Undertaker using Hell's GateProfessional wrestling might be scripted (or fake according to non-wrestling fans) but the amount of effort and the pain that is involved in the wrestling matches are real. And one aspect of wrestling which often blurs the line between kayfabe and reality are the submission holds. While most of them are applied with proper safety measures during wrestling matches, there are some submission moves which work effectively in real life as well.These submission moves could get you the upper hand in a real life fight and can be seen in MMA fights across the globe. So here is a look at those submission moves that are going to hurt pretty badly if applied outside the squared circle of professional wrestling.
#6 Honorable mention: Arm Bar - Alberto Del Rio
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Alberto Del Rio might no longer be in the WWE but the way in which he used to pull off his arm bar was very impressive to say the least.
#5 The Anaconda Vice - CM Punk
In the Anaconda Vice, the wrestler wraps his arms around one arm and head of his opponent. This results in some intense choking and the move was made popular in WWE by CM Punk. It is a move derived from Jiu-jitsu and Judo and has some consequences if pulled off correctly. Punk recently transitioned into UFC and it wouldn’t be a big surprise if he comes up with the move in his UFC career.
We haven’t seen the move in WWE since Punk left the scene and hopefully someone will pick up the same and use it once in a while so that the WWE Universe could enjoy it.
#4 The Ankle Lock - Kurt Angle, Jack Swagger, Ken Shamrock
The Ankle lock is a submission move that has the ability to break the ankle of someone in a real life scenario. Ken Shamrock was the first one to use it in WWE but the move became popular when Kurt Angle started using it. Angles theatrics and brilliance made it look very impressive and at the same time, escaping out of it ended up being a sure shot pop generator.
When Angle left WWE, they allowed Jack Swagger to use the move but Swagger never reached the level that Angle used to be in. The submission hold is still good enough to get a cheer from the crowd and it would be a great sight to see Angle pulling off the same if he returns to WWE.
#3 Rear Naked Choke - Samoa Joe
Fans who have watched the matches of Samoa Joe would know how vicious this move can be. Joe usually wraps himself around his opponents like a python that wraps itself around its prey. Joe then sinks in his legs for extra leverage and it is sure to squeeze the life out of the opponent. Joe’s version is very popular among the wrestling fans and similarly, the move is a mainstay in Mixed Martial Arts as well.
There are some variations of the rear naked choke and almost all of them are devastating. And if you have imposing size like Joe, then the move is guaranteed to be extra effective.
#2 Kimura - Brock Lesnar
The Kimura lock is a mainstay in the MMA circuit. The lock was named after judo legend Masahiko Kimura who used the move to break the arm of MMA great Helio Grace in 1955. The current wrestling fans will recognize this as the move used by Brock Lesnar.
WWE made Lesnar’s version look devastating and rightfully so. The Kimura has the capability of breaking someone’s arm in a real life situation and WWE made good use of the fact to push forward their kayfabe storylines. Lesnar might not be using the lock with the same frequency with which he used to, but that is going to change sooner or later.
#1 Hell\'s gate - Undertaker
Using Undertaker and submission moves in the same sentence is a rare sight. Despite the rarity, when Taker came up with Hell’s gate, the fans welcomed it with open arms. Taker, who has a background in jiu-jitsu, took a page right from the MMA books for his Hell’s gate. The submission that Taker uses is known as Gogoplata in the MMA scene and it is indeed painful like WWE projected it to be.
The move can choke your opponent unconscious in a matter of minutes if applied properly. Taker doesn’t use the move these days, but the move is too good to be left out like this so WWE should think about letting someone else use it. Was your favorite submission hold missing? Let us know.
