Holds
Armbar
An arm-control family that targets the elbow or shoulder through positioning and leverage. Straight, bent-arm and other variations are not automatically identical.
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The moves behind the moments
Wrestling Move Index
Find a familiar finish, decode an alternate name, and follow it back to the matches and performers in the archive.
Entries are drawn from released articles and their research appendices. A common name leads each entry; documented source labels and branded names appear alongside it. Related variations stay distinct where their mechanics differ.
These are descriptions of professional-wrestling performances. Names don’t establish who invented a move, and “covered in” doesn’t mean every wrestler in that article used it.
32 of 32 entries
Throws
Atomic drop
The opponent is lifted and lowered toward a bent knee in the staged presentation. The inverted atomic drop uses a different facing position.
Covered in the archive
Strikes
Axe Bomber
Hogan’s named lariat variation, discussed as context for his work outside the WWF. It is not automatically interchangeable with every clothesline.
Covered in the archive
Throws
Backbreaker
Also listed as: Side Backbreaker · Conventional Backbreaker
The opponent’s back is brought across a knee or another supporting part of the body. Named backbreaker variants can differ substantially.
Covered in the archive
Throws
Belly-to-back suplex
Also listed as: Back Suplex · Back Suplex / Belly-to-Back Suplex
A lift from behind carries the opponent backward into a suplex landing. It is kept separate from the bridging German suplex.
Covered in the archive
Strikes
Big boot
Also listed as: Running Big Boot
A raised boot meets an approaching opponent around the upper body. Running and stationary setups can change the presentation.
Covered in the archive
Holds
Chinlock
Also listed as: Rear Chinlock · Reverse Chinlock
A rear control hold centered around the chin and upper body. It is distinct from a sleeper hold despite some similar-looking positions.
Covered in the archive
Strikes
Clothesline
An extended arm catches the upper body of an opponent, commonly during a running exchange.
Covered in the archive
Strikes
Corner strikes
A source label for striking combinations against an opponent near the turnbuckles. It describes a situation and combination rather than one unique named maneuver.
Covered in the archive
Aerial
Diving double axe handle
Both hands are brought together for a descending two-handed striking motion from an elevated position.
Covered in the archive
Aerial
Diving elbow drop
Also listed as: Flying Elbow Drop · Flying Elbow · Diving Elbow Drop
An elbow drop delivered from an elevated position. Savage’s top-rope version is its defining example in the released profiles.
Covered in the archive
Takedowns
Drop toe hold
A low trip uses control of the lower leg to bring a moving opponent forward toward the mat.
Covered in the archive
Strikes
Elbow drop
Also listed as: Grounded Elbow Drop
The performer drops an elbow toward a grounded opponent. The diving version is listed separately because of its elevated approach.
Covered in the archive
Strikes
Elbow smash
A short elbow-led strike delivered during a standing or close-range exchange.
Covered in the archive
Rule-breaking tactics
Eye rake
A simulated scraping attack across the eye area, used as a rule-breaking shortcut in match storytelling. An eye poke is a related but distinct action.
Covered in the archive
Holds
Front facelock
Head-and-arm control from the front. It can establish control or form the setup for another maneuver.
Covered in the archive
Throws
Gutwrench suplex
A waist-level grip from the side supports a rotational suplex. The grip and rotation distinguish it from a conventional vertical suplex.
Covered in the archive
Match sequences
Hulk-Up
Hogan’s recognizable comeback performance: reactions, posture and audience interaction signal a change in control. It is a storytelling sequence, not a single wrestling move.
Covered in the archive
Strikes
Knee drop
A descending knee targets a grounded opponent. A diving knee drop adds an elevated starting position.
Covered in the archive
Strikes
Leg drop
Also listed as: Atomic Leg Drop · Atomic / Running Leg Drop · Running Leg Drop
An extended leg lands across a grounded opponent in the staged performance. Hogan’s running approach is a familiar presentation of the move.
Covered in the archive
Throws
Powerslam
A family of lifting slams presented with the attacker’s body following the opponent down. Running and scoop variations may be described more specifically in individual profiles.
Covered in the archive
Strikes
Punching combinations
Also listed as: Punching Combination · Punches
A sequence of worked punches used to build offense or a comeback. This is a combination of strikes rather than a separate named hold.
Covered in the archive
Rope attacks
Rope-assisted neck snap
A worked attack uses the ring ropes to create a neck-snapping visual. It is a rope-assisted tactic, not a synonym for every neckbreaker.
Covered in the archive
Strikes
Running high knee
Also listed as: Running Knee · Running Knee Strike
A running approach brings a raised knee toward the opponent’s upper body. A stationary knee lift is a related but separately described action.
Covered in the archive
Pins
Schoolboy roll-up
Also listed as: Schoolboy · Roll-Up / Schoolboy
A quick pinning roll-up from behind. “Roll-up” alone is a broader description and is not treated as the name of every schoolboy variation.
Covered in the archive
Throws
Scoop body slam
Also listed as: Scoop Bodyslam · Scoop Slam · Body Slam · Bodyslam
The opponent is lifted across the body, turned and brought down back-first. Other named slam variations are kept separate.
Covered in the archive
Throws
Shoulderbreaker
A lifted opponent is positioned so the shoulder meets the performer’s knee during the controlled descent.
Covered in the archive
Holds
Side headlock
Side-on head-and-arm control, often used to establish leverage, struggle and an eventual escape.
Covered in the archive
Pins
Small package
Also listed as: Inside Cradle · Small Package / Cradle · Inside Cradle / Small Package · Small Package / Inside Cradle
A compact cradle folds the opponent into a pinning position. “Cradle” is a broader family name, so it is not treated as a universal synonym for this exact hold.
Covered in the archive
Takedowns
Snapmare
A forward turning takedown brings the opponent from standing to a seated or grounded position.
Covered in the archive
Throws
Swinging neckbreaker
A neckbreaker variation combines head-and-neck positioning with a turning motion and fall. Other neckbreaker setups are kept distinct.
Covered in the archive
Throws
Vertical suplex
A front hold and body lift carry the opponent upside down before a backward fall. Snap, delayed and other named variations have distinct timing.