Professional wrestling strikes

Strikes can be offensive moves in professional wrestling, that can sometimes be used to set up an opponent for a hold or for a throw. There are a wide variety of strikes in pro wrestling, and many are known by several different names. Professional wrestlers frequently give their finishers new names. Occasionally, these names become popular and are used regardless of the wrestler performing the technique.

Professional wrestling contains a variety of punches and kicks found in martial arts and other fighting sports; the moves listed below are more specific to wrestling itself. Many of the moves below can also be performed from a raised platform (the top rope, the ring apron, etc.); these are called aerial variations. Moves are listed under general categories whenever possible.

Body press

A maneuver that involves a wrestler attacking with the core of the body. It is executed from an upright, running position using momentum and weight to run over the opponent.

Body avalanche

The wrestler takes a short charge into an opponent in the corner of the ring without leaving the feet as they open both arms just before reaching the opponent, resulting in hitting with the chest and abdominal area while throwing both arms inward as in a bearhug, crushing the opponent into the turnbuckle. This is normally used by bigger, heavier wrestlers.

Stinger splash

A variation innovated by, popularized by, and named after Sting. It involves the wrestler trapping the opponent in a corner. Then the wrestler charges at the opponent, usually from the opposite corner, launching themselves and sandwiching the opponent between them and the turnbuckle while grabbing hold of the top rope.

Thesz press

thumb|[[Ryback performing a Thesz Press on Kane]]

This move, originally called a flying body scissors, was innovated by, popularized and subsequently named after Lou Thesz, sees the attacking wrestler jumping toward a standing opponent, knocking them over their back, sitting on their waist and pinning them in a body scissors. It was initially developed by Thesz as a legitimate move and has since been seen in modern submission grappling contests. This move is often confused with a lariat.

thumb|175px|Josh Rogen clotheslines Eric Cairnie over the top rope and out of the ring.

Cactus clothesline

Popularized by Mick Foley and named after his "Cactus Jack" gimmick. The attacking wrestler charges at an opponent against the ring ropes and clotheslines them, the charge's force and momentum knocks both the wrestler and the opponent over the top rope outside the ring. This move was made famous by WWE Legend and Hall of Famer "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes.

Mounted elbow drop

The wrestler approaches to a cornered opponent and climbs the second or top rope beside the opponent with a leg on each side. The wrestler then jumps down off the ropes, delivering a bionic elbow to the opponent's head, neck (if the opponent's neck is bent-down or sideways) or the shoulder.

Elbow smash

thumb|[[David Hart Smith|Harry Smith strikes Fit Finlay with an elbow smash.]]

The wrestler makes a punching motion, but tucks their hand toward the chest so the elbow and forearm make contact. humiliating the opponent. This move is not meant to cause injury, though breathing difficulties will arise if applied on the opponent too long. 10-15 seconds is the average. The move was first popularized by Rikishi and was adopted by multiple wrestlers, most notably Big Show and Nia Jax.

Forearm

In the same sense of an elbow or a knee, the attacking wrestler strikes the opponent using one or both forearms.

European uppercut

A forearm thrown in an uppercutting fashion, often the wrestler does a quick grapple first to bring the spare arm up inside, hitting the opponent under the chin. It is famously the finisher of Shawn Michaels, who calls it Sweet Chin Music and usually adds theatrics before using the move. Nic Nemeth also uses this move as a tribute to Michaels. Tyler Breeze uses this as his signature move called the Supermodel Kick. James Storm uses this move as his finisher called the Last Call. Carmella uses this as one of her finishing moves called the Trash-talk/Princess Kick. The Usos and The Young Bucks also perform a simultaneous double superkick variation, the latter calling it Superkicks in Stereo or "Superkick Party". A slight variation of the Superkick where the wrestler performs the attack on an opponent who is on a lowered position, as in a seated or kneeling position, is sometimes referred to as Low Superkick. Sometimes, a Superkick can be performed with an added thigh slap, to produce the signature “pop” sound associated with the move.

Sole kick

A thrust where the wrestler turns the torso away lifting one leg horizontally and extending it toward the opponent, striking in the torso with the sole of their foot. A spin kick variation sees the wrestler spin around and then performing the kick with the outer leg, which is known as rolling sole butt in Japan. There is also jumping variation where the wrestler jumps straight up, spins in the air, and then delivers the sole butt with the outer leg targeting the head of the opponent.

A sole kick can be differentiated from any other because it is always applied with the ball/core of the foot in a thrusting fashion.

Big boot

250px|right|thumb|[[The Undertaker performs a big boot on Heidenreich]]

This attack is usually done with the opponent charging toward the wrestler, using the opponent's momentum to deliver the wrestler's sole to the upper-body or head. Takao Omori has also used the Axe Bomber as his main finisher, further popularizing the move. Brian Myers uses this move called the Roster Cut.

Discus lariat

The attacker performs a spinning motion before leaping their arm forward and knocking them down. This variation is notably used by Mike Santana as a finisher, who calls the move Spin the Block.

Flying lariat

The attacking wrestler first uses the ropes to build up speed, then leaps forward and wraps their arm around the opponent's neck, knocking them down. The move is noted to have been used by several high-flying wrestlers such as Ricochet, Will Ospreay (who refers to the move as the Pip Pip Cheerio) and Logan Paul, and is also used by wrestler "Hangman" Adam Page (who refers to the move as the Buckshot).

Lariat takedown

The wrestler runs toward their opponent, wraps an arm around the opponent's upper chest and neck, and swings both legs forward, using this momentum to pull the opponent down with them to the mat back-first. Popularized by "Macho Man" Randy Savage.

Leg drag

Also known as low-angle discus lariat or dragon screw sets the attacking wrestler waiting for a charging opponent, the wrestler then takes a sidestep, extends an arm and lowers the upper body all at once in a swinging motion, turning up to 180 degrees, hooking the back of the opponent's nearest knee to trip them down to the mat back first. It was one of Bob Backlund's many signature moves. It is often used as a counter for a bear hug.

Uppercut

Properly speaking, an uppercut is a punch used in boxing that usually aims at the opponent's chin. It is, along with the hook and the overhand, one of the main punches that count in statistics as a "Power punch", while in wrestling, any close-fisted punch is considered an illegal attack. Therefore, it is an upward variant of a palm strike in execution. Usually seen performed by tall, heavy wrestlers like Kane and Goldust. Mean Mark Callous used this move as a finisher early in his career.

Mounted punches

This attack involves a wrestler standing on the middle or top ropes and delivering repeated crosses to the face while the opponent is backed up against the turnbuckles. A variation sees the wrestler striking a fallen opponent, either mounting in front of them or kneeling beside, and having the opponent in a side headlock. The crowd tends to count the punches, which typically end at ten, provided they're not interrupted by the opponent pushing the wrestler off or by the referee admonishing the attacking wrestler.

right|thumb|200px|Roman Reigns' Superman punch on [[Brock Lesnar]]

Superman punch

Similar to the Muay Thai version, this attack sees a wrestler leap into the air, snapping the rear leg back before striking with a swinging overhand to the opponent's head. Popularized by Roman Reigns and Orange Cassidy as the Orange Punch

Wind-up punch

A theatrical variation in which the wrestler rotates the attacking arm in a "winding-up" motion before striking the opponent, making the punch appear more effective in the same way as a bolo punch in boxing. Hulk Hogan is known for this move as a babyface earlier in his career.

Senton

In the same sense of a press or a splash, the wrestler jumps over an opponent, but in this case the attacker falls lower-back first or into a sitting position. commonly associated with the move, using it as a set-up for his Jackhammer slam. Other wrestlers including Edge, Batista, Bobby Lashley, Roman Reigns, Moose, Christian Cage, Bron Breakker and Jey Uso have made the spear either their finishing or signature moves.

Jumping spear

Also known as a Leaping spear, this version sees the wrestling jump as they are charging towards to opponent just before making contact with their shoulder. Ricky Starks and Bron Breakker use the move as a finisher.

Striking spear

thumb|right|Rhyno performing the Gore on [[Michael Elgin in 2011]]

In this variation, the wrestler does not pull on the opponent's legs in a double leg takedown, relying only on the strike's momentum to force the opponent down. Rhyno uses this variation as his finisher, calling it the Gore.

Spear with multiple punches

This variation of spear is laying the opponent down with a spear and punching them with Thesz press punches.

Turnbuckle thrust

This move is performed to an opponent set up resting back first against the turnbuckle. Then the wrestler takes hold of the second rope with both hands, opens their arms, and strikes, driving the attacking shoulder into the opponent's midsection, often repeatedly, as the attacker swings their legs back and forth to gain momentum. A variation sees smaller wrestlers using the tops of their heads instead of the shoulder or running from the center of the ring.

Splash

A splash is an attack very similar to a body press in function but not in execution. The difference lies in that it is executed from a falling position. Most of the times the attack is performed horizontally, and most variations can seamlessly transition into a pin.

Big splash

right|thumb|300px|[[Akebono Taro|Bono-chan performing a big splash against Commander An Jo]]

This maneuver involves a wrestler jumping forward and landing stomach-first across an opponent lying on the ground below. On some occasions a wrestler has a short running start before executing the move. This was the finisher of many super heavyweight superstars back in the 80s and 90s, used by superstars such as the One Man Gang, Kamala, Tugboat, Tyrus, Mark Henry, Haystacks Calhoun, Bam Bam Bigelow, Vader, Viscera, Big Boss Man, King Kong Bundy, Rikishi, and many other super heavyweights throughout the years. It is also even used by some non-superheavyweights, such as The Ultimate Warrior and Big E.

Cartwheel splash

The attacking wrestler performs a cartwheel before landing stomach-first across an opponent lying on the mat. Usually performed by small, nimble wrestlers.

Crossbody

Also known as crossbody block, a wrestler jumps onto their opponent and lands horizontally across the opponent's torso, forcing the opponent to the mat and usually resulting in a pinfall attempt. There is also an aerial variation, known as a diving crossbody, where a wrestler leaps from an elevated position toward the opponent. This attack is known as a Plancha in Lucha libre.

Tilt-a-whirl crossbody

An uncommon variation of the move which sees the wrestler being held and spun into a tilt-a-whirl by the opponent. When the wrestler reaches a point where they are horizontally positioned against the opponent's torso, they fall down, pushing the opponent onto their back against the canvas. This move is better described as a counter for a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, or for a tilt-a-whirl mat slam.

Stomp

Also known as foot stomp, this attack sees a wrestler stamping a foot on any part of a fallen opponent. One variation performed by large, heavy wrestlers implies simply to step on the opponent's stomach as they walk, often referred to as a big walk. This variation, when performed by a villain, aims to the head of the opponent but in a crudest, vicious way. The most well-known illegal moves are those that attack the groin of a male wrestler.

Back rake

The attacking wrestler drags both hands' stiff fingers down the opponent's back to cause pain with his fingernails.

Chair shot

thumb|upright|[[Johnny Grunge delivering a chair shot]]

A wrestler hits the opponent with a chair. In modern wrestling, folding chairs are used with the strike being performed with the flat face of the chair to slow the swing and distribute the impact, to prevent injury. Although chair shots to the body are legal in the WWE, chair shots to the head were banned in March 2010, due to high risk of concussion and long-term brain damage. AEW wrestler Shawn Spears executed a chair shot to the head of Cody at Fyter Fest in 2019, causing AEW to ban the move as well.

Con-chair-to

This particular attack was popularized by Edge and Christian and involved two wrestlers sandwiching an opponent's head between two chairs with a simultaneous chair shot from both sides. The "One Man Con-chair-to" involves a wrestler placing their opponent so that they are horizontal with their head resting on a chair, then hitting their head from above with a second chair, squashing the head of the opponent between both. A variant where the performing wrestler places the opponent's arm on or trapped with the chair is also possible.

Fireball

The wrestler (using a concealed lighter) lights a piece of flash paper or a firecracker and throws it at the opponent, giving the impression of a supernatural ball of fire emerging from their hand. Other variation sets a wrestler spitting a flammable substance (e.g., alcohol) onto a lighter or torch. The move was used by Karrion Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux during their run in NXT. It was used by Chris Jericho during his run with the Jericho Appreciation Society in All Elite Wrestling.

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References

External links

sv:Wrestlingtekniker#Spear