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.
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. |
Ax 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.
During "The Masterpiece" Chris Masters debut match on WWE RAW, which saw him face the WWE's star Jobber Steven Richards, Masters hit an Ax Handle to Richards, which broke both Richards' nose, and orbital bone.
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.
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.
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. Stone Cold Steve Austin would repeatedly strike the victim in the face while mounting them.
Stinger splash
This is an attack in which a wrestler run at an opponent who is resting on the turnbuckle then jump foward 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 populary 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.
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, Ricky Steamboat, Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels.
Kesagiri chop
A downward diagonal Backhand chop to the side of the opponents neck.
Forehand chop
The act of slapping the chest of the opponent using the forehand. This is commonly used by The Big Show.
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. This is 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.
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 is 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.
Cross-faces
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, 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 Rosey, Rikishi, and Brazo de Plata. The Butt drop is an obvious and often-used counter to the Sunset Flip.
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.
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.
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.
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 proformed straight after a headlock is applied, the most widely known variation is a inverted facelock elbow drop in which a wrestler puts his opponent into a inverted facelock and then spins round droping the elbow across the victims chest forcing him to the mat below.
Big Show and The Hurricane have both used slight variation of the inverted facelock elbow drop, Big show calling it a Final Cut and Hurricane naming his the Eye of the Hurricane
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.
John Cena's Five Knuckle Shuffle is a fist drop preceded by a routine that involves Cena bouncing off the ropes then he wipes one hand down the other arm 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.
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 The Undertaker and Hulk Hogan, who uses this as his finisher when wrestling in North America.
Fameasser
A version of a leg drop, it involves the attacker placing the back 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 "Mr Ass" Billy Gunn.
Usually the back of the head is place under the attackers leg, though the name hoglock (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.
Discus Leg drop
The wrestler spins in a circle while they jump and land their leg across an opponent's chest, throat or face.
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.
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.
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.
Battering Ram
The attacker stands facing an upright opponent, lowers their head and then charges forwards, driving the top of their head into the abdomen of the victim. This move was made famous by the Bushwhackers.
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, 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.
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 in the face.
This move has been closely associated with Harley Race and more recently Triple H.
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.
Illegal attacks
Illegal attacks are mainly used by heel wrestlers and are usually an offense punishable by disqualification.
One man con-chair-to
This move 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.
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.
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 "the 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 and opponent graps him by the head and drops down, forcing the victim's throat across the 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.
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.
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.
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 preform a backflip so they land on their feet.
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 Yakuza Kick, as Masahiro Chono uses it (though in Japan it is occasionally called a kenka kick).
Wrestlers who have used the big boot include Kane, The Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, The Barbarian, Test, Kevin Nash, Toshiaki Kawada, and many other big men.
Bicycle kick
The attacker jumps and kicks both feet as though pedalling a bicycle.
Dragon whip
This a leg lariat move which is performed after an opponent catches the leg of a wrestler who attempt 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. Shelton Benjamin of WWE uses it from time to time.
Dropkick
A dropkick is defined as an attack where the wrestler jumps up and kicks the opponent with both feet. This is commonly employed by light and nimble wrestlers who can take advantage of their agility.
Maven Huffman and Hardcore Holly have been credited with having some of the best dropkicks in the business, and Mark Jindrak has been credited with having the highest vertical leap to his dropkick.
Baseball slide
The attacker runs and slides feet first at the victim, kicking them with both feet, like a baseball player sliding into a base. It is usually performed by a wrestler in the ring or on the ring apron against the head or upper torso of a wrestler standing outside of the ring.
A baseball slide can also be used to counter an Irish whip, as the whipped wrestler slides before they can hit the ropes.
Dropsault
A dropsault is an attack where the wrestler jumps up and kicks the opponent with both feet and then executes a backflip, landing on the mat chest-first. Sometimes this move can see the wrestler land chest-first on another opponent.
This move is a signature move of Paul London.
Single leg running dropkick
The attacker runs towards the victim and jumps up sideways striking the victim's head or chin with the sole of their upper leg, much like Superkick.
Among the wrestlers who have used this move are Christopher Daniels and Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, who calls it the Zero-san Kick.
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.
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
Simmilar 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. 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 Lyger, Genichiro Tenryu, 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.
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.
This is a signature move of wrestlers such as Ron "The Truth" Killings & Booker T.
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.
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.
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 as Rob Van Dam and Shannon Moore, but larger wrestlers have also been known to show off their agillity by using this move like Viscera.
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.
Many wrestlers use this as signature move, most notably Shawn Michaels who uses this as his finisher (which is often preceded by a series of foot stomps), referring to it as the "Sweet Chin Music". Steven Richards uses the move too, and calls it the "Stevie Kick". Chris Adams was among the first to make this finisher a household name back in 1983 while competing in World Class Championship Wrestling.
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) sees an opponent being placed 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). Another variation of this maneuver used by Mikey Batts sees the victim lying with their back on the 2nd or bottom rope facing into the ring, while Batts swings through the ropes and grapevines the opponent's arms, applying a sort of jujigatame stretch.
Knee Lift
The attacker applies a front facelock to the victim or otherwise forces their head down. The attacker then brings up a knee and hits the victim in the face. 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.
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 head then forces them to the ground, very similar to a Clothesline. Notable wrestlers who have used this move as their finisher include Stan Hansen, Kenta Kobashi and Satoshi Kojima.
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.
Leg lariat
When an attacking wrestler runs towards an opponent, jumps and wraps his leg around the opponent's head then forces him to the ground. Also referred to as a Jumping Leg Lariat.
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 (Shote).
Senton
A senton is similar to a big splash, except that instead of impacting stomach first, the attacker lands back first across the opponent.
Shining wizard
An aerial knee/shin to the face usually delivered to an opponent who is down on one knee, after stepping off that opponent's raised knee with the other foot. It can be performed in numerous positions and can be seen by wrestler Keiji Mutoh, or The Hurricane.
Shoulder block
A shoulder block is when an opponent usually runs towards the opponet and rams their shoulder into their victim's shoulder or abdomen.
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.
Commonly used by wrestlers such as Goldberg, Edge and Rhyno, who calls it The Gore.
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.
Rob Van Dam, a common users of this manuver, sometimes adds a twist to the standing moonsault by running off the ropes, then performing a cartwheel before ending with a quick moonsault.
Standing 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.
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 attacker performers a somersault before hitting an attack, often a back elbow.