Submission Wrestling Moves

Wrestling can be a fantastic sport to not only participate in bu also keep the whole family entertained for an entire afternoon—especially when you know a little bit about it, like the ins and outs of a few submission wrestling moves. Have fun calling them out to each other when you spot some of the most popular pro wrestlers pulling one off.

1. The Sharpshooter, or Scorpion Hold as it was originally called, is a well-known submission wrestling move. This move actually has several names, which can be common in the world of wrestling.  Some of them are: the Boston Crab, The Cloverleaf, and the Scorpion Death lock. This move begins with the opponent lying face down on the mat while the other wrestler grabs their legs twisting them. The opponent is then flipped over, and pressure is applied by the standing wrestler leaning onto twisted legs, straining the opponents lower back.
2. The Elevated Boston Crag has also become known as the Walls of Jericho. Submission wrestling moves can sometimes adopt the names of the wrestlers who are known to use them often. As is the case with this particular move, which Chris Jericho likes to use. It is done by getting the opponent into the Sharpshooter, or Boston Crab, but when going to twist the legs and apply pressure to their lower back, the standing wrestler moves farther back so that more pressure can be applied.
3. The Rope Hung Boston Crab is another variation in submission wrestling moves. This move is done involving the ropes to do the pressure applying. The opponent's legs are hung up in the wrestler's arms and draped over the ropes. The wrestler then snags the opponent's arms in his legs and uses the ropes and his own body to apply pressure to the opponent. This submission wrestling move usually must be broken before the referee gets to a full five count.
4. The Gogoplata is a submission wrestling move that has been employed by fighters in mixed martial arts as well as in the WWE. The professional wrestler The Undertaker began using this move in 2008, causing opponents to spit blood from their mouths, exciting the crowds. This submission wrestling move was a history maker, as it became banned and The Undertaker lost his title because of its use. The ban was lifted in 2009 and the move is still used by the Undertaker and is called Hell's Gate.
5. The Cobra Clutch is a well-known move involving the half-nelson. Standing behind the opponent, the wrestler uses one arm to lock them into a half-nelson. From here, they use their free arm to pull the opponent's arm that is being used in the half-nelson around their face. They lock their wrist with their hand cutting off circulation to the major neck artery and forcing submission. This is a popular move and has been used by many professional wrestlers in countless matches. The opponent is forced to tap out before losing consciousness.