Professional wrestling throws
Much of the action in professional wrestling involves the application of techniques that involve lifting the opponent up and throwing or slamming him/her down. These moves are generally illegal in traditional amateur wrestling because they can cause serious injury. They are sometimes also called "power moves", as they are meant to emphasize a wrestler's strength.
There is a wide variety of slams and throws in pro wrestling. Many moves are known by several different names. Professional wrestlers frequently give their "finisher" (signature moves that usually result in a win) new names. Moves are listed under general categories whenever possible.
Airplane spin toss
The wrestler lifts the opponent up on their shoulders face up in an Argentine backbreaker rack, spins around, pushes the opponent up, and moves out of the way, dropping the opponent down to the mat.
Spinning crucifix toss
The wrestler lifts the opponent above their back with the opponent's arm spread out in a crucifix hold, spins around, pushes the opponent up, and moves out of the way, dropping the opponent down to the mat.
Notable users include: Slash (The Slash and Burn/Whirlybird), James Storm (Eye of the Storm), and Colt Cabana
Armbar takedown
This is a technique in which the attacker grabs the opponent's arm and pulls him/her down to the ground by wrenching down on the victim's arm. It is also known as a Single Arm DDT.
The affected area of this attack is the shoulder, not the head as with normal DDT's. The attacker grabs the victim's arm and bars it in front of the attacker's body so that the attacker is holding out the arm with the arm furthest away from the victim's body. The attacker then reaches over the victim's shoulder and wrap it around his/her victim's arm with the other. The attacker then drops down and drives the victim's shoulder into the mat.
This hold is noted as the move that broke "Pitbull #1" Gary Wolfe's neck, as a result of Wolfe taking the bump wrong and landing on his head instead of his shoulder.
Armbreaker
A armbreaker is any move in which the wrestler slams his/her opponent's arm against a part of the wrestler's body, usually a knee or shoulder.
Arm drag
A move in which the wrestler uses his/her opponent's momentum against him/her by hooking his/her arm and flipping him/her over onto the mat. The move was popularized by Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat who had the best arm drags in professional wrestling.
Over-the-shoulder arm drag
Also called a shoulder throw or ipponzei. The wrestler grabs his/her opponent's arm, then turns to face the other direction and pulls the victim over his/her shoulder. It is essentially the same as the ippon seoi-nage found in Judo.
Arm wringer
An Arm Wringer or Spinning Wristlock is a move in which the attacker grabs the opponent's arm by the wrist/arm and twists it over the attacker's head to spin it around with enough force to take the victim to the mat.
Atomic Drop
A move in which the wrestler goes behind an opponent puts his/her head under the victim's shoulder and lifts his/her opponent up and then drops him/her tailbone-first on the wrestler's knee.
Inverted Atomic Drop
Also known as Manhattan Drop. A move in which the wrestler puts his/her head under the victim's shoulder and lifts his/her opponent up and then drops him/her "lower abdomen region" first on the wrestler's knee.
Notable users include: Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair
Backbreaker
A back breaker is any move in which the wrestler lifts his/her opponent up and jumps or drops his/her opponent so that the opponent's back impacts or is bent backwards against a part of the wrestler's body.
Notable users include: Bret Hart
Back body drop
A back body drop or backdrop, is a move in which a wrestler bends forward or crouches in front of his/her opponent, grabs hold of his/her opponent, and stands up, lifting the victim up and over and dropping him/her behind the back. It is applied frequently against a charging opponent.
In Japan, a backdrop is the term for what is called a belly-to-back suplex in America.
Mountain Bomb
The opponent runs towards the wrestler. The wrestler ducks, hooks one of the opponent's legs with one of his arms, stands up and falls backwards, flipping the opponent and driving him back first down to the mat, with the wrestler landing on top of the opponent. Innovated and named by Hiroyoshi Tenzan.
Body slam
A body slam is any move in which a wrestler picks up his or her opponent and throws him or her down to the ground.
Alabama slam
Also known as a Water-Wheel Slam. This High-angle Spinebuster involves a wrestler placing their head between an opponent's knees or under the opponent's arm, then standing up, holding onto their opponent's legs, so that the opponent is facing the wrestler's back. The wrestler then simply brings both hands down, throwing the opponent back-first to the mat. Hardcore Holly uses the Alabama Slam as his finisher. In WWF No Mercy, this move is confused with the sidewalk slam.
Other notable users include: Booker T
Biel throw
The wrestler stands to the side of their opponent, grabs them, and throws them forward, causing them to flip over onto their back. It is considered a very basic technique, so basic that a forward rolling fall is commonly called a biel bump, and is mainly used by very large wrestlers to emphasize power and strength over finesse.
Chokeslam
A chokeslam is any body slam in which the wrestler grasps their opponent's neck, lifts them up, and slams them to the mat back-first. It is very common in televised wrestling because it is simple and relatively safe yet looks powerful on camera.
The most common variety of chokeslam is performed with a single-handed choke. The wrestler places their free hand behind the victim's back to help turn them horizontally for the throw. A two-handed choke variation on two victims or one is also popular.
Notable users include: The Undertaker, Kane, The Big Show and Akira Taue.
Back suplex chokeslam
The wrestler stands behind the opponent, puts his head under one of the opponent's arms, and lifts them onto his shoulder. The wrestler then pushes the opponent upwards, turns 180°, and grabs hold of the falling opponent's throat, driving them down to the mat back first. Invented by Akira Taue, who calls it Ore ga Taue (I am Taue).
Reverse chokeslam
The attacker grabs hold of the opponent's neck with both hands, neck with one, and throat with the other. The attacker then lifts the opponent up, releases the hand holding the opponent's throat, and pushes forward and slams the opponent to the mat face first with the other hand.
Notable users include: Takeshi Morishima (Amaze Impact)
Vertical suplex chokeslam
The wrestler grabs a front facelock on the opponent and wraps their arm over the wrestlers neck. The wrestler then lifts the opponent upside down, as in a vertical suplex. The wrestler moves his arm from around the opponent's neck, grabbing hold of their throat. The wrestler then slams the opponent down to the mat back first.
Notable users include: Akira Taue
Cobra clutch slam
In this slam a wrestler places the opponent in a cobra clutch and then jumps backwards, falling face down, driving the opponent back first down to the mat. "The One" Billy Gunn used this move, calling it The One and Only, although he would lift the victim into the air by their neck before driving them downward. Currently used by WWE Superstar Rene Dupree.
Fireman's carry slam
A wrestler drapes an opponent over their shoulders in a fireman's carry position then the wrestler then takes hold of the thigh and arm of the opponent, which are hung over the front side of the wrestler, he then either leans forward and pulls the opponent over their head and shoulders slamming the opponent down on their back in front of the attacker.
A Rolling fireman's carry slam is a variation that sees the attacker keep hold of the opponent and run forward before slamming the victim to the ground and using the momentum to roll over the opponent. Notable users of this variation include Rob Van Dam (Steam Roller), William Regal (Regal Roll), and Ken Kennedy's second rope variation the Lambeau Leap.
Fireman's carry takeover
The wrestler kneels down on one knee and simultaneously grabs hold of one the opponent's thighs with one arm and one of the opponent's arms with his other arm. He then pulls the opponent on his shoulders and then rises up slightly, using the motion to push the opponent off his shoulders, flipping him to the mat onto his back. This is usually used as a transition move.
John Cena uses a standing variation of this move as one of his F-U variations, where he stands up after lifting the opponent over his shoulders, and then flips them over and drops them down on their back.
Fallaway slam
Also known as a Table Top Suplex. The wrestler, while standing in front of an opponent would reaches between their opponent's legs with one arm and reaches around their back from the same side with their other arm. The wrestler lifts their opponent up so they are horizontal across the wrestler's body then falls backward throwing the victim over their head down to the mat back-first. This slam can be either bridged into a pin, or the attacker can float over into another fallaway slam.
Scott Hall used this as one of his signature moves. A slightly modified version of this move is used by Bradshaw, who referred to it before (while on APA) as the Last Call.
Full nelson slam
In this move the aggressor places their opponent in a full nelson hold and uses it to lift them off the ground. Once in the air, the aggressor removes one of their arms (so their opponent is now in a half nelson) and slams them down to the mat.
This is a signature move of Hardcore Holly
Sitout full nelson slam
The attacker places the victim in a full nelson. The attacker then lifts the victim into the air, maintaining the hold. The attacker then drops to a sitting position, driving the lower spine of the victim into the ground.
Bubba Ray Dudley uses this move, calling it the Bubba Bomb. Currently in TNA, due to stage name trademark issues, it is just called the Full Nelson Bomb.
Gorilla press slam
This slam sees a wrestler first lift their opponent up over their head with arms fully extended (as in the military press used in weight lifting), before lower the arm under the head of the opponent so that the victim falls to that side, while flipping over and landing on his/her back.
This is one of Goldberg's, and other powerful wrestlers signature moves.
It has also been known for the attacker to fall to a seated position, slamming the victim down between their legs, in a fashion similar to that of the Mitchinoku Driver II. This is referred to as a Gorilla Press Bomb.
Gorilla press drop
The wrestler lifts their opponent up over their head with arms fully extended then drops the victim down face-first in front or back. It is a popular technique for very large wrestlers because it emphasizes their height and power.
As used to great effect by The Ultimate Warrior with his Gorilla Press/Big Splash combination.
Half nelson slam
The attacker stands behind, slightly to one side of and facing the victim. The attacker reaches under one of the victim's arms with their corresponding arm and places the palm of their hand on the neck of the victim, thereby forcing the arm of the victim up into the air (the half nelson). The attacker then lifts the victim up turns and falls forward slamming the victim into the mat.
This move is used by Val Venis.
Olympic slam
An attacking wrestler places their head under an opponent's arm, and lifts up an opponent so that they are face-up across the attacker's shoulders. Then the wrestler falls backwards forcing the opponent to the mat back-first.
This move has also been described as a spinning back drop (belly-to-back suplex) and a signature move of Kurt Angle (Angle named the move the Olympic Slam but now refers to it as the Angle Slam).
Pumphandle drop
The wrestler stands behind their opponent and bends them forward. One of the victim's arms is pulled back between their legs and held, while the other arm is hooked. The attacker then lifts their opponent up until they are parallel with the attacker's chest, then throws themselves forward, driving the back of the victim into the ground with the weight of the attacker atop them. This move is used by BG James.
A variation of the this move sees the attacker elevate the victim to chest height then simply throw them to the ground.
Pumphandle slam
The wrestler stands behind their opponent and bends them forward. One of the victim's arms is pulled back between their legs and held, while the other arm is hooked. The attacker then lifts their opponent up over their shoulder and falls forward to slam the victim against the mat back-first. This move was used by Test.
Another version of the Pumphandle Slam sees the wrestler drop the victim to the Sidewalk Slam (Side Slam) position. This version is referred to as a Pumphandle Side Slam and is the signature move of Gene Snitsky.
Pumphandle Michinoku driver II
The attacker lifts the victim as with a pumphandle slam, but falls to a sitting position and drops the opponent between their legs as with a Michinoku Driver II. Used by Scoot Andrews (Force of Nature) and Magnum TOKYO (Viagra Driver).
Pumphandle fallaway slam
Also known as the Tilt Slam. The wrestler hooks up the opponent as per a pumphandle slam, then the wrestler goes through the body movements for the fallaway slam, executing the release of the opponent as they enter the apex of the throw, instead of at or just past the apex of the throw like when one executes the fallaway slam. Usually the opponent then adds effort to gain extra rotations in the air for effect or to ensure that they do not take the bump on their side. Used by Monty Brown.
Samoan drop
The wrestler drapes an opponent over their shoulders in a fireman's carry position then falls backwards, dropping the victim to the mat. This throw is mainly performed on charging opponents and has been a signature move for Samoan wrestlers throughout the years, including The Rock and Rikishi. Currently this move is used by Shelton Benjamin and Viscera.
Scoop slam
Facing their opponent, the wrestler reaches between their opponent's legs with one arm and reaches around their back from the same side with their er other arm. The wrestler lifts their opponent up and turns them upside down so that they are held up by the attacker's arm cradling their back. The attacker then throws the victim to the ground so that they land on their back.
Spinebuster slam
This is also known simply as a Spinebuster. The wrestler starts facing their opponent. They then grab the opponent around the waist and lift them up. They then turn 180°, at the same time turning the victim into a horizontal position across the chest, and toss them forward onto their back. It is usually performed against a charging opponent, using the victim's own momentum to power the throw.
Another version of this sees the wrestler elevate the charging opponent up, and without spinning, slamming the victim down to the mat.
Notable users include: Arn Anderson, The Rock, Triple H, Faarooq, Batista.
Brainbuster
A brainbuster, also known as an Avalanche Suplex, is a move in which a wrestler puts his/her opponent in a front facelock, hooks his/her tights, and lifts him/her up as if he/she was performing a vertical suplex. The wrestler then jumps up and falls onto his/her back so that the victim lands on his/her head while remaining vertical.
Bulldog
A bulldog, or bulldogging headlock, is any move in which the wrestler grabs an opponent's head or applies a head lock or face lock to his/her opponent and jumps forward, so that the attacker lands in a sitting position, driving the victim's face into the mat.
Cobra clutch bulldog
The attacker applies a Cobra Clutch and then leaps forward, falling into a sitting position and driving the face of the victim into the ground.
Half nelson bulldog
The attacker hooks a half nelson hold on his opponent with one arm and his opponent's waist with the other. He then leaps forward into a sitting position, driving the face of the victim into the ground.
Users of note: Edge (The Winning Edge)
Spinning bulldog
The attacker places the victim in a modified fireman's carry in which the victim is held diagonally across the attackers back with their legs across one shoulder and head under the opposite shoulder (usually held in place with a facelock). The attacker then spins simultaneously throwing the victim's legs off the attacker's shoulders and dropping to the ground, driving the victim's head into the mat in a bulldog position. It is currently used by wrestler James Storm as his finisher the Eight Second Ride
Cutter
A Cutter is a Three-quarter facelock bulldog. A move that mostly sees an attacker applying a Three-quarter Facelock then drop to the floor driving the opponent's face into the mat. This version was originally used by Johnny Ace, who called it the Ace Crusher. It is also popularly used by Diamond Dallas Page, who calls it the Diamond Cutter. Page once boasted that he could apply the Diamond Cutter from more than 52 different positions, making it one of the most versatile finishers in wrestling history. Currently this move is being used by Randy Orton (who calls it the R.K.O.), and Homicide.
Back suplex into cutter
The attacker lifts the victim from behind as with a Belly to back suplex, but, instead of falling backwards, pushes the victim's legs so that the victim spins in the air and finishes face down and parallel to the ground. As the victim falls, the attacker reaches back and seizes his/her head in a Three-quarter Facelock, driving the face of the victim into the ground with increased force.
TKO
The Total Knock Out (TKO) is a fireman's carry which sees the attacker throw out the legs of the victim backwards and drop down into a cutter. This variant of a cutter has been used among others by Marc Mero, Roadkill, Mike Awesome, Jerry Lynn, and Rhyno.
This move, like many of cutter variations, can also see the attacker drop the victim down into a stunner, instead of a cutter.
Twist of Fate
The attacker begins by applying a front facelock, then pivots 180 degrees and applies the cutter. Most famously used by the members of Team Xtreme (Matt, Jeff, and Lita)
This move, like many of cutter variations, can also see the attacker drop the victim down into a stunner, instead of a cutter. This variant is used by Jeff Hardy in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and his brother Matt in WWE.
Rolling cutter
This is when an Inverted facelock is rolled in to a three-quarter facelock bulldog.
This move has two major variants: one in which the attacker rolls under his/her opponent, and one in which he/she rolls over. The former has been widely referred to as the Last Rites in indy promotions due to its use by Christopher Daniels; in the WWE, Test used this move and referred to it as a Test Drive. Another version spins the opposite way, aka the Roll of the Dice as named by Reno. The Roll of the Dice has been used by wrestlers such as Bill DeMott, Luther Reigns and Carlito who have each referred to it with different names.
Catapult
A Catapult or Slingshot Catapult is a throw that typically starts with the victim on his/her back, and the attacker standing and facing him. The attacker hooks each of the victim's legs in one of his/her arms then falls backwards to slingshot the opponent into a turnbuckles, ladders, ropes etc. This can also be held for a backbreaker.
DDT
Similar to a bulldog, a DDT is any move in which the wrestler falls down or backwards to drive the victim's head into the mat. The classic DDT is performed by putting the victim in a front facelock and falling backwards so that the victim is forced to dive forward onto his/her head.
Death Valley driver
Often abbreviated to D.V.D. Known as Death Valley Bomb in Japan. This is a move in which a brainbuster-type slam is performed from a fireman's carry. The attacker falls in the direction that the victim's head is facing, driving the victim's head into the mat.
Notable users include: Tommy Dreamer, Perry Saturn, Daisuke Ikeda
John Cena uses the DVD as one of his F-U variations, usually throwing the legs of the opponent further, thus dropping the opponent on their upper back instead of their head and neck.
Inverted death valley driver
Also known as a Burning Hammer, or inverted D.V.D.. The move is executed from a Argentine backbreaker rack (face up, with the neck and one leg cradled) position. The attacker falls sideways, driving the victim's head into the mat.
This is an extremely dangerous move as the opponent's body cannot roll with the natural momentum of the move to absorb the impact.
The Burning Hammer name was invented by Japanese professional wrestler Kenta Kobashi who uses it as one of his finishers.
Driver
A Driver is a variation of many moves that involves an opponent being driven down between the legs of an attacker (who is dropping to a seated position) on the back of his/her neck/shoulder area.
Blue Thunder Driver
See Spin-out powerbomb.
Fisherman driver
The wrestler places the opponent in a front facelock and hooks one of the opponent's legs with his free arm. The wrestler then lifts the opponent upside down or onto his shoulders, and then sits down, driving the opponent between his legs, head and shoulder first.
Notable users include: Low Ki (Ki Krusher '99)
Half nelson driver
The attacker hooks a half nelson hold on his opponent with one arm and his opponent's waist with the other. The attacker then leaps forward into a sitting position, while flipping the opponent over, and driving the victim between his legs, onto his head and back.
Notable users include: Jonny Storm (Wonderwhirl)
Michinoku Driver II
Also known as a body slam piledriver but is named after its inventor Taka Michinoku.
While facing his/her opponent, the wrestler reaches between his/her opponent's legs with one arm and reaches around his/her back from the same side with his/her other arm. The wrestler lifts his/her opponent up and turns him/her upside down so that he/she is held up by the attacker's arm cradling his/her back. The attacker then throws the victim to the ground as he/she falls to a sitting position so that the victim lands on his/her upper back.
This is often just called a Michinoku Driver because Taka Michinoku rarely uses the original Michinoku Driver, a double underhook brainbuster.
Other notable users include: Juventud Guerrera(Juvi Driver), Rene Dupree (Dupree Driver)
Michinoku Driver II-B
Taka Michinoku also invented a variation of the Michinoku Driver II in which the wrestler stands behind the opponent, applies an inverted facelock, lifts them upѕide down, and then drops down to a sitting position, driving the opponent down to the mat between the wrestler's legs upper back first.
Samoan driver
This move is often described as a sit-out variation of a Death Valley driver, in which a wrestler drapes an opponent over his shoulders in a fireman's carry position, and then takes hold of the opponent and pulls him over the wrestlers's shoulder and down to the mat as he falls to a sitting position so that the opponent lands on his upper back and neck between the legs of the attacker, facing towards him.
A slight variation of this move is used by Chris Sabin and is called the Cradle Shock. The Samoan driver was also used as another version of the F-U, the finishing maneuver of John Cena in early July 2005.
Tiger Driver
The wrestler faces a bent over opponent. The wrestler then double underhooks the opponent's arms and lifts them up, flipping them and dropping them on their back. The wrestler falls to a sitting position, often pinning the opponent in the process. This is also known as a sitout double underhook powerbomb.
Mitsuharu Misawa innovated a variation which he called the Tiger Driver '91 (for the year it was invented). In this variation, instead of dropping the opponent on their back, they are dropped on their neck and shoulders, and the wrestler drops to their knees.
There is some dispute over the correct name because the move resembles a Powerbomb more than a driver - thus, the move is also known as a Tiger Bomb. However, Tiger Driver is the original and more commonly accepted name. Some consider a double underhook powerbomb where the attacker does not sitout to be a Tiger Bomb, while the sit-out variant is considered the Tiger Driver.
Electric chair drop
The attacker lifts the victim on his/her shoulders in a sitting position, with both facing the same way. Then the attacker falls backwards driving the victim back-first into the mat.
The beginning of the electric chair drop is also the setup for many of the Device double team moves.
Frankie Kazarian uses a wristlock variation of this move, bridged into a pin, as a finisher, calling it the Back to the Future.
Electric chair bomb
The attacker lifts the victim so they are sitting on the shoulders of the attacker, facing in the same direction. The attacker then quickly falls to a sitting position, slamming the victim face-first to the mat.
Facebreaker
A facebreaker is any move in which the wrestler slams his/her opponent's face against a part of the wrestler's body, usually the knee.
Facebreaker DDT
The attacker applies a front facelock and then falls backwards, much like a normal DDT, but instead of the victim's head impacting the mat, the attacker falls to a knelling, or sitting position, driving the face of the victim onto his/her knee.
Notable users include: Bruno Sassi
Facebreaker knee smash
The knee smash is a standard Facebreaker which involves the attacker grabbing hold of the opponent by his/her head or hair and pulling the opponent's face down, dropping it on to the attacker's knee. Often used by an attacker to stun an opponent and set him/her up for another move.
Facebuster
A facebuster, also known as a face plant, is any move in which the wrestler forces his/her opponent's face down to the mat which does not involve a headlock or facelock. If these are used then the move is either a DDT or bulldog variation.
Also, inverted Mat Slams are commonly referred to as facebusters.
A standard Facebuster also known as a Jumping facebuster involves the attacker grabbing hold of the opponent by his/her head or hair and jumping down, forcing the opponent's face into the mat.
Argentine facebuster
The attacker places the victim in an Argentine backbreaker rack and falls sideways, still holding the victims head with one arm while flipping the victim over with the other, driving them down to the mat face-first.
Among the wrestlers who have used this move are CIMA and Curry Man.
Belly-to-back inverted mat slam
From a position in which the victim is bent forward against the wrestler's midsection, the wrestler grabs around his or her opponent's midsection and lifts so that the victim is held upside down, facing in the same direction as the wrestler. The wrestler then hooks both arms of the victim using his or her legs, and then falls forward planting the opponent's body into the mat face-first.
Best known as the Styles Clash as named by A.J. Styles. Styles invented the move while watching his younger brother-in-law attempt to perform a powerbomb. Jimmy Rave also uses the move, calling it the Rave Clash, and it was briefly used by the late Crash, who called it the Crash Landing.
Gory Bomb
A back-to-back release facebuster a move which is a variation of the Gory Special, Also known as the Gory Buster. Gory Guerrero, the man who this move is named after has a wrestling grandson, Chavo Guerrero, Jr., who often used this move as a finisher.
F-5
A move named and made popular by Brock Lesnar, in which the attacker would put his/her victim in a fireman's carry position, then throw the opponent's legs out in front of him/her to spin him/her out while the attacker fell to back to drive the victim's head in to the mat. The move's name was taken from the Fujita scale, which ranks the intensity of a tornado, with F-5 being the strongest. After leaving WWE Lesnar renamed the move Verdict.
Other notable users include: Jun Izumida (Izu Domu), Big Show, Matt Morgan, Katsushi Takemura (M-9), Trytan (T-3)
Forward Russian legsweep
A move in which a wrestler stands side-to-side and slightly behind the victim, facing in the same direction, and reaches behind the victim's back to hook the opponent's head with his/her other hand extending the victim's near arm, then while hooking the opponent's leg with his/her own leg the wrestler falls forward, pushing the victim forward to the mat face-first. Although done like a Russian legsweep, the hand behind the head jams the face into the mat, making the move technically a facebuster.
It is best known as The Stroke, the finisher of Jeff Jarrett.
Full nelson facebuster
The attacker stands behind, slightly to one side of and facing the victim. The attacker reaches under the victim's arms with his/her own corresponding arms and places the palms of his/her hands on the neck of the victim, thereby forcing the arms of the victim up into the air (the Full Nelson). The attacker then hooks the victim's near leg and throws themselves forwards, driving the victim face first into the ground.
Front facelock drop
The attacker applies a Front Facelock and then throws their legs out behind them, falling stomach first to the ground and driving the face of the victim into the ground. Similar to a DDT, but targeting the face of the victim rather than the head.
Sitout facebuster
Also known as a sit-down facebuster. A move in which the attacker grabs hold of the opponent by his/her head or hair then jumps down into a sitting position, forcing the opponent's face into the mat. It was used as a finisher by X-Pac, who called it the X Factor, by Konnan, who called it the Facejam or the K Factor, and by Ivory, who called it the Poison Ivory. In mid-2005, WWE Wrestling Diva, Torrie Wilson, adopted a variation of this move as her finisher, where she grabs the opponents hair and then drops to the mat, driving their face into the canvas.
Double underhook facebuster
Instead of holding the opponent's head like most facebusters, a wrestler bends his/her opponent forward, placing the victim's head between the attacker's legs (a standing head scissors), and hooks each of the opponents arms behind his/her back. He/she then drops to his/her knees, forcing the opponent's face into the mat. Triple H uses it as his finisher, and calls it the Pedigree.
A variation of this move is used by CM Punk, who ascends the turnbuckle so he is standing on the top rope, pulls his victim with him and applies the move (as above), then drops to the ground, landing on his knees and driving the victim's face into the ground with increased force. This move is called The Pepsi Plunge.
Inverted double underhook facebuster
The attacker bends the opponent forwards, then stands in front of them and reaches back, hooking both arms of the victim and forcing down the head of the victim. The attacker then drops to a sitting position, driving the face of the victim into the ground. This move is normally executed from behind; the attacker bends over behind the victim, hooks their arms and then quickly stands up while turning around so the victim is in the aforementioned position. This move has been used by Tommy Rogers (who calls it the Tomikaze), Christian Cage (who calls it the Impaler or the Unprettier), and Billy Kidman (who calls it the Kid Krusher).
Lifting double underhook facebuster
This inverted mat slam is performed when a wrestler bends his/her opponent forward, placing the victim's head between the attacker's legs (a standing head scissors), and hooks each of the opponents arms behind his/her back. He/she then pulls back on the opponent's arms lifting him/her up so that the victim is held upside down facing in the same direction as the wrestler, the wrestler then falls forward (or sometimes down to a sitting position) planting the opponent's body into the mat face-first.
It is the finishing move of SUWA, who calls it the Fff. This was also a popular move of Rob Van Dam, when he wrestled for the ECW promotion. It is also used by Mark Jindrak.
Sitout double underhook facebuster
Also known as a sit-down double underhook facebuster. A move in which instead of holding the opponents head like most facebusters, a wrestler bends his/her opponent forward, placing the victim's head between the attacker's legs (a standing head scissors), and hooks each of the opponents arms behind his/her back, he/she then proceeds to lift the opponent up and jumps down into a sitting position, forcing the opponents face into the mat. It is used as a finisher by Christopher Daniels, who calls it the Angel's Wings, where he spins 90° while landing the move.
Complete Shot
Well known as the Reverse STO, this is a move in which a wrestler stands side-to-side and slightly behind with the victim, facing in the opposite direction, and reaches around the victim's torso with one arm across the victim's chest with his/her hand holding onto his/her other hand which is behind the opponent's head. The wrestler then falls backward, diving the victim into the mat face-first. In Japan, the wrestler known as Gedo began using the move while a member of a stable of wrestlers known as the "Complete Players," this is where the Complete shot name derives. Christopher Daniels also uses this move, usually following it with the Koji Clutch.
WWE wrestler Edge used to perform a variation of this move, where he would cross his leg behind the opponents leg, forcing the opponent to fall with greater velocity, calling it the Downward Spiral.
A variation is to hook the leg similar to a Russian legsweep, which was popularized as the Flatliner, by Chris Kanyon.
Alex Shelley (calling it the Shellshock) and Frankie Kazarian (calling it the Wave of the Future) use swinging variations in which an opponent is drawn forward before being thrown back swinging them round and down to the mat. Currently a regular version of this move is used by Orlando Jordan.
Anaconda facebuster
The wrestler places the opponent into a Standing Anaconda vice, and then falls backwards driving the opponent's head to the mat. This stretches and puts stress on the opponent's arms, shoulders, and neck as well as damaging his face and chest upon impact. Grant Adams is credited with inventing the move often using it as a setup for a modified Texas Cloverleaf/Elevated Leg Lace Crab. Adams will also often maintain the Anaconda hold upon impact and perform a rolling situp to lock in the Anaconda Vice for a submission victory.
Wheelbarrow facebuster
Also called a Reverse Powerbomb. The attacker grabs a standing victim around the waist from behind and lifts him/her in the air. The attacker then falls to a sitting position, swinging the victim down so that their face is driven into the ground.
Chickenwing facebuster
The wrestler hooks both an opponent's arms in a double chickenwing, lifts them up into the air from behind, then drops the victim into a sit-out faceplant position. This Sit-out Chickenwing Facebuster is a signature move of Paul London, often referred to as a Waffle Face.
Full nelson wheelbarrow facebuster
The attacker applies a full nelson from behind and lifts the victim into the air. The attacker then falls to a sitting position, swinging the victim down so their face is driven into the ground.
Flapjack
A flapjack is any move that throws the victim so that he/she is pushed upward and therefore having him/her fall on his/her front.
In a basic flapjack a wrestlers would push the victim upward by reaching under their legs and lifting them into the air, while remaining the hold on the victim's leg the wrestler would fall backwards, dropping the opponent front-first into the canvas.
The move is similar to a back drop, but the wrestler pushes upwards so that the victim falls onto his/her face instead of falling back-first.
A Hotshot is referred to when a flapjack is performed so that the victim would fall across the ring ropes. "Stunning" Steve Austin used the hotshot but referred to it as the Stun Gun.
Alley Oop
This is a flapjack where the victim is lifted on to the attacker's shoulders like a powerbomb, then the victim flies over the attacker's head and land front-first on the mat.
It was made famous by Tori and then The Big Show.
Gutbuster
A Gutbuster is any move in which the wrestler lifts his/her opponent up and jumps or drops him/her so that the victim's stomach impacts against part of the wrestler's body, usually the knee. A basic gutbuster is often called a stomach breaker it is essentially the same as a backbreaker but with the victim facing the opposite direction.
Gutbuster drop
A move in which a wrestler lifts an opponent up on to his/her shoulder and drops down to his/her knee droping the opponent's stomach on the wrestler's shoulder.
Rib breaker
A rib breaker is a version of a gutbuster that involves the attacker scooping the opponent up by reaching between the legs of the opponent with one arm and reaching around their back from the same side with his/her other arm. The attacker then lifts his/her opponent up so they are horizontal across the wrestlers body. From here the attacker drops down to one knee, forcing the opponent to drop stomach/rib-first against the wrestler's raised knee.
Headscissors takedown
The move can be performed two ways, with the wrestler facing up or down. With the attacker's legs scissored around the opponent's head, and if the wrestler is facing up, he performs a backflip, dragging the opponent into a forced somersault that throws the opponent away and on to their back. If the wrestler is facing down, he bends forward instead of performing a backflip.
A variation where the wrestler forces the opponent to spin before releasing him is referred to as a Satellite headscissors.
Frankensteiner
This is a headscissors takedown that is performed against a running opponent. The wrestler jumps on the shoulders of the charging opponent and performs a backflip, using his momentum to throw the opponent over him and on to their back. This move is also commonly referred to as a huracanrana, although it is technically slightly different.
Named by Scott Steiner, who has used it as a finishing move.
This move also has a variation where the opponent is sitting on the top rope, that variation is also referred to as frankensteiner.
Hurricanrana
The correct name for this maneuver is the Huracanrana or Huracarrana, but it is commonly misspelled in English as Hurricanrana. This is a headscissors takedown that ends in a rana pinning hold. The rana is any double-leg cradle (or the ending of a sunset flip). The huracanrana is typically done with more velocity than the headscissors takedown, as the victim needs to land directly underneath the attacker, instead of being tossed away. Luchador Huracán Ramírez invented the maneuver. This move can be thought of as an inverted version of a victory roll. This move is now commonly used by Rey Mysterio.
It is often confused with the more impactful non-pinning headscissor variation known as a Frankensteiner, although the difference is similar to seeing a bridged suplex compared to a released one.
Hip toss
The attacker stands next to the victim with both facing the same direction, and the attacker underhooks his/her closest arm underneath and behind the victim's closest armpit.
The attacker then quickly lifts the victim up with that arm and throws the victim forward, which would lead the attacker to flip the victim onto his/her back to end the move
Irish whip
Also called a hammer throw. A move in which the wrestler grabs one of his/her opponent's arms and spins, swinging the victim into an obstacle such as the ring ropes, a turnbuckle, or the stairs leading into the ring. One popular use of the Irish whip is to try to "hit for the cycle" by whipping one's opponent into each corner in turn. An Irish whip into the ring ropes is usually used to set the victim up for another technique as he/she bounces off, such as a suplex or clothesline.
Jawbreaker
A jawbreaker is any move in which the wrestler slams his/her opponent's jaw against a part of the wrestler's body, usually his/her knee, head or shoulder.
A standard jawbreaker is seen when an attacker (either stands facing or not facing victim) places his/her head under the jaw of the victim and holds the victim in place before falling into a sitting or kneeling position, driving the jaw of the victim into the to of his/her head.
Stunner
This is a Three-quarter facelock jawbreaker move that mostly sees an attacker apply a Three-quarter Facelock then fall to a sitting position dropping the opponent's jaw across his/her shoulder.
This was made famous by Stone Cold Steve Austin who referred to it as a Stone Cold Stunner. The name Stunner derives from this usage and is widely used when referring to this move. Mikey Whipwreck however used the move in ECW prior to Austin, calling it the Whipper-snapper. Currently this move is used by WWE Superstar Eugene who uses it as part of his gimmick.
Osaka Street Cutter
This Stunner variation sees the wrestler apply an inverted facelock on the opponent, before hooking the their tights and lifting them straight up in the air so that they are upside down. The wrestler lets the opponent's body fall backwards over their shoulder, with the opponent's feet landing on the mat, and as the opponent falls, the wrestler releases the inverted facelock and shifts it into a three-quarter facelock. Basically, the opponent's head is on the wrestler's shoulder, with the wrestler forming a headlock around the top of their head as the wrestler has their back to the opponent. The wrestler then drops to a seated position, impacting the opponent's chin on the attacker's shoulder.
Innovated and named by Super Delfin, the name cutter is usually referred to when talking about the three-quarter facelock bulldog, even though this move is a three-quarter facelock jawbreaker.
Rolling stunner
This is when a Inverted facelock is rolled in to a Three-quarter Facelock that ends in the seated shoulder jawbreaker position.
Shoulder jawbreaker
The attacker stands facing the victim, places his/her shoulder under the jaw of the victim and holds the victim in place before falling into a sitting or kneeling position, driving the jaw of the victim into his/her shoulder. This move was used by Shane Douglas in WCW, and was named the Franchiser.
Mat slam
A mat slam is any move in which the wrestler forces the back of the opponent's head into the mat which does not involve a headlock or Facelock. If these are used then the move is considered a type of DDT (if the attacker falls backwards) or bulldog.
A standard Mat Slam involves the attacker grabbing hold of the opponent by his/her head or hair and pulling back, forcing the back of the opponent's head into the mat.
Inverted mat slam
Inverted Mat Slams are commonly referred to as facebusters.
Sitout rear mat slam
The attacker takes hold of their opponent's from behind, holding them by the hair or top of the head. The attacker then jumps backwards and falls to a sitting position, driving the back of the victim's head into the ground between their legs.
Edge uses this move calling it the "Edge-O-Matic"
Sleeper slam
This slamming version of a headlock takedown sees an attacker apply a sleeper hold to the victim, then falls face first to the ground, pulling the victim down with them and driving the back and head of the victim into the ground. Chyna is well known for using this move.
Chris Jericho uses a slight variation, called the Flashback, where he catches the head of a charging opponent, swinging around them to pull them down to the mat. A similar variation is used by Hiroshi Tanahashi who runs towards an opponent, catches their head, swings around them and pulls their head down to the mat with him. He calls this variation Sling Blade.
Another variation is used by Matt Hardy, dubbed the Side Effect, in which Hardy faces the opponent and grabs hold of their upper body, lifts them up and swings his legs forward, bringing the opponent down to the mat with him, onto their upper back.
Neckbreaker
There are two general categories of neckbreaker, which are related only in that they attack the victim's neck.
One category of neckbreaker is the type of move in which the wrestler slams his/her opponent's neck against a part of the wrestler's body, usually his/her knee, head or shoulder.
A neckbreaker slam is another technique in which the attacker throws his/her opponent to the ground by twisting the victim's neck. also a back head slam or, when a wrestler drops to the mat while holding an opponent by their neck, without having to twist it.
Piledriver
A piledriver is any move in which the wrestler grabs his/her opponent, turns him/her upside-down, and drops into a sitting or kneeling position, driving the victim's head into the mat.
Powerbomb
A powerbomb is a move in which a victim is lifted up (usually so that he/she is sitting on the attacker's shoulders) then slammed down back-first to the mat.
The standard Powerbomb sees a wrestler placed in a standing headscissors position (bent forward with his/her head placed between the attacker's thighs) then lifted up on the attacker's shoulders, then slammed down back-first to the mat.
The very first ever power bomb, was allegedly performed by Lou Thesz accidentally when he badly botched a piledriver.
Powerslam
A powerslam is any slam in which the wrestler performing the technique falls face-down on top of his/her opponent.
The use of the term Powerslam usually refers to the Front Powerslam and the Scoop Powerslam.
Emerald Frosion
This is a sitout side powerslam in which the wrestler lifts the opponent up on his right shoulder like in a Front powerslam. The wrestler wraps his right arm around the opponent's neck, and the left arm around the opponent's torso. The wrestler then sits down while flipping the opponent forward to the right side of him, driving the opponent neck and shoulder first into the mat.
The move was named by Mitsuharu Misawa. There is no direct translation from the Japanese language name "エメラルドフロウジョン (Emeraludo Furoujon)". Emerald Frosion is the most common one, as it's the closest to the pronounciation. Other translations are Emerald Fusion and Emerald Flowsion.
Other notable users include: Samoa Joe (Island Driver).
Misawa has also used a variation, called Super Emerald Frosion, where he lifts his opponent upside down like in a Vertical suplex, turns him 180° while still keeping the headlock, places his left arm around the opponent's torso, and sits down leaning to his right, driving the opponent vertically down to the mat on his neck and shoulders.
Falling slam
Facing his/her opponent, the wrestler reaches between his/her opponent's legs with one arm and reaches around his/her back from the same side with his/her other arm. The wrestler lifts his/her opponent up so he/she are horizontal across the wrestler's body then falls forward to slam the victim against the mat back-first. Also known as a Reverse Fallaway Slam.
Notable users include: Mark Henry (World's Strongest Slam) and Batista.
Fireman's carry powerslam
The wrestler lifts the opponent across his shoulders in a fireman's carry, pushes their legs up while turning them to his front and falls forward, slamming the opponent down on their back in a front powerslam.
Most notably used by John Cena as a F-U variation.
Front powerslam
The attacker reaches between the victim's legs with one arm and reaches around the victim's back from the same side with his/her other arm. The wrestler lifts his/her victim up over his/her shoulder and falls forward to slam the victim against the mat back-first. Wrestlers sometimes run forward as they slam—this is called a Running Powerslam or Oklahoma Slam, and was made famous by The British Bulldog and "Dr. Death" Steve Williams. It it currently most often used by Batista and Kane.
Inverted front powerslam
See Inverted powerbomb.
Gorilla press powerslam
Similar to a gorilla press slam. The wrestler lifts his/her opponent up over his/her head with arms fully extended (as in the military press used in weight lifting), then drops his/her opponent up over his/her shoulder and falls forward to slam the victim against the mat back-first. Johnny Stamboli used this as finisher which he dubbed the Fuhgetaboutit when he worked in WWE.
This is a signature move of Bill Goldberg.
Inverted sitout side powerslam
The attacker faces a bent opponent. They then gutwrench the opponent and lifts them up on one of their shoulders, facing upwards. The attacker then sits down and simultaneously flips the opponent forwards and downwards, slamming them down to the ground face first to one side of the attacker.
Notable users include: John Walters (Hurricane DDT) and Masato Tanaka (Complete Dust).
Oklahoma Stampede
The wrestler reaches between the opponent's legs with one arm and around the opponent's back from the same side with his other arm. The wrestler lifts the opponent up over his shoulder, and runs towards the ring corner, slamming the opponent back first to the turnbuckles. The wrestler keeps the hold and slams the opponent to the opposite corner as well. The wrestler then runs to the middle of the ring and falls down forward, driving the opponent down to the mat back first. Popularised by Steve Williams.
Scoop powerslam
The attacker places one arm between the victim's legs and reaches over the victim's shoulder with his/her other arm. The wrestler then spins the victim over onto his/her back, keeping the victim horizontal across his/her body as he/she falls face-down on top of the victim in a pinning position. This move is usually performed on a charging opponent, using the victim's own momentum to power the throw.
Suplex powerslam
The wrestler applies a Front face lock, throws the victim's near arm over the wrestler's shoulder, and then grabs his/her tights to lift him/her up straight in the air (as in most standard suplexes).
When the wrestler begins to drop the victim to the mat the wrestler will fall face-down on top of his/her opponent (in a powerslam position).
This move was invented by Dean Malenko, and popularized by Bill Goldberg, who called it "The Jackhammer".
Another version of this move sees a wrestler use the standard vertical suplex to lift the opponent into the air and place him/her over the attacker's shoulder before proforming a running powerslam.
Side slam
The wrestler stands face to face with the opponent, slighly to their side. The wrestler tucks his head under the opponent's near arm, reaches across the opponent's chest and around their neck with his near arm, and places his other arm against their back. The wrestler then lifts the opponent up and falls forward, slamming the opponent down to the mat back first.
It has been used as a finisher by many wrestlers, including The Rock, who calls it the Rock Bottom, and Booker T, who calls it the Book End.
The wrestler can also stay standing and just slam the opponent down to the mat. Notable users of this variation include Christopher Daniels.
Elevated side slam
In this variation the opponent is first lifted into the air in a belly-to-back suplex motion before it is turned into a side slam so the victim is dropped from an elevated position. This version is used by Mark Jindrak, who calls it The Mark of Excellence.
Another elevated side slam starts with the attacker lifting the opponent in the vertical suplex position. At this point the face lock is released and as the victim falls back down, his/she is placed into a side slam position and dropped to the mat. This version is used by Matt Morgan as his finishing move.
Moonsault ura-nage
The attacker stands slightly behind and facing the side of a standing victim. The attacker then reaches under the near arm of the victim, across the chest of the victim and under their far arm, while placing his/her other hand on the back of the victim to hold them in place. The attacker then performs a backwards somersault while holding the victim, driving the victim into the ground back-first.
British wrestler, Paul Burchill calls this move The C4 / C4 Hotwired.
This move can also be performed off the top rope and is known as a Solo spanish fly in reference to the double team move.
Spinning side slam
The wrestler stands side-to-side and slightly behind with the victim, facing in the opposite direction, and reaches around the victim's torso with one arm across the victim's chest and under both arms. The wrestler then lifts him/her up with one arm as he/she swings the victim 180° to the opposite side, while the wrestler faces the same direction, then falls onto the opponent slamming the victim onto the mat back-first.
In another version of this move, which is performed against a charging opponent, the wrestler uses the victim's own momentum to power the throw and can can see the wrestler with the victim in the air spinning back round nearly 360° before droping him to the mat. This version is currently being used by Abyss who calls it the Black Hole Slam and a modified version has also been used recently by Heidenreich & Viscera.
Swinging side slam
Also known as a Wind-up Slam the move sees a wrestler facing his opponent, the wrestler would reach between his/her opponent's legs with one arm and reaches around his/her back from the same side with his/her other arm. The wrestler next lifts his/her opponent up so he/she is horizontal across the wrestler's body then the attacker twists himself to one side (the side where the opponent's legs are) and then swings back as he/she throws the lower half of the victim's body out and round until one arm is across the victim's chest and under both arms. The wrestler falls forward, slamming the victim into the mat back-first.
Notable users include: Chris Harris (Catatonic), Billy Gunn (Gunn Slinger), D'Lo Brown (Sudden Impact)
Variations of the move can the wrestler hold the opponent up over his/her shoulder and throwing the opponent round from that position, while another variation of the move sees a wrestler hang the opponent across both the attacker's shoulders and throw out the legs behind them so the victim swings back round to drop in a side slam position. Victoria uses the version and calls it the Spider's Web.
Ura-nage
Also known as Sambo suplex and Side suplex. The wrestler stands face to face with the opponent, slighly to their side. The wrestler tucks his head under the opponent's near arm, and reaches across the opponent's chest and around their neck with his near arm. The wrestler then simultaneously lifts the opponent up, turns 180°, and falls backwards, bringing the opponent over him and slamming them down to the mat back first.
Tamon Honda uses a variation where he locks the opponent into a Arm triangle choke, and then slams the opponent with the ura-nage. He calls this variation the Rolling Olympic Hell.
Hayabusa used a variation where he did not fall backwards, but instead brought the opponent over his head while standing and turning 180°, and then fell forward, slamming the opponent down, similar to a Side slam. He called this variation the H Edge.
Sidewalk slam
The wrestler stands side-to-side and slightly behind with the victim, facing in the same direction, and reaches around the victim's torso with one arm across the victim's chest and under both arms and places the other arm under the victim's legs. The wrestler then lifts him/her up, bringing his/her legs off the ground and falls down to the mat in a sitting position, slamming the victim into the mat back-first. It was formerly used by the late Big Boss Man calling it the "'Bossman Slam"' and Kevin Nash made the sidewalk slam popular.
Shin breaker
The wrestler faces the opponent from the side, slightly behind. He tucks his head under the opponent's near armpit, and grabs hold of the opponent's near leg, bending it fully. He then lifts the opponent up and slams him downwards, impacting the opponent's bent leg on one of the wrestler's knee. This move is used to weaken the leg for a submission maneuver.
Ric Flair uses this to set up for the figure four leg lock.
Shoulderbreaker
A shoulderbreaker is any move in which the wrestler slams his/her opponent's shoulder against any part of the wrestler's body, usually the knee. This move is used to weaken the arm for a submission maneuver.
This move would usually see the attacker turn the victim upside-down and drop the victim shoulder-first on the attacker's knee. Usually the victim is held over the attacker's shoulder in either a Powerslam position (as used by Paul Burchill), or most commonly an Inverted Powerslam position. This was used by Don Muraco as a finishing move.
Snake Eyes
This move would see the attacker to place the victim on top of the attacker's shoulder so that both are facing the same direction while the victim is facing forward, and then the attacker would throw the victim face-first onto a turnbuckle.
Notable users include: The Undertaker, Kevin Nash
Snapmare
With the attacker's back to the victim the attacker applies a cravatte or a 3/4 facelock then kneels down and snaps the victim over his/her shoulder so the victim lands back-first on the mat.
This is often done as a set-up move for any submission hold that requires the attacker to stand behind the victim.
Suplex
A suplex is the same as the amateur suplay, a throw which involves arching/bridging either overhead or twisting to the side, so the opponent is slammed to the mat back-first. The term suplex (without qualifiers) can also refer specifically to the vertical suplex.
Trips and sweeps
Double leg takedown
A tackle where the intention is to force the opponent down on their back by tackling them at their waist or upper thighs. Similar to Spear. In Mixed martial arts this move is also called a Shoot.
Dragon screw
This is a legwhip where and attacker grabs an opponent's leg and holds it horizontal to the mat while they are facing each other, before spinning it toward the inside of the opponent's leg, bringing them down in a turning motion. Popularized by Tatsumi Fujinami who gave the move its name. The Rock and Chris Benoit have also been known to use this move to set up the Sharpshooter.
Drop toe-hold
The attacker falls to the ground, placing one foot at the front of the opponent's ankle and the other in the back of the shin. This causes the victim to fall face first into the ground. It is sometimes used illegaly to force an opponent into a chair or other elevated weapon; it is also used occasionally to force an opponent face-first into the turnbuckles, stunning him/her or her momentarily.
It is used by Rey Mysterio into the second rope as a set-up to his 619 finisher.
Half nelson legsweep
The attacker stands behind, slightly to one side of and facing the victim. The attacker reaches under one of the victim's arms with his/her corresponding arm and places the palm of his/her hand on the neck of the victim, thereby forcing the arm of the victim up into the air (the Half Nelson). The attacker then uses his/her other arm to pull the victim's other arm behind the victim's head, so both victim's arms are pinned. The attacker then hooks the victim's near leg and throws themselves backwards, driving the victim back-first to the ground.
Russian legsweep
Also known as a Side suplex or a Side Russian legsweep. A move in which a wrestler stands side-to-side and slightly behind with the victim, facing in the same direction, and reaches behind the victim's back to hook the opponents head with the other hand extending the victims nearest arm, then while hooking the opponents leg the wrestler falls backward, pulling the victim to the mat back-first.
There is also a facebuster variation of this move.
Three-quarter facelock Russian legsweep
The attacker stands in front of, facing away from and slightly to one side of the victim. The attacker then reaches behind themselves and applies a three-quarter facelock to the victim. The attacker then hooks the victim's near leg with their own near leg and sweeps the leg away, simultaneously throwing themselves backwards, thus driving the victim to the ground (with the weight of the attacker on top of them) and wrenching the victim's neck.
Notable users include: Lash LeRoux (Whiplash 2000)
Straight jacket
Another variation of a Russian Leg-sweep, except the opponent's arms are crossed over the victim's chest.
Schoolboy
This technique gives its name to the schoolboy bump and is performed when the attacker drops down to his/her knees behind the opponent and forces his/her bodyweight forward to force the opponent to fall flat on his/her face. Often when female wrestlers use this move commentators will refer to it as a Schoolgirl'.
STO
STO (Space Tornado Ogawa) is a sweep in which an attacker wraps one arm across the chest of his/her opponent and sweeps the opponent's legs with his/her own leg to slam the other wrestler back-first. This can also be a lariat-legsweep combination to slam down opponent. Same as the judo sweep O-soto-gari. Naoya Ogawa adapted the move into pro wrestling, and was an Olympic judoka).
Notable users include: Steve Corino, Rufio Rush, Christopher Daniels
Claw-hold STO
Also known as an STK. This move is a STO where the attacker would first apply a head claw with one hand before sweeping his/her opponent's legs to slam down the victim's head on the mat.
Notable users include: Kensuke Sasaki (STK - Space Tornado Kensuke), Kenzo Suzuki
Reverse STO
See Complete Shot
Set up move
These are transition moves that set up for various throws and slams. See Transition holds