5 Traditional martial arts used by WWE Superstars

Martial arts are an essential element of any combat sports-based full-contact sport, including the world of scripted combat that we so fondly know as professional wrestling.

Now, without bombarding you with a lengthy monologue on the nuances of the martial arts world, it’d be better to keep this part of our discussion rather succinct. The sphere of martial arts is generally categorized into two main types – traditional martial arts and modern martial arts.

So, what exactly is a traditional martial art? In simple terms, A traditional martial art emphasizes that the martial arts practitioner trains not only his body but also his mind and spirit. On the other hand, some modern martial arts (not all), primarily focus on the physical aspect of the training and urge their students to devote all their time and effort towards improving their physical combat skills and abilities.

Critics of pro wrestling may lash out at the relevance of martial arts in WWE. However, it’s indeed undeniable that when the right amount of shoot fighting blends in with a healthy dose of sports-entertainment, it results in a magical potion of WWE brilliance.

The following article features a few traditional martial arts that have been used by some of the top WWE Superstars inside the squared circle.

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#5 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Daniel Bryan is a disciplined BJJ practitioner

The art of Jiu-Jitsu has been around for several centuries. Besides, since the 1990s, it’s been popularized by its extensive use in the sport of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts).

Nevertheless, one ought to note that while Jiu-Jitsu/Japanese Jiu-Jitsu focused not only on the hand-to-hand combat aspect but also on weapons training, it is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) that’s more prominent in MMA and modern martial arts gyms.

BJJ emphasizes the training of one’s grappling and overall combat skills without the use of a weapon, which makes it more applicable to modern-day combat sports like MMA.

Daniel Bryan:

Daniel Bryan is an avid BJJ practitioner. Over the years, Bryan has time and again used several notable BJJ moves in his WWE matches. Daniel Bryan employs a variety of BJJ techniques and holds including chokeholds and joint locks in order to make his opponent tap out or downright incapacitate them.

#4 Freestyle and Greco-Roman Wrestling

Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle are excellent shoot wrestlers

Wrestling is one of the most ancient combat sports in the world and has been featured under various names in ancient civilizations such as India, Babylon, and Greece. Several well-known works of age-old literature such as the Indian Vedas have extensively featured the martial arts aspect of wrestling.

Presently, the two primary categories of wrestling are Freestyle and Greco-Roman Wrestling. While Freestyle allows both combatants to attack each other’s legs and use their legs for defensive maneuvers as well, Greco-Roman disallows the utilization of holds under the waist which makes it a relatively more upright style of fighting.

Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar:

Kurt Angle is an Olympic gold medalist in Freestyle Wrestling, whereas Brock Lesnar is a highly accomplished amateur wrestler who went on to win the UFC Heavyweight Championship.

Both Angle and Lesnar have used single-leg takedowns, double-leg takedowns, and trips using their Freestyle Wrestling skills as well as a multitude of submission holds taught in Catch Wrestling. Perhaps the most impressive Catch Wrestling holds for Angle and Lesnar are the Ankle Lock and the Kimura respectively.

#3 Boxing

The Undertaker is a master at the art of making his strikes seem devastating

Boxing, akin to wrestling, has existed since the ancient era and is indisputably one of the most effective martial arts in today’s combat sports world.

It involves the use of one’s closed fists to strike the opponent, with the impact point of the strikes being the attacker’s knuckles (usually the knuckles of the index and middle finger) and the target’s head or body above the waist.

The damage that one can inflict upon one’s opponent with good pugilistic technique is at times downright chilling. After all, names such as Rocky Marciano, George Foreman, and Mike Tyson are a testament to the terror that a great boxer can instill in the hearts of his/her opponent.

The Undertaker:

Firstly, yes, I’m well aware that despite what Michael Cole’s commentary may suggest, The Undertaker is not the ‘best pure striker’ in WWE. The best pure striker in WWE right now would be someone like an ex-Golden Gloves champion such as Baron Corbin or even someone who isn’t much of a striking specialist in the grand scheme of things like Brock Lesnar.

Regardless, when it comes to the dramatization part of the striking aspect of a pro wrestling matchup, seldom do performers enact the role of a boxing savant better than The Undertaker.

Oddly enough, even though Baron Corbin is a more accomplished boxer than The Undertaker, it’s The Deadman who trumps Corbin when it comes to making his strikes, his punches in particular, seem more devastating.

#2 Kickboxing and Muay Thai

Aleister Black is a fearless Kickboxer and Muay Thai practitioner

The sport of Kickboxing involves participants using a myriad of strikes such as punches, kicks, and knees (with most Kickboxing promotions prohibiting the use of elbow strikes).

On the other hand, Muay Thai involves the utilization of the aforementioned strikes as well as elbow strikes.

Aleister Black:

One of the most promising up-and-coming Superstars in WWE today is Aleister Black. His promo work and character development have been impeccable, his mat wrestling skills par excellence, and to top it all his kickboxing and Muay Thai maneuvers make him all the more menacing.

One of the most interesting observations regarding Black is that unlike most other pro wrestlers, he doesn’t commit the cardinal sin of “overextending” with his strikes. In the dominion of combat sports – striking-centric sports in particular such as boxing, Muay Thai, etc – overextending with one’s strikes is one of the worst things you could possibly do.

Although overextending may give you the illusion of generating more power with your strikes, it ends up exposing you where you gift your opponent an excellent opportunity to hit you with a huge counter-strike.

On that note, Black’s disciplined precision and immaculate balance is a testament not only to his commitment towards his character but also to his real-life Kickboxing and Muay Thai skills.

#1 Capoeira

Kofi Kingston is a talented Capoeira fighter

Capoeira is one of the most beautiful and energetic martial arts forms you could ever witness and/or train.

This Brazilian martial art has been utilized by martial artists the world over. MMA legends such as former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva has also used it, albeit sparingly, since it involves a lot of movement and acrobatics.

The rhythmic dance movements and acrobatics employed by the Capoeira fighter serve as a deterrent to the opponent, as the latter finds it difficult to gauge the Capoeira fighter’s timing which in turn makes it tricky to attack and defend against the intermittent dance movements.

Kofi Kingston:

Former WWE Champion Kofi Kingston is perhaps one of the most talented and underrated performers in the world of professional wrestling. He has consistently managed to maintain a healthy balance between high-flying acrobatics and jaw-dropping kicks in his in-ring performances.

Kingston has always been an entertaining character. However, it’s his acrobatics at notable events such as the WWE Men’s Royal Rumble Matches that have earned him global notoriety as one of the most innovative performers in the sports-entertainment industry.

Several aerial maneuvers, as well as mat rolls and striking techniques that Kingston displays in his performances undoubtedly, indicate the influence of Capoeira in his work. Here’s hoping the Capoeira stalwart can regain his WWE title in the days to come.

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Which martial art do you feel fits the WWE environment best? Sound off in the comments!