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 Polish Hammer name comes from its most noted user, Ivan Putski.
The names for this move comes from the attack mimicking the motion seen when people swing a sledgehammer or axe.
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 attacking wrestler slaps both ears of an opponent simultaneously with the palms of his hands, distorting their balance. Often used to escape a bearhug hold.
Big splash
Also known as a vertical splash, the big splash involves a wrestler jumping forward and landing stomach first across an opponent lying on the ground below.
This move has been a mainstay in the movesets of heavier/larger wrestlers.
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
This move which was named after Lou Thesz sees the attacking wrestler jump towards a standing opponent and knock them over, resulting in the opponent lying on their back with the wrestler sitting on their chest, pinning the opponent.
Most variations will sees the attacking wrestler jump on a running opponent often followed by the wrestler repeatedly striking the opponent in the face after mounting them using this maneuver.
One other variation sees the attacking wrestler jump from the apron to an opponent to the floor, which is often 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 splashes his whole body stomach-first, squashing his opponent between him and the turnbuckle. This move was named after its inventor, Sting.
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.
The Bronco buster is normally treated as having comic or sexual connotations, rather than as a legitimately painful move. It is often used by female wrestlers to excite the spectators.
Chops
Backhand chop
The act of a wrestler to 'slap' the chest of his opponent, using the back of his hand. Sometimes the wrestler pretends it to be a backhand chop by bringing his hand backwards like he is about to chop but uses his palm for sound effects.
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.
Kesagiri chop
A downward diagonal backhand chop to the side of the opponents neck.
Overhead chop
The wrestler draws his hand back and hits the opponent vertically with a backhand chop, hitting usually the head.
Forehand chop
The act of slapping the chest of the opponent using the forehand.
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.
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 comes off the ropes first before hitting a high-impact clothesline which he calls the Clothesline from Hell.
Cactus clothesline
A clothesline used by Mick Foley that is named after his "Cactus Jack" gimmick. The attacking wrestler charges at an opponent who is against the ring ropes and clotheslines him/her. The force and momentum from the charge knocks both the wrestler and the opponent over the top rope and onto the floor.
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.
Flying clothesline
While running towards an opponent (usually after bouncing off the ropes), an attacking wrestler would leap up into the air, before connecting with a clothesline.
Crossbody
Also known as cross body block. 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.
There is also an aerial variation where wrestler leaps from an elevated position towards the opponent. It is known as flying crossbody.
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
- See Seated senton
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.
Scotty 2 Hotty's The Worm is a chop 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 chop drop, while his opponent lays motionless on the mat.
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 and throwing it into the audience, 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.
Many other professional wrestlers use an elbow drop in much the same fashion as (and often referencing) The People's Elbow: Samoa Joe (Samoan Elbow), Glenn Gilberti (Village People's Elbow), ect. The Blue Meanie uses a leg drop variation, which he calls The People's Leg Drop.
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 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°, dropping the elbow across the opponent's chest, driving him down to the mat. Another variation of this move sees the executer use their whole arm as a lariat instead of just the elbow.
Muhammad Hassan previously used a front facelock variation of this move, calling it the Finishing Touch.
Fist drop
A fist drop is a move in which a wrestler jumps/falls down on an opponent driving his fist into anywhere on the opponent's body. The falling variation was commonly used by 'The Million Dollar Man' Ted Dibiase, who would hit a downed opponent with multiple fist drops.
John Cena's Five Knuckle Shuffle is a fist drop preceded by a routine that involves Cena first looking his lying opponent in the eyes and doing his "you can't see me" taunt, followed by bouncing off the ropes then wiping 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.
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.
Knee drop bulldog
A version of a knee drop that involves the attacker placing one knee against the base of the opponent's neck, who is leaning forward, then dropping. This forces the opponent's head down to the mat, while landing on the opponent's upper body, and driving his knee to the neck of the opponent.
There is also a diving version.
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.
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.
Facewash
With an opponent sitting against the bottom corner turnbuckle, an attacking wrestler repeatedly rubs the sole of their boot across the face of the opponent. This is usually followed by either a running front kick, a running knee, a low jumping single leg running front dropkick or other strikes that first see the attacking wrestler rebound off the opposing ropes and charge at the opponent.
The facewash name is closely associated with Samoa Joe, who popularized the move in modern wrestling, and is in reference to how it seems the attacking wrestler is scrubbing (clean) the opponent face with their shoe.
Forearm smash
An attacking wrestler charges at the opponent with their arms out folded over each other, and then hit the opponent in the chest to force them back and down to the mat. Sometimes, however, it hits the opponent's chin or face.
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 André 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.
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.
Heart Punch
This attack sees an attacking wrestler first lift up an opponent's arm, placing it in a wrist lock behind the opponent's, to expose this opponent's chest. From here the attacking wrestler will directly punch the opponent in their exposed chest around the heart area. In kayfabe this makes the heart skip a beat and cause great pain to the opponent.
Knee strikes
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, often being referred to as a "Harley Race style High Knee".
KENTA uses a dropkick-like variation where he charges towards the opponent and jumps up from his left foot, throwing his right leg and arms forward while bending his left knee, striking the opponent in the head with it.
Running knee
The wrestler charges towards an opponent striking them in the face/head with their knee. It is often used while the opponent is usually seated or kneeling. The knee strike is usually forward however some use a side knee strike. These are sometimes confused for Shining Wizards.
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 originally performed the move as a high knee to the forehead of the opponent.
Gregory Helms uses an enzuigiri variation he calls the Shining Black, but does not step off his opponent's knee. Arik Cannon's Glimmering Warlock also does not use a step off as he approaches the opponent from behind. While their versions do not use the step up an enzuigiri with the 'Shining' step off is sometimes referred to as the Shining Apprentice.
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 Parsons in World 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 wrestlers of Asian origin. Asian mist was invented by The Great Kabuki.
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, and usually performed by taller wrestlers, 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 and to accentuate her long legs).
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.
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.
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; otherwise known as a groin attack. This is an illegal attack mainly used by heel wrestlers, or valets, 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.
Despite hitting the groin, the inverted atomic drop is not considered a low blow. This is because it involves dropping the opponent so that their groin hits the wrestler's knee, rather than raising a knee to hit the opponent's groin.
Also there are "cheap shots" used when referees are distracted and one would approach from behind their opponent and force their fist into their opponents testicles from behind. Another way is to trip the opponent while they are on top of the corner and in which they fall on the tight rope testicle first. Since it is not a direct shot but a dropping maneuver, it is not illegal.
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.
Punches to the head are much less tolerated in Japan, although punches to the body are accepted. This also holds true for Ring of Honor's "Pure Wrestling" division.
Testicular claw
A version of a clawhold in which an attacker will grab hold of an opponent by the testicles and squeeze. 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 (See also Groin attack).
Weapon shot
In addition to the chair shot, many other items are also sometimes used as weapon. Some of the more common weapons used include metal trash cans and lids, folding tables, ladders, "kendo sticks", and the steel ring steps.
While picking up the upper half the ring steps for use as a weapon is illegal, slamming an opponent into the ring steps is not considered illegal just frowned upon.
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, often throwing chairs at opponents rather than actually hitting them with it. He is also well known for using the chair as a step-up/springboard type object to aid in other moves.
Rob Van Dam is also well known for using chairs with various kicking combos, for example his Van-Daminator, and his Van-Terminator.
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.
El Kabong
A maneuver used by Jeff Jarrett, The Honky Tonk Man, and New Jack 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.
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 maneuver 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 the famed Brazilian footballer who popularised the overhead kick in football (soccer).
Corner backflip kick
Often called the Tiger Wall Flip, after Tiger Mask, this move sees an opponent propped up in the corner as an attacking wrestler charges towards them, running up the ropes (that are beside the opponent) and, as they reach the top, kicking off this opponent's chest to perform a backflip so the wrestler lands 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 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.
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 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.
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
The term Enzui refers to any attack that strikes the back of the head. Giri is a generic suffix referring to a kicking attack. The enzuigiri is essentially a jumping kick targeting the medulla oblongata. It is usually associated with the lighter weight classes as well as wrestlers who have a martial arts background or gimmick. Sometimes it is misstated as 'ensuigiri' or 'enzuigeri.'
The most well-known variation (especially in North America) is the leg-feed enzuigiri. It is often a countermove, or an initial kick is just a feint to set up the real attack.
Chris Adams's Enzuigiri was often mistakenly called a "superkick".
Football kick
Sometimes also referred to as a soccer kick. The wrestler kicks an opponent, who is sitting on the mat, vertically to their back, with the foot striking the base of the spine, and the shin striking the rest of the spine.
Jumping high kick
The wrestler jumps up and kicks the opponent to the side of their head. It is properly called a gamengiri, but due to the similar nature can be confused for an enzuigiri.
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.
Savate kick
The most commonly used kick which is referred to as a "Savate kick" in wrestling is the chasse, a piston-action kick, with the sole of the foot to an opponent's head or chin. This kick is in some ways similar to, 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 Axe Kick, or a Butterfly Kick.
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.
Sole butt
A thrust kick where the wrestler turns his torso away from the opponent while at the same time lifting his leg horizontally and extending it forward, striking the opponent in the torso with the sole of his foot.
A spin kick variation sees the wrestler spin around and then perform the sole butt kick with his outer leg. 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 his outer leg. This variation targets the head of the opponent.
Tiger Mask and Ultimo Dragon use it as a part of their kick combination, which consists of a shoot kick and a spin kick, followed by the jumping rolling sole butt kick.
Spin kick
A high kick which gains power and momentum from spinning in place. Similar to the spinning heel-kick or a reverse roundhouse 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.
Spinning heel-kick
Occasionally referred to as a Spinning Wheel Kick or Kneel Kick this 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.
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. sees an opponent being hung over the second rope facing the outside, as Mysterio swings around back to the ring his feet would hit the prone opponent in the head. This is known in the western world as the 619 in reference to the area code of San Diego, Rey's hometown.
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.
This move is a frequent finisher in strong style wrestlers, especially Japanese "Puroresu", as a homage to strong style wrestling legend Stan Hansen who used the lariat as his finisher.
A lariat to the back of the opponent's neck and shoulders is sometimes referred to as a northern lariat or enzui lariat.
A lariat where the wrestler doesn't run but simply strikes the opponent while standing next to him is sometimes referred to as a short range lariat. The wrestler can also hold the opponent's head up before performing the lariat with his other arm.
A short-arm lariat is variation where the wrestler grabs one of the opponent's wrists with his hand and pulls the opponent closer, striking him with the lariat with his other arm.
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 Axe Bomber. This move is famous in Japan because Hogan accidentally knocked out Antonio Inoki with it.
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 neckbreaker drop, necktie clothesline, bulldog lariat and Hart Attack.
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 and Slyk Wagner Brown are 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. Basham calls this variation the Last Impression. He would also land on the victim in a fashion not so different from a leg drop.
Slap
The attacker delivers an overpowering backhand/open-hand slap to his/her opponent.
Palm strike
The attacker delivers and open hand strike with the palm of their hand, usually to the chin of the opponent.
Senton
Similar to a big splash, except the attacker would jump over an opponent while falling backwards to land back-first on the opponent. often referred to as a Senton Splash, or Back Splash in reference to the big splash as well as to differentiate from the senton's diving version
Another slight variation on a standard senton sees the attacking wrestler jump forward and perform a somersault (front flip) to land back-first on the opponent. This is appropriately known as a Somersault Senton.
Standing corkscrew senton
This senton variation is performed by first executing a backflip, then spinning 180°, landing on a fallen opponent back-first.
Seated senton
A seated senton, also known as a hip drop, vertical splash, or La Silla (in lucha libre) is a move in which a wrestler jumps down to a sitting position across the chest of a fallen opponent. However, this move is often used by larger wrestlers, that more often fall to a sitting positon rather than jump to gain height.
The butt drop as it is sometimes known is an obvious and often-used counter to the sunset flip.
Shoulder block
A shoulder block sees a strike an opponent with their shoulder usually ramming their shoulder, by keeping their arm down by their side, into the opponent's shoulder or abdomen of an opponent running towards them. However, often this will see a larger wrestler stand still and have the another wrestler run towards the larger one to try an execute the move only to get knocked down.
The shoulder block often is used to display the size and strength of a wrestler, with the larger wrestler challenging another to run off the ropes and hit the move. This usually sees the other wrestler attempt to charge at the larger one several times only to see their attempts have no effect, or get knocked down themselves. A slight variation on this called the body block which is also typically used by large wrestlers, this sees an opponent run at the large wrestler who would simply engulf the charging opponent by swing his/her arms round and forcing the opponent to impact the wrestlers entire body.
"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
The chop block is a shoulder block that targets the back of an opponent's knee. The wrestler performing this attack would come from behind an opponent and drop down to connect with his/her shoulder into the back of one of the opponent's knees, this is often used to weaken the leg for submission holds.
Spear
Also known as the Shoulder block takedown. This is an attack where an attacking wrestler charges towards a standing opponent, driving their shoulder into the opponent's mid-section, tackling them, and forcing them down to the mat.
This move is similar to the double leg takedown.
Rhino, uses a version he calls the Gore! in which he does not hold on to the opponent to tackle them; using the move as a strike that often sees the opponent to flip backwards after impact.
Turnbuckle thrust
This move is a shoulder block performed to an opponent who is set up on the turnbuckle. The opponent is often resting back first against the turnbuckles. The attacker can run at the opponent, but normally the attacker will place his/her shoulder against the opponent and swing their legs back and forth, driving their shoulder into the opponents chest, often repeatedly to then gain momentum. Sometimes 3 or 4 times.
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. This is often used by women wrestlers to excite the spectators.
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 including an open-handed punch version.
European uppercut
This is an forearm uppercut 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 many European wrestlers and is often adopted by more technical wrestlers also.
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.
Rolling thunder
A rolling thunder refers to the action of a forward roll towards an opponent using the complete rotation to spring up onto their feet and into the air and perform an attack. The most popular version of this ends it with a jumping somersault senton and is used by Rob Van Dam.
Though Van Dam doesn't call his move anything more than "Rolling Thunder" most other variations use a naming system of Rolling Thunder [attack name]. The most notable variations are ones ending in a vertical splash ("Rolling Thunder Splash" used by Van Dam in 2006), a jumping lariat ("Rolling Thunder Lariat" as used by Konnan), and a legdrop version.