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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 that reflect their gimmick.

Moves are listed under general categories whenever possible.

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items.

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.

Armbar takedown

This is a technique in which the wrestler grabs the opponent's arm and pulls him/her down to the ground by wrenching down on the opponent'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 DDTs. The wrestler grabs the opponent's arm and bars it in front of the wrestler's body so that the wrestler is holding out the arm with the arm furthest away from the opponent's body. The wrestler then reaches over the opponent's shoulder and wrap it around his/her opponent's arm with the other. The wrestler then drops down and drives the opponent'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

An 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. The armbreaker is also a popular name for a submission maneuver involving using leverage against an extended arm, the classic example being a leg scissors over the opponent's shoulder and using leverage on the arm with one's arms or hands.

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 is thought, by some, to have applied some of 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 opponent over his/her shoulder. It is essentially the same as the ippon seoinage found in Judo.

Springboard arm drag

An arm drag performed where the attacking wrestler grabs an opponent's arm, runs up the corner ring ropes and springboards, usually off the top rope, over the opponent; draging them by their arm to flip over onto the mat.

Arm wringer

An Arm Wringer or Spinning Wristlock is a move in which the wrestler grabs the opponent's arm by the wrist/arm and twists it over the wrestler's head to spin it around with enough force to take the opponent to the mat. The maneuver is a popular rest hold in American wrestling. Quite frequently the move is broken with an Irish Whip, reversed into a hammerlock, or countered with a reverse elbow or eye rake/gouge.

Atomic drop

A move in which the wrestler goes behind an opponent puts his/her head under the opponent'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, mainly in Japan. A move in which the wrestler puts his/her head under the opponent's shoulder and lifts his/her opponent up and then drops him/her "lower abdomen region" first on the wrestler's knee.

As this in an indirect low blow it is considered a legal move. Theoretically, it is the opponent's groin that has impacted with the wrestler's knee, not the other way around.

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.

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 opponent 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 Double-Leg Slam, Water-Wheel Slam, Fly-swatter or Slapjack spinebuster. 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.

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 opponent's back to help turn them horizontally for the throw. This is often used by big wrestlers because it emphasizes their strength. A two-handed choke variation on two opponents or one is also popular.

Cobra clutch slam

In this slam a wrestler places the opponent in a cobra clutch and then lift the opponent into the air by their neck before jumping backwards, falling face down, driving the opponent back first down to the mat.

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 wrestler.

A Rolling fireman's carry slam is a variation that sees the wrestler keep hold of the opponent and run forward before slamming the opponent to the ground and using the momentum to roll over the opponent. Ken Kennedy has been known to perform the move from the second rope.

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 opponent over their head down to the mat back-first. This slam can be either bridged into a pin, or the wrestler can float over into another fallaway slam.

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.

Sitout full nelson slam

The wrestler places the opponent in a full nelson. The wrestler then lifts the opponent into the air, maintaining the hold. The wrestler then drops to a sitting position, driving the lower spine of the opponent into the ground.

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 lowering the arm under the head of the opponent so that the opponent falls to that side, while flipping over and landing on his/her back.

In a variation of the move, the wrestler falls to a seated position, slamming the opponent down between their legs, in a fashion similar to that of the Michinoku Driver II. This is referred to as a Gorilla Press Driver.

Gorilla press drop

The wrestler lifts their opponent up over their head with arms fully extended then drops the opponent down face-first in front or back. It is a popular technique for very large wrestlers because it emphasizes their height and power.

Half nelson slam

The wrestler stands behind, slightly to one side of and facing the opponent. The wrestler reaches under one of the opponent's arms with their corresponding arm and places the palm of their hand on the neck of the opponent, thereby forcing the arm of the opponent up into the air (the half nelson). The wrestler then lifts the opponent up turns and falls forward slamming the opponent into the mat.

Olympic slam

The wrestler stands behind the opponent and grabs hold of one of the opponent's wrists, tucks his head under that arms armpit, and wraps his free arm around the near leg of the opponent. The wrestler then lifts the opponent up on his shoulders sideways, and at the same time spins 90° and falls down on to his back, slamming the opponent down to the mat back first. Originally named by Kurt Angle, who later started calling it Angle Slam.

A wrist-clutch variation is used by Hirooki Goto, who calls it the Go To Heaven. In this variation instead of just wrapping his arm around the opponents leg, he grabs hold of the opponent's free arm, pulls it down from the front side between the opponent's legs, and then grabs hold of the wrist of that arm between the opponent's legs, and then performs the slam.

Pumphandle drop

The wrestler stands behind their opponent and bends them forward. One of the opponent's arms is pulled back between their legs and held, while the other arm is hooked. The wrestler then lifts their opponent up until they are parallel with the wrestler's chest, then throws themselves forward, driving the back of the opponent into the ground with the weight of the wrestler atop them.

A variation of this move is called the Tilt Slam sees the wrestler elevate the opponent 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 opponent's arms is pulled back between their legs and held, while the other arm is hooked (pumphandle). The attacking wrestler uses the hold to lift the opponent up over their shoulder, while over the shoulder the attacking wrestler would fall forward to slam the opponent against the mat back-first, normally the type of powerslam delivered is a front powerslam. The move can also see other variations of a powerslam used, Gene Snitsky is known to drop the opponent into a Sidewalk slam position; this version is referred to as a Pumphandle Side Slam, Snitsky calls this Egoist Schwein.

The standard Pumphandle slam was popularized by World Championship Wrestling star Wrath, who called it the Meltdown.

Pumphandle Michinoku driver II

The wrestler lifts the opponent as with a pumphandle slam, but falls to a sitting position and drops the opponent between their legs as with a Michinoku Driver II.

Pumphandle fallaway slam

Also known as the Tilt Suplex. 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.

Samoan drop

The wrestler drapes an opponent over their shoulders in a fireman's carry position then falls backwards, driving the opponent down to the mat on their back. The move been a signature move for Samoan wrestlers throughout the years.

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 other arm. The wrestler lifts their opponent up and turns them upside down so that they are held up by the wrestler's arm cradling their back. The wrestler then throws the opponent 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 opponent into a horizontal position across the chest, and toss them forward onto their back. It is usually performed against a charging opponent, using the opponent's own momentum to power the throw. This version is generally associated with Arn Anderson, often being called an Arn Anderson Spinebuster.

Another version of this sees the wrestler elevate the charging opponent up, and without spinning, slamming the opponent down to the mat.

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 opponent 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 wrestler lands in a sitting position, driving the opponent's face into the mat.

Cobra clutch bulldog

The wrestler applies a Cobra Clutch and then leaps forward, falling into a sitting position and driving the face of the opponent into the ground.

Half nelson bulldog

The wrestler hooks a half nelson hold on his opponent with one arm and his opponents waist with the other. He then leaps forward into a sitting position, driving the face of the opponent into the ground.

One-handed bulldog

The one handed-bulldog is infact more of a facebuster than an actual bulldog and generally sees a wrestler run up from behind their opponent, grab this opponent's head with one hand and leap forward to drive this opponent's face into the mat.

A two-handed variation of this sees the attacking wrestler charge at the opponent and push, with both hands, down on the back of the opponent to force them gut-first into the mat below.

Spinning bulldog

The wrestler places the opponent in a modified fireman's carry in which the opponent is held diagonally across the wrestlers back with their legs across one shoulder and head under the opposite shoulder (usually held in place with a facelock). The wrestler then spins simultaneously throwing the opponent's legs off the wrestler's shoulders and dropping to the ground, driving the opponent's head into the mat in a bulldog position.

Cutter

See Cutter (professional wrestling)

Catapult

A Catapult or Slingshot Catapult is a throw that typically starts with the opponent on his/her back, and the wrestler standing and facing him. The wrestler hooks each of the opponent'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 opponent's head into the mat. The classic DDT is performed by putting the opponent in a front facelock and falling backwards so that the opponent 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 wrestler falls in the direction that the opponent's head is facing, driving the opponent's head into the mat.

Louie Spicolli used the move as a finisher during his tenure in Extreme Championship Wrestling. Upon his death the move was unofficially renamed the Spicolli Driver by announcer Joey Styles, who would call the move by this name when any wrestler performed it in ECW, usually by Tommy Dreamer.

Sean O'Haire uses a varation in which he throws out his opponent on the opposite side. He called this the Widow Maker, and later The Prophecy.

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 wrestler falls sideways, driving the opponent's head to the mat.

This is considered an extremely dangerous move as the opponent's body cannot roll with the natural momentum of the move to absorb the impact. The move was innovated by Kotetsu Yamamoto, and popularized by Kenta Kobashi as the Burning Hammer.

A variation of this is performed by Mark Briscoe where instead of holding the body of the opponent he holds the far arm of the opponent across their own throat, and maintains it by holding the opponents wrist, before performing the inverted death valley driver. He refers to this as the Cut-Throat Driver or Cut-Throat Suplex.

Side Death Valley driver

A variation between the regular Death Valley driver and the inverted one. The opponent lays on the shoulders of the wrestler on his side, facing either the opposite or the same direction as the wrestler, with the wrestler holding the opponent by the lower leg, and either the head or lower arm. The wrestler then falls sideways, driving the opponent down to the mat shoulder and neck first.

Kenta Kobashi has used a pumphandle variation known as Wrist-clutch Burning Hammer.

Driver

A Driver is a variation of many moves that involves an opponent being driven down between the legs of a wrestler (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.

Half nelson driver

The wrestler hooks a half nelson hold on his opponent with one arm and his opponent's waist with the other. The wrestler then leaps forward into a sitting position, while flipping the opponent over, and driving the opponent between his legs, onto his head and back.

Michinoku driver II

Also known as a sitout 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 wrestler's arm cradling his/her back. The wrestler then throws the opponent to the ground as he/she falls to a sitting position so that the opponent 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.

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 upside 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 essentially a fireman's carry variation of a Michinoku Driver II. The attacking wrestler drapes an opponent over their shoulders in a fireman's carry position and then takes hold of the opponent and pulls them over their shoulder and down to the mat while falling to a sitting position so that the opponent lands on their upper back and neck between the legs of the wrestler, facing towards them.

A slight variation of this move, called the Cradle Shock, is used by Chris Sabin who crosses his opponent's legs whilst they are on his shoulders.

Tiger driver

Popularized by Mitsuharu Misawa. 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 wrestler does not sitout to be a Tiger Bomb, while the sit-out variant is considered the Tiger Driver.

Electric chair drop

The wrestler lifts the opponent on his/her shoulders in a sitting position, with both facing the same way. Then the wrestler falls backwards driving the opponent 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 wrestler lifts the opponent so they are sitting on the shoulders of the wrestler, facing in the same direction. The wrestler then quickly falls to a sitting position, slamming the opponent 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 wrestler applies a front facelock and then falls backwards, much like a normal DDT, but instead of the opponent's head impacting the mat, the wrestler falls to a kneeling, or sitting position, driving the face of the opponent onto his/her knee.

Facebreaker knee smash

The knee smash is a standard Facebreaker which involves the wrestler facing an opponent and grabbing hold of them by their head or hair and pulling the opponent's face down, dropping it on to the wrestler's knee. Often used by a wrestler to stun an opponent and set them up for another move.

Another variation sees the wrestler apply a standing side headlock, and simultaneously pull the opponent forward and smash the wrestler's knee to the opponent's head. The opponent usually falls forward onto their back after impact.

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 wrestler grabbing hold of the opponent by his/her head or hair and jumping down, forcing the opponent's face into the mat.

Flapjack

A flapjack is any move that throws the opponent so that he/she is pushed upward and therefore having him/her fall on his/her front.

In a basic flapjack, a wrestler pushes their opponent upward by reaching under their legs and lifting them into the air, while remaining the hold on the opponent's leg the wrestler would fall backwards, dropping the opponent front-first into the canvas. It is commonly used by a wrestler when an opponent is charging towards them.

The move is similar to a back drop, but the wrestler pushes upwards so that the opponent falls onto his/her face instead of falling back-first.

A Hotshot is referred to when a flapjack is performed so that the opponent would fall across the ring ropes. The finishing move of Eddie Gilbert; "Stunning" Steve Austin also used the hotshot but referred to it as the Stun Gun.

A variation sees the wrestler lift the opponent on to a fireman's carry, and then throw the upper body of the opponent away from the wrestler while the wrestler falls backwards, driving the opponent down to the mat chest first.

Alley Oop

Also known as reverse powerbomb. The wrestler lifts the opponent so that they are seated on the wrestlers shoulders, facing away from him, as in a powerbomb. The wrestler then falls backwards while throwing the opponent the same way, dropping them down to the mat on their chest. Tori used a variation of this maneuver where she wouldn't keep the opponent on her shoulders, but instead, she would do the maneuver very fast so it whipped the opponent.

Gutbuster

A Gutbuster is any move in which the wrestler lifts his/her opponent up and jumps or drops him/her so that the opponent'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 opponent 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 dropping the opponent's stomach on the wrestler's shoulder. Current TNA wrestler Christian Cage utilized this technique near the end of his run in WWE. Dean Malenko often employed a second rope variation.

Rib breaker

A rib breaker is a version of a gutbuster that involves the wrestler 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 wrestler then lifts his/her opponent up so they are horizontal across the wrestlers body. From here the wrestler 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 wrestler'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. Of the two variations the facing down version is more often referred to as a Headscissors takedown with the facing up version being referred to as a Frankensteiner or Hurricanrana.

A variation where the wrestler forces the opponent to spin before releasing him is referred to as a Satellite (spinning) headscissors.

Another variation when the attacking wrestler rotates numerous times around the opponent before performing the head scissors is known as Deja Vu as named by Dragon Kid.

Frankensteiner

This move is commonly, if not always, referred to as a huracanrana or hurricanrana, although it is technically slightly different. The move is described as 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.

It was named "Frankensteiner" by Scott Steiner, who used it as a finishing move. The move also has a variation where the opponent is sitting on the top rope, that variation is also referred to as frankensteiner.

Another variation of the Frankensteiner sees a grounded wrestler first "kip up" on to a standing opponent's shoulders, this is where a wrestler roll onto the back of his/her shoulders bringing his/her legs up and kicking forward to build momentum to lift themselfs off the floor and on to the standing opponent. This is often referred to as a kip up hurricanrana, though technically its a frankensteiner.

Reverse frankensteiner

Similar to a standard frankensteiner, the wrestler jumps on the shoulders of an opponent and performs a backflip, using the momentum to throw the opponent over. However, in this version a wrestler jumps on the shoulders of an opponent from behind, so that they are facing the same way as the opponent. By leaning backwards the wrestler attemps to perform a backflip and throw the opponent over on the their belly. Though, often the ending of this move sees the opponent's head stuck between the legs of the wrestler hitting the mat first; giving it a resemblance to a back-to-back flip piledriver.

This move is dangerous in that the attacking wrestler cannot let go of the head scissors because the opponent has no natural momentum with the move so most of the time the opponent lands on their head between the legs of the wrestler, and if the opponent doesn't aid the backflip enough the wrestler can end up being crushed by the opponent landing on their back.

Hurricanrana

The correct name for this maneuver is the Huracanrana or Huracarrana, but it is commonly misspelled in English as Hurricanrana and was invented by Luchador Huracan Ramirez. This is a headscissors takedown that ends in a rana pinning hold. The rana is any double-leg cradle. The huracanrana is typically done with more velocity than the headscissors takedown, as the opponent needs to land directly underneath the wrestler, instead of being tossed away.

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.

Rey Mysterio sometimes jumps onto his opponent's head from behind, shifts his body so he's facing the front of his opponent, and then takes him/her down, which he calls the Mysterio Rana.

Hip toss

The wrestler stands next to the opponent with both facing the same direction, and the wrestler underhooks his/her closest arm underneath and behind the opponent's closest armpit.

The wrestler then quickly lifts the opponent up with that arm and throws the opponent forward, which would lead the wrestler to flip the opponent 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 opponent 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 opponent 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 a wrestler (either stands facing or not facing opponent) places his/her head under the jaw of the opponent and holds the opponent in place before falling into a sitting or kneeling position, driving the jaw of the opponent into the to of his/her head. Sometimes it is also used to counter a headlock by the opponent.

Shoulder jawbreaker

The wrestler stands facing the opponent, places his/her shoulder under the jaw of the opponent and holds the opponent in place before falling into a sitting or kneeling position, driving the jaw of the opponent into his/her shoulder.

Stunner

See Stunner (professional wrestling)

A Stunner is a three-quarter facelock jawbreaker. It involves an attacking wrestler applying a three-quarter facelock (reaching behind the head of an opponent, thus pulling the opponent's jaw above the wrestler's shoulder) before falling to a seated position and forcing the defender's jaw to drop down on the shoulder of the attacking wrestler..

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 wrestler falls backwards) or bulldog.

A standard Mat Slam involves the wrestler 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 wrestler takes hold of their opponent's from behind, holding them by the hair or top of the head. The wrestler then jumps backwards and falls to a sitting position, driving the back of the opponent's head into the ground between their legs.

A variation sees the wrestler run up the corner turnbuckles, perform a backflip over a chasing opponent, and at the same time grab hold of the opponents head and perform the slam.

Edge uses a variation of this move calling it the Edge-O-Matic.

Sleeper slam

This slamming version of a headlock takedown sees a wrestler apply a sleeper hold to the opponent, then falls face first to the ground, pulling the opponent down with them and driving the back and head of the opponent into the ground.

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, named the Sling Blade, in which he runs towards an opponent, catches their head, swings around them and pulls their head down to the mat with him.

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.

Tilt-a-whirl mat slam

As the name suggests the wrestler would first use a tilt-a-whirl to raise the opponent into a belly-to-belly (piledriver) position, from here the wrestler would fall forward planting the opponent into the mat back-first.

The move is sometimes named by fans and independent commentators as an "Inverted Styles Clash" in reference to a belly-to-back version. Though not often used by many wrestlers, this mat slam does happen as a result of other botched (poorly executed) moves. When a wrestler is lifted for a standard tilt-a-whirl slam they can often be positioned wrong a land in this fashion, also when wrestlers are performing tombstone piledriver if the weight isn't properly distributed the attacking wrestler can fall forward instead of straight down; hitting a mat slam rather than the piledriver they are attempting.

Monkey flip

This throw sees the wrestler jump onto the knees or waist of the opponent and hook their hands behind the opponent's head or neck. The wrestler then falls backwards and pushes up with his legs, thus flipping the opponent over and onto their back. This move is commonly done out of a ring corner, and is often referred to as a Monkey Climb in British wrestling.

Neckbreaker

There are two general categories of neckbreaker, which are related only in that they attack the opponent'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 wrestler throws his/her opponent to the ground by twisting the opponent'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 opponent's head into the mat.

Powerbomb

A powerbomb is a move in which an opponent is lifted up (usually so that he/she is sitting on the wrestler'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 wrestler's thighs) then lifted up on the wrestler's shoulders, then slammed down back-first to the mat.

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.

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.

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 wrestler turn the opponent upside-down and drop the opponent shoulder-first on the wrestler's knee. Usually the opponent is held over the wrestler's shoulder in either a Powerslam position, or most commonly an inverted powerslam position.

Snake Eyes

This move would see the wrestler to place the opponent on top of the wrestler's shoulder so that both are facing the same direction while the opponent is facing forward, and then the wrestler would throw the opponent face-first onto a turnbuckle.

Snapmare

With his to the opponent, the wrestler applies a cravatte or a 3/4 facelock, kneels down, and then pulls the opponent forward, flipping them over his shoulder down to the mat back first.

This is often done as either a counter or a set-up move.

Snapmare driver

A high impact variation of the snapmare where instead of flipping the opponent over, the wrestler drops down either on their chest or down on their knees and drives the opponent's head down to the mat forehead first, with the three quarters face lock.

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

see also 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. This usually involves grabbing the opponent with both arms around the opponent's legs while keeping the chest close to the opponent, and using this position to force the opponent to the ground. Similar to Spear or a poorly executed Spinebuster.

Dragon screw

This is a legwhip where a wrestler grabs an opponent's leg and holds it parallel to the mat while they are facing each other. The attacking wrestler then spins the leg inwards causing the opponent to fall off balance and twist in the air bringing them to the ground 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 wrestler 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 opponent 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. Also referred to as a Scissor Sweep.

Raven uses this move to trip opponents head-first to an upright chair.

Half nelson legsweep

The wrestler stands behind, slightly to one side of and facing the opponent. The wrestler reaches under one of the opponent's arms with his/her corresponding arm and places the palm of his/her hand on the neck of the opponent, thereby forcing the arm of the opponent up into the air (the Half Nelson). The wrestler then uses his/her other arm to pull the opponent's other arm behind the opponent's head, so both opponent's arms are pinned. The wrestler then hooks the opponent's near leg and throws themselves backwards, driving the opponent 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 opponent, facing in the same direction, and reaches behind the opponent's back to hook the opponents head with the other hand extending the opponents nearest arm, then while hooking the opponents leg the wrestler falls backward, pulling the opponent to the mat back-first.

There is also a facebuster variation of this move.

Three-quarter facelock Russian legsweep

The wrestler stands in front of, facing away from and slightly to one side of the opponent. The wrestler then reaches behind themselves and applies a three-quarter facelock to the opponent. The wrestler then hooks the opponent's near leg with their own near leg and sweeps the leg away, simultaneously throwing themselves backwards, thus driving the opponent to the ground (with the weight of the wrestler on top of them) and wrenching the opponent's neck.

Schoolboy

This technique gives its name to the schoolboy bump and is performed when the wrestler drops down to his/her knees behind the opponent and forces his/her bodyweight forward to trip the opponent over the attacking wrestler so that they fall flat on their back.

The term also gives its name to a pinning takedown where the attacking wrestler drops down behind the opponent and puts one arm up between the opponent's legs to pull the opponent over to trip them down in the same fashion. At this point the attacking wrestler would stack the fallen opponent on their shoulders for the pin. When female wrestlers use this move is often referred to it as a Schoolgirl.

STO

STO (Space Tornado Ogawa) is a sweep in which a wrestler 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).

Claw-hold STO

Also known as an STK. This move is a STO where the wrestler would first apply a head claw with one hand before sweeping his/her opponent's legs to slam down the opponent's head on the mat.

Reverse STO

See Complete Shot

Set up move

These are transition moves that set up for various throws and slams. See Transition holds

See also

• Professional wrestling holds
• Professional wrestling attacks
• Professional wrestling aerial techniques
• Professional wrestling double-team maneuvers

• Professional wrestling moves