Professional wrestling holds include a number of moves used by the e-wrestling competitors to immobolize, wear-down or force their opponent to submit. This article covers the variousjoint locks, chokes and stretches used in the ring, but only concerning the field of e-wrestling competition. In other words, the description of the following moves are taken in the context of the fictitious world of e-wrestling, with references to "real" wrestlers occasionally allowed for convenience's sake when the move is better known under a specific name rather than it's technical term. Unless noted otherwise, all moves listed below are taken from real life references. Moves are listed under general categories whenever possible. The wrestler executing the maneuver is always referred to as the "wrestler", the one on the receiving end of the hold is known as the "opponent". The use of the masculine is meant to be inclusive. All positions have the attacker facing the opponent, unless noted otherwise.
Abdominal stretch[]
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. Squatting and twisting to the side, the attacker flexes the opponent's back and stretches their abdomen.
From there, the attacker has a few options on what they can do. They can lock their arms around the victim's neck and pull them upwards. They can use both their arms to push the victim's head and neck down so they are stretched across the attacker's knee. Or they can hook the victim's head or arm with one arm and grind their knuckle or elbow into the victim's floating ribs. The attacker can also use their free hand to grab the victim's side/stomach and apply pressure in an abdominal claw hold.
Often done by heel wrestlers who attempt to grab unto the ropes with their free hand for extra leverage.
Grounded Abdominal stretch[]
A wrestler can execute an abdominal stretch before sitting down to increase the pressure (keeping one leg hooked around the opponent's same leg and one leg to brace himself against the mat). He can also start by approaching a seated opponent from behind and reach over the opponent's near arm with the arm closest to the opponent's back, locking it with his other hand before body scissoring his opponent with his legs.
Manji Hold[]
Also known as the Swastika in lucha libre, it is a variation of the abdominal stretch where the free hand grabs the opponent's near ankle, pulling up.
Arm locks[]
For a complete list of armlocks, hammerlocks, wristlocks, armbars and chickenwings techniques, see armlocks.
Backbreaker[]
See also Backbreaker for the various backbreaker throws.
Argentine backbreaker rack[]
This backbreaker submission also known as a Torture Rack and simply known as a backbreaker rack, sees the attacking wrestler place the opponent face-up across the wrestler's own shoulders before hooking the head with one hand and a leg with the other, pulling down on both ends to flex the opponent's back.
La Reinera backbreaker rack[]
A variation of the Argentine backbreaker rack where the opponent is held across the wrestler's back rather than his shoulders/neck. Usually set-up by a tilt-a-whirl, the opponent ends up suspended with one arm hooked through the legs of the attacker, the other arm hooked by the wrestler's arm and both legs hooked by the wrestler's other arm.
Backbreaker submission[]
Usually performed at the end of a pendulum backbreaker, this basic backbreaker submission involves the wrestler stretching his opponent lying across his knee, placing one hand on the opponent's chin and the other on the opponent's knee.
Canadian backbreaker rack[]
An attacking wrestler first lifts his opponent up so that their back is resting on the wrestler's shoulder, with the opponent's head pointing in the same direction the wrestler is facing. While being held face up across the wrestler's shoulder, the wrestler then links their arms around the opponent's torso or grabbing the opponent's arms and presses down, squeezing the opponent's spine against the wrestler's shoulder.
Catapult backbreaker[]
The Catapult throw typically starts with an opponent on their back with the attacking wrestler standing and facing them. The wrestler hooks each of the opponent's legs in his arms then falls backwards to slingshot the opponent into a turnbuckles, ladders, ropes etc. At this point the attacking wrestler will remain on the ground and raise his knees while still holding the opponent's legs as the rebounding opponent trips falling backwards onto the raised knees of the wrestler. Another method is that the wrestler performs a catapult and raises the knees prematurely so that the wrestler is draped over the knees without an actual launch.
Crossed arm knee backbreaker[]
The opponent is on his hands and knees, the attacker standing behind them. The attacker then grabs his opponent's arms and crosses them in front of their body while putting his feet on the back of the victim's bent knees. The wrestler then sits down, leaving his knees bent so that their knees press against the back of the opponent's spine.
Gory Special[]
Also known as the Gory lock, this hold sees a wrestler lift their 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 with the opponent's legs tucked around the wrestler's hips. The wrestler can now apply pressure with a chinlock or by grabbing both arms and pulling down.
Reverse Gory Special[]
From a position in which the opponent is doubled over behind the wrestler, the wrestler underhooks the opponent's arms behind him. Then the wrestler twists his body around so that the wrestler is facing the ground and the opponent is standing with his back resting against the wrestler's back. The wrestler stands up while the opponent is in an upside down position, suspended by his trapped arms (i.e., same set-up as for the Vertebreaker). The attacker hooks his opponent's arms and reaches through to grab the opponent's legs, pulling down and stretching the lower back.
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 powerhouse style wrestlers, this rather simple to apply hold was used by heels and faces alike.
Side bear hug[]
A wrestler stands facing to one side of an opponent 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 the front, behind, or either sides. The attacking wrestler then sits next to the opponent and wraps their legs around the opponent, crossing their ankles and then tightening their grip by squeezing together their thighs or straightening their legs to choke the wrestler by compressing their torso. This hold is often used in conjunction with a hold applied to the head or the arms in order to restrain the opponent.
Boston crab[]
This typically starts with the opponent on his back with the wrestler standing and facing them or from a double leg takedown. The wrestler hooks each of the opponent's legs in his arms and then turns the opponent face-down, stepping over them 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.
Elevated Boston Crab[]
Similar to a normal Boston Crab, this move sees the attacking wrestler stand farther back instead of sitting down, sometimes with a knee braced against the opponent back. The step-back allows additional pressure to be placed on the opponent's back from a higher angle, or even upon the opponent's neck. This move is often known as the Liontamer.
Inverted Boston Crab[]
Known in lucha libre as the Cangrejo Invertido, the wrestler grabs both legs of his face down opponent and steps over his opponent, with his feet at each side of his opponent's waist. The legs are then bent across the wrestler's thighs and pushed down for increased pressure.
Single leg Boston Crab[]
Also known as a Half Boston crab or a Half crab, the attacker hooks one of the opponent's legs in one of his arms and turns the opponent face-down, stepping over them in the process. The final position has the wrestler in a semi-sitting position and facing away from the opponent, with the opponent's leg bent back toward their face. Sometimes the attacker will place their leg so that their knee digs into the back of the opponent or a variation with the attacking wrestler kneeling side-ways while having the leg hooked can be performed. As opposed to the regular Boston Crab, single leg crabs are usually attempts to wrench the leg out rather than apply pressure on the opponent's back.
Increasingly set-up through a back somersault roll on the mat, catching a charging opponent into the single leg Boston crab.
Samurai Lock[]
The wrestler approaches a face down opponent from the side, wrapping the opponent's far arm with their opposite leg (if he grabbed the right arm, he'll use his left leg) and bracing the shin against the back of their head. The wrestler will then grab the leg on the same side of the opponent's arm and pull back, wrenching the opponent's leg sideways with both arms
Single leg crab with armlock[]
The wrestler approaches an opponent on his back and seizes one of their arms before walking around the opponent's head to their other side, forcing the opponent to roll onto their stomach. The wrestler then kneels, clinching the opponent's arm behind their knee and applies a single leg Boston crab. This move is also known as the Tequila Sunrise.
Single leg crab with knee[]
Similar to a normal half Boston crab, this move sees the wrestler use a single knee to add additional pressure by pressing it into the opponent's back.
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.
Racked bow and arrow hold[]
A variation in which the wrestler places his opponent over his shoulders as in a torture rack, pulling forward on the opponent's head with one arm and pulling both legs with the other arm, flexing the back. This variation is also known as the Accordion Rack, or La Atlandida in Lucha Libre
Reverse bow and arrow hold[]
The opponent is laying on his side, with the attacker facing their front. The attacker grabs one of the victim's feet and bends it back so the opponent's knee is bent back. The attacker hooks around the opponents's head with their other arm and squeezes his opponent backwards, attempting to reach both of his arms as close as possible.
Camel clutch[]
The wrestler sits on the back of his opponent, who is face down on the mat, and places the arm or, more commonly, both arms of the opponent on his thighs. The wrestler then reaches around the opponent's head and applies a chinlock. The wrestler then leans back and pulls the opponent's head and torso. A camel clutch can also refer simply to a rear chinlock while seated on the back of an opponent, without placing the arms on the thighs.
Camel clutch sleeper[]
In this variation of the camel clutch, a wrestler sits on the back of an opponent while they are lying on the mat face down. Instead of putting the opponent in a rear chinlock, they put them in a sleeper hold.
Chickenwing camel clutch[]
A wrestler stands behind an opponent and applies a double chickenwing. The wrestler 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.
Inverted facelock camel clutch[]
Also known as a Dragon Clutch, an inverted facelock camel clutch sees the wrestler stand behind their opponent and apply an Inverted facelock. They then force the opponent to the mat face down, sit on their back, and pull backwards, stretching the opponent's neck and upper body backwards.
Leg hook camel clutch[]
Essentially a regular Camel Clutch, but before the wrestler locks in the chinlock he pulls the opponent's leg backwards (as in the single leg crab) and tucks it under the his underarm, then continues to perform the typical camel clutch applying more pressure to the lower back with the leg's new position.
Straight Jacket[]
Also known as the Japanese stranglehold (Goku-Raku Gatame), Criss-cross Stranglehold, or a Cross armed choke. The wrestler sits on the back of an opponent who is lying 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.
Chinlock[]
Also known as a rear chinlock, this hold sees an attacking wrestler lift his opponent (who is lying on the mat face up) to a sitting position. The wrestler then places his knee in the opponents back and grasps the opponents chin and either pulls straight back on the chin or wrenches it to the side. A variation of the hold, called the reverse chinlock, sees the attacker kneel behind a sitting opponent and wrap around one arm under the opponent's chin and lock their hands. Similar to a sleeper hold, this can also be done from a standing position.
Bridging reverse chinlock[]
The wrestler kneels before the opponent and grasp their neck into a reverse chinlock, before flipping forward to plant their feet and bridge their back adding additional pressure to the opponent's neck and upper back.
Leonesa (La)[]
The wrestler stands back to back to his victim, grabbing their chin and pulling it forward over his shoulder (much like in a neckbreaker). The wrestler then kneels down, pulling down on the chin with one arm while trapping the victim's foot against his raised knee. The wrestler then pulls down on the victim's arm with his free hand to complete the lock.
Ring rope chinlock[]
The wrestler stand behind an opponent with the ring ropes between them before grabbing a chinlock (rear or otherwise) 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.
Chokehold[]
The following chokeholds refer specifically to strangulation techniques, illegal wrestling techniques that cut off the air flow from the opponent. They differ from blood chokes (hereby known as sleeper holds) in that they target the trachea or windpipe rather than the major carotids running along the neck. A referee will give a wrestler until the count of five to break an illegal choke, and will always look attentively at any sleeperhold attempt to make sure the trachea and widepipe are completely cleared.
Corner foot choke[]
The wrestler pushes their opponent into the turnbuckle and extends their leg, choking their opponent while using the top two ropes for support. This attack is illegal and results in a wrestler's disqualification should the move not be broken by a count of five.
Double choke[]
The wrestler grabs his opponent's throat with both hands and throttles him.
Gogoplata[]
The gogoplata is executed from a guard. Specifically, it is usually executed from a "rubber guard," where the legs are held very high, against the opponent's upper back. The fighter then slips one foot in front of the opponent's head and under his chin, locks his hands behind the opponent's head, and chokes the opponent by pressing his shin or instep against the opponent's trachea. Wrestlers use a modified version, where they just push the shin into the throat in exactly the same manner, instead of grabbing your toes and pulling towards yourself.
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 the judo choke hold known as a katahajime with an added body scissors. Also known as the Tazmission, this move may or may not be illegal depending on the situation.
Leg choke[]
With the opponent hung over the second rope, facing the outside of the ring, the attacking wrestler hooks their left or right leg over the back of the opponent's neck. The attacking wrestler then pulls the second rope upwards, compressing the opponent's throat between the rope and attacking wrestler's leg, choking them. This move is illegal due to usage of the ring ropes, and results in a disqualification for the wrestler should they not release the hold before a count of five.
Single arm choke[]
The wrestler grabs his opponent's throat with one hand and squeezes tightly. A "goozle" is a single arm choke held briefly before performing a chokeslam. A wrestler may use his or her free hand to grab the wrist of the choking hand to further apply pressure.
Two-handed chokelift[]
Also known as a Neck-Hanging Tree a wrestler grasps an opponent's neck with both hands then lifts them up and then slams them. This is a transition hold for moves such as the two-handed chokeslam and the chokebomb.
Clawhold[]
Popularly known as an Iron Claw and sometimes known as the skull clutch, the clawhold is a squeezing of the skull by curling one's finger tips in using primarily the last two knuckles of the finger, thereby applying five different points of pressure. The focal point is to use gripping power to almost attempt to shove ones fingers into the opponent's head as opposed to just squeezing with the flat of ones fingers. Many variants exist.
Armpit claw[]
The armpit claw is a squeezing of the muscles in the front of the armpit with the four fingers dug into the armpit and the thumb pressing into the front of the shoulder. The opponent's arm should bend at the wrist and elbow, and his fingers should curl into a claw. The hold causes great pain, forcing the opponent to submit or lose all control of his arm and hand.
Double hand claw[]
Also known as the vice grip or head vice, the attacker places both hands on the side of the opponent's head and squeezes.
Jawline claw[]
Also known as the Callous Clutch, it is a variation of the clawhold targeting the jaw rather than the head.
Stomach Claw[]
Just like the original clawhold, the attacker applies a painful nerve hold to the opponent's stomach, forcing them to submit or pass out. If held for a certain peroid of time the opponent may cough up blood.
Crossface[]
From behind the opponent the wrestler locks his hands together and pulls back on the face of the opponent, pulling the neck of the opponent backwards. The move requires some leverage to be applied, and as such it cannot be applied on a freely standing opponent.
Armlock crossface[]
The most common variant sees a wrestler lock one arm of a fallen opponent (who is belly down on the mat with the wrestler on top and to the side) and placing it between their legs before locking their hands around the opponent's chin or face and pulling back to stretch the opponent's neck and shoulder. This variation is commonly known as the Crippler Crossface.
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 hands around the opponent's chin (or lower face), then pulls back to stretching the opponent's neck and shoulder. This move is also known as the Border City Stretch. Can also be done from behind a seated opponent, with one of the wrestler's legs hooking the opponent's free arm. This variation is also known as El Amarre.
Grounded crossface[]
A variation where the wrestler just lies on his side on the back of the opponent while applying the crossface. Also known as Just Facelock.
Legscissors crossface[]
The wrestler applies a #crucifix hold on his opponent, but wrapping the leg nearest to the opponent's head over the face rather than scissoring the far arm. From there, the wrestler reaches forwards and locks his opponent in a crossface. Also known as a Spider Twist.
Rope stretch crossface[]
Similar to a tarantula, the wrestler reaches forwards and applies a crossface on his opponent rather than grabbing the legs.
Entanglement submission hold[]
The attacker approaches a prone opponent, lying back-first on the mat. He folds the opponent's left arm into their crotch, their left leg over their left arm, their right arm over their left leg (with the wrist and the ankle in alignment), and the right leg over the right arm and left leg at the point where the ankle and wrist are placed together. From here, the attacker rolls the opponent face-first onto the mat, with their legs and arms tied together, sandwiched between the mat and their own body weight. From this point, the attacker may choose to apply pressure by sitting atop the opponent and cranking back on the right leg. This move is commonly known as either the Paradise Lock or La Nieblina in lucha libre.
While it is employed as a means to gain a victory via tapout, others utilize the hold simply to trap the opponent in a ball and keep them from maneuvering, allowing the man on the offensive to either recapture his breath or pour on a more sinister offensive maneuver.
Headlock[]
Also called a Side headlock, a wrestler who is facing away from an opponent would wrap his arm around their neck. This is also called a reverse chancery.
Though this is an often-used rest hold, it is also sometimes the beginning of a standard bulldog move.
Front headlock[]
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.
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.
Ring rope inverted facelock[]
The 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.
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 an Eastern Stretch.
Teioh Lock[]
From a front facelock in a sprawl position, the attacker grabs the opponent's wrist with his free arm and steps over his foe, folding his opponent over onto himself. Alternatively, you can reach down and grab a seating opponent in a front facelock and squat down fron there or swing about back and forth.
Three-quarters face lock[]
The wrestler stands in front of the opponent with both persons facing the same direction. The wrestler then 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 move is also referred to as the European Headlock, due to its prominence in European wrestling. The two-handed variation on this maneuver is called the Cravate.
Leg locks[]
For a complete collection of leglocks, kneelocks, ankle locks, figure fours and even a few back submissions such as Cloverleaf techniques and Sharpshooters; see leglocks.
Neck compressions[]
DoR 2 Anaconda Vice
Anaconda Vice + counters
Often seen in MMA, neck compression maneuvers seek to drive an opponents chin as far into the chest as possible, or to cause bending or twisting of the neck. Seldom seen as submission of their own in pro-wrestling, they are usually compled with other techniques. They are also known as neck submission techniques.
Anaconda vice[]
A BJJ & Judo compression choke, the anaconda vice (also spelled vise) is done from a position in which the attacker and the victim are seated on the mat facing each other. The wrestler sits on one side of the opponent and uses his near arm to encircle the victim in a scarf hold position and grabs the opponent's near wrist, bending the arm upwards (a top wristlock). Then, the wrestler maneuvers his or her other arm through the "hole" created by the opponent's bent wrist, locks his or her hand upon his or her own wrist, and then pulls the opponent forward, causing pressure on the opponent's arm and neck.
Anaconda Cross[]
In this variation, the opponent's other arm is also trapped as it is wrapped over the opponent's chest and pinned under the wrestler's arms.
Full nelson[]
From behind the 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).
Sugar Hold[]
An old catch wrestling move where you put someone in a full nelson while sitting on their lower back or apply the full nelson, muscle them down to their knees and then walk forward until you are sitting on their back.
Half nelson[]
The wrestler stands behind their opponent and 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.
Three-quarter Nelson[]
A wrestler stands behind their opponent and places one of the opponent's arms in a half nelson and then places the opponent's other arm in either a hammerlock or chickenwing.
Koji Clutch[]
The opponent lays face down on the mat. The wrestler lies face up and slightly alongside 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 own leg and the other under. The wrestler then pulls backwards with his arms and pushes forward with his leg, causing pressure. The name comes from the man who innovated the move, Koji Kanemoto. This move is commonly transitioned from the Reverse STO.
Neck twist[]
The victim is sitting, with the wrestler standing behind them. The wrestler pushes down on one side of the victim's head while pulling on the victim's head up by their jaw.
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.
Deathlock Octopus[]
The opponent is on his back and the wrestler bends one of their legs over the knee of the other (akin to a figure four leglock). Instead of passing a leg through the hole of the "4", the wrestler will step over the bent ankle with his opposite leg (if right leg is bent, he'll step over with his left leg), holding the opponent's legs in place by turning 360 degrees over the leg, twisting it inwards while kneeling down, trapping the opponent's leg inside his knee. From that position, the wrestler will drape his free leg over the neck of his opponent and lock the arm nearest to him.
Grounded Octopus hold[]
The wrestler and the opponent are side by side on the mat on their backs, near legs tangled together. The wrestler reaches their far leg across the their body and locks it behind the victim's neck, forcing the victim's head into their chest. The wrestler then grabs the victim's near arm and applies pressure to it. This hold is often set up with a side Russian leg sweep.
Sol Naciente[]
The opponent is on his back with the attacker standing near their head, reaching down and crossing their arms before them. The attacker then steps over the arm that's crossing the other and bringing both of his feet on the same side of his opponent (opposite that of the arm that he stepped over), the wrestler performs a forward roll before scissoring his foe's neck with both feet.
Sol Naciente Kai[]
As the Sol Naciente, but instead of scissoring the neck, the free leg hooks the opponent's near leg behind the knee.
Strangle Hold Alpha[]
Essentially a reverse crucifix armbar with neck submission. The opponent is on his stomach with the attacker to his side, grabbing the near arm and pulling the opponent on his side before stepping over his head with the same leg (if the attacker grabbed the right arm, he'll step over with the right leg). Using that leg as leverage, he'll push the opponent's head downwards and drop to his side so that the opponent must support his own body weight on his squeezed neck. The attacker then uses his free leg to complete the reverse crucifix armbar, trying to hyperextend the elbow.
Strangle Hold Beta[]
Essentially a scissored armbar with neck submission. The opponent is on his stomach while the attacker reaches under one of the opponent's arms, locking his hands together. The attacker then drops to the side opposite that of the arm that they grabbed (if he grabbed the right arm, he will fall on his left side). The opponent will thus be on their back, with one of the attacker's legs under the victim's upper back and hooking their free arm. The attacker throws their other leg over the opponent's trapped arm and then behind the opponent's neck, pushing it forward. The attacker can now roll towards his back, creating more pressure on the neck while hyperextending the opponent's arm across his own chest.
Strangle Hold Gamma[]
Essentially a step-over armbar with neck submission. The opponent is on his back, wrestler standing to his side and reaching down to grab the opponent's far arm, pulling up. Wrapping his same leg (if he grabbed the left arm, he will use his left leg) around the back of the opponent's neck (against the back of his knee) and bracing his foot against the front of the other shoulder, he steps over his opponent with his other leg, squatting down.
Chikara Special[]
Essentially a Strangle Hold Gamma but without the stepover portion, but grabbing the opponent's opposite leg to the arm grabbed so as to lock the submission. Known in Lucha Libre as La Cerebrina (although they might push the arm to the mat rather than bar it).
Nerve holds[]
Mandible Claw[]
The wrestler darts their middle and ring fingers into the soft tissue under the opponent's tongue with their thumb under the chin, squeezing the mandible between them. The move is said to attack a nerve cluster, which both causes intense pain and causes the opponent to reflexively gag until they pass out.
Trapezius Claw[]
Also known as a shoulder claw, the wrestler applies a nerve hold onto the opponent's shoulder using his hands and fingers for a submission attempt. Can be done with both hands on one shoulder or applying a clawhold to both shoulders simultaneously.
Tongan Death grip[]
The wrestler darts his/her hand under an opponent's chin and grabs a hold of a pressure point above the throat, squeezing the nerve. This cuts off the air supply and the opponent fades out, yet this is not considered an air choke as it is not squeezing the windpipe. This hold is unique in that it can be used as a sleeper like submission or, should the "unconscious" opponent end up lying on his back, a pinfall.
Shoulder Tearer[]
The opponent is face down, the wrestler stands near their head and braces the opponent's spine along his shin. The wrestler then reaches down and grabs both wrists, pulling up, hyperrotating both shoulders.
The following holds refer to techniques meant to hyperrotate the shoulders through pulling of the arms beyond their stretching point.
Mexican Stretch[]
The wrestler grabs his standing opponent in a double underhook, their head tucked underneath an armpit. The wrestler then reaches across his opponent's hips with his same leg (if the opponent's head is tucked underneath the right armpit, he will use his right leg) so as to trap their opponent's same leg and prevent their escape. The wrestler then wrenches up and backwards with the applied double underhook.
Suspended Mexican Stretch[]
The wrestler locks his opponent in a double underhook and proceeds to do a front body scissors on him, using his own body weight to pull at the arms. This move is also known as the Scar.
Palo Special[]
From behind, the wrestler jumps and wraps his legs around the opponent's waist, bracing himself against their thighs/knees and grabs both arms, pulling up. A move popularized by Spooky Doom in e-wrestling.
OLAP stretch[]
Basically a Palo Special done facing the other way, it can be set up by jumping over a doubled over opponent and wrapping the legs around the waist, bracing the shins against the opponent's thighs. The wrestler then grabs the opponent's wrists (often hitting the kidneys to bring the arms up) and reaches back, bringing both of his arms together. The move is actually closer to a surfboard stretch in execution (due to the fact that it aims to compress the shoulder blades together) rather than a shoulder tearer (as you can't "pull" the arms high enough in this version of the move).
Step-over Shoulder Tearer[]
The opponent is seated with the attacker standing before him. The attacker steps over his opponent, straddling his opponent's neck as he reaches down and grabs both of his opponent's wrists, pulling up.
Sleeper Hold[]
The following holds depend upon applying pressure unto the carotid artery and restrict the blood flow to the head. They result in drowsiness and can often cause an opponent to pass out due to a syncope. A referee will typically raise a passed out contender's hand to see if he can keep it up under his own power; after the referee has checked for the third time and found no will to fight, he will immedietly stop the match and award victory to the wrestler still standing. These moves are also known as blood chokes, although they are not illegal in nature.
The basic sleeper hold is done with the wrestler standing behind his opponent. The wrestler then wraps his 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. Additional pressure can be applied by using the other arm to press against the back of the neck.
Arm hook sleeper[]
The wrestler is kneeling behind a seated opponent, grabing hold of one of the opponent's arms and bends it backwards overhead, locking its wrist into his armpit. The wrestler then wraps his free arm under the opponent's chin, as in a dragon sleeper and puts his other arm through the arch created by the opponent's trapped arm before locking his hands. He then squeezes the opponent's neck, causing pressure. Also known as the Buffalo Sleeper.
Arm triangle choke[]
The wrestler wraps his arms around the head and one arm of the opponent and squeezes, cutting off blood circulation around the neck.
Cobra clutch[]
Also known as a cross-arm lock, a cross-arm choke or even the "Million Dollar Dream"; 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 opponents arm (the same side arm as the one the wrestler is applying the half nelson) and pulls it across the face of the opponent and locks their hand to the wrist behind the neck.
Bridging cobra clutch[]
With the opponent lying face down, the wrestler sits beside the opponent, locks on the cobra clutch and then arches his legs and back, bending the opponent's torso and neck upwards. Also known as the Cobra Stretch.
Dragon sleeper[]
The wrestler stands behind the opponent who is either sitting or lying 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. If the opponent is sitting, the wrestler can place their knee under the opponent's back, adding more pressure. For a variation, see the dragon clutch
Figure four necklock[]
Also known as the figure four sleeper. 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.
Hanging figure four necklock[]
The wrestler stands on top of the turnbuckle, wraps his 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 due to rope break.
Front sleeper[]
The wrestler places the opponent in a front headlock and rolls backwards, pulling the opponent over him and onto their back, with the wrestler ending up lying on the opponent. The wrestler then squeezes the opponent's torso with his legs, similar to a body scissors and arches his spinal cavity backwards, pulling the opponent's medulla oblongata forward, and thus applying pressure on the neck and facial region. This is also known as a Guillotine Choke.
Thumb choke hold[]
The wrestler stands behind a sitting opponent and reaches around the opponent's neck with one arm. The wrestler then thrusts his thumb from his free hand directly into the side of the neck, where the carotid artery is supposed to be. Often known as the Asiatic Spike.
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 leglock and squeezes. A variant is done with the wrestler on his back, facing his opponent and wrapping his legs around the opponent's neck while grabbing the arm.
STF[]
Short for Stepover Toehold Facelock. The opponent is on his back, the wrestler grabs one of their legs and puts his foot to one side of their hips, bending the leg so that their shin lies across the wrestler's thigh. The wrestler then turns his opponent over onto their stomach and scissors the opponent's leg. The wrestler finally reaches forward and applies a crossface. This move can also start with the opponent on the stomach, the important part is that one of the opponent's legs be scissored as the wrestler applies the facelock. Multiple variations exists where the facelock is replaced by other head submissions.
Cross-legged STF[]
The opponent is on his stomach as the wrestler crosses his opponent's legs, placing one ankle in the other leg's knee-pit and bending the other leg upon itself. The wrestler applies pressure on that other leg, holding it against his knee as he reaches forward and applies the facelock.
Inverted cross-legged STF[]
The wrestler locks his opponent in an inverted Indian deathlock, turning his body to face away from his opponent. The wrestler then bridges backwards and reaches over his head, locking his arms around the opponent's chin. He then pulls up or he can roll over to his stomach, suspending his opponent into the air. Often known as a Muta Lock.
Regal Stretch[]
A variation of the cross-legged STF where the facelock is replaced by a Chickenwing over the shoulder crossface.
Double STF[]
The opponent is on their stomach as the wrestler stands on the back of the victim's knees/thighs and locks the victim's ankles behind their legs. The attacker applies a chinlock and pulls back.
Grapevine STF
Grapevine STF
Grapevine STF[]
The opponent is on his back as the wrestler executes a spinning toe hold on a leg, dropping down and scissoring the opponent's bent leg behind his knee. Stepping over the opponent's far leg with his free leg, he grabs it and performs a forward roll, turning the opponent over on his stomach while folding the straight leg on itself as he turns towards his opponent and applies the face lock.
Surfboard[]
Also known as a surfboard stretch. The opponent is face down with the attacker above him, facing their head. The attacker grabs both arms and stands with his foot in the middle of the opponent's shoulder blades, the attacker then pulls back on his opponent's arms. Alternatively, the attacker can be standing behind his kneeling opponent, still pressing his foot down the middle of the shoulder blades and pulling both arms back (a standing surfboard stretch). There is also a seated variation where the opponent is seated and the attacker presses his knee against their back, shin straight along the spinal cord. In all cases, the same basic principle applies.
Elevated Surfboard[]
The opponent is face down with the attacker placing his feet just above each of the opponent's knees. The attacker then proceeds to bend his opponent's legs up, hooking them around his or her own knees. At this point the wrestler reaches down and grasps both of his opponent's wrists (usually slapping the opponent's kidneys in an attempt to bring the arms in reach), and falls backwards while compressing the opponent's shoulder-blades and lifting him or her off the ground. This can see the wrestler fall to a seated position or go onto his or her own back, lifting the opponent skyward, which will increase pressure on the opponent but put the wrestler in risk of pinning his shoulders to the mat. This last surfboard (where the attacker is lying on his back) is also called La Tapatía or the Romero Special.
There are also variations of this elevated surfboard where instead of grabbing the wrists, the attacker will perform a chinlock or an inverted facelock instead.
Reverse Elevated Surfboard[]
Rarely seen (if ever) outside of lucha libre, the following move is most commonly seen in the early mat based portion of matches, or as a setup to another move. The wrestler is on his back with his opponent on top of him, the wrestler hooking his legs around the opponent's thighs to prevent escape. The wrestler then pushes his opponent by the chest/armpits, trying to stretch their body backwards at the risk of being pinned. Also known as the Angelito.
Leg trap surfboard[]
The opponent is seated with the wrestler behind him. The wrestler grabs both of his opponent's arms and sits down, wrapping his legs over the opponent's legs (as if doing a full nelson with his legs). The wrestler applies pressure with his legs, pressing the opponent's shoulderblades together. This move is also known as the Lotus Hold.
Alejandrina (La)[]
A variation of this move exists in which the wrestler sits over a face down opponent (much as in a camel clutch), grabbing both arms and crossing his legs over them as in a leg hold full Nelson. The wrestler then leans back, grabbing both of his victim's legs and pulling them forward, all while rocking on his back to apply more pressure.
Ring stretch surfboard[]
The opponent is leaning against the ropes, with their backs to them. The wrestler hangs upside down from the other side of the ropes, facing the same direction as his opponent. The wrestlers hooks his legs around his opponent's armpits through the ropes and grabs both of his arms, pulling back and suspending himself on his opponent. This move is also known as the Tarantula.
Often set-up with the wrestler sitting on the turnbuckle facing the ring, leg scissoring a bent over opponent around the waist. The wrestler then turns around and drops, forcing his opponent to turn as well as the wrestler's legs hook themselves underneath the opponent's armpits.
Rocking Chair (The)[]
Known as La Mecedora in Mexico. The opponent is face down on the mat, with the attacker bending both of their legs up and tucking the ankles against his armpits. He then reaches down and grabs both of the opponent's arms before sitting down, "rocking" back and forth and stretching the back.
Suspended Surfboard[]
Known as la Campana in Mexico. The opponent is face down with the attacker standing over them. The attacker tucks the opponent's legs against their waist and grabs both the opponent's arms pulling them up and suspending the victim in the air. An easier way of doing this is from a victory roll, where instead of sitting down for the pin the attack will roll through to his feet, hoping past his opponent's waist (still holding onto their feet) and turning them over. This makes it easier to reach down, grab their arms and lift the opponent up into the suspended surfboard.
Sometimes done facing the turnbuckle, forcing the opponent's head to hit against the bottom turnbuckle with each swing. Can also be done with the opponent facing the opposite direction while being suspended, a Campana Invertida.
References[]
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