Professional wrestling throws are the application of
professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a form of theater that revolves around staged wrestling matches. The mock combat is performed in a ring similar to the kind used in boxing, and the dramatic aspects of pro wrestling may be performed both in the ring or ...
techniques that involve lifting the opponent up and throwing or slamming them down. They are sometimes also called "power" maneuvers, as they are meant to emphasize a wrestler's strength. Many of these moves are used as finishers by various wrestlers, who refer to them by several different names that reflect their gimmick. Moves are listed under general categories whenever possible.
Armbreaker
An armbreaker is any move in which the wrestler slams the opponent's arm against a part of the wrestler's body, usually a knee or shoulder.
Diving armbreaker
A wrestler dives from the ropes and lands on the opponent's arm.
Double knee armbreaker
The wrestler grabs one of the opponent's arms, jumps and connects both their knees against the opponent's stretched arm. As the wrestler falls onto their back they forces the opponent's arm down into both knees, thus damaging it.
Arm drag
A move in which the wrestler uses their opponent's momentum to the opponent's disadvantage. The wrestler hooks the opponent's arm and flips them over on to the mat. The wrestler may roll on to their side to give the move extra momentum.
Japanese arm drag
This move is performed when an opponent runs towards the wrestler facing them. When the opponent is in range, the wrestler hooks the opponent's near arm with both hands and falls backwards forcing the wrestler's own momentum to cause them to flip forwards over the head of the wrestler and on to their back. Despite its name, it actually comes from Mexican '' lucha libre'', not Japanese ''
puroresu
is the predominant style of professional wrestling that has developed in Japan. The term comes from the Japanese pronunciation of , which is shortened to puroresu. The term became popular among English-speaking fans due to Hisaharu Tanabe's ac ...
''.
Over-the-shoulder arm drag
The wrestler grabs their opponent's arm, then turns to face the other direction and pulls the opponent over their shoulder. It is essentially the same as the '' ippon seoi nage'' found in
judo
is an unarmed modern Japanese martial art, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyclopedia Nipponica, "Judo"). ...
.
Tilt-a-whirl arm drag
An arm drag which sees the wrestler being spun in front of the opponent's body in a
tilt-a-whirl
Tilt-A-Whirl is a flat ride similar to the Waltzer in Europe, designed for commercial use at amusement parks, fairs, and carnivals, in which it is commonly found. The rides are manufactured by Larson International of Plainview, Texas.
Des ...
, and then ending it with an arm drag.
Wheelbarrow arm drag
This arm drag sees the wrestler being held in a
wheelbarrow
A wheelbarrow is a small hand-propelled vehicle, usually with just one wheel, designed to be pushed and guided by a single person using two handles at the rear, or by a sail to push the ancient wheelbarrow by wind. The term "wheelbarrow" is ma ...
hold by the opponent, and then going for an over the shoulder arm drag as they free their legs off of the opponent's waist. It was used by
AJ Lee
April Jeanette Mendez (born March 19, 1987) is an American author and retired professional wrestler. She is best known for her time in WWE under the ring name AJ Lee. She is currently an executive producer and color commentator for WOW – Wo ...
as a transition move.
Arm wringer
An arm wringer or spinning wristlock is a move in which the wrestler grabs the opponent's wrist with both hands and twists it over the wrestler's head to spin the arm around, either with enough force to flip the opponent to the mat or just to hyperrotate the joints while standing. When used as a hold, the wrestler often yanks the arm for added effect.
Atomic drop
A move in which the wrestler goes behind an opponent, then puts their head under the opponent's shoulder. They then lift their opponent up, and drops them tailbone-first on the wrestler's knee. Known in Mexico's '' lucha libre'' as ''silla eléctrica'' (Spanish for
electric chair
An electric chair is a device used to execute an individual by electrocution. When used, the condemned person is strapped to a specially built wooden chair and electrocuted through electrodes fastened on the head and leg. This execution method, ...
).
Inverted atomic drop
Periodically called a "Manhattan drop", this is a move in which the wrestler puts their head under the opponent's shoulder and lifts the opponent up and then drops their groin on the wrestler's knee.
Sitout full nelson atomic drop
Better known as a full nelson bomb, this move sees the wrestling apply a
full nelson
A nelson hold is a grappling hold which is executed by one person from behind the opponent, generally when both are on the mat face down with the opponent under the aggressor. One or both arms are used to encircle the opponent's arm under the armpi ...
hold to the opponent from behind. The wrestler then lifts the opponent into the air and falls into a seated position, driving the opponent tailbone-first on to the mat. This move is used by
Bubba Ray Dudley
Mark LoMonaco (born July 14, 1971) is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and Impact Wrestling under the ring name Bully Ray. He was previously known as one-half of The Dudley Boyz tag te ...
, who dubbed it the ''Bubba Bomb/Bully Bomb''.
Backbreaker
A backbreaker refers to professional wrestling moves in which a wrestler drops an opponent so that the opponent's back impacts or is bent backwards against a part of the wrestler's body, usually the knee.
Back body drop
A back body drop or backdrop (also sometimes called a shoulder back toss), is a move in which a wrestler bends forward or crouches in front of their opponent, grabs hold of the opponent, and stands up, lifting the opponent up and over and dropping them behind the back. It is applied frequently against a charging opponent. In Japan, a backdrop is the term for what is called a
belly-to-back suplex
A suplex is an offensive move used in sport wrestling as well as amateur wrestling and professional wrestling. It is a throw that involves lifting the opponents and bridging or rolling to slam them on their backs.
Professional wrestling featur ...
in America, so in Japan, it is called shoulder throw.
Mountain bomb
Innovated by
Hiroyoshi Tenzan
is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and is better known by his ring name . With Satoshi Kojima, in 2008, they won the World's Strongest Tag Determination League in All Japan Pro Wrestling and the ...
. This move sees the opponent runs towards the wrestler. The wrestler ducks, hooks one of the opponent's legs with one of their arms, stands up and falls backwards, flipping the opponent and driving them back first down to the mat, with the wrestler landing on top of the opponent.
Biel throw
The wrestler stands slightly to the side of their opponent, grabs the opponent by the
nape
The nape is the back of the neck. In technical anatomical/medical terminology, the nape is also called the nucha (from the Medieval Latin rendering of the Arabic , "spinal marrow"). The corresponding adjective is ''nuchal'', as in the term ''nu ...
in a single or double collar tie, and throws them forward, causing the opponent to flip over onto their back. It is considered a very basic technique, so basic that a forward rolling fall is commonly called a biel bump and is mainly used by very large wrestlers to emphasize power and strength over finesse.
Brainbuster
A brainbuster is a move in which a wrestler puts their opponent in a
front facelock
Professional wrestling holds include a number of set moves and pins used by performers to immobilize their opponents or lead to a Submission wrestling, submission. This article covers the various pins, stretches and transition holds used in the ri ...
, hooks their tights, and lifts them up as if they were performing a
vertical suplex
A suplex is an offensive move used in sport wrestling as well as amateur wrestling and professional wrestling. It is a throw that involves lifting the opponents and bridging or rolling to slam them on their backs.
Professional wrestling featu ...
. The wrestler then jumps up and falls onto their back so that the opponent lands on their head while remaining vertical.
Bulldog
A bulldog, originally known as bulldogging or a bulldogging headlock or the headlock jawbreaker, is any move in which the wrestler grabs an opponent's head and jumps forward, so that the wrestler lands, often in a sitting position, and drives the opponent's face into the mat. This move plus some other variations are sometimes referred to as
facebuster
A facebuster, also known as a faceplant, is generally a takedown move in professional wrestling in which an attacking wrestler forces their opponent down to the mat face-first without involving a headlock or facelock. A standard facebuster, als ...
s.
Cobra clutch bulldog
The wrestler applies a cobra clutch and then leaps forward, falling into a sitting position and driving the face of the opponent into the ground.
Diving bulldog
The wrestler jumps from the turnbuckle behind the opponent, then applies a headlock, driving the opponent's face into the mat. Popularized by
Rick Steiner
Robert Rechsteiner (born March 9, 1961) is an American real estate broker and retired professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Rick Steiner.
Steiner is best known for his tenure with World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he was ...
. It is also used by
Trevor Murdoch
William Theodore Mueller (born September 10, 1980) is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Trevor Murdoch. He is currently signed to the National Wrestling Alliance where he is a former two-time NWA Worlds Heavyweight ...
as a finisher.
Diving leg drop bulldog
Also known as a ''diving Famouser''. The wrestler
springboards
A springboard or diving board is used for diving and is a board that is itself a spring, i.e. a linear flex-spring, of the cantilever type.
Springboards are commonly fixed by a hinge at one end (so they can be flipped up when not in use), an ...
Billy Gunn
Monty Kip Sopp (born November 1, 1963), better known by his ring name Billy Gunn, although he is currently finding renewed popularity under the ring name Daddy Ass, is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to All Elite Wres ...
as one of his signature moves.
Fireman's carry bulldog
The attacking wrestler picks up the opponent in a
fireman's carry
A firefighter's carry or firefighter's lift is a technique allowing one person to carry another person without assistance, by placing the carried person across the shoulders of the carrier.
. The wrestler then proceeds by holding their opponent's legs with one arm and applying a headlock with their other arm in a similar fashion to an air raid crash. From here, the attacking wrestler twists the opposite way and quickly switches back, throwing the opponent's legs out backwards and drops down to the mat while holding the opponent's head, forcing them to fall face first into a bulldog position. This move is used by TNA wrestler James Storm, who dubbed it the ''eight second ride''.
Full nelson bulldog
Begins with the wrestler holding the opponent in a
full nelson
A nelson hold is a grappling hold which is executed by one person from behind the opponent, generally when both are on the mat face down with the opponent under the aggressor. One or both arms are used to encircle the opponent's arm under the armpi ...
. The wrestler then falls forward onto their back or into a sitting position, driving the opponent face-first. The move was popularized by
Jillian Hall
Jillian Faye Hall ( Fletcher; September 6, 1980) is an American professional wrestler. She is best known for her time in WWE.
After debuting in 1998, Hall worked on the independent circuit under the name Macaela Mercedes. She won numerous champ ...
.
Half nelson bulldog
The wrestler hooks a half nelson hold on their opponent with one arm and their opponent's waist with the other, then leaps forward into a sitting position, driving the face of the opponent into the ground. This move is a signature of
Edge
Edge or EDGE may refer to:
Technology Computing
* Edge computing, a network load-balancing system
* Edge device, an entry point to a computer network
* Adobe Edge, a graphical development application
* Microsoft Edge, a web browser developed ...
who calls it ''Winning Edge''.
Inverted bulldog
The attacking wrestler stands side-to-side and slightly behind the opponent, facing in the opposite direction, then leaps in the air and drops to a seated position, driving the opponent neck- and back-first to the mat. In another variation, the attacker runs to the opponent and executes the move. This is usually referred to as a lariat takedown.
Knee drop bulldog
A version that involves the wrestler placing one knee against the base of a bent over opponent's neck, then dropping to force the opponent down to the mat, landing on the opponent's upper body. There is also a diving version.
Leg drop bulldog
The wrestler jumps in the air and uses one leg to push down on the head of an opponent who is leaning forward, which drives the opponent face-first into the mat. The move was innovated by
Johnny Ace
John Marshall Alexander Jr. (June 9, 1929 – December 25, 1954), known by the stage name Johnny Ace, was an American rhythm-and-blues singer. He had a string of hit singles in the mid 1950s. Alexander died of an accidental self-inflicted guns ...
, calling it the ''Ace Crusher II'' and later popularized by
Billy Gunn
Monty Kip Sopp (born November 1, 1963), better known by his ring name Billy Gunn, although he is currently finding renewed popularity under the ring name Daddy Ass, is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to All Elite Wres ...
, who called it the ''Famouser'' (which was also used by
Dolph Ziggler
Nicholas Theodore Nemeth (born July 27, 1980) is an American professional wrestler and stand-up comedian. He is currently signed to WWE under the ring name Dolph Ziggler, where he performs on the Raw brand.
After a prolific career in amateur ...
) or ''Fame-Ass-Er'', the latter name used when he wrestled as "Mr. Ass."
Marty Jannetty
Fredrick Martin Jannetty (born February 3, 1960) is an American professional wrestler who has worked for promotions including the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (WWF/E), the American Wrestling Association (AWA), World Championship Wres ...
performed a version of the move where he applied a wristlock to the opponent first, which became known as the ''Rocker Dropper''.
Kelly Kelly
Barbara Blank Coba (born Barbara Jean Blank; January 15, 1987), known professionally as Barbie Blank and by her ring name Kelly Kelly, is an American professional wrestler and model.
Blank has a background in gymnastics and cheerleading, a ...
later adopted the same variation as her finishing maneuver, calling it ''K2''.
Inverted leg drop bulldog
An inverted version of this sees the attacking wrestler drop the opponent on the back of their head, as done in a reverse bulldog. This can be achieved by first holding an opponent in an inverted facelock or by simply grabbing the opponent and forcibly leaning them back before lifting their far (or sometimes inside) leg, rotating so the leg is over the opponent's head, and dropping to a sitting position, kneeling, or a split-legged position and maintained into a pin. WWE wrestler Melina popularized this move.
One-handed bulldog
The one-handed bulldog is in fact more of a
facebuster
A facebuster, also known as a faceplant, is generally a takedown move in professional wrestling in which an attacking wrestler forces their opponent down to the mat face-first without involving a headlock or facelock. A standard facebuster, als ...
than an actual
bulldog
The Bulldog is a British breed of dog of mastiff type. It may also be known as the English Bulldog or British Bulldog. It is of medium size, a muscular, hefty dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose.Kenny Omega
Tyson Smith (born October 16, 1983), better known by the ring name Kenny Omega, is a Canadian-born professional wrestler. Omega is an executive vice president of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), in which he also performs. Omega is a former one-ti ...
has used a variation, called the ''Kotaro Krusher,'' where he performed a jump from the canvas to 6 feet before hitting the bulldog.
Reverse bulldog
Standing next to or diagonally behind an opponent, the attacking wrestler leaps up, grabs the opponent's head and pulls backwards, resulting in both individuals landing
supine
In grammar, a supine is a form of verbal noun used in some languages. The term is most often used for Latin, where it is one of the four principal parts of a verb. The word refers to a position of lying on one's back (as opposed to ' prone', l ...
. WWE wrestler
Dolph Ziggler
Nicholas Theodore Nemeth (born July 27, 1980) is an American professional wrestler and stand-up comedian. He is currently signed to WWE under the ring name Dolph Ziggler, where he performs on the Raw brand.
After a prolific career in amateur ...
uses this move, which he calls the ''Zig Zag''.
Slingshot bulldog
Similar to a hangman, where the wrestler catches the opponent in a side headlock, running towards any set of ropes. The wrestler then jumps over them and bulldogs the opponent, driving the chin/face of the opponent into the top rope. The wrestler would eventually either land standing or seated on the apron or the outside of the ring.
The same maneuver can be used on a cornered opponent (who is facing away from the ring) to drive their face into the top turnbuckle.
Spinning bulldog
The wrestler stands to the side of the opponent and applies a side headlock. The wrestler then spins around in a circle and drops into a seated position, driving the opponent face-first into the mat.
Springboard bulldog
The wrestler applies a headlock on the opponent, then runs towards the ropes and bounces off, driving the opponent face-first into mat as they land. WWE Hall of Fame member
Trish Stratus
Patricia Anne Stratigeas (; born December 18, 1975) better known by the ring name Trish Stratus is a Canadian professional wrestler, actress and yoga instructor. She is currently signed to WWE. Often regarded as one of the greatest Women's Pe ...
popularized this move and is known as ''Stratusfaction'' and by
Bo Dallas
Taylor Michael Rotunda (born May 25, 1990) is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure in WWE, where he performed under the ring name Bo Dallas. Rotunda is a third-generation professional wrestler; his grandfather Bla ...
as the ''Bo-Dog''.
Two-handed bulldog
The wrestler places both hands behind the opponent's head, then falls into a seated position, slamming the opponent's face into the canvas. Another variation sees the wrestler placing one hand behind the opponent's head and the other behind the back, then falling backwards into a bulldog. WWE Hall of Fame member
Mick Foley
Michael Francis Foley (born June 7, 1965) is an American actor, author, retired professional wrestler, and color commentator. He is currently signed to WWE under the company's Legends program, acting as a company ambassador.
Foley worked for m ...
used this move as his signature move.
Wheelbarrow bulldog
This bulldog sees the opponent clutching the wrestler in a wheelbarrow bodyscissors. The wrestler then falls downwards while still scissoring their legs around the opponent's waist, and pushes by hitting their palms against the canvas. As they gets rebounded back to the opponent, the attacker releases their legs, quickly places their hand behind the opponent's head, and goes for a bulldog. The bulldog is usually one-handed rather than a headlock bulldog.
Catapult
A catapult or slingshot catapult is a throw that typically starts with the opponent on their back, and the wrestler standing and facing them. The wrestler hooks each of the opponent's legs in one of their arms, then falls backwards to slingshot the opponent into a turnbuckle, ladder, rope, mat, etc. This can also be held for a
backbreaker
Backbreaker refers to a kind of professional wrestling move which sees a wrestler dropping an opponent so that the opponent's back impacts or is bent backwards against a part of the wrestler's body, usually the knee. The standard version of the ...
.
Chokeslam
A chokeslam is any body slam in which the wrestler grasps their opponent's neck, lifts them up, and slams them to the mat, causing them to land on their back. The move is used by numerous wrestlers, often larger ones who portray "monster" characters.
Armpit slam
This move is performed in the same style as a
chokeslam
A chokeslam is a type of body slam in professional wrestling, in which a wrestler grasps an opponent's neck, lifts them up, and slams them to the mat. It is common in televised wrestling because it is simple and relatively safe, yet looks power ...
, but instead the wrestler grabs the opponent by their armpit and slams them to the mat, causing them to land on their back. Two examples of this move are the "Rock Bottom" as performed by The Rock and the "Book End" by Booker-T.
Iron claw slam
This move is performed in the same style as a
chokeslam
A chokeslam is a type of body slam in professional wrestling, in which a wrestler grasps an opponent's neck, lifts them up, and slams them to the mat. It is common in televised wrestling because it is simple and relatively safe, yet looks power ...
, but instead the wrestler grabs the opponent with a clawhold. Rowan uses this move as a finisher and Lars Sullivan uses it as a signature.
Cobra clutch slam
In this slam a wrestler places the opponent in a cobra clutch and then lifts the opponent into the air by their neck before jumping backwards, falling face down or into a sitting position, driving the opponent back first down to the mat. This move was used by “The One” Billy Gunn and nicknamed “The One and Only” and later popularized by
Ted DiBiase Jr.
Theodore Marvin DiBiase Jr. (born November 8, 1982) is an American former professional wrestler, best known for his time with WWE as an original member of the stable The Legacy, and for his repackaged gimmick of "The DiBiase Posse", where he th ...
, who named it the ''Dream Street''.
Jinder Mahal
Yuvraj Singh Dhesi (born July 19, 1986) is a Canadian professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand, under the ring name Jinder Mahal.
Having started his career on the independent circuit, Mahal joine ...
uses this move calling it the ''Khallas''.
DDT
The DDT is a move innovated by
Jake "The Snake" Roberts
Aurelian Smith Jr. (born May 30, 1955), better known by the ring name Jake "The Snake" Roberts, is an American professional wrestler and actor currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) where he performs as manager to Lance Archer. He is be ...
, performed by putting the opponent's head underneath the attacker's arm in a
front facelock
Professional wrestling holds include a number of set moves and pins used by performers to immobilize their opponents or lead to a Submission wrestling, submission. This article covers the various pins, stretches and transition holds used in the ri ...
and then falling back, driving the opponent's head into the mat.
Driver
A driver is a move in which the wrestler clutches the opponent's body in some form before falling into a sitout position while dropping the opponent on their back, neck, and/or shoulders.
Black fire driver
Used as a finisher by
Rey Fenix Rey may refer to:
*Rey (given name), a given name
*Rey (surname), a surname
* Rey (''Star Wars''), a character in the ''Star Wars'' films
* Rey, Iran, a city in Iran
* Ray County, in Tehran Province of Iran
* ''Rey'' (film), a 2015 Indian film
*The ...
, this move starts with the wrestler having their opponent up on their shoulders as if they are going to perform a
muscle buster
Professional wrestling throws are the application of professional wrestling techniques that involve lifting the opponent up and throwing or slamming them down. They are sometimes also called "power" maneuvers, as they are meant to emphasize a wrest ...
The wrestler stands behind an opponent and applies a cobra clutch on their opponent, placing one of their hands against the opponent's neck after hooking the opponent's arm with it. They then scoop the opponent's near leg with their other arm and lift the opponent up, flip the opponent upside down, and then either kneel or sit down, driving the opponent down to the mat on their neck. Another variation has the attacking wrestler apply a
pumphandle
Professional wrestling throws are the application of professional wrestling techniques that involve lifting the opponent up and throwing or slamming them down. They are sometimes also called "power" maneuvers, as they are meant to emphasize a wrest ...
prior to executing this technique and is used by wrestlers like
Jinder Mahal
Yuvraj Singh Dhesi (born July 19, 1986) is a Canadian professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand, under the ring name Jinder Mahal.
Having started his career on the independent circuit, Mahal joine ...
.
Electric chair driver
Also known as a ''joker driver'', In this variation of a driver, the wrestler lifts the opponent on their shoulders in an
electric chair
An electric chair is a device used to execute an individual by electrocution. When used, the condemned person is strapped to a specially built wooden chair and electrocuted through electrodes fastened on the head and leg. This execution method, ...
sitting position and then takes hold of the opponent and pulls them over their shoulder and down to the mat while falling to a sit out position so that the opponent lands on their upper back and neck between the legs of the wrestler, facing towards them, usually resulting in a pin. A one-handed variation is used by
Kenny Omega
Tyson Smith (born October 16, 1983), better known by the ring name Kenny Omega, is a Canadian-born professional wrestler. Omega is an executive vice president of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), in which he also performs. Omega is a former one-ti ...
, known as the ''one-winged angel''. Chris Hero has also used this move as well, calling it the ''Rubik's Cube''.
Fisherman driver
This move was innovated by
Shiro Koshinaka
is a Japanese professional wrestler who has competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Wrestle Association "R" (WAR) during the 1980s and 1990s. He was also the first IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
Career ...
and it was called a ''samurai driver '94'' as a finisher. The wrestler places the opponent in a
front facelock
Professional wrestling holds include a number of set moves and pins used by performers to immobilize their opponents or lead to a Submission wrestling, submission. This article covers the various pins, stretches and transition holds used in the ri ...
and hooks one of the opponent's legs with their free arm. The wrestler then lifts the opponent upside down or on to their shoulders, and then sits down, driving the opponent between their legs, head and shoulder first. A wrist-clutch variation of this driver exists which sees the wrestler lift the opponent on to their shoulders, and while the opponent is on their shoulders, he/she uses the hand hooking the opponent's leg to reach upwards and clutch the wrist of the arm opposite the hooked leg. While maintaining the wrist-clutch, they then perform the driver. There is a further variation that does not include the shoulder lift that sees the wrestler hook the leg and wrist while the opponent is standing in front of him/her, lift the opponent upside down and then fall to the sitout position. This move was made popular by wrestler
Low Ki
Brandon Silvestry (born September 6, 1979) is an American professional wrestler of Italian and Puerto Rican descent, better known by his ring name Low Ki. He is known for his time with Impact Wrestling, Ring of Honor and Major League Wrestli ...
who calls it the "Ki Krusher". A cross legged version is used by CIMA, who calls it the "perfect driver".
Wrist-clutch fisherman driver
This variation involves grabbing and pulling by the opponent's wrist, then lifting them up into the air, before falling to their back, driving the opponent to the ground on the back of their head/neck. This was popularized by
Shingo Takagi
, known by his ring name Shingo Takagi (鷹木信悟, ''Takagi Shingo''), is a Japanese professional wrestler and former bodybuilder, currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is the provisional KOPW 2022 champion in his first ...
as ''the last falconry'', now used as ''the last of the dragon''.
Half nelson driver
This was invented by
Kensuke Sasaki
is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, and founder of the now-defunct wrestling promotion Diamond Ring.
Sasaki is the first of four men ever to hold all three of '' puroresus major heavyweight titles (the IWGP Heav ...
. The wrestler stands behind an opponent and applies a half nelson hold on their opponent, placing one of their hands against the opponent's neck after hooking the opponent's arm with it. They then scoop the opponent's near leg with their other arm and lift the opponent up, flip the opponent upside down, and then either kneel or sit down, driving the opponent down to the mat on their neck. Another variation has the attacking wrestler apply a
pumphandle
Professional wrestling throws are the application of professional wrestling techniques that involve lifting the opponent up and throwing or slamming them down. They are sometimes also called "power" maneuvers, as they are meant to emphasize a wrest ...
prior to executing this technique. This variation has been used by
Jordynne Grace
Patricia Forrest Parker (born March 5, 1996) is an American professional wrestler and powerlifter currently signed to Impact Wrestling, where she performs under the ring name Jordynne Grace. She is currently the Impact Knockouts World Champio ...
Yoshi-Hashi
is a Japanese professional wrestler. He currently works for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) as Yoshi-Hashi (stylized in all capital letters), where he is a former IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion alongside Hirooki Goto. As well as a former ...
(''karma)'',
Shingo Takagi
, known by his ring name Shingo Takagi (鷹木信悟, ''Takagi Shingo''), is a Japanese professional wrestler and former bodybuilder, currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is the provisional KOPW 2022 champion in his first ...
(''made in Japan'') and several other wrestlers.
Michinoku driver II
Innovated by
Taka Michinoku
(born October 26, 1973), better known by his ring name (with his first name usually stylized in all capital letters), is a Japanese professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist. Michinoku is known in North America for his work for t ...
, and technically known as a sitout scoop slam piledriver. Facing their opponent, the wrestler reaches between their opponent's legs with their right arm and reaches around the opponent's neck from the same side with their left arm. They then lift the opponent up and turn them around so that they are held upside down, as in a scoop slam, before dropping down into a sitout position, driving the opponent down to the mat neck and shoulder first. Many people call it the Michinoku Driver because it is used more often than the original Michinoku Driver.
Michinoku driver II-B
A variation of the Michinoku Driver II in which the wrestler stands behind the opponent, applies an inverted facelock, lifts them upside down, and then drops down to a sitting position, driving the opponent down to the mat between the wrestler's legs upper back first. The move was also used by
Vampiro
Ian Richard Hodgkinson (born May 31, 1967), better known by his ring name Vampiro, is a Canadian semi-retired professional wrestler who most recently served as director of talent for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA). He also worked for Lucha Und ...
with the name ''nail in the coffin''.
Samoan driver
The attacking wrestler drapes an opponent over their shoulders in a
fireman's carry
A firefighter's carry or firefighter's lift is a technique allowing one person to carry another person without assistance, by placing the carried person across the shoulders of the carrier.
position and then takes hold of the opponent and pulls them over their shoulder and down to the mat while falling to a sitting position so that the opponent lands on their upper back and neck between the legs of the wrestler, facing towards them. A cross-legged and wrist-clutch version of this move also exists. It is used as finishing moves by wrestlers such as Chris Sabin (''cradle shock''),
Santos Escobar
Jorge Luis Alcantar Bolly (born April 30, 1984), is a Mexican second-generation '' luchador'' (professional wrestler). He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Santos Escobar.
Before his WWE c ...
(''phantom driver)'' and Susie (''panic switch''). Former WWE diva
Ivory
Ivory is a hard, white material from the tusks (traditionally from elephants) and teeth of animals, that consists mainly of dentine, one of the physical structures of teeth and tusks. The chemical structure of the teeth and tusks of mammals i ...
and current WWE superstar
Dana Brooke
Ashley Mae Sebera (born November 29, 1988) is an American professional wrestler, bodybuilder, gymnast, fitness competitor, and model. She is signed to WWE, where she performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Dana Brooke and is a fifteen-ti ...
use this as a signature move and finisher move respectively. Shinsuke Nakamura formally used the move as a finisher as ''Landslide'', only to later change his finisher to ''Bomaye/Kinsasha'', although he would still use the move as a signature.
Wheelbarrow driver
Similar to the wheelbarrow facebuster but instead of dropping their opponent face first, they drop their opponent so that the opponent lands on their upper back and neck between the legs of the wrestler, facing towards them, usually resulting in a pin.
Electric chair drop
The wrestler lifts the opponent on their shoulders in an
electric chair
An electric chair is a device used to execute an individual by electrocution. When used, the condemned person is strapped to a specially built wooden chair and electrocuted through electrodes fastened on the head and leg. This execution method, ...
sitting position and then falls backwards driving the opponent back-first into the mat. There is also a driver, a
facebuster
A facebuster, also known as a faceplant, is generally a takedown move in professional wrestling in which an attacking wrestler forces their opponent down to the mat face-first without involving a headlock or facelock. A standard facebuster, als ...
and a
suplex
A suplex is an offensive move used in sport wrestling as well as amateur wrestling and professional wrestling. It is a throw that involves lifting the opponents and bridging or rolling to slam them on their backs.
Professional wrestling featu ...
variation of the move.
Facebreaker
A facebreaker is any move in which the wrestler slams their opponent's face against a part of the wrestler's body, usually the knee.
Double knee facebreaker
This facebreaker involves an attacking wrestler, who is standing face-to-face with an opponent, hooking both hands around the opponent's head and then leaping to bring both knees up to the face of the opponent. The wrestler then falls backwards to the mat, thus forcing the opponent to fall forwards and impact the exposed knees. The move was originated by Phillip Michael Grant, and later popularized by
Chris Jericho
Christopher Keith Irvine (born November 9, 1970), better known by the ring name Chris Jericho, is an American-Canadian professional wrestler and singer. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is the leader of the Jerich ...
, who named it the ''Codebreaker''. Bushi uses a diving variation called ''MX'' where he dives from the top rope to hit the double knee facebreaker. Liv Morgan's ''201'' is a variation where she stands 90 degrees from the opponent, and delivers the double knees or shins while she is landing on her back.
Fireman's carry facebreaker
This move is performed in a manner similar to the TKO, but instead of dropping their opponent face first on the mat, they would be dropped face first on the knee of the wrestler performing the move.
Austin Theory
Austin White (born August 2, 1997) is an American professional wrestler and bodybuilder. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Austin Theory and is the current WWE United States Champion in his ...
is currently using this move as a finisher ever since he moved up to the Main Roster.
Shawn Spears
Ronnie William Arneill (born February 19, 1981) is a Canadian professional wrestler and professional wrestling trainer currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name Shawn Spears, where he is a current member of The Pinnac ...
also used this move as a finisher during his second tenure in the WWE as "Tye Dillinger" calling it the "Tye-Breaker".
Inverted stomp facebreaker
Also known as the ''Foot Stunner''. The user applies a standing wrist lock on their opponent, then places their foot on the opponent's face and falls backwards, forcing the opponent's face into their foot. This move is used as a finishing move by
Gail Kim
Gail Kim-Irvine (born February 20, 1977) is a Canadian-American retired professional wrestler, currently signed to Impact Wrestling, where she serves as a producer. In Impact Wrestling she was the inaugural and record setting seven-time Knockou ...
Xavier Woods
Austin Watson (born September 4, 1986) is an American professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT (WWE brand), NXT WWE brand extension, brand under the ring name Xavier Woods. He app ...
(''Lost in the Woods'') and
Enzo Amore
Eric Arndt (born December 8, 1986) is an American professional wrestler. In WWE, he came to prominence for his partnership with Big Cass, whom he teamed with from 2013 to 2017. Together, they won the NXT Year-End Award for Tag Team of the Year ...
(''JawdonZo''). Colt Cabana (''Eat The Feet'') and
Mia Yim
Stephanie Hym Lee (née Bell; born April 16, 1989) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, where she performs on the Raw brand under the ring name "Michin" Mia Yim. She is a member of The O.C.. She is also known for her tim ...
(''Seoul Food'') also used it as their signature move.
Knee smash facebreaker
The move is a standard facebreaker which involves the wrestler facing an opponent and grabbing him or her by the head or hair and pulling the opponent's face down, dropping it on to the wrestler's knee. Often used by a wrestler to stun an opponent and set him or her up for another move. Many other facebreakers use the knee to inflict the damage; one variation sees the wrestler apply a standing side headlock, and simultaneously pull the opponent forward and smash the wrestler's knee to the opponent's head.
Triple H
Paul Michael Levesque (born July 27, 1969), better known by the ring name Triple H, is an American business executive, actor, and retired professional wrestler currently serving as the chief content officer for WWE. He is widely regarded as ...
popularized this move.
Shoulder facebreaker
Also described as a hangman's facebreaker or an over the shoulder facebreaker, this facebreaker is performed when an attacking wrestler, who is standing in a back to back position with an opponent, reaches back to pull the opponent's head over their shoulder before (while keeping a hold of the opponent's head) spinning round to twist the opponent's head over as they drop down to one knee forcing the opponent face-first into the wrestlers exposed knee in one quick fluid motion.
Single knee facebreaker
Similar to the double knee facebreaker, but with only one knee.
Shawn Spears
Ronnie William Arneill (born February 19, 1981) is a Canadian professional wrestler and professional wrestling trainer currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name Shawn Spears, where he is a current member of The Pinnac ...
used this move during his second tenue in the WWE as "Tye Dillinger", calling it ''Perfect 10''.
Ricochet
A ricochet ( ; ) is a rebound, bounce, or skip off a surface, particularly in the case of a projectile. Most ricochets are caused by accident and while the force of the deflection decelerates the projectile, it can still be energetic and almost ...
uses this move, calling it ''Recoil'' and
Gregory Helms
Gregory Shane Helms (born July 12, 1974) is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed with WWE under a legends contract, as a wrestler and as a backstage producer. In WWE, Helms has wrestled as The Hurricane, Gregory Helms, and Hu ...
also uses it
Facebuster
A facebuster, also known as a faceplant, is any move in which the wrestler forces their opponent's face down to the mat which does not involve a headlock or facelock.
Fallaway slam
Also known as the S.O.S. or table-top suplex. The wrestler lifts the opponent up so the opponent is horizontal across the wrestler's body then falls backward, throwing the opponent over their head down to the mat back-first. This slam can be either bridged into a pin, or the wrestler can float over into another fallaway slam. This move is sometimes used as a continuation move from catching the opponent's high-cross body, to emphasize the wrestler's strength. John "Bradshaw/JBL" Layfield and Scott Hall are notable examples for the use of this move.
Fallaway moonsault slam
This moves shows the wrestler grab an opponent like a fallaway slam but instead of just throwing them backwards the wrestler, while hanging onto the opponent, does a backflip slamming the opponent back first into the mat while landing on top of them chest first. The attacker may also choose to maintain their hold on the opponent after the landing in an attempt to score a
pinfall
In wrestling, a pin is achieved by holding an opponent's shoulders to the mat for a three count. Pinfall is the term used in professional wrestling which is a way to win the match for that person or team.
Background
A pinfall is a victory condi ...
. This move was innovated by
Scott Steiner
Scott Rechsteiner (born July 29, 1962), better known by the ring name Scott Steiner, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
Steiner is perhaps best known for his time in World Championshi ...
and is currently used by
Cameron Grimes :not to be confused with actress Camryn Grimes who voices Mrs. Claus in Mickey Saves Christmas
Trevor Lee Caddell (born September 30, 1993) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand under the ...
primarily as a counter to a charging opponent performing a running crossbody. Grimes calls it the 'Collision Course'. This move requires a great deal of lower body strength and agility to perform as it can be dangerous to the wrestler performing the backflip as he/she can land head first and risk serious injury from failing to rotate properly.
"Hangman" Adam Page
Stephen Blake Woltz (born July 27, 1991), better known by his ring name "Hangman" Adam Page, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a former AEW World Champion and AEW World Tag Team Champ ...
and
Mandy Rose
Amanda Rose Saccomanno (born July 18, 1990) is an American professional wrestler, television personality, and fitness and figure competitor. She is best known for her time in WWE, where she performed under the ring name Mandy Rose.
Rose began ...
are also known to use this move.
Fireman's carry throws
A fireman's carry involves the wrestler holding the opponent in place over both shoulders. From this position, various throws can be performed.
Airplane spin
A wrestler lifts the opponent on to their shoulders and spins around and around until they get dizzy and crash to the ground. This move has been made famous notably by
WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., d/b/a as WWE, is an American professional wrestling promotion. A global integrated media and entertainment company, WWE has also branched out into other fields, including film, American football, and vari ...
Hall of Famer
A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actual halls or muse ...
Gorilla Monsoon
Robert James Marella (June 4, 1937 – October 6, 1999), better known by his ring name of Gorilla Monsoon, was an American professional wrestler, play-by-play commentator, and booker.
Monsoon is famous for his run as a villainous super-heavyw ...
and
NXT UK
''NXT UK'' is a professional wrestling television programme that was produced exclusively in the United Kingdom by the American promotion WWE. It aired on BT Sport and 5Action (previously known as Paramount Network). In the United States, th ...
's
Tyler Bate
Tyler Bate (born 7 March 1997) is an English professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE where he performs on the NXT brand.
In 2017, he became the inaugural WWE United Kingdom Champion (later renamed NXT United Kingdom Championship) ...
. This move was the finisher of
Mike Rotunda
Lawrence Michael Rotunda (born March 30, 1958) is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling in the 1980s and 1990s under the ring names Mik ...
during his time in the WWF in the mid-80s.
Inverted Airplane Spin
Also known as the
UFO
An unidentified flying object (UFO), more recently renamed by US officials as a UAP (unidentified aerial phenomenon), is any perceived aerial phenomenon that cannot be immediately identified or explained. On investigation, most UFOs are id ...
(Unidentified Flying Opponent), this move is performed from an Argentine Backbreaker Rack Hold. Occasionally, the person doing the move can do it without their hands on their opponent, typically on the hips. Used by Cesaro.
Death Valley driver
Also known as the ''Etsuko Mita, Death Valley Bomb'' in Japan, this move is performed from a
fireman's carry
A firefighter's carry or firefighter's lift is a technique allowing one person to carry another person without assistance, by placing the carried person across the shoulders of the carrier.
. The wrestler throws the opponent off their shoulders and falls in the direction that the opponent's head is facing, driving the opponent's head or back into the mat. Similar to the fireman's carry takeover, with more of an emphasis on targeting the neck. The Death Valley driver was innovated by Louie Spicolli (although he credited Etsuko Mita as the DVD originator). Kazuchika Okada uses this move as ''Heavy Rain.'' Buddy Murphy uses a pumphandle lift version called "Murphy's law". Velveteen Dream uses a cartwheel version of the move itself called the "Dream valley driver". A reverse-thrown variation exists, which sees the wrestler drop the opponent in the opposite direction feet-first. This variant was used by former NXT Rookie Lucky Cannon which he called "Lucky Break" and by the late former WCW and WWF star Sean O'Haire as the ''Widow Maker''.
Inverted Death Valley driver
Also known as the ''Kyoko Inoue, Victoria Driver'' or ''Kenta Kobashi, Burning Hammer'', this move is executed from an Backbreaker#Argentine backbreaker rack, Argentine backbreaker rack position. The wrestler then falls sideways, driving the opponent's head to the mat. This is considered an extremely dangerous move, as the opponent's body cannot roll with the natural momentum of the move to absorb the impact. In a cut-throat variation of this driver, instead of holding the body of the opponent, a wrestler holds the far arm of the opponent across the opponent's own throat and maintains it by holding the opponent's wrist before performing the inverted Death Valley driver. The Inverted Death Valley Driver was innovated by Kotetsu Yamamoto in the 1970s but popularized by Kenta Kobashi as the ''Burning Hammer''. Michael Elgin uses a sit-out variation of the ''Burning Hammer'' so as not to hurt the head or neck of his opponent allowing them to roll left or right, while Tyler Reks' ''Burning Hammer'' saw her flip the opponent onto their stomach before impact (as in an inverted Fireman's Carry Takeover).
Side Death Valley driver
A variation between the regular Death Valley driver and the inverted one. The opponent lies on their side on the shoulders of the wrestler, facing either the opposite or the same direction as the wrestler, with the wrestler holding the opponent by the lower leg and either the head or lower arm. The wrestler then falls sideways, driving the opponent down to the mat shoulder and neck first. Cesaro used this move a few times and now uses it as his signature move, named the ''Swissblade''.
Fireman's carry drop
The attacking wrestler first lifts their opponent over their shoulders in a
fireman's carry
A firefighter's carry or firefighter's lift is a technique allowing one person to carry another person without assistance, by placing the carried person across the shoulders of the carrier.
position. The attacking wrestler then pushes the opponent forward and off their body, slamming the opponent face-down onto the mat. The wrestler may land in a kneeling or squatting position. This move was used by Mojo Rawley.
Fireman's carry Emerald Flowsion
The wrestler performs the fireman's carry from a standing position, then swings the opponent around and drops them into a Powerslam#Emerald Flowsion, ''Emerald Flowsion''. The move is used by Hiromu Takahashi as the ''Dynamite Plunger'' and JD McDonagh, Jordan Devlin as ''Ireland's Call.''
Fireman's carry headlock elbow drop
The wrestler performs the fireman's carry from a standing position, then tosses the opponent off their shoulders and drops the opponent into a Professional wrestling strikes#Spinning headlock elbow drop, Headlock Elbow Drop. It is currently used by Hirooki Goto as the ''GTW.''
Fireman's carry slam
The wrestler first drapes an opponent over their shoulders in a
fireman's carry
A firefighter's carry or firefighter's lift is a technique allowing one person to carry another person without assistance, by placing the carried person across the shoulders of the carrier.
position. The wrestler then takes hold of the thigh and arm of the opponent, which are hung over the front side of the wrestler, and leans forward, pulling the opponent over their head and shoulders, slamming them down on their back in front of the wrestler. A rolling fireman's carry slam is a variation that sees the wrestler keep hold of the opponent and run forward before slamming the opponent to the ground, using the momentum to roll over the opponent. A swinging leghook fireman's carry slam is another variation that involves a wrestler holding the wrist of the opponent while putting their head under the opponent's chest. Then after grabbing the opponents nearest leg, the wrestler lifts the opponent's leg outward before swinging forward using the opponent's momentum and slamming them down back-first. A neckbreaker variation also exists where the wrestler lifts the opponent on their shoulders in a fireman's carry, then lifts their opponent over and grabs the head before slamming them down in a neckbreaker slam. Bobby Roode used the neckbreaker version as a finisher, which he calls ''Roode Bomb''. Keith Lee (wrestler), Keith Lee uses a powerslam or jackhammer version as a finisher which is called the "Big bang catastrophe".
Fireman's carry takeover
There are two versions of the fireman's carry takeover used in professional wrestling. The first is borrowed from amateur wrestling and sees the wrestler kneel down on one knee and simultaneously grab hold of one of the opponent's thighs with one arm and one of the opponent's arms with their other arm. The wrestler then pulls the opponent onto their shoulders and rises up slightly, using the motion to push the opponent off their shoulders, flipping them to the mat onto their back. The other closely resembles a #Death Valley driver, Death Valley driver. The wrestler performs the fireman's carry from a standing position, then tosses the opponent off their shoulders as they drop down to their knees, causing the opponent to land on their back. The standing variant is a higher impact version of the move because the wrestler falls from a greater height, and is a move closely associated with John Cena through his use of it as his finishing maneuver, which he calls the ''Attitude Adjustment'' (formerly the ''F.U.''). Another variation sees the move done professional wrestling aerial techniques#Super, from the top or middle rope, used occasionally by Cena as the ''Super Attitude Adjustment''.
Olympic slam
The wrestler holds the opponent's wrist while putting their head underneath the opponent's chest, grabs the inside of one of the opponents legs, then lifts the opponent up onto their shoulders while falling backwards. This move was popularized by and named in reference to Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle, who also dubbed it the ''Angle Slam'' as an alternate name.
Samoan drop
The wrestler drapes an opponent over their shoulders in a
fireman's carry
A firefighter's carry or firefighter's lift is a technique allowing one person to carry another person without assistance, by placing the carried person across the shoulders of the carrier.
position then falls backwards, driving the opponent down to the mat on their back. A one-handed, swinging leg hook, and a twisting version are also possible. This move is most often performed by wrestlers of Samoan heritage (typically from the Anoa'i family, including Dwayne Johnson, The Rock, Rikishi (wrestler), Rikishi, Umaga (wrestler), Umaga, and Roman Reigns (who uses the one-handed variant), as well as a #Pop-up, pop-up version used by Nia Jax and The Usos. A top rope variant was also regularly performed by
Scott Steiner
Scott Rechsteiner (born July 29, 1962), better known by the ring name Scott Steiner, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
Steiner is perhaps best known for his time in World Championshi ...
, while Ronda Rousey uses the twisting version as a finisher, calling it ''Roddy Piper, Piper's Pit.'' This move was not only used just by wrestlers of Samoan heritage. Wrestlers such as Terry Gordy and Viscera (wrestler), Viscera have used this move as well.
Mike Rotunda
Lawrence Michael Rotunda (born March 30, 1958) is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling in the 1980s and 1990s under the ring names Mik ...
also used this move as a finisher during his run as VK Wallstreet and I.R.S., calling it the "Stock Market Crash". WWE Legend Tatanka (wrestler), Tatanka also uses this as a finisher, calling it "End of the Trail".
Flapjack
Also can be called a pancake slam, this maneuver involves the attacking wrestler lifting their opponent up in a quick motion while holding a single leg or both legs. Usually, the opponent's upper body and head is lifted above a shoulder of the attacker, while the legs have been caught. The attacker then falls on their back, bringing opponent's legs with them. The opponent lands face-first into the mat, with their upper body damaged. The Single-leg version is more commonly used. Former NXT Rookie Percy Watson used a variant in which he holds his opponent in a fireman's carry before transitioning into a flapjack, dubbing this move ''Percycution''.
Pop-up
Also called a "free-fall" or "push-up flapjack". A pop-up is a flapjack where the attacker, upon facing an opponent rushing towards them, flings the opponent vertically up into the air without holding on to the opponent. The standing attacker or the airborne opponent is free to carry out an attack after the pop-up. Examples of attacks from the standing wrestler include performing a Professional wrestling attacks#European uppercut, European uppercut to the falling opponent, or catching the opponent and then performing a Powerbomb#Sitout powerbomb, sitout powerbomb. Examples of attacks from the airborne opponent include executing a dropkick on the standing opponent. Tag teams may also utilize the pop-up by throwing an opponent to a teammate who would execute an attack.
Full nelson
Full nelson slam
In this move, the attacker places their opponent in a Nelson hold#Full nelson, full nelson hold and uses it to lift them off the ground. With the opponent in the air, the attacker removes one arm (so their opponent is now in a half nelson) and slams the opponent back-first into the mat. Another similar variation, known as a double chickenwing slam, sees the wrestler apply Professional wrestling holds#Double chickenwing, double chickenwing instead of a full nelson before slamming the opponent. Damien Sandow, Aron Stevens used the full nelson version.
Inverted full nelson slam
Also known as the reverse full nelson slam, this variation sees the attacker tuck and slide their arms under the opponent's armpits and then clutch the opponent's lower jaw. Then, the attacker lifts the opponent before falling forward to slam the opponent back-first into the mat. This move is used as a finisher by Luke Gallows, dubbed the "Gallows Pole"
Half nelson slam
The wrestler stands behind, slightly to one side of and facing the opponent. The wrestler reaches under one of the opponent's arms with their corresponding arm and places the palm of their hand on the back of the opponent's neck, thereby forcing the arm of the opponent up into the air to complete the Professional wrestling holds#Half nelson, half nelson. The wrestler then lifts the opponent up, turns, and falls forward, slamming the opponent back-first into the mat.
Giant swing
A giant swing starts with an opponent lying on the mat, face up, and the wrestler at the opponent's feet. The wrestler takes the opponent's legs up under their arms, similar to the setup for a #Catapult, catapult, but instead pivots, spinning around to lift the opponent off the mat. The attacker may release the opponent to send them flying, or simply slow until the back of the opponent returns to the ground. WWE's Cesaro uses the giant swing as a signature move.
Guillotine drop
This move sees the attacking wrestler lift the opponent in a Professional wrestling holds#Guillotine choke, standing guillotine choke and drop the opponent to the mat, lower spine first. This causes an effect to the whole spine and neck. A variation involving a Professional wrestling holds#Butterfly, standing double underhook rather than the guillotine choke also exists. It is used by Angel Garza as the ''Wing Clipper.''
Gorilla press
Also known as a ''Military press'', the attack sees the wrestler lift their opponent up above their head with an overhead press as used in weight training, weight lifting. The attacking wrestler may repeatedly press the opponent overhead to show their strength prior to dropping them.
Gorilla press drop
The wrestler lifts their opponent up over their head with arms fully extended, then drops the opponent down face-first in front or back. This was the finisher for wrestlers Chyna and the Ultimate Warrior. It is a popular technique for very large wrestlers because it emphasizes their height and power.
Gorilla press slam
This slam sees a wrestler first lift their opponent up over their head with arms fully extended, before lowering the arm under the head of the opponent so that the opponent falls to that side, while flipping over and landing on their back. This move is also called the military press slam. Some wrestlers perform this maneuver doing a lifting motion up and down before dropping the opponent as a way to emphasize their raw strength. Davey Boy Smith, The British Bulldog used it regularly as signature move.
Another variation of this move called a ''Deadly driver'' sees the attacker performing this move to opponent who is positioned on top rope as a counter to an attempted diving attack.
Gutbuster
A gutbuster is any move in which the wrestler lifts their opponent up and jumps or drops him/her so that the opponent's stomach impacts against part of the wrestler's body, usually the knee. A basic gutbuster is often called a stomach breaker and is essentially the same as a Backbreaker#Pendulum backbreaker, backbreaker but with the opponent facing the opposite direction. This similarity with backbreakers is reflected in almost every gutbuster variation, which if inverted would become backbreakers and vice versa.
Elevated gutbuster
This variation of a gutbuster sees an opponent first elevated into a high lifting Professional wrestling holds#Transition holds, transition hold before being dropped down for a gutbuster. Taiji Ishimori uses a Underhook#Single underhook, Single underhook version of the move as his finisher calling it the ''Bloody Cross'' while T. J. Perkins uses a Professional wrestling holds#Double chickenwing, double chickenwing version.
Fireman's carry gutbuster
This is the most common version of the elevated gutbuster and sees the attacking wrestler first lift the opponent up across their shoulders; a position known as a
fireman's carry
A firefighter's carry or firefighter's lift is a technique allowing one person to carry another person without assistance, by placing the carried person across the shoulders of the carrier.
, before then dropping down to one knee while simultaneously elevating the opponent over their head forcing them to drop down and impact their exposed knee. Wrestler Kaitlyn (wrestler), Kaitlyn uses this as one of her signature move. A slight variation of this uses a modified double knee gutbuster and sees the attacking wrestler drop down to their back while bringing ''both'' knees up for the opponent to land on. Darren Young used the move as his finisher calling it ''Gutcheck''. WNA wrestler Kyle Mckayal uses a jumping version of it as his second hand finisher calling it The Project Mckayal.
Gutbuster drop
An elevated gutbuster in which an attacking wrestler would lift an opponent up, stomach-first, across one of their shoulders before dropping down to their knees forcing the opponent's stomach to impact on the wrestler's shoulder.
Gorilla press gutbuster
A maneuver in which the user drops the opponent directly in front of them while putting their own knee out in front of them. The victim lands stomach or ribs first on the knee, made more impactful by the long drop. the double-knee variant was popularized by
Xavier Woods
Austin Watson (born September 4, 1986) is an American professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT (WWE brand), NXT WWE brand extension, brand under the ring name Xavier Woods. He app ...
.
Rib breaker
A rib breaker is a version of a gutbuster that involves the wrestler scooping the opponent up by reaching between the legs of the opponent with one arm and reaching around their back from the same side with their other arm. The wrestler then lifts their opponent up so they are horizontal across the wrestler's body. From here the wrestler drops down to one knee, forcing the opponent to drop stomach/rib-first against the wrestler's raised knee.
Headlock takedown
Also known as a spinning headlock takedown. This throw starts with the wrestler catching the opponent in a side headlock. The wrestler turns and twists their body so their back is horizontally against the opponent's torso. The wrestler turns to one side (depending on which hand is used to catch the opponent) while still catching the opponent with the headlock. Therefore, the opponent is slammed back-first into the mat after being almost "forcibly flipped" over the wrestler's back (as the wrestler turns to their sides).
Headlock driver
Similar to the #Snapmare driver, snapmare driver, the wrestler applies a side headlock before dropping down on either their chest or their knees and driving the opponent's head down to the mat forehead first, with the side headlock. This was the original version of the finisher used by Jon Moxley (formerly as Dean Ambrose), known as ''Dirty Deeds'' before reusing as a regular move in 2019. Ethan Carter III (EC3) uses this as his finisher and he calls it the ''One Percenter''. WWE superstar Bayley utilized this move during her indies days dubbing it the ''Rose Plant.'' She started using a variant of this move where she hooks the opponents arm around the leg and planting the opponent in the canvas. She started using this move again in late 2019.
Headscissors takedown
The move is performed with the wrestler's legs scissored around the opponent's head, dragging the opponent into a forced forward somersault as the wrestler falls to the mat. It is often erroneously called the Hurricanrana in American wrestling, but due to the lack of a double leg cradle pinning combination, it is a standard headscissors takedown.
Handstand headscissors takedown
This move is performed when the attacking wrestler, in a handstand position, scissors their legs around the opponent's head and follows with the headscissors takedown. There are multiple variations of the handstand headscissors takedown. For example, in one variation, the attacking wrestler rolls forward after scissoring their legs around their opponent's head; in another, the opponent rolls backwards into a handstand position to follow with a headscissors and the takedown.
It is commonly used by Kalisto (wrestler), Kalisto and Cedric Alexander. This move was also popularized by
Trish Stratus
Patricia Anne Stratigeas (; born December 18, 1975) better known by the ring name Trish Stratus is a Canadian professional wrestler, actress and yoga instructor. She is currently signed to WWE. Often regarded as one of the greatest Women's Pe ...
, who used it as a signature move, called the ''Stratusphere''.
Tilt-a-whirl headscissors takedown
This move is actually a counter. Usually, the opponent grabs the attacking wrestler (as if he were performing a Powerslam#Sidewalk slam, sidewalk slam), the attacking counters and swings their body upwards, then scissors their legs around the opponent's head, spins around the opponent's body, and swings their legs downwards, resulting in the headscissors takedown.
Hurricanrana
Though it is commonly referred to as a ''Hurricanrana'', the original Spanish name for this maneuver is the ''Huracánrana''. The name was taken from its innovator, Mexican luchador Huracán Ramírez. Sometimes referred to as a reverse victory roll, it is a headscissors takedown that ends in a Pin (professional wrestling)#Rana, double leg cradle pinning hold. (A rana is any double-leg cradle.) A Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Dragonrana, somersault version also exists, called the Dragonrana.
Frankensteiner
This move is derived from the original #Hurricanrana, hurricanrana. It is described as a head scissors take down that is performed against a running opponent. The wrestler jumps on the shoulders of the charging opponent and performs a back flip. The move varies from the hurricanrana as when the opponent lands - he/she would land on their head as opposed to their back.
It was named the "Frankensteiner" by
Scott Steiner
Scott Rechsteiner (born July 29, 1962), better known by the ring name Scott Steiner, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
Steiner is perhaps best known for his time in World Championshi ...
, who used it as a finishing move. The move also has a variation where the opponent is sitting on the top rope, that variation is also referred to as Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Frankensteiner, frankensteiner. Rey Mysterio and Último Dragón uses a spinning version of this move which sees the wrestling positioned on the top rope behind the opponent seated on the same top rope facing the ring inward. The wrestler then places themselves on both the opponents shoulders, spins around 180 degrees, and executes the backflip to land chest first to flip the opponent onto their back. Último Dragón uses this move as a finisher and calls it the ''Dragonsteiner''.
Another variation of the Frankensteiner sees a grounded wrestler first "kip-up" on to a standing opponent's shoulders, this is where a wrestler rolls on to the back of their shoulders bringing their legs up and kicking forward to build momentum to lift themselves off the floor and on to the standing opponent.
Hurricanrana driver
The wrestler performs a #Headscissors takedown, headscissors takedown to a seated or kneeling opponent, driving them head first into the mat. Ruby Riott, Ruby Soho and Kalisto (wrestler), Kalisto use this move in some of their matches.
=Reverse frankensteiner
=
Also known as an inverted frankensteiner or a poison rana, this move uses a standard Frankensteiner, but instead of performing the move facing the opponent's face, it is done facing the back of the opponent.
Rope-aided hurricanrana
This maneuver is also known as ''swinging hurricanrana''. The attacking wrestler, beginning on the corner, uses the top ropes for leverage to scissor their legs around the opponent (usually an oncoming opponent) and swings to perform the hurricanrana. This hurricanrana variation was popularized by Mickie James, as she named the move herself ''Mick-a-rana''.
Hip toss
The wrestler stands next to the opponent with both facing the same direction, and the wrestler hooks their closest arm underneath and behind the opponent's closest armpit. The wrestler then quickly lifts the opponent up with that arm and throws them forward, which would lead the wrestler to flip the opponent on to their back to end the move. There is also a sitout variation, in which the wrestler performs a normal hip toss and then lands in a seated position.
Iconoclasm
This top rope flipping slam sees a wrestler stand under an opponent, who is situated on the top turnbuckle, turn their back to this opponent while taking hold of the opponent's arms from below, often holding underneath the opponent's arm pits. The wrestler would then throw the opponent forward while falling to a seated position, flipping the opponent over in midair, and slamming them down to the mat back first. Cima (wrestler), CIMA uses both this move as well as a Professional wrestling holds#Straight jacket, straight jacket version called the ''Goriconoslasm''. The wrestler may fall forward, kneel down, or remain standing while executing this move also.
Lance Archer, while using the original move as well, also uses a variation of this move referring to both called the ''Blackout''. From a standing position, he reaches between an opponent's legs with his stronger arm and reaches around their back from the same side with their weaker arm before then lifting the opponent up over his shoulder. He then lifts the opponent holding underneath their armpits to execute a kneeling version of the slam.
Irish whip
Also called a hammer throw. A move in which the wrestler grabs one of their opponent's arms and spins, swinging the opponent into an obstacle such as the ring ropes, a turnbuckle, or the stairs leading into the ring. An Irish whip into the ring ropes is usually used to set the opponent up for another technique as he/she bounces off. An Irish whip into the turnbuckles usually sees the opponent remain in the corner, allowing a follow-up attack from the wrestler; the opponent may remain standing or slump to the ground, usually in a seated position, which will vary the attack. One occasional use of the Irish whip is to try to "hit for the cycle" by whipping one's opponent into each corner in turn. Some professional wrestlers can use this move as an advantage by running up the turnbuckle and using a Professional wrestling aerial techniques, high flying move.
The move acquired its name due to its association with Irish wrestler Danno O'Mahony.
Jawbreaker
A jawbreaker is any move in which the wrestler slams their opponent's jaw against a part of the wrestler's body, usually their knee, head or shoulder.
Shoulder jawbreaker
Also known as an inverted Stunner (professional wrestling), stunner, the wrestler stands facing the opponent, places their shoulder under the jaw of the opponent and holds the opponent in place before falling into a sitting or kneeling position, driving the jaw of the opponent into their shoulder.
Sitout jawbreaker
A standard jawbreaker is seen when a wrestler (either stands facing or not facing opponent) places their head under the jaw of the opponent and holds the opponent in place before falling into a sitting or kneeling position, driving the jaw of the opponent into the top of their head. Sometimes it is also used to counter a headlock by the opponent.
Stunner
A stunner is a professional wrestling holds#Three-quarter facelock, three-quarter facelock #Jawbreaker, jawbreaker. It involves an attacking wrestler applying a three-quarter facelock (reaching behind the head of an opponent, thus pulling the opponent's jaw above the wrestler's shoulder) before falling to a seated position and forcing the defender's jaw to drop down on the shoulder of the attacking wrestler. This move was innovated by Mikey Whipwreck and popularized by Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Mat slam
A mat slam is any move in which the wrestler forces the back of the opponent's head into the mat which does not involve a headlock or facelock. If these are used then the move is considered a type of DDT (professional wrestling), DDT (if the wrestler falls backwards) or
bulldog
The Bulldog is a British breed of dog of mastiff type. It may also be known as the English Bulldog or British Bulldog. It is of medium size, a muscular, hefty dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose.
From a position in which the opponent is bent forward against the wrestler's midsection, the wrestler grabs around his or her opponent's midsection and lifts so that the opponent is held upside down, facing in the same direction as the wrestler. The wrestler then hooks both arms of the opponent using his or her legs, and then falls forward planting the opponent's body into the mat face-first. The move often sees the wrestler keep their legs hooked under the arms of the opponent after hitting the move, using the underhooking technique to turn the opponent on to their back into a Pinfall (professional wrestling)#Rana, Rana style pinning position. This move was innovated by Colonel DeBeers, Col. DeBeers and was made famous by A.J. Styles, who refers to the move as the ''Styles Clash''. Styles performs the maneuver with a variation, as seen in the photos to the right: he does not hook the opponent's arms before performing the slam, but takes two steps and moves his legs in front of the opponent's arms enabling him to use his legs to cover the shoulders for a pin. This variant is later utilized by former WWE Diva Michelle McCool, who referred to the move as the ''Faith Breaker''. Cesaro uses a variation called the ''Neutralizer'' where he grapevines the opponents leg with his arm similar to a Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Cradle piledriver, cradle piledriver. El Phantasmo uses a cross-arm Variation called CRII, where he lifts his opponent up and he lets him fall face first into the mat.
Double underhook mat slam
The wrestler faces an opponent, overhooks both arms, and then pivots 180° so that the opponent is facing upwards with his or her head pressed against the upper back or under an arm of the wrestler. The wrestler then drops down to their back, driving the back of the opponent's head and neck into the mat.
Rear mat slam
As well known as a falling rear mat slam. This move starts with the wrestler standing behind the opponent, and then takes hold of the front of the neck or head, and then falls onto his stomach, driving the opponent's back of the head into the mat first. Another variation of this move sees the wrestler performing a backflip from the top turnbuckle, and as he floats over the opponent, he quickly grabs the opponent's head or neck with both hands and falls on his stomach to complete the rear mat slam.
Sitout rear mat slam
The wrestler takes hold of their opponent from behind, holding them by either their hair or head. The wrestler then jumps backwards and falls to a sitting position, driving the back of the opponent's head into the ground between their legs. This was a signature move for
Edge
Edge or EDGE may refer to:
Technology Computing
* Edge computing, a network load-balancing system
* Edge device, an entry point to a computer network
* Adobe Edge, a graphical development application
* Microsoft Edge, a web browser developed ...
, which he called ''Edge-O-Matic''. A variation sees the wrestler run up the corner turnbuckles, perform a backflip over a chasing opponent, and at the same time grab hold of the opponents head and perform the slam. Dustin Rhodes during his time in the WWF/WWE as Goldust used this move dubbing it "Oscar".
Sleeper slam
This slamming version of a headlock takedown sees a wrestler apply a sleeper hold to the opponent, then falls face first to the ground, pulling the opponent down with them and driving the back and head of the opponent into the ground. Heath Slater, Heath uses a jumping variation of the move. A lifting version also exists, where a wrestler applies a sleeper hold to the opponent, lifts the opponent up and slams the opponent into the ground
Sling Blade
A spinning sit-out variation of a #Sleeper slam, sleeper slam that makes use of the wrestler's own momentum. The attacking wrestler starts by running and extending his arm like a professional wrestling attacks#Lariat takedown, lariat takedown but instead performs a revolution around the opponent's shoulders. This causes the wrestler to switch to his opposite arm before taking his opponent down to the mat while simultaneously landing in a seated position. Another variation involves the wrestler leaping off the ropes before performing the movement. The move is used by Hiroshi Tanahashi, with some commentators even calling the move a 'Tanahashi' when anybody performs it due to how associated it is with him. Other users include Pentagon Jr., JTG, Seth Rollins, Masato Yoshino and Finn Bálor, with JTG calling it ''Da Shout Out''. Richie Steamboat even used this as a finisher move during his time in FCW and NXT.
Tilt-a-whirl mat slam
As the name suggests the wrestler would first use a
tilt-a-whirl
Tilt-A-Whirl is a flat ride similar to the Waltzer in Europe, designed for commercial use at amusement parks, fairs, and carnivals, in which it is commonly found. The rides are manufactured by Larson International of Plainview, Texas.
Des ...
to raise the opponent into a Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Reverse Piledriver, belly-to-belly (piledriver) position, from here the wrestler would fall forward planting the opponent into the mat back-first. Matt Riddle uses a Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Cradle piledriver, cradle variant dubbed the ''Bro-Derek''.
Monkey flip
This move, often referred to as a monkey climb in British wrestling, involves an attacking wrestler, who is standing face-to-face with an opponent, hooking both hands around the opponent's head before then bringing up both legs so that they place their feet on the hips/waist of the opponent, making the head hold and the wrestlers' sense of balance the only things allowing both wrestlers to be in an upright position. At this point, the attacking wrestler shifts their weight so that they fall backwards to the mat while forcing the opponent to fall forwards with them, only to have the attacking wrestler push up with their legs, forcing the opponent to flip forward, over the wrestler's head and onto their back. This move is most commonly performed out of a ring corner. This is due to it being easier to climb on an opponent while in the corner as balance is easily retained, and it allows the maximum length of ring to propel the opponent across.
Muscle buster
This move is performed when an attacking wrestler hooks both an opponent's legs with their arms and tucks their head in next to the opponent's before standing and lifting the opponent up, so that they are upside down with their head resting on the attacking wrestler's shoulder. From this position, the attacking wrestler jumps up and drops down to the mat, driving the opponent shoulder first down to the mat with the opponent's neck impacting both the wrestler's shoulder and the mat. This can see the wrestler pick up an opponent who is standing but bent forward, but it often begins with an opponent who is sitting on an elevated position, usually on a top turnbuckle, because it is easier to hook and lift an opponent when they are positioned higher than the wrestler. The move also has a Neckbreaker#Elevated cradle neckbreaker, neckbreaker variation, which focuses more of the attack on the opponent's neck. This move originated from the ''Kinnikuman'' manga, originally known as the Kinniku Buster (''kinniku'' being Japanese for "muscle"), with the move ending with the opponent crashing down on their neck against the attacking wrestler's shoulder. This variation is currently used by Jungle Kyona as the “Jungle Buster”.
Popularized by Samoa Joe as one of his finishers (he uses an electric chair version falling backwards, sparing the opponent's neck) until 2015 when he accidentally injured Tyson Kidd, which ended his wrestling career and almost paralyzed him. He would re-use the move in 2022 at AEW. Ryback uses a different variation as his finisher, called ''Shell Shocked'', where he lifts the opponent into position with a Suplex#Fisherman's suplex, fisherman's suplex and only hooks one of the opponent's legs before running forward and dropping them off his shoulders, in a #Samoan drop, Samoan drop-esque motion.
Neckbreaker
There are two general categories of neckbreaker, which are related only in that they attack the opponent's neck. One category of neckbreaker is the type of move in which the wrestler slams their opponent's neck against a part of the wrestler's body, usually their knee, head or shoulder. A neckbreaker slam is another technique in which the wrestler throws their opponent to the ground by twisting the opponent's neck.
Cutter
A cutter is a Professional wrestling holds#Three-quarter facelock, three-quarter facelock #Neckbreaker, neckbreaker. This move sees an attacking wrestler, while facing away from the opponent, apply a three-quarter facelock (reaching back and grabbing the head of the opponent, thus pulling the opponent's jaw above the wrestler's shoulder) before falling backwards (sometimes after running forwards first) to force the opponent face-first to the mat below.
Piledriver
Whilst giving the illusions of slamming the opponent's head into the ground, a properly executed standard piledriver has the opponent's head barely touching the ground, if at all. The technique is said to have been innovated by Wild Bill Longson.
Powerbomb
A powerbomb is a move in which an opponent is lifted into the air and then slammed down back-first to the mat. The standard powerbomb sees the opponent placed in a standing headscissors position (bent forward with their head placed between the wrestler's thighs), lifted on the wrestler's shoulders, and slammed back-first down to the mat. The move was innovated by Lou Thesz. This move was used as a finisher for wrestlers such as Dave Bautista, Batista, The Undertaker, Kevin Nash, Chyna, John Layfield, JBL, among others.
Powerslam
A powerslam is any slam in which the wrestler performing the technique falls face-down on top of their opponent. The use of the term "powerslam" usually refers to the Powerslam#Front powerslam, front powerslam and the Powerslam#Scoop powerslam, scoop powerslam.
Pumphandle
Pumphandle drop
Also known as a tilt slam or a pumphandle Powerslam#Falling powerslam, falling powerslam, the wrestler stands behind their opponent and bends them forward. One of the opponent's arms is pulled back between their legs and held, while the other arm is hooked. The wrestler then lifts their opponent up until they are parallel with the wrestler's chest, then throws themselves forward, driving the back of the opponent into the ground with the weight of the wrestler atop them.
Pumphandle fallaway slam
The wrestler hooks up the opponent as a pumphandle slam, then the wrestler goes through the body movements for the fallaway slam, executing the release of the opponent as they enter the apex of the throw, instead of at or just past the apex of the throw like when one executes the #Fallaway slam, fallaway slam. Usually the opponent then adds effort to gain extra rotations in the air for effect or to ensure that they do not take the bump on their side.
Pumphandle slam
The wrestler stands behind their opponent and bends them forward. One of the opponent's arms is pulled back between their legs and held, while the other arm is hooked (
pumphandle
Professional wrestling throws are the application of professional wrestling techniques that involve lifting the opponent up and throwing or slamming them down. They are sometimes also called "power" maneuvers, as they are meant to emphasize a wrest ...
). The attacking wrestler uses the hold to lift the opponent up over their shoulder, while over the shoulder the attacking wrestler would fall forward to slam the opponent against the mat back-first, normally the type of powerslam delivered is a Powerslam#Front powerslam, front powerslam. The move can also see other variations of a powerslam used, particularly into a Powerslam#Sidewalk slam, sidewalk slam position. Ben Davis and Titus Carell use the pumphandle slam as finishers, Davis uses an implant slam calling it The Plantation Punk Slam while Carell uses a spinning slam calling it Spinerella Slam. Rhea Ripley uses the move itself or a powerbomb version called "Riptide".
Sitout pumphandle slam
The wrestler lifts the opponent as with a pumphandle slam, but falls to a sitting position and drops the opponent between their legs as with a #Michinoku driver II, michinoku driver II. Kenta Kobashi also used this move as a finisher as well, but his looked more like a sitout Powerbomb but with a pumphandle, he called this move the ''Kentucky Bomb''.
Scoop
Body slam
A body slam is any move in which a wrestler picks up and throws an opponent down to the ground limp back-first. When used by itself, this term generally refers to a very basic variant for a scoop slam.
Scoop slam
Facing their opponent, the wrestler reaches between their opponent's legs with their stronger arm and reaches around their back from the same side with their weaker arm. The wrestler lifts their opponent up and turns them upside down so that they are held up by the wrestler's arm cradling their back. The wrestler then throws the opponent to the ground so that they land on their back. The opponent will often assist the slammer by placing their arm on the slammer's thigh.
Shin breaker
The wrestler faces the opponent from the side, slightly behind, then tucks their head under the opponent's near armpit and grabs hold of the opponent's near leg, bending it fully. The wrestler then lifts the opponent up and slams them downwards, driving one of the wrestler's knees into the opponent's bent leg. This move is used to weaken the leg for a submission manoeuvre.
Shoulderbreaker
A shoulderbreaker is any move in which the wrestler slams their opponent's shoulder against any part of the wrestler's body, usually the shin or knee. This move is normally used to weaken the arm for a Professional wrestling holds, submission maneuver or to make it more difficult for the opponent to kick out of a possible
pinfall
In wrestling, a pin is achieved by holding an opponent's shoulders to the mat for a three count. Pinfall is the term used in professional wrestling which is a way to win the match for that person or team.
Background
A pinfall is a victory condi ...
attempt. The most common version sees the wrestler turn the opponent upside-down and drop the opponent shoulder-first on the wrestler's knee. Usually the opponent is held over the wrestler's shoulder in either a Powerslam#Front powerslam, powerslam position, or less commonly an Powerbomb#Inverted powerbomb, inverted powerslam position for what is sometimes called the inverted shoulderbreaker.
Snake eyes
This move sees the standing wrestler place the opponent stomach down on their shoulder so that they both are facing the same direction. The attacking wrestler then drops the opponent face-first into the turnbuckle or ropes. This move is most commonly used by The Undertaker. Johnny Gargano uses a variation called ''Lawn Dart'', where he throws the opponent face first onto the second turnbuckle.
Snapmare
With the wrestler's back to the opponent, he/she applies a Professional wrestling holds#Three-quarter facelock, three-quarter facelock (also known as a cravate) and, either kneeling down or bending over, pulls the opponent forward, flipping them over their shoulder down to the mat, back first. Another variation, sometimes called a "flying mare", sees the wrestler Professional wrestling attacks#Hair pull, pull the opponent by the hair over their shoulder before slamming them to the mat.
Rolling snapmare
This variation of the snapmare sees the application of the facelock with the takeover to the opponent, but rather than the wrestler remaining stationary, he rolls with the opponent's momentum.
Snapmare driver
A high impact variation of the snapmare where instead of flipping the opponent over, the wrestler drops down either on their chest or down on their knees and drives the opponent's head down to the mat forehead first, with the Professional wrestling holds#Three-quarter facelock, three-quarter facelock much like a cutter (wrestling)#cutter, cutter. An inverted variation of this move also exists. However, the wrestler holds their opponent's head in a back to back position, before performing the move. Adam Rose used this as the ''Party Foul''. Melina used this move after her return in 2010, most notably to win her second WWE Divas Championship, Diva's championship at SummerSlam (2010), SummerSlam 2010. L. A. Knight has also started using this move when he joined NXT, but it is preceded by a kick to the gut. Madcap Moss uses a reverse neckbreaker like variation of this move, calling it the ''Punchline''.
Snapmare neckbreaker
A high impact combination of the snapmare and the falling neckbreaker. With the wrestler's back to the opponent, he/she applies a Professional wrestling holds#Three-quarter facelock, three-quarter facelock and then pulls the opponent forward, flipping them over their shoulder, before turning to land in a neckbreaker. Was briefly used as a signature by Tyson Kidd.
Spinebuster
The wrestler starts by facing their opponent and then grabs them around their waist, lifts them up, and then either slams the opponent down while landing on top of them, or tosses them forward on to their back. Although it can be used on a stationary opponent, it is usually performed against a charging opponent, using the opponent's own momentum to make the throw more powerful.
Double leg slam
This variation of the spinebuster starts with the wrestler facing his opponent. The wrestler catches and grabs the opponent from either his waist or both legs, and lifts the opponent so he would either face the mat while being vertically elevated off the mat (with both his legs grabbed over the wrestler's shoulders) or literally facing the wrestler's back while being lifted upside down with the wrestler still taking hold of both the opponent's legs (back-to-belly position). The wrestler then tosses the opponent overhead by throwing both the opponent's legs forward, slamming the opponent back-first. A sitout or inverted version is also possible. This was popularized by both Hardcore Holly as the ''Alabama Slam'', named after his fictional hometowns of Talladega, Alabama, Talladega and later Mobile, Alabama and the Big Boss Man as the ''Water-wheel Slam''. Cody Rhodes has been using this as a signature move due to being trained by Hardcore Holly.
High-impact delayed spinebuster
Commonly used by Booker T (wrestler), Booker T as the ''110th Street Slam'', this variation closely resembles a double leg slam, but the wrestler simply lifts the opponent on one shoulder, rather than place their head in between the opponent's legs first.
Release spinebuster
The wrestler starts by facing their opponent and then grabs them around their waist, lifts them up and releases them back-first on the mat. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin made it popular.
Sitout spinebuster
The wrestler starts by facing his opponent. He then grabs the opponent around the waist or under the arms, lifts him up, and tosses him forward on to his back or slams him down while dropping to a seated position. The wrestler hangs on to the opponents legs for a pin-fall attempt. This move is used as a finisher by Titus O'Neil who calls it the ''Clash of the Titus''. A slight variation is the sitout side slam spinebuster where the opponent is lifted like a Powerslam#Side slam, side slam but dropped into a sitout spinebuster.
Spinning spinebuster
This version of the spinebuster sees the wrestler lifting the opponent, turning 180°, and then slam him or her forward on to his or her back or slam him or her down while landing on top of him or her. It is usually performed against a charging opponent, using the opponent's own momentum to make the throw more powerful, but can also be performed against a stationary opponent. Innovated and popularized by Arn Anderson, this version is also known as a ''Double A Spinebuster'' in tribute to Anderson. Arn Andersons son, Brock, has also started using this move after his AEW Debut.
Thrust spinebuster
This variation of the spinebuster sees the wrestler lift the opponent by their waist as in the standard version, but then place their dominant hand onto the opponent's chest in order to slam them, similarly to a
chokeslam
A chokeslam is a type of body slam in professional wrestling, in which a wrestler grasps an opponent's neck, lifts them up, and slams them to the mat. It is common in televised wrestling because it is simple and relatively safe, yet looks power ...
. There is also a variation of this move in which the wrestler stands besides his or her opponent, grabs their waist as in a Powerslam#Side slam, side slam, and then hooks the opponent's leg with his or her free arm before lifting and slamming the opponent. The release variation was popularized by Ron Simmons. It was also used by former Nexus member, David Otunga as "The Verdict".
Gorilla press spinebuster
A gorilla press in which the user drops the opponent and turns them 90 degrees, dropping then onto their shoulder facing the opposite direction to the attacker, before being driven to the ground in a spinebuster maneuver. Bill Goldberg, Goldberg used the move as a signature.
Spinning Crucifix Toss
The attacker lifts the opponent above his back with the opponent's arm spread out in a Powerbomb#Crucifix powerbomb, crucifix hold, spins around multiple times in place, pushes the opponent up, and moves out of the way, dropping the opponent down to the mat. Kevin Nash used this move as a finisher during his time as Kevin Nash#Gimmicks changes and departure (1991–1993), Oz and called it the ''Oz Twister''. James Storm currently uses this move calling it the ''Eye Of The Storm''.
Suplex
A suplex is the same as the amateur suplex, a throw which involves arching/bridging either overhead or twisting to the side, so the opponent is slammed to the mat back-first. Though there are many variations, the term suplex (without qualifiers) can also refer specifically to the
vertical suplex
A suplex is an offensive move used in sport wrestling as well as amateur wrestling and professional wrestling. It is a throw that involves lifting the opponents and bridging or rolling to slam them on their backs.
Professional wrestling featu ...
.
Trips and sweeps
Armbar legsweep
The wrestler stands beside their opponent to either side, crosses their arm against the opponent's opposite hand in front of it (as the wrestler stands beside the opponent, and uses for example their right arm, they would cross it against the opponent's left arm, and vice versa). From this point, the wrestler places their leg in front of the opponent's opposite leg, and falls backwards, causing the opponent's arm to be slammed into the mat.
Double leg takedown
A tackle where the intention is to force the opponent down on their back by tackling them at their waist or upper thighs. This usually involves grabbing the opponent with both arms around the opponent's legs while keeping the chest close to the opponent, and using this position to force the opponent to the floor .
Dragon screw legwhip
Dragon screw legwhip (or simply Dragon screw) is a legwhip where a wrestler grabs an opponent's leg and holds it parallel to the mat while they are facing each other. The attacking wrestler then spins the leg inwards causing the opponent to fall off balance and twist in the air bringing them to the ground in a turning motion. It is used by the "''Ace of the Universe"'' Hiroshi Tanahashi
Drop toe-hold
The wrestler falls to the ground, placing one foot at the front of the opponent's ankle and the other in the back of the calf. This causes the opponent to fall face first into the ground. It is sometimes used illegally to force an opponent into a chair or other elevated weapon; it is also used occasionally to force an opponent face-first into the turnbuckles, stunning them momentarily.
Half nelson legsweep
The wrestler stands behind, slightly to one side of and facing the opponent. The wrestler reaches under one of the opponent's arms with their corresponding arm and places the palm of their hand on the neck of the opponent, thereby forcing the arm of the opponent up into the air (the half nelson). The wrestler then uses their other arm to pull the opponent's other arm behind the opponent's head, so both opponent's arms are pinned. The wrestler then hooks the opponent's near leg and throws themselves backwards, driving the opponent back-first to the ground. This was the finisher of Byron Saxton, dubbed "Saxonation".
Russian legsweep
Also known as a side Russian legsweep and called a neckbreaker by
Gorilla Monsoon
Robert James Marella (June 4, 1937 – October 6, 1999), better known by his ring name of Gorilla Monsoon, was an American professional wrestler, play-by-play commentator, and booker.
Monsoon is famous for his run as a villainous super-heavyw ...
. This is a move in which a wrestler stands side-to-side and slightly behind with the opponent, facing in the same direction, and reaches behind the opponent's back to hook the opponent's head with the other hand extending the opponent's nearest arm, then while hooking the opponent's leg the wrestler falls backward, pulling the opponent to the mat back-first. There is also a jumping variation of the Russian legsweep, which is similar in execution to that of the Facebuster#Leaping reverse STO, leaping reverse STO and different modified versions of the move.
Cobra clutch legsweep
Also called a ''Cobra clutch buster'', the wrestler places his opponent in the cobra clutch, then stands to one side of the opponent, hooks their nearest foot behind their opponent's nearest leg and throws themselves backwards, forcing their opponent backwards to the ground. Ted DiBiase and his son Ted DiBiase Jr have used this move as a finisher.
Forward Russian legsweep
The wrestler grabs the opponent by the arm and goes behind him while holding the arm and hooking the opponent's leg. The wrestler then bends the opponent's back and slams their face to the mat. The forward Russian legsweep was popularized by Jeff Jarrett, who began using the maneuver as a finisher in the late 1990s and calls it ''The Stroke''.
=Full nelson forward Russian legsweep
=
A slight variation of the forward Russian legsweep, the wrestler approaches the opponent from behind and places them in a
full nelson
A nelson hold is a grappling hold which is executed by one person from behind the opponent, generally when both are on the mat face down with the opponent under the aggressor. One or both arms are used to encircle the opponent's arm under the armpi ...
before hooking their leg. The wrestler then falls forward in an almost identical way, slamming the opponent face-first into the mat. The most notable practitioner of this variant is The Miz, who calls the move the ''Skull Crushing Finale'' and has used it as a finisher since August 2009.
Three-quarter facelock Russian legsweep
The wrestler stands in front of, facing away from and slightly to one side of the opponent. The wrestler then reaches behind themselves and applies a Professional wrestling holds#Three-quarter facelock, three-quarter facelock to the opponent. The wrestler then hooks the opponent's near leg with their own near leg and sweeps the leg away, simultaneously throwing themselves backwards, thus driving the opponent to the ground (with the weight of the wrestler on top of them) and wrenching the opponent's neck.
Schoolboy sweep
This technique gives its name to the bump (professional wrestling), schoolboy bump and is performed when the wrestler gets behind their opponent, drops down to their knees, puts their hand through the opponent's legs, hooking the opponent's hips, and pulls backwards. This pulls the opponent backwards, with straightened and trapped legs, forcing the opponent to fall backwards, over the wrestler, flat on the floor.
STO
The STO (Space Tornado Ogawa) is a sweep in which a wrestler wraps one arm across the chest of their opponent and sweeps the opponent's leg with their own leg to slam the other wrestler back-first. This can also be a lariat-legsweep combination to slam down the opponent. This is also a move used often in Judo and in other grappling martial arts. This maneuver can be used running and standing. Innovated by Japanese silver medalist judoka Naoya Ogawa, it is used by Evil (wrestler), Evil as ''Evil'' and was also used by Donald Trump on Vince McMahon at WrestleMania 23. Shad Gaspard used a high impact variant of this move called "Thugnificent".
Arm Trap Cradle Somersault STO
The wrestler faces the opponent, ducks under the opponent's arm closest to them, wraps their closest arm around the waist of the opponent and then quickly performs a forward flip whilst sweeping the opponent's leg, thereby dropping the opponent on their back, ending up in a Pin (professional wrestling)#Cradle, cradle pin. This move was innovated by Madoka (wrestler), Madoka as ''Ranhei''. It was also made popular by Kofi Kingston, who calls it the ''S.O.S''.
Chokehold STO
This move is an STO where the wrestler would first apply a Professional wrestling holds#Single arm choke, chokehold with one hand before sweeping their opponent's leg. Alexa Bliss uses this as a signature move, normally followed by her rope-assisted repeated stomps.
Front facelock STO
This variation of the STO sees the attacker apply a
front facelock
Professional wrestling holds include a number of set moves and pins used by performers to immobilize their opponents or lead to a Submission wrestling, submission. This article covers the various pins, stretches and transition holds used in the ri ...
on his opponent and sweeping the opponent's leg and falling forward, with the opponent landing on his neck and shoulders. A pinning variation also exists where the attacker keeps the front facelock applied as he covers the opponent slightly.
Reverse STO
Well known as the Complete Shot or Flatliner, this is a move in which a wrestler stands side-to-side and slightly behind with the opponent, facing in the opposite direction, and reaches around the opponent's torso with one arm across the opponent's chest with their hand holding on to their other hand which is behind the opponent's head. The wrestler then falls backward, driving the opponent into the mat face-first. The wrestler can also cross their leg between the opponent's leg before hitting the reverse STO, with this slight variation being known as a leg hook reverse STO.It was innovated by Gedo (wrestler), Gedo.
Arm trap reverse STO
This move sees the wrestler stand side to side with the opponent, tucking his arm behind the opponent's head at a 90° angle and putting his near leg in front of the opponent's closest leg. The wrestler then pushes the opponent forward and quickly pulls them backward, with the attacker landing on their back whilst the opponent falls face first.
Elevated reverse STO
In this variation the wrestler first locks the opponent in a standard Reverse STO lock, then sees the opponent and put his ankles on some elevated surface (usually top rope, or turnbuckle, or barricade outside of the ring), the wrestler then falls backward, driving the opponent face-first into the mat. Another variation of this move including the opponent standing on the apron outside of the ring, and attacking wrestler first grabs opponent and pulls him over the top rope until opponent's ankles match the ropes, the attacking wrestler then falls backward, driving the opponent face-first into the mat. Tommaso Ciampa used this move at NXT TakeOver: Toronto (2016), NXT TakeOver: Toronto in a match against Scott Dawson (wrestler), Scott Dawson.
Gory Special Swinging Reverse STO
The wrestler locks a back-to-back backbreaker submission in (better known as the ''Gory Special'') and then drops the opponent into a Swinging Reverse STO. Popularized by Brian Cage as ''Weapon X''.
Leaping reverse STO
A variation of the reverse STO, this move see the wrestler jumping up towards the side of an opponent and grabbing his head before falling backwards onto the mat, planting the opponent face-first. The move has been used by various professional wrestlers like Ricky Banderas, Mil Muertes (the ''Straight to Hell''), Shelton Benjamin (the ''Paydirt''), Montel Vontavious Porter (the ''Play of the Day/305'') and R-Truth (''Lil' Jimmy''). Liv Morgan uses this move as her finisher when her opponent is standing with the support of the ring ropes. Liv calls it the ''ObLIVion''.
Lifting reverse STO
A slight variation of the reverse STO, this move sees a wrestler perform exactly the same set-up but instead of falling backward immediately, they lift the opponent before dropping them face-first into the mat, making it similar to a #Flapjack, flapjack. It was innovated by Chris Kanyon. Baron Corbin's finisher is a variant of this move called the ''End of Days'' while Angelina Love uses the move as a signature (previously a finisher) called ''Lights Out''. Another variation of this move involves using a pumphandle lift where the wrestler sets the opponent up for a pumphandle hold and then lifts them into the execution of the move. Pete Dunne uses this variation as a finisher previously calling it ''Drop Dead'' but now known as the ''Bitter End''.
Austin Theory
Austin White (born August 2, 1997) is an American professional wrestler and bodybuilder. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Austin Theory and is the current WWE United States Champion in his ...
uses a flipping version of this move in which, to a bent over opponent, he hooks his opponent's near arm with his far arm and hooks their near leg with his near arm. He then lifts the opponent off the mat flipping them in a Professional wrestling aerial techniques#450° splash, 450 style motion forwards while simultaneously falling backwards to catch the falling them with his near arm completing the rotation and dropping them into the facebuster. He calls this move ''Ataxia''. Damian Priest recently started using this move as a finisher after Cody Rhodes returned to the WWE in 2022.
Swinging reverse STO
Another variation of the reverse STO, this move sees a wrestler grab their opponent around their neck and lean them backwards. The wrestler then swings their opponent around, slamming them face-first into the mat. Bray Wyatt uses this maneuver as his finisher, which he calls ''Sister Abigail''. NJPW wrestler Switchblade Jay White uses a variation called ''Blade Runner''. Mike Knox, Knux calls it ''The Knuxout''. Alexa Bliss currently uses this move as a finisher but with a different twist.
See also
*Professional wrestling holds
*Professional wrestling aerial techniques
*Professional wrestling double-team maneuvers
*Professional wrestling strikes
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Professional Wrestling Throws
Professional wrestling moves