behind his opponent, the wrestler wraps one arm under the opponent's armpit (on the same side) and places the hand behind the opponent's head. The wrestler then pulls back with that side of his body while pushing forward with the hand, bending the opponent's shoulder back and pressing the chin against the chest.
Inverted facelock
The wrestler stands behind his opponent and bends him backwards. The wrestler tucks the opponent's head face-up under his armpit, and wraps his arm around the head so that his forearm is pressed against the back of the opponent's neck. The wrestler then pulls the opponent's head backwards and up, wrenching the opponent's neck.
Bite of the Dragon
Named by Low Ki, this sees a wrestler stand behind an opponent with the ring ropes between them before grabbing an inverted facelock on the opponent and wrapping his legs around the opponent's body for a body scissors. As the move uses the ring ropes it's illegal under most match rules, and the attacking wrestler has to release the hold before the referee reaches a five count or be disqualified.
Inverted facelock camel clutch
The wrestler stands behind his opponent and applies an Inverted facelock. He then forces the opponent down to the mat face down, sits on his back, and pulls backwards, stretching the opponent's neck and upper body backwards.
Stretch Plum
The wrestler applies an Inverted facelock to a seated opponent and places his far leg between the opponent's legs and pushes his near leg's knee against the opponent's back. The wrestler then pulls the opponent's head backwards with their arms and the opponent's far leg outwards with their leg. This move is also known as Eastern Stretch.
Mandible claw
- Main article: Mandible claw
The wrestler darts their middle and ring fingers into soft tissue under the opponent's tongue with their thumb under the chin, squeezing the mandible between them.
Neck scissors
Trish Stratus attempts to escape Ashley Massaro's neck scissors
This hold sees a wrestler approach a fallen opponent and sit next to them before turning onto their side towards the opponent and placing their legs on either side of the opponent's head, crossing the top leg after its gone around the opponent's chin. The wrestler then tightens the grip to choke an opponent by compressing their throat.
Often, however, an opponent will simply place their hands under the knee of the attacking wrestler and push it up over their chin so they can escape. Another way to escape the hold will see the opponent raise themselves to their feet while still in the hold, forcing the attacking wrestler to a seated position. This in turn uncrosses their legs, allowing the opponent to simply lift their head out.
Three-quarters face lock
The wrestler stands in front of the opponent while both persons are facing the same direction, with some space in between the two.
Then, the wrestler moves slightly to the left while still being in front of the opponent. Then, the wrestler uses the right hand to reach back and grab the opponent from behind the head, thus pulling the opponent's head above the wrestler's shoulder.
The two-handed version sees the wrestler use both hands, and can be referred to as the three-quarter chancery, side head chancery or, most often, the Cravate. This hold is a staple of technical European style professional wrestling, and at present is frequently employed by British born wrestler Nigel McGuinness and has also found popularity with European-influenced American wrestlers, such as Chris Hero.
Three-quarter nelson
The three-quarter nelson hold is halfway between the full and half nelsons. One shoulder of the opponent is put in a nelson hold, the other is put in a hammerlock or chickenwing.
Side headlock
Trish Stratus executing a Side headlock on Mickie James
In this hold a wrestler who is facing away from an opponent would wrap his/her arm around the neck of an opponent bringing them forwards into this prone position.
Though this is an often used rest hold, it is also sometimes the beginning of a standard bulldog move.
STF
STF is short for Step-over Toe-hold Facelock and is performed on an opponent who is lying face down on the mat. A wrestler grabs one of the opponent's legs, and places the opponent's ankle between his/her thighs. The wrestler then lays on top of the opponent's back and locks his arms around the opponent's head. The wrestler then pulls back stretching the opponent's back, neck, and knee.
The STF was invented by Lou Thesz, and is popularly used by his Japanese disciple, Masahiro Chono.
While John Cena's submission finisher is named the STF-U, it is actually an STS.
Cross leg STF
The wrestler takes the opponent's legs, bends them at the knees, and crosses them, placing one ankle in the other leg's knee-pit. The wrestler then grabs the free ankle and places its ankle between his thighs. He then lays on top of the opponent's back and locks his arms around the opponent's face. The wrestler then pulls back stretching the opponent's back, neck, and knees.
In the variation known as the Regal Stretch, as named by William Regal, in addition to crossing the opponent's legs, the wrestler reaches under one of the opponent's arms to lock his hands around the opponent's head. This causes the opponent's upper body to twist, causing extra pressure.
Muta lock
A.J. Styles locks in a Muta lock on Chris Sabin during an episode of TNA iMPACT!
Also known as an Inverted STF or Sickle hold the move is named after The Great Muta, who popularized it. The wrestler first takes the opponent's legs, bends them at the knees, and crosses them, placing one ankle in the other leg's knee-pit before then turning around so that they are facing away from the opponent and places one of his feet into the triangle created by the opponent's crossed legs. The wrestler then places the opponent's free ankle under his knee-pit and bridges backwards to reach over their head and locks his arms around the opponent's head.
STS
STS which was named and popularized by Masahiro Chono is short for Step-over Toe-hold Sleeper. Similar to an STF, but the wrestler wraps his arm around the neck of the opponent as in a sleeper hold instead of pulling back the head of the opponent. .
A variation in which, after applying the STS, the wrestler turns to his side, pulling the opponent on top of him, face up. Also innovated and popularized by Masahiro Chono, who calls it FTS.
Arm locks
- See also Armlock.
Armbar
Also known as Wakigatame, arm wrench or Japanese armbar. The wrestler takes the opponents arm and twists it, putting pressure of the shoulder and elbow.
Crucifix armbar
The wrestler holds an opponent's arm with his, pulling the arm across his chest. He is situated perpendicular to and behind the opponent. The wrestler then holds the other arm with his legs, stretching the shoulders back in a crucifying position and hyperextending the elbow.
This technique is also called a cross armbreaker, or jujigatame, a term borrowed from Judo.
Tiger feint crucifix armbar
The opponent begins supine, lying with their back on the bottom or second rope and facing into the ring. The wrestler runs towards the opponent and jumps through the second and top rope while holding on to the ropes, then swings around and grapevines the opponent's arms, applying a crucifix armbar.
Fujiwara armbar
Yoshiaki Fujiwara applying the Fujiwara armbar
A grounded armbar with the opponent lying on his belly, the aggressor lies on the opponent's back, at a 90° angle to him, putting some or all of his weight on the opponent to prevent him from moving. The opponent's arm is then hooked and pulled back into his body, stretching the forearms, biceps and pectoral muscles. Variations of this can include clasping the opponent's hand instead of hooking the upper arm, for extra leverage and bridging out, whilst performing the move to increase leverage and immobilise the opponent. The move is named after Yoshiaki Fujiwara.
Head scissors armbar
The wrestler wraps his legs around the opponent's head, facing towards the opponent. He then grabs one of the opponent's arms and wrenches in backwards, causing pressure on the shoulder and elbow of the opponent. This can often be performed on a standing wrestler.
Kensuke Sasaki crosses his legs before applying the head scissors with his shins on an opponent who is laying down on the mat face down. Sasaki then turns to his side, forcing the opponent's body of the mat, causing extra pressure, as the opponent has to support his bodyweight on his squeezed neck. He calls this variation Strangle Hold Alpha.
Scissored armbar
The wrestler approaches a prone, face down opponent from the side. The wrestler then "scissors" (clasps) the near arm of the opponent with their legs and takes hold of the far arm of the opponent with both hands, forcing the opponent onto their side and placing stress on both shoulder joints, as well as making it harder for the opponent to breathe.
Seated armbar
Known as Ashigatame in Japan. The wrestler sits on the torso of an opponent who is laying face down, with his legs on either side of one of the opponent's arms. The wrestler then grabs hold of the wrist of that arm, pulling it upwards, causing hyperextension of the shoulder and elbow.
Satoshi Kojima uses a slight variation where both of his legs are on the same side of the opponent's arm. He calls it the Koji MAX hold.
Chickenwing
The wrestler stands behind the opponent, hooks one of his arms, and pulls it upwards.
Chickenwing arm lock
Also known as Double wrist lock. In Mixed martial arts this move is known as the Kimura, after Masahiko Kimura. The wrestler lays on top of the opponent's torso, in a 90° angle. He then grabs hold of the opponent's wrist with his far hand and pushes it behind the opponent's back. He then puts his other arm over the opponent's shoulder, reaches under the opponent's arm and grabs hold of his other wrist. He then uses his both arms to pull the opponent's arm behind him into an unnatural position, causing pressure.
Key lock
This hold is very similar to the Chickenwing arm lock, the difference being that the opponent's arm is bent the other way. The wrestler lays ontop of the opponent's torso, in a 90° angle. He then grabs hold of the opponent's wrist with his near hand, so that the opponent's hand is palm up and bent fully, and holds it down. He then reaches under the opponent's arm with his other arm and grabs hold of his other arm's wrist. He then forces the opponent's elbow upwards, bending the arm to an unnatural position.
Crossface chickenwing
A chickenwing variation where the wrestler applies the chickenwing to one of the opponent's arms. The wrestler then uses his free arm to either push the arm, and particularly its radius bone, against the face of the opponent to cause pain, or wrap the arm around the neck of the opponent in a sleeper hold. The wrestler may also grasp his hands together in either variation. This hold is closely associated with Bob Backlund who popularised the move in America.
Double chickenwing
The wrestler stands behind the opponent, underhooks both arms, and pulls them upwards. This move was made popular by Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat.
Sitting double chickenwing
The wrestler locks both of the opponents arms into chickenwings, forces him to a seated position, and pushes his chest forward against the opponent's shoulders while pulling the opponent's arms upwards.
Bridging grounded double chickenwing
Bryan Danielson with the
Cattle Mutilation on James Gibson
When an opponent is lying face down on the mat the wrestler locks a double chickenwing on their arms and then performs a forward roll into a bridging position further stressing the hold. This hold was innovated by Bryan Danielson who uses it as a finisher named the Cattle Mutilation or Arms Across America.
Hammerlock
The wrestler grabs his/her opponent's arm, pulling it around behind the opponent's back. This stretches the pectorals and shoulder joint, and immobilizes the arm.
Wrist lock
The wrestler grasps the opponent's hand and twists backwards, placing pressure on the wrist. While this can inflict pain on its own, it is most often used as a transition hold, leading into either a hammer lock, an elbow to the held arm, or kicks to the opponent's abdominal area. Another form of wrist lock sometimes known as a 'figure four wristlock' involves the wrestler (after applying the initial wrist lock with the left hand) threading their right arm through the gap the two arms provide, forming a '4', and providing leverage on the wristlock.
Chokes
Arm triangle choke
The wrestler wraps his arms around the head and one arm of the opponent and squeezes, choking the opponent. It is considered legal in professional wrestling, although it is a choke hold.
Cross arm choke
Also known as the Japanese stranglehold, Criss-cross Stranglehold, or Straight-jacket. The wrestler sits on the back of an opponent who is laying face down on the mat. The wrestler then grabs hold of the opponent's wrists and crosses their arms under their chin. The wrestler then pulls back on the arms, causing pressure.
Double choke
The wrestler grabs his opponent's throat with both hands and throttles him.
Figure four necklock
Candice Michelle (inverted) executes
Candylicious (figure four necklock) on Ashley Massaro
This neck lock sees a wrestler sit above a fallen opponent and wrap his/her legs around the opponent in the form of the figure 4, with one leg crossing under the opponent's chin and under the wrestler's other leg the wrestler squeezes and chokes the opponent.
In an illegal version of the hold, best described as a hanging figure four necklock, the wrestler stands on top of the turnbuckle, wraps his/her legs around the head of the opponent, who has their back turned against the turnbuckle, in the figure 4 and falls backwards, choking the opponent. In most matches the hold would have to be released before a five count. This was popularized by Dragon Gate wrestler YOSSINO as the Courmori.
Guillotine choke
- Main article: Guillotine choke
The wrestler applies a front sleeper and proceeds to take the opponent downward and applies a body scissors is applied with the legs. Jamie Noble uses this as a finishing move. Jun Akiyama also uses a modified version in addition to the normal one where he traps the opponent's legs instead of applying body scissors. This move is also a favorite of many mixed martial arts fighters.
Half nelson choke
The wrestler puts his opponent in a half nelson with one arm and grabs the opponent's neck with the other. This hold is very similar to the judo choke hold known as a katahajime. This choke was popularised in professional wrestling by Tazz as his finisher the Tazmission.
Koji Clutch
The opponent lays on the mat. The wrestler lies face up and slightly to the side of the opponent. The wrestler then hooks their far leg across the neck of the opponent. The wrestler then hooks his hands behind the opponent's head, having one arm pass over their leg and the other under. The wrestler then pulls backwards with his arms and pushes forward with his leg, causing pressure.
Rear naked choke
- Main article: Rear naked choke
A grounded version of a sleeper hold with an added body scissors that is derived from Martial Arts and more recently MMA.
Single arm choke
The wrestler grabs his opponent's throat with one hand and squeezes tightly. This hold may precede a chokeslam, in which case it is referred to as a goozle.
Sleeper hold
For further information, see Blood choke
A sleeper hold is generally applied in the following manner:
- The person applying the hold positions himself behind his opponent.
- The person then wraps his right arm around the opponent's neck, pressing the biceps against one side of the neck and the inner bone of the forearm against the other side (it also works just as well reversed, with the left arm).
- The neck is squeezed inside the arm extremely tightly. Additional pressure can be applied by grabbing the left shoulder with the right hand, or grabbing the biceps of the left arm near the elbow, then using the left hand to push the opponent's head towards the crook of the right elbow.
- It is usually taught that at this point (or during the process) the opponent should be brought to the ground if not already there. This helps to avoid various self-defense techniques designed to protect against assault from the rear, such as instep stomps, shin stomps, and groin strikes.
- The opponent will typically go limp after 5-10 seconds of very hard pressure, at which point it is preferable to immediately release pressure, but to leave the arms in position. Holding the pressure longer will eventually cause brain damage and death, but leaving the arms in position allows one to be able to quickly reapply pressure if the opponent is faking unconsciousness or regains consciousness quickly.
Arm-hook Sleeper
Also known as the Buffalo Sleeper. The wrestler is kneeling behind a seated opponent. He grabs hold of one of the opponent's arms, bends it backwards overhead, and locks its wrist into his armpit. The wrestler then wraps his free arm under the opponent's chin, like in a Sleeper hold, puts his other arm through the arch created by the opponent's trapper arm, and locks his hands. He then squeezes the opponent's neck, causing pressure. The move was innovated by Hiroyoshi Tenzan.
Dragon sleeper
The wrestler stands behind the opponent, who is either sitting or laying down, places the opponent in an inverted facelock, and hooks the opponent's near arm with his free arm. The wrestler then pulls backwards and up, wrenching the opponent's neck. Tatsumi "Dragon" Fujinami popularized the move in Japan.
A variation known as a Beast choker is a Dragon Sleeper with body scissors. The variation was named after Dan "The Beast" Severn.
Thumb choke hold
The attacking wrestler stands behind an opponent and reaches around the opponent's neck with one arm. The wrestler then extends a thumb and thrusts it into the windpipe of the opponent, cutting off their air supply.
Tongan death grip
The wrestler darts his/her hand under an opponent's chin. The wrestler grabs a hold on the pressure point above the throat and squeezes on the nerve.
Triangle choke
- Main article: Triangle choke
The wrestler grabs hold of one his opponent's arms, wraps his legs around the opponent's throat and arm in a figure four and squeezes. Although it is a choke hold, it is still considered a legal hold. Commonly used in Japanese wrestling promotions and MMA.
Two handed chokelift
Also known as a Hanging Tree a wrestler grasps an opponent's neck with both hands then lifts them up, choking them. This is a transition hold for moves such as the two handed chokeslam and the Chokebomb.
Body locks
Bear hug
- Further information: Bear hug
A wrestler stands in front of an opponent and locks his hands around the opponent, squeezing him. Often he will shake his body from side to side, in order to generate more pain around the ribs and spine. Frequently used by power wrestlers, this rather simple to apply hold was used by heels and faces alike.
Side bear hug
A wrestler stands to one side of an opponent, facing them, and locks their arms around the opponent, linking their hands under the arm of the opponent on the opposing side. The wrestler then brings their arms closer together, compressing the torso of the opponent.
Body scissors
A wrestler approaches a sitting opponent from in front or from behind. The attacking wrestler then sits next to the opponent and wraps their legs around the opponent, crossing their legs and then tightening their grip to choke the wrestler by compressing their torso. This hold is normally used in conjunction with a hold applied to the head in order to restrain the opponent.
Gutwrench
This is basically a bearhug from behind. A wrestler stands behind an opponent and locks his hands around the opponent's stomach, pulling up and squeezing it.
Back and torso stretches
Abdominal stretch
Christian with an abdominal stretch to Brian Kendrick
Also known as a Cobra Twist, this hold begins with a wrestler facing his opponent's side. The wrestler first straddles one of the opponent's legs, then reaches over the opponent's near arm with the arm close to the opponent's back and locks it. Squating and twisting to the side, flexs the opponent's back and stretches their abdomen.
Backbreaker
See Backbreaker
Boston crab
- Main article: Boston crab
This typically starts with the opponent on his back, and the wrestler standing and facing him. The wrestler hooks each of the opponent's legs in one of his arms, and then turns the opponent face-down, stepping over him in the process. The final position has the wrestler in a semi-sitting position and facing away from his opponent, with the opponent's back and legs bent back toward his face.
Bow and arrow hold
The wrestler kneels on his opponent's back with both knees, hooking the head with one arm and the legs with the other. He then rolls back so that his opponent is suspended on his knees above him, facing up. The wrestler pulls down with both arms while pushing up with the knees to bend the opponent's back.
Gory special
This is also known as the Gory lock. It was invented by Salvador "Gory" Guerrero, the father of Hector, Eddie, Chavo Sr. and Mando Guerrero. The wrestler lifts the opponent over their shoulder so that the opponent's upper back is across the wrestler's shoulder. Thus, the wrestler and opponent are back to back, facing opposite directions. The opponent's legs are tucked around the wrestler's hips. The wrestler can now apply pressure by applying a chinlock and pressing down. One or both of the opponent's legs can also be hooked for extra pressure.
Octopus hold
The wrestler stands behind the opponent and hooks a leg over the opponent's opposite leg. The wrestler then forces the opponent to one side, traps one of the opponent's arms with their own arm, and drapes their free leg over the neck of the opponent, forcing it downward. This elevates the wrestler and places all the weight of the wrestler on the opponent. The wrestler has one arm free, which can be used for balance.
Popularized by Antonio Inoki in New Japan Pro Wrestling, the Japanese name for the move is the manji-gatame (inverted swastika hold).
Surfboard
Kid Kash holds Paul London up in the surfboard position
The surfboard hold first sees a wrestler stand behind a fallen opponent, who is laying stomach first to the floor. The wrestler places one foot down just above each of the opponent's knees and bends their legs up, hooking them around his/her own knees, at this point the wrestler grasps both of his opponent's wrists (usually slapping the opponent's back in an attempt to bring the arms in reach), and falls backwards while compressing the opponent's shoulder-blades and lifting them off the ground. This can see the wrestler fall to a seated position or go onto his own back, lifting the opponent skyward, which will increase pressure on the opponent but puts the wrestler in risk of pinning his own shoulders to the mat.
Another version of a surfboard which is most often applied by a standing wrestler against a prone opponent, but may also be applied by a seated wrestler, or against a seated or kneeling opponent, sees the wrestler grasps both of his opponent's wrists, while places his foot, or knee on the opponent's upper back, pulling back on the arms to compress the opponent's shoulder blades.
The surfboard is also called as La Tapatía or Romero Special, named after the inventor Rito Romero.
Leg locks
Ankle lock
Kurt Angle applies a standing Ankle lock on Chris Benoit.
A wrestler using both arms takes hold of one of the opponent's legs and lifts the opponent's lower leg from the base of the foot to the shin and wraps both arms around the foot, placing one arm around the ankle tightly and resting his/her other on the tip of the foot where the toes are, in a butterfly lock position. He/she then applies pressure on both areas of the foot forcing the ankle to bend unnaturally.
A variation of this move is the grapevine ankle lock, in which the wrestler applying the hold falls to the mat and scissors the leg of the opponent. This stops the opponent from rolling out of the move and makes it harder for him/her to crawl to the ropes.
The ankle lock was made famous by Ken Shamrock and Kurt Angle. The latter would often apply the grapevine.
Argentine leglock
Also known as Stretch Muffler. An elevated Single leg boston crab. The wrestler stands over a face-down opponent lying on the ground. He lifts one leg of the opponent and drapes it over his neck. He then uses his arms to force the shin and thigh of the opponent down, thereby placing pressure on the opponent's knee.
Tony Mamaluke introduced a variation where he steps over the downed opponent and sits on their lower back as in a Half boston crab, calling it the Sicilian Crab. Último Guerrero uses a variation where he grabs his opponent's corresponding leg and wraps his feet around their neck called The Guerrero Special. Shuji Kondo uses his own variation where both his opponent's legs are crossed over the neck called Cat's Cradle.
Cross kneelock
With the opponent laying face down on the mat, the wrestler grabs hold of shin of one of the opponent's legs and wraps his legs around the leg. The wrestler then twists the leg, hyperextending the knee. Very similar to the grapevine ankle lock, with the only difference that the wrestler wraps his arms around the shin, and not his hands around the ankle of the opponent.
Commonly used as a counter to an attack from behind. The wrestler flips forward down on to his back, placing his legs around one of the legs of the opponent on the way down, and thus using his momentum to drop the opponent forward down to the mat. The move can be also applied by running towards the opponent and then performing the flip when next to him.
Figure four leglock
The wrestler using this move stands over the opponent who is lying on the mat, face up and grasps a leg of the opponent. The wrestler then places their leg in between their opponent's legs, turns 180 degrees over the leg and grasps the other leg, crossing them as he does so and falls to the mat, applying pressure to the opponent's crossed legs with his own.
This move was made popular as the finishing move of "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, and later "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, who sometimes adds to it by twisting his opponents ankle as it is locked in.
A wrestler may counter the figure four by rolling over on to their stomach, which applies the pressure on the original applier's legs. This counter to the figure four is often coined as a modified Indian deathlock.
Ringpost figure four leglock
The opponent is either downed or standing next to one of the ring corner posts. The wrestler exits the ring to the outside and drags the opponent by the legs towards the ringpost, so that the post is between the opponent's legs (similar to when somebody 'crotches' their opponent with the ringpost). The executer then stands on the ring apron, on the outside of the turnbuckle/ropes and applies the figure four leglock with the ringpost between the opponent's legs. The performer of the hold then falls back while grabbing the opponent's legs/feet, hanging upside down from the ring apron. The ringpost assists the move, creating more damage and leverage to the opponent's knee.
Because the performer is out of the ring while he/she has this hold locked in, this move doesn't last long as it usually results in a count-out. This move also uses the ring-post, which is illegal in professional wrestling, and a 5 count is used which leads to a disqualification.
Bret Hart is often credited for inventing this move.
Haas of Pain
A submission invented and named by the Haas brothers, Charlie Haas and the late Russ Haas, this modified inverted reverse figure-four leglock variation, sees Haas cross one leg of an opponent over the other and stand on the crossed leg, next he would take hold of the free leg and lay down on his back, to raise the opponents legs up into the air causing both pain to the lower back and legs of the opponent.
Inverted three quarter figure four leglock
The opponent is lying faced down on the ground. The wrestler kneels over the opponent’s thighs with his left leg between the opponent’s leg, then bends his opponent’s left leg around his left thigh. After that he places the opponent’s right leg over the opponent’s left ankle and puts his own right leg under the opponent’s left ankle. Finally, he puts both of his feet over the opponent’s right foot and presses on it.
Damascus head-leglock
The wrestler forces the opponent to the ground and opens up the legs of the opponent, stepping in with both legs. The wrestler then wraps his legs around the head of the opponent and crosses the opponent's legs, applying pressure on them with his hands. The wrestler next turns 180 degrees and leans back, compressing the spine. This hold applies pressure on the temples, the calves, and compresses the spine. Also known as the D-lock for the capital D formed.
Indian deathlock
Also known as a British Figure Four, this move sees a wrestler fold a grounded opponent's legs over each other as if to put him in an "Indian sitting" posture, then places his own knee on top of the opponent's shins and puts his weight on them.
Inverted Indian deathlock
With the opponent on his back, the wrestler standing beside him, sits with his leg over and between the opponents legs (often using a legdrop to the knee). Then places the opponants far leg in the Knee-pit of the near leg, finishing the submission by putting the opponants ankle on top of his own ankle and rolling both onto their bellys and pushing back with the wrestlers ankle.
Reverse figure four leglock
The wrestler using this move stands over the opponent with the opponent face up and grasps a leg of the opponent. The wrestler then turns 90 degrees and grasps the other leg, crossing them as he does so and falls to the mat, applying pressure to the opponent's crossed legs with his own.
Even though the move is called a reverse figure four leglock the wrestler is only turned 90 degrees, making the term side figure four leglock more appropriate. However reverse figure four leglock is the most common name.
It is most closely associated with Japanese wrestler Yuji Nagata, who calls it the Nagata Lock I. Nagata would salute to signal the maneuver to the crowd before dropping to the mat.
Sharpshooter
- Main article: Sharpshooter (wrestling)
Also known as Scorpion Deathlock. The opponent starts supine. The wrestler steps between his opponent's legs with one leg and wraps the opponent's legs around that leg. Holding the opponent's legs in place, the wrestler then steps over the opponent, flipping him over into a prone position. Finally, the wrestler leans back to compress the legs.
Bret Hart applies sharpshooter on Shawn Michaels.
This hold was first popularized by New Japan Pro Wrestling star Riki Choshu, who called it the Sasori-gatame (Scorpion hold). In North America, it was first popularized by Sting in the NWA and later WCW, under the name Scorpion Deathlock. The move's more popular name in North America, Sharpshooter, was made popular by the WWE (then WWF) wrestler Bret "The Hitman" Hart. On the DVD The Best There Is...The Best There Was...The Best That There Ever Will Be, Bret Hart claimed that it was Konnan who originally taught him the Sharpshooter.
Other names include:
- Grapevine Boston crab
- Grapevine crab
- Cloverleaf leg-lace crab
Edge does an inverted variation of this move, calling it the Edgeucator. After grapevining the opponents legs, he would position himself facing the same direction as his opponent.
Spinning toe hold
The wrestler using this move stands over the opponent who is lying on the mat, face up and grasps a leg of the opponent. The wrestler then turns 360 degrees over the leg twisting it inward. A wrestler will repeatedly step over the leg and round again to twist the knee, and ankle joint even more. Popularized by Terry Funk.
Texas cloverleaf
Karl Harker locks in the Texas cloverleaf
The wrestler stands at the feet of his supine opponent, grabs the opponent's legs and lifts them up. He then bends one leg so that the shin is behind the knee of the straight leg and places the ankle of the straight leg in his armpit. With the same arm, he reaches around the ankle and through the opening formed by the legs, and locks his hands together. He then steps over his opponent, turning the opponent over as in a sharpshooter. Finally, the wrestler squats and leans back, similarly to a Boston crab. The hold compresses the legs, flexes the spine, and stretches the abdomen.
The move was pioneered by Dory Funk, Jr., but is most closely associated with Dean Malenko, who used it as his regular finisher.
Another version of this move, considered to be an Elevated Texas Cloverleaf, was used by Eddie Guerrero, which saw Guerrero turn the body of the opponent and place a knee over the opponent's neck, pulling back for more pressure making it similar to a Liontamer. Guerrero dubbed this the Lasso From El Paso.
Inverted cloverleaf
In this variation of a Texas cloverleaf instead of turning round when turning the opponent over, the wrestler faces the same direction as the opponent to squat and lean forward to apply more pressure to the legs, spine, and abdomen. This hold is an alternate finisher, known as the Gorilla Clutch, of Shuji Kondo; whom also has a variations where he falls back and scissors the abdomen of his opponent or teases ropebreaks by walking an opponent.
Reverse cloverleaf
This variation includes the attacker putting the leg that he did not tuck under his armpit over the over it, not under it. He/she then clutch his leg over the opponents leg that went over the tucked leg, then turns, to apply pressure on the legs, torso, and head.
Transition holds
Some holds are meant neither to pin an opponent, nor weaken them or force them to submit, but are intended to set up the opponent for another attack.
Arm trap
This is when a wrestler holds both the opponent's arms under his own, from here the opponent is left prone and unable to counter or move away from the wrestler. Al Snow was known to deliver a series of headbutts from this position, while other wrestlers use this to secure a suplex.
Butterfly
Also known as a double underhook. The wrestler and the opponent begin facing one another, with the opponent bent over. The wrestler approaches the opponent and reaches under the opponent's shoulders, then threads their arms up and around the opponent's torso, with their hands meeting in the middle of the opponent's back or neck (essentially an inverted full nelson hold). The hold in itself is not a submission move, and is more commonly a set up for various throws, drops or slams, but it can be applied from various positions that cause it to become one.
When the opponent is seated on the mat while the wrestler applies the butterfly hold it is known as butterfly lock.
Matt Hardy uses a variation named Scar where he applies the double underhook and then wraps his legs around the torso of the opponent, in a body scissors.
Crucifix
The wrestler stands in front of and facing a bent over opponent and places them in a standing waistlock. The wrestler then flips the opponent up and over so the opponent is lying face up on the back of the wrestler. The wrestler then moves his hands to the upper arm or wrists of the opponent, holding them in position, and spreading the arms of the opponent (as though they were being crucified). This is mainly often a set-up for a Crucifix Powerbomb.
Reverse crucifix
The wrestler stands in front of and with their back to a standing opponent. The wrestler then leans backwards and seizes the opponent around the waist, pulling them forward and upwards so they are lying across the shoulder of the opponent, facing downwards. The wrestler then takes hold of the upper arms or wrists of the opponent and spreads them, holding the opponent in place.
Fireman's carry
The wrestler would bend over with the opponent standing to the side of the wrestler. The wrestler then pulls the opponent's arm over his/her farthest shoulder and distributes the wrestler's body over his/her shoulders while having the other hand between and holding onto one of the opponent's legs and stands up. The opponent is draped face-down across the wrestler's shoulders, with the wrestler's arms wrapped around from behind. It is a key component of several throws, drops and slams.
Gorilla press
The wrestler lifts his opponent up over his head with arms fully extended (as in the military press used in weight lifting). From here many throws, drops and slams can be performed.
It is a popular technique for very large wrestlers because it emphasizes their height and power.
Lady of the Lake
This is a move used to trick an unsuspecting opponent. The wrestler sits down, crosses his or her legs, tucks their head into their chest and wraps one arm around their ankle (so they are effectively rolled into a ball). The wrestler then extends their remaining arm between their legs and then waits. The opponent, ostensibly confused, normally takes the proffered hand, at which point the wrestler rolls forward and into an arm lock of some description.
The Lady of the Lake is an old British wrestling technique, also known as the Johnny Saint Special.
Mount
The wrestler sits on top of the opponent's torso, facing their head, with his legs on either side. When the opponent is facing down the position is referred to as back mount. Various strikes to the opponent's head are often performed from this position.
Pumphandle
Lance Hoyt holds Petey Williams in a pumphandle position during an episode of TNA iMPACT!
The wrestler stands behind his opponent and bends him forward. One of the opponent's arms is pulled back between his legs and held, while the other arm is hooked, then the wrestler lifts the opponent up over his shoulder. From here many throws, drops and slams can be performed.
Scoop
Facing his opponent, the wrestler reaches between his opponent's legs with one arm and reaches around their back from the same side with his other arm. The wrestler lifts his opponent up so they are horizontal across the wrestlers body. From here many throws, drops and slams can be performed.
Straight jacket
This is a term that refers to when an attacking wrestler takes hold of an opponent's arms (wrestler's left hand hold the opponent's right, and visa versa) and crosses them over (like a Straitjacket). This hold is usually performed from behind but can be performed from in front of an opponent.
From here many variations of normal moves can be performed; like a Russian leg-sweep variant, and most notably a cross armed German suplex
There are other variations of the straight jacket hold, one sees the arms crossed around the neck to allow a wrestler to use the hold as a submission to choke out an opponent with their own arms or to pull down the opponent to the mat in a double arm trap neckbreaker variant. Another variation sees the attacking wrestler stand over an opponent and cross their arms underneath them, this allow the attacking wrestler to use the hold to aid in lifting the opponent off the ground, usually for a powerbomb type move.
Tilt-a-whirl
The wrestler stands facing the opponent. The wrestler bends the opponent down so they are bent facing in front on the wrestler's body. The wrestler reaches around the opponent's body with their arms and lifts them up, spinning the opponent in front of the wrestler's body, often to deliever a slam or most commonly a Tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.
Usually performed on a charging opponent, this can also be a transition hold for counter attacks that sees the wrestler (who is being tilt-a-whirled) hit many throws and drops like a DDT or headscissors takedown.
The maneuver is named after the popular Tilt-A-Whirl carnival thrill ride.
Wheelbarrow
This move is achieved when a wrestler wraps a forward facing opponent's legs around his waist (either by standing behind an opponent who is laying face-first on the mat or by catching a charging opponent), then the wrestler would apply a gutwrench hold and lift the opponent up off the ground into the air, then either continue lifting and fall backwards to wheelbarrow suplex, or forcing the opponent back down to the mat to hit a wheelbarrow facebuster.
This can also can be a transition hold for counter attacks that sees the wrestler (who is being wheelbarrowed) hit many throws and drops like a DDT or a bulldog and rolling pin combinations.
Miscellaneous
Airplane spin
A spinning fireman's carry, used to disorient the opponent.
Collar-and-elbow tie up
- See Collar-and-elbow position
This is a stand-up grappling position where both wrestlers have a collar tie, and hold the opponent's other arm at the elbow. The collar-and-elbow is generally a neutral position, but by pushing the hand on the elbow up and towards the inside of the opponent's arms, a controlling wrestler can turn an opponent into a belly-to-back position. Alternatively, if a controlling wrestler pushes forward while releasing the collar tie they can wrap their extended arm around the head of their opponent back round to their own other arm to sinch in a side headlock.
Fish hook
The wrestler bends one of his fingers into a hook, and uses it to stretch the opponent's mouth or nose. An illegal hold under usual rules.
Austin Aries uses a half surfboard variation, called Fish Hook of Doom, where the opponent is laying face down. He grabs one of the opponent's wrists with one hand and fish hooks the opponent's mouth with the other. He then places his knees against the opponent's streched arm, and pulls back with his arms.
Giant swing
- See also: Giant swing (throw)
The wrestler takes hold of a supine opponent's legs and pivots rapidly, elevating the opponent and swinging the opponent in a circle. The wrestler may release the opponent in mid-air or simply slow until the back of the opponent returns to the ground.
Sunset flip
Eamon O'Neill performs his signature sunset flip out of the corner on Phil Powers
This move commonly sees an attacking wrestler dive over an opponent who is facing him/her, usually bent over forwards, catching the oppoent in a waistlock from behind and landing back-first behind the opponent. From that position the wrestler rolls forward into a sitting position, pulling the opponent over backwards and down to the mat so that he lands on his back into a pinning position.
While being held on the shoulders of an attacking wrestler in a position where this second wrestler is straddeling the head of the attacking wrestler while facing in the other direction; as if they where about to be powerbombed, the countering wrestler can rolls forward off that wrestler's shoulders, down their back and perform the sunset flip.
This move can also be performed from the top rope on a grounded opponent, or on an elevated opponent so that a type of powerbomb can be performed.
The Matrix
Trish Stratus dodging a clothesline from Victoria with
The MaTrish (The Matrix)
The defensive maneuver sees a wrestler bridge his/her entire body backward and placing the hands down on the mat to avoid an attack (often a clothesline). It can also be used to escape a pinfall attempt and get up quickly. The name, and the move itself, are inspired by a scene in the movie The Matrix.
Tree of woe
This involves a wrestler suspending an opponent upside down on a turnbuckle, with the opponent's back against being up against it. To do this the opponent's legs are then hooked under the top ropes, leaving the opponent facing the attacking wrestler, upside down.
Chris Sabin attacks Roderick Strong who is in the Tree of woe position
This is an illegal tactic due to its use of the ropes. Often an attacking wrestler will choke, kick, or stomp the opponent until the referee uses up his five count. The techniques is also used to trap an opponent whilst the attacking wrestler runs at them and delivers some form of offensive maneuver, such as a running knee attack or a baseball slide.
Petey Williams uses a variation on this in which he places his opponent in the tree of woe and then stands on their crotch while singing the Canadian national anthem.
The move was originally made famous by Kevin Sullivan, and its name is said to derive from the movie Conan the Barbarian where in one scene Thulsa Doom commands the captive Conan "Contemplate this... on the Tree of Woe."
See also
- Professional wrestling throws
- Professional wrestling attacks
- Professional wrestling aerial techniques
- Professional wrestling double-team maneuvers
External links
- Archer, Jeff and Joseph Svinth (January 2005), Professional Wrestling: Where Sports and Theater Collide, InYo: Journal of Alternative Perspectives on the Martial Arts and Sciences.
Categories: Incomplete lists | Professional wrestling moves
