Professional wrestling strikes
Attacking maneuvers in professional wrestling are mainly used to wear down an opponent for a submission hold, or set up for a throw.
There is a wide variety of attacking moves in pro wrestling. Many moves are known by several different names. Professional wrestlers frequently give their "finishers" (signature moves that usually result in a win) 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, listed below are moves more specific to wrestling itself.
Many of the moves below can also be performed from a raised platform (the top rope, the apron, etc) these are called high-flying variations.
Moves are listed under general categories whenever possible.
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Double axe handle
Also known as a Double Sledge, or Polish Hammer, this attack sees the wrestler clasp both his hands together, and swing them at a victim, hitting any part of them.
The names for this move comes from the attack mimicing the motion of that seen when people swing a sledgehammer or axe. Ivan Putski used this as his finishing move.
Other notable users: Chris Masters, Tank Toland (Tank Turret)
Back elbow
The wrestler stand with their back to a running opponent and thrusts out an elbow, which the victim runs into.
Bell clap
The attacker slaps both ears of the victim simultaneously with the palms of his hands, distorting their balance. Leon White is a notable user of this move, which he has named Vader Attack.
Big splash
A big splash involves a wrestler jumping forward and landing stomach first across an opponent lying on the ground below. This move is mainly used by heavier wrestlers like Big Daddy.
Body avalanche
The attacker charges into a victim in the corner of the ring without leaving their feet, crushing them into the turnbuckle. This is normally used by bigger, heavier wrestlers. King Kong Bundy used a version of this move which he called the Atlantic City Avalanche. This move was also used by The Godfather, who referred to it as the "Ho Train."
Lou Thesz Press
The attacker jumps towards a standing opponent and knocks them over, resulting in the victim lying on their back with the attacker sitting on their chest, pinning the victim. This move was frequently used by and named after Lou Thesz. Stone Cold Steve Austin would repeatedly strike the victim in the face after mounting them using this maneuver. Trish Stratus also uses this move, calling it Air Canada. Negro Casas, Perro Aguayo and Perro Aguayo, Jr. use a variation where the attacker jumps from the apron to an opponent to the floor called La Silla.
Stinger splash
This is an attack in which a wrestler runs at an opponent, who is resting in the turnbuckle, then jumps forward so that he slashes his whole body stomach-first, squashing his opponent between him and the turnbuckle. This move was named after its inventor, Sting, and is now most popularly used by Shelton Benjamin.
Bronco buster
This is a seated senton to an opponent who is resting on the bottom turnbuckle, popularized by X-Pac and Goldust. Goldust added pelvic thrusts to his version of the bronco buster. Rey Mysterio has also used this move on occasion, most notably during his WCW heel turn. Shane McMahon used this move as well, but mainly to antagonize X-Pac. The bronco buster is normally treated as having comic or sexual connotations rather than as a legitimately painful move, as seen when Mae Young performed the move on Eric Bischoff in the Redneck Triathlon at WWE Bad Blood 2003.
Chops
Backhand chop
The act of a wrestler to 'slap' the chest of his opponent, using the back of his hand.
Many wrestlers use this chop more or less but it has been popularized by Ric Flair. Flair's use has made it a "tradition" for fans to yell "Wooo!" whenever a wrestler uses it. Over the last two decades, this move, though not devastating has been the signature moves of Ricky Steamboat, Chris Benoit, Shawn Michaels, Jimmy Snuka, Hardcore Holly, and formerly Bradshaw.
Kesagiri chop
A downward diagonal Backhand chop to the side of the opponents neck. Notably used by Kenta Kobashi.
Forehand chop
The act of slapping the chest of the opponent using the forehand. This is commonly used by The Big Show and is used often by Brother Ray Deadly.
Mongolian chop
The act of 'karate chopping' both the opponent's shoulders and sides of the neck with the hands' edges in a swinging motion at the same time. Used by Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Kazushi Sakuraba.
Clothesline
A move in which one wrestler runs towards another and extends his/her arm out from the side of the body and parallel to the ground, knocking over the other as he/she runs by. Often confused with a lariat.
JBL's finisher is a type of clothesline in which he bounces off the ropes first before assisted with a running high-impact clothesline calling it the Clothesline from Hell. He briefly called it Clothesline from Wall Street when turning to his current gimmick, but naming has since reverted to Clothesline from Hell.
Cactus clothesline
A clothesline used by Mick Foley, and named after his Cactus Jack gimmick. When an opponent is against the ropes, the other wrestler runs towards them and clotheslines him/her over the ropes, while going over the ropes themselves.
Short-arm clothesline
This variation of the clothesline is set-up by Irish-whipping the opponent, but holding onto the arm. When the arm is completely extended, the attacker pulls the victim back, and clotheslines him with either arm. This maneuver is one of the signature attacks of Jake "The Snake" Roberts.
Flying clothesline
Similar to a clothesline from the top rope, however this version is done while running towards the opponent (usually after bouncing off the ropes), leaping up, and connecting with a clothesline. Among the people who use this variation are The Undertaker.
Crossbody
A crossbody (or "cross body block") is a maneuver in which a wrestler jumps onto his opponent and lands horizontally across the opponent's torso, forcing them to the mat and usually resulting in a pinfall attempt.
Crossfaces
This is an attack performed when a wrestler has a rear mount (sitting across the opponent's back) and uses forearm shots across the victim's face.
Drops
Drops are moves in which wrestlers jump or fall down onto a person on the floor, landing with a specific part of the body
Butt drop
A butt drop, also known as a hip drop or seated senton is a move in which a wrestler jumps/falls, sitting down usually onto the chest of an opponent. This move is generally used by larger wrestlers such as John Tenta, Rikishi, Rosey, and Brazo de Plata. The Butt drop is an obvious and often-used counter to the Sunset Flip. Yutaka Yoshie uses this as one of his signature moves, calling it the Raiden Drop.
Chop drop
The wrestler either falls forward, or jumps up and drops down, hitting a laying opponent with a backhand chop on the way down. The wrestler usually lands on his knees.
Notable users include: Kenta Kobashi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan
Elbow drop
A elbow drop is a move in which a wrestler jumps down on an opponent driving his elbow into anywhere on the opponent's body.
A common elbow drop sees an attacker raise one elbow before falling to one side and striking it across an opponent, another common elbow drop is the pointed elbow drop that sees an attacker raise both elbows up and drop directly forward dropping one, or both elbows onto the opponent.
The Rock's People's Elbow is an elbow drop, preceded by a routine that involves The Rock pulling off his elbow pad, bouncing off the ropes, then lifting one leg as if performing a leg drop, and hitting the elbow drop as his opponent lays motionless on the mat.
Dusty Rhodes has used, and probably originated, an elbow drop similar to the "People's Elbow". As he approached his downed opponent he would grab his crotch, raise his elbow high and drop the elbow with as much impact and dramatic affect as possible.
Bionic elbow
This is a move in which a wrestler faces an opponent and smashes his elbow on to the top of the victims head, made famous by Dusty Rhodes. Occasionally used by Brother Ray Deadly.
Hell-bow
The attacker forces the victim onto all fours. The attacker then climbs on to the back of the victim before jumping in the air and dropping an elbow on the neck of the victim. This move was invented and named by The Original Sinn.
Spinning headlock elbow drop
This is any elbow drop which is performed after applying a headlock, the most widely known variation is an inverted facelock elbow drop in which a wrestler puts his opponent into a inverted facelock, and then turns 180°, droping the elbow across the opponent's chest, driving him down to the mat.
Big Show and The Hurricane have both used slight variations of the inverted facelock elbow drop; these moves have been dubbed the Final Cut and the Eye of the Hurricane, respectively. Muhammad Hassan has also used an inverted variation of this move, calling it The Finishing Touch.
Fist drop
A fist drop is a move in which a wrestler jumps down on an opponent driving his fist into anywhere on the opponent's body. Was commonly used by 'The Million Dollar Man' Ted Dibiase, who would hit a downed opponent with multiple fist drops.
Since the WWE banned the use of piledrivers for health reason Jerry Lawler's finsiher has been a second rope fist drop, which he has always used as a precursor to the famous piledriver.
John Cena's Five Knuckle Shuffle is a fist drop preceded by a routine that involves Cena bouncing off the ropes then he wipes his right hand on his left shoulder (followed on occasion by some comic routine) before hitting the fist drop using that hand, as his opponent lays motionless on the mat.
Forearm drop
A forearm drop is a move in which a wrestler jumps down on an opponent driving his forearm into anywhere on the opponent's body.
Scotty 2 Hotty's The Worm is a forearm drop preceded by a routine that involves Scotty hopping on one leg four times (as the crowd chants W-O-R-M), doing worm dance moves towards the opponent and swinging his arms just before hitting the forearm drop, while his opponent lays motionless on the mat.
Headbutt drop
A headbutt drop is a move in which a wrestler jumps down on an opponent driving his head into anywhere on the opponent's body.
Knee drop
A knee drop is a move in which a wrestler jumps down on an opponent driving his knee into anywhere on the opponent's body. It is often sold as more powerful if the attacker bounces off the ropes first.
Jesse James and Billy Gunn as the New Age Outlaws often strutted off the rope toward the knee drop, often one after the other, in a move called the Shaky Knee Drop. James (now B.G. James) still does the move.
Leg drop
A move in which a wrestler will jump and land his leg across an opponent's chest, throat or face. Most famously used by Hulk Hogan, who uses this as his finisher when wrestling in North America. Among others who have used this move as a signature move include Matt Hardy, Rob Van Dam, and The Big Show.
Fame - Asser
A version of a leg drop, it involves the attacker placing the back of an opponent's head, who is leaning forward, under the his leg, then dropping his leg and the opponent's head down to the mat. A version of this move was first made popular by Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty as part of the tag team "The Rockers", it was called the Rocker Dropper, this variation involved the victim being placed in a wrist lock while the move took place. The move's current name comes from its use by Kip James; He also used the name Famouser while using the RockaBilly gimmick.
Usually the back of the head is place under the attackers leg, though the name Hog Log (most recently used by the Big Show) is referred to when the head is the other way round when the leg is dropped.
Guillotine leg drop
This move is similar to the leg drop although it is done with the opponent's body hanging over something, sometimes with the opponent's head hung over one of the ring ropes or most notably the ring apron (so the head is suspended over the outside), the attacker will then walk across the apron and execute a leg-drop onto the opponent's sternum, causing both of them to fall and land on the outside of the ring. This move is commonly used by The Undertaker and has remained one of his signature moves since the beginning of his career.
A regular Diving leg drop is also referred to as Guillotine leg drop, especially if it goes across the neck.
Discus leg drop
The wrestler spins 360° while they jump and land their leg across an opponent's chest, throat or face.
Notable users include: Rob Van Dam, Rosey (Revolving Leg Drop)
Elbow smash
The attacker delivers a punch, but tucks their hand into their chest so that their elbow and forearm make contact instead of their fist.
Headbutt
An attack where a wrestler uses his head to strike a part of the opponent's body, usually the head or skull, to daze him. Unlike a legitimate headbutt, the pro-wrestling version most often impacts with the opponent's forehead, counting on the superior hardness of the attacker's head and the momentum delivered to hurt the victim without hurting the attacker. The headbutt is most often used by Samoan and Tongan wrestlers, who are generally portrayed in pro wrestling as having hard heads. However, very large wrestlers, such as Andre the Giant, have also used headbutts, counting on their sheer size to easily subdue their opponents.
Battering ram
The attacker stands facing an upright opponent, lowers their head and then jumps or charges forwards, driving the top of their head into the abdomen of the victim. This move was made famous by Harley Race and Craig Pittman. The Bushwhackers had a double team version where one Bushwhacker would push the other to run and ram the opponent.
Trapping headbutts
The attacker holds both the opponent's arms under his own, and delivers a series of headbutts to his opponent, who is unable to counter. This is a signature maneuver of Al Snow, and varitions have been used by the likes of The Big Show, and Chris Benoit.
Heart Punch
With the attacker facing a victim. The attacker lifts up one of the victim's arms straight up in a wrist lock. The attacker then punches the victim in the chest. Stan Stasiak, Ox Baker, and Brian Adams (as Crush) have used this move as a finisher.
High knee
An attack in which a wrestler will charge towards towards their opponent, then raise their knee or jump up so that their knee would hit the victim usually into the side of the head, or face.
This move has been closely associated with Harley Race and more recently Triple H. Recently has been used by William Regal to finish his matches.
Hip attack
Also known as a Thump this attack is usually performed with a running start, when attacker jumps into the air, spins around, and thrusts his pelvis backwards, thus hitting the opponent's head or chest with his hip or buttocks. The move is also known as the Butt Butt and was made famous by "Iceman" King Parsons in Wolrd Class Championship Wrestling in the 80s.
Illegal attacks
Illegal attacks are mainly used by heel wrestlers and are usually an offense punishable by disqualification, though typically done when the referee is disabled or otherwise distracted.
Asian mist
The attacker spits a colored mist in the face of the victim. The mist (typically green, but also in red and black varieties) supposedly stings and temporarily blinds victim. As the name implies, the move is associated with wresters of Asian origin. Asian mist was invented by The Great Kabuki, and is now used by The Great Muta and Tajiri.
Chair shot
The attacker hits the victim with a folded metal chair. The strike is performed with the flat face of the chair to slow the swing and distribute the impact, to prevent injury. Sabu is perhaps best known for using chairs as much as possible in his matches. A variation of the chair shot was popularized by the late Eddie Guerrero, who would bring a chair into the ring, but when the referee was "coming to" would throw the chair to his opponent and then fake unconsciousness. The referee, thinking that the now surprised opponent was responsible, would signal the end of the match.
One man con-chair-to
This Chair attack involves an attacker placing their victim 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 chairs.
Made popular by the former team Edge and Christian, who developed this move from its double team version whilst feuding with one another.
Corner foot choke
The superstar pushes their opponent into the turnbuckle and extends their leg, choking their helpless victim while using the top two ropes for support. This attack is illegal and results in a wrestler's disqualification should the referee count to five. While generally considered a heel move, this is popular face WWE Diva Stacy Keibler's signature move, and she draws a large cheer from the fans every time she locks it in (mainly because this allows for a brief panty shot).
El Kabong
A maneuver used by Jeff Jarrett and The Honky Tonk Man in particular, it simply involves breaking a guitar over somebody's head. It's also referred to as "The Acoustic Equalizer". The popular name comes from the name of the alter ego of cartoon character Quick Draw McGraw, known for doing the same.
Eye poke
When a wrestler pokes his finger(s) into an opponent's eye(s). This is an illegal attack mainly used by heel wrestlers to gain an upperhand on their opponent.
Eye rake
Also called a Thumb to the eye. This is when a wrestler rakes his thumb(s) down an opponent's eye(s). This is an illegal attack mainly used by heel wrestlers to gain an upperhand on their opponent. Well used by "Nature Boy" Ric Flair.
Fireball
The attacker sets a piece of quick-burning paper alight and throws it at the victim, giving the impression of a supernatural ball of fire emerging from their hand. The Sheik is credited as the first man to throw fire in wrestling. Other than the Sheik, the move was used most notably by the late Eddie Gilbert, but was also used by Jerry Lawler and Skandor Akbar.
Hangman
Seen when a wrestler who is on the opposite side of the ring ropes from an opponent grabs him by the head and drops down, forcing the victim's throat across the ropes. This is an illegal attack because of its use of the ropes.
Low blow
A direct shot to the groin of an opponent. This is an illegal attack mainly used by heel wrestlers to gain the upper hand on their opponents and is an offense punishable by disqualification.
Goldust would trap his opponent in the corner by tangling their legs in the ring ropes and then deliver a running kick to the groin, which he dubbed Shattered Dreams (later in his WWE tenure, he renamed this the Golden Globes).
Hardcore Holly would hold an opponent's legs while their upper body was hung on the ropes, then kick between their legs into their mid-section. In turn, his shin would impact the groin of the victim. As this is indirect it was deemed a legal move.
Petey Williams would put his opponent in a tree of woe and get on the second turnbuckle, stepping on the opponent's groin while singing O Canada. This is called the O Canada nut squash. In Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, some rules are loosened, so this is simply counted against by the referee like any other tie-up in the corner.
Punch
A simple close-fisted punch, normally to the body or face of the victim. Unlike most illegal attacks, punches almost never result in disqualification. Instead, the referee simply admonishes the wrestler to stop, usually to no effect. Punches are often used by both heels and faces. A common variation involves standing on the middle or top ropes and delivering repeated punches to the face while the victim is backed up against the turnbuckles. The crowd tends to count the punches, which typically end at ten or are interrupted by the victim pushing the attacker off the ropes.
Testicular claw
A version of a clawhold in which an attacker will grab hold of an opponent by the testicles. This is an illegal attack mainly used by wrestlers to gain the upper hand on their opponents and is an offense punishable by disqualification if not released before a five count.
Notable users include: Ric Flair, Tommy Dreamer
Kicks
In violence, martial arts and sports, a kick is an attack using the foot, knee or leg to strike any part of the opponent's body particularly in the head, shin, mid-section, etc.
Backflip kick
While the attacker has his back to the victim. The attacker performs a standing backflip and hits the victim in the head with one or both their legs, with the attacker usually landing on their hands and/or feet facing downward. This manuever is known for its use chiefly by Puroresu Legend Keiji Mutoh and more recently A.J. Styles often uses the move, which he calls the "Pelé (pay-lay) kick" after famed Brazilian footballer who popularised the overhead kick in football.
Corner backflip kick
With the victim is propped up in the corner, the attacker charges and runs up the outside ropes, as they reach the top, the kick the victim in the chest and perform a backflip so they land on their feet. sometimes called the Tiger Wall Flip after Tiger Mask.
Big boot
This is usually done with the opponent charging towards the wrestler, using the opponent's momentum to deliver the wrestler's boot to the upper-body or head.
When this move is performed with the wrestler charging towards an opponent it is referred to as a Kenka Kick or a Yakuza Kick, named by Masahiro Chono. Yakuza Kick is the older name, which is no longer used in Japan, allegedly because of a request or demand from Yakuza members. It is also sometimes referred to as a Mafia Kick in the United States. Kenka means "fight" in Japanese.
Wrestlers who have used the big boot include Kane, The Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, The Barbarian, Kevin Nash, Toshiaki Kawada, Bradshaw, and many other big men.
Notable users of the move as a finisher: Test, Tyson Tomko (Chainsaw Kick) and Lance Hoyt (Boot From Hell)
Bicycle kick
The attacker jumps and kicks both feet as though pedalling a bicycle.
Notable users: A-Train / Albert
Dragon whip
This a leg lariat move which is performed after an opponent catches the leg of a wrestler who has attempted a kick of some sort (i.e. superkick or side kick), then while the opponent throws the leg out away from himself the wrestler continues to spin all the way out with his leg still extended to hit the leg lariat.
Notable users include: Shelton Benjamin
Dropkick
A dropkick is defined as an attack where the wrestler jumps up and kicks the opponent with the soles of both feet, this sees the wrestler twist as they jump so that when the feet connect with the victim one foot is raised higher that the other (depending on which way they twist) and the attacker fall back to the mat on their side, or front. This is commonly employed by light and nimble wrestlers who can take advantage of their agility.
Enzuigiri
There are two "versions" of the Enzuigiri: the Japanese version, and the Western version.
In Japanese puroresu, the term Enzui refers to any attack that strikes the back of the head. Giri is a generic suffix referring to a kicking attack (single leg). The Japanese Enzuigiri, therefore, is any form of kick to the back of the head, though commonly the Enzuigiri is a roundhouse-style kick. Sometimes, though, it is employed by striking the back of the head with the heel of the foot.
The North American version of the move, usually performed with one leg being held by the opponent (or with the wrestler running towards the opponent), involves the attacker jumping to the side of the victim and swinging the "far" leg (the leg further from the opponent's body) to kick at the side or back of the opponent's head. This is a misnomer, as it is not a true "Enzuigiri" as the name actually means in Japanese. It is also referred to as the Back Brain Kick or the Ghetto Blaster, and was the finisher of Bad News Brown. Chris Jericho can also be seen using this as one of his finishers by running up to his opponents and executing it. It is also known as the Running Enziguri used by Chris Jericho. Chris Adams also used both versions of the Enzuigiri, which announcers mistakenly refer as a superkick.
Jumping high kick
The wrestler jumps up and kicks the opponent to the side of their head. The difference to a Enzuigiri is that the opponent isn't kicked to the back of the head, and the wrestler usually stays somewhat upright while in the air, but the difference between the moves is very small, and the move is often referred as an enzuigiri.
A finishing move of Toshiaki Kawada and Akitoshi Saito (Sickle of Death).
Legsweep
The attacker drops to one knee and extends their other leg, then quickly pivots their body around, using their extended leg to knock away the victims legs.
Mule kick
With the attacker facing away from the opponent who is charging them. The attacker bends down and pushes out one foot striking the victim with the bottom of it.
Double mule kick
Usually done with the attacker facing away from the opponent, sometimes done in a corner, attacker jumps and kicks backwards with both legs to the victim hitting them with both soles of their feet. If acrobatically inclined, the attacker can roll forward so they are standing after they hit it.
Overhead kick
Similar to a Back Flip Kick this attack sees the attacker either start by laying down or drops down on the mat while the victim standing near their head. The attacker lifts a leg and kicks up over their waist and chest, hitting the victim with the top of their foot, usually in the head. Can be used as a counter to an attack from behind. For example, a wrestler attempts a full nelson, the attacker breaks the victim's lock, falls to the canvas and kicks them in the face with their foot.
Rolling wheel kick
Also known as a Rolling Koppou kick and abisegiri. The attacker rolls towards a standing victim, extending a leg which connects with the back, chest, or head of the victim.
Notable users include: Jushin Liger, Genichiro Tenryu, Toshiaki Kawada, Low-Ki.
Savate kick
The most commonly used savate kick in wrestling is the chasse a piston-action kick, with the sole of the foot to an opponent's head or chin. In some ways similar, but not considered, a superkick.
Notable users include: Rikishi
Scissors kick
A version of a leg drop, which is performed on an opponent who is standing, bent over, usually in the middle of the ring. This sees a wrestler bounces off the ropes, jumps -- driving his leg(s) into the back or neck of the opponent, forcing them face first into the floor. Also known as an Ax Kick, or a Butterfly Kick.
Notable users: Ron "The Truth" Killings, Booker T, Bull Buchanan
Shoot kick
A kickboxing-style kick with the shin (generally protected by a shinguard) striking an opponent's face or chest. Originated in the Japanese UWF, used by many Japanese wrestlers and in shoot-style environments.
Spin kick
A high kick which gains power and momentum from spinning in place. Similar to the spinning heel-kick, but the attacker does not jump off the ground, making the move a leg lariat of sorts. It is common to see this move executed after an opponent is irish whipped off the ropes.
Notable users include: Stacy Keibler, Rico (Rico Kick).
Spinning heel-kick
Usually involves the attacker spinning as they jump so that his body is somewhat horizontal, before hitting their opponent with back of his leg(s) or heel(s) on the face, neck or chest. Familiar mainly with agile wrestlers such as Rob Van Dam and Shannon Moore, but larger wrestlers have also been known to show off their agility by using this move like Viscera. Occasionally referred to as a Spinning Wheel Kick or Kneel Kick.
Stomp
When a wrestler stamps his foot on any part of an opponent. Also known as a foot stomp.
Double foot stomp
When a wrestler jumps and stamps both feet on any part of an opponent.
Superkick
A high side thrust kick with the sole of the foot to an opponent's head or chin, usually preceded by a sidestep, often referred to as a Shuffle side kick, Crescent Kick, or just a Side kick. The attacker will often slap their thigh to generate an appropriate sound effect.
Tiger Feint Kick
The Tiger Feint Kick is a move where a wrestler jumps through the second and top rope while holding on to the ropes, using his momentum to swing around back into the ring. This move is also used to perform a fake dive to opponents outside the ring. This move requires high agility, and is mainly used in Japan and Mexico.
A variation of this move used by Rey Mysterio Jr. and dubbed the "619" (referring to the area code of San Diego, Rey's hometown) sees an opponent being hung over the second rope in the "stun gun" position facing the outside as he swings around back to the ring his feet would hit the prone opponent in the head (or any other part of the victim's body).
Lariat
Lariat is another name for a lasso and is referred to in wrestling when an attacking wrestler runs towards an opponent, wraps his arm around their upper chest and neck, and then forces them to the ground, very similarly to a clothesline, the difference being that in a clothesline the wrestler's arm is kept straight to the side of the wrestler during the move, while in the lariat the wrestler strikes their opponent with his arm. Notable wrestlers who have used or use this move as their finisher include Stan Hansen, Kenta Kobashi, Satoshi Kojima, Steve Corino, and Homicide.
A lariat to the back of the opponent's neck and shoulders is sometimes referred to as a Northern lariat or Enzui Lariat. Bobby Roode uses this as his finisher.
Crooked arm lariat
The Crooked Arm Lariat is performed when an attacking wrestler runs towards an opponent with the his arm bent upward at the elbow 60-90 degrees and wraps his arm around their head forcing them to the ground.
Hulk Hogan uses this maneuver as a finisher while wrestling in Japan, and calls it the Ax Bomber. This move is famous in Japan because Hogan accidentally knocked out Antonio Inoki with it. Takao Omori uses it as one of his finishers.
Lariat takedown
The wrestler runs towards his opponent, wraps his arm around their upper chest and neck of the opponent, and swings his legs forward, using his momentum to pull the opponent down with him to the mat, on to their upper back. Also called Running neckbreaker, Neckbreaker drop, Necktie clothesline, Bulldog lariat and Hart Attack.
Notable users include: Giant Baba, Bret Hart
Leg lariat
Also referred to as a Jumping Leg Lariat this attack is seen when an attacking wrestler runs towards an opponent, jumps and wraps his leg around the opponent's head/neck knocking the victim to the ground.
Doug Basham is known for jumping higher than what is needed and wrapping his lowest leg around the opponent's head forcing the victim and himself to the ground calling it the Last Impression, Basham would also land on the victim in a fashion not so different from a leg drop.
Palm strike
The attacker delivers and open hand strike with the palm of their hand, usually to the chin of the opponent.
Notable users include: Jushin Liger (Shotei).
Senton
Similar to a big splash, the attacker jumps while leaning backwards and lands back-first across the opponent.
Seated Senton
See butt drop
Shining Wizard
A jumping strike to the side of the opponent's head, with either the side of the knee or the shin, delivered to an opponent who is down on one knee, after stepping off that opponent's raised knee with the other leg.
The move was innovated and named by Keiji Mutoh, who uses it as his finishing move. Originally Mutoh performed the move as a high knee to the forehead of the opponent.
Other notable users include CM Punk.
Gregory Helms's enzuigiri version, and B-Boy's running knee strike are also called the Shining Wizard, though their attacks do not see them step off their opponent's raised knee.
Shoulder block
A shoulder block is when an opponent usually runs towards the opponent and rams their shoulder into their victim's shoulder or abdomen.
"The Alpha Male" Monty Brown irish whips his opponent into a rope, then bounces off an adjacent rope and into a low shoulder block he calls the Pounce.
Chop block
This is a shoulder block to the back of the knee, used to weaken the leg for submission holds.
Spear
Also known as the Shoulder block takedown. This is an attack where a wrestler runs towards his opponent, drives their shoulder into the victim's stomach, tackling them, and forcing them down to the mat.
The move is used by particularly tall wrestlers especially, such as Goldberg and Edge. Rhino calls the move Gore!
This move is similar to the double leg takedown.
Turnbuckle thrust
This refers to a shoulder block performed to an opponent who is set up on the turnbuckle. The opponent is often resting backfirst against the turnbuckles. The can run at the opponent but normally the attacker will place his/her shoulder against the opponent and swing there legs back and forth, driving their shoulder into the opponents chest, often repeatedly.
Notable users include: Batista
Standing moonsault
A move in which a wrestler, who is standing next to an opponent laying on the ground, turns his back to the victim and executes a standing backflip, landing on the opponent chest-first.
Standing Shooting Star Press
See: Shooting star press.
Stinkface
This attack involves a wrestler forcing their buttocks onto the face of a victim lying in the corner of the ring, mainly to humiliate the victim rather than to injure them. The move was most famously used by Rikishi, though André the Giant had also used the move on occasion.
Uppercut
The uppercut, is a punch used in boxing that usually aims at the opponent's chin. It is, along with the hook, one of the two main punches that count in the statistics as power punches. In boxing an uppercut only refers to a punch, while in wrestling other forms of uppercuts are used.
European uppercut
This is an uppercut forearm in which a wrestler does a quick grapple then brings their arm up inside to hit the opponent under the chin. This move has long been a signature move of William Regal and Kurt Angle, and has more recently been adopted by Randy Orton.
Knee lift
This is an uppercut using the attacker's knee in which a wrestler brings their knee up to hit the opponent under the chin. This often sees a prone opponent bent over when the attacker chargers at the victim and lifts his knee up under them.
The move can be performed using two knees; the attacker forces the victim's head down, then quickly jumps, bending at the knees, and hits the victim in the face.
Transition moves
Some moves are meant neither to pin an opponent, nor weaken them or force them to submit, but are intended to set up the victim for another attack.
Discus
This is a move in which a wrestler will spin in place before hitting an attack, like the Discus Clothesline, Discus Punch, or the Discus Forearm. The move is usually used instead of charging towards an opponent to built up momentum for an attack.
Kerry Von Erich during his stint in the then-WWF as the Texas Tornado, used the discus punch calling it his "Tornado Punch."
Handspring
The wrestler runs towards the ropes and performs a handstand right next to them, using his momentum to throw his legs against the ropes, using the spring to throw himself backwards back onto his feet, and using the momentum still to leap backwards, usually to deliver an attack. A back elbow strike variation is the most common.