Jim Cornette on Wrestling Moves That Disappeared

From Episode 271 of the Jim Cornette's Drive Thru
Artwork by Travis Heckel!
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[@televiper11]

Jim describing how to work the bear hug properly is more interesting than any choreographed Elite routine.

[@justinstravel]

This.

[@frankE91210]

And the ratings prove this to be true! 😂

[@TheReaL_DFran]

I agree, and I do Not understand how the fans of those guys can find it SO entertaining. It legitimately baffles the hell out of me because my 9-year-old son watches wrestling with me, and he likes most of those big-moves & choreographed-moves & those things. We will be watching a match & someone will out of nowhere do a "big move" of some type then the other person will not even sell it & then do a "big move" of their own then they trade big moves back & forth over & over, then my son will look to me & say something like, "that 'looked so cool', but how would they be able to get back up from it all, I would be so broken from all that". This is a 9-year-old who Likes Almost EVERY wrestler on TV, who is coming to his own conclusions about how ridiculous it seems. You know AEW takes all their shots at WWE about being "scripted" but they're the ones with matches that come off as overly scripted gymnastics routines. Just saying🤷

[@dprowelldpr]

I hear ya! I watch them and its beyond boring.

[@fifdaddy]

Absolutely ‼️ 💯

[@citizenstrife]

Lashley + Full Nelson = Magic. You can still do the old moves. You just gotta own it and sell the devastation.

[@joshuaDstarks]

Precisely that. You just gotta sell it right, and follow through on its devastation. The dance, as it were.

[@elliotaddler2302]

Hurt lock and master locks were both classics

[@markfroman738]

Yiiiieeeeeheeee!

[@Tool30301]

Damn right!

[@williammitchell4417]

Bobby would be like Chris and the Masterlock

[@claybaxter3202]

The bear hug is gone, but super kicking a guy ten times a match is believable. The marks definitely got into the ring.

[@ThatDoesntWorkForMeBrother]

Don’t forget a lot of the wrestlers are going to the top rope and diving outside of the ring nonstop now.

[@SonOfMuta]

No it isn't

[@williammitchell4417]

The Cuckamunga Kids know of a good dentist

[@M-E_123]

And concussions / brain injuries have become more common. Who'd have thought kicking someone in the head several times a match could have such an impact?

[@williammitchell4417]

@@M-E_123 Mick Foley could vouch for that

[@johansmallberries9874]

Ironically, for looking “too fake”, the bear hug is a submission hold probably used countless times a day by bouncers and security.

[@sebastianb.3978]

As someone who works both, it depends. If physical force is required(which only tends to happen at bouncer gigs, for some reason) I was trained to put the agressor on the ground as soon as possible, so most of the time leg sweeps/hooks or slams are the go to (there was one time where I pretty much did a less theatrical Rock Bottom. The Video still makes me giddy.) But no, can't say I personally saw anyone get bearhugged by me or any of my colleagues. Edit: Fixed typos, this was way too late at night.

[@macoirc376]

@Sebastian B. fellow bouncer applied it while readying himself to belly to belly the guy to the ground. Got over about 2 seconds after they hit the ground to help secure the drunk asshole.

[@newfacepaula]

and yet a simple punch or headbutt will just counter the shit out of it

[@UnderVull]

Can verify this as I used to work security. If you work in that field for any prolonged time you will likely end up having to use a hold of some kind on someone. The amount of times I’ve had to apply a kimura is insane. 😂

[@AWX_Wrestling]

I saw it used to kill an antagonist in an anime. I forget the name. It's not an anime I've ever watched. I've just seen the clip. Basically the female antagonist stabs the armor clad protagonist through the visor of his helmet and think he's dead on his feet or at the very least blind. The protagonist then surprises the antagonist by snapping her up in a bear hug. The visor on his armor opens up to reveal the protagonist's head is a skull and the blades are just sitting in empty eye sockets. The protagonist then crushes the antagonist to death in the bear hug as she scratches and claws trying to free herself.

[@Jwjmcc]

In real life a bear hug would hurt a lot more than most the dives and flips would

[@jamiewalsh9184]

Oh yeah you hugging me hard is really gonna hurt. What the fuck lmao if a 100 pound man did a flip onto me from a height hes gonna fuck me up.

[@Jwjmcc]

@@jamiewalsh9184 you get a 300lbs guy grab you a squeeze see how long it takes before a rib cracks and you’ve internal bleeding,all them flips the miss most of this time or minimal contact

[@jamiewalsh9184]

@@Jwjmcc i dont even think a 500 pound man could do that. And theyre so easily reversed. Stupid old school rest hold, stop trying to sound like jim

[@Jwjmcc]

@@jamiewalsh9184 you’ve never messed about with your stronger mates then if u think moves like bear hugs and full nelsons don’t hurt

[@ZBR_ProXP]

These flips where just a finger taps the head of the guy they land next to?

[@JenzKeller]

It´s funny that moves used to be less dangerous but looked really painful because the wrestlers actually sold stuff, whereas now the moves are indeed dangerous but look like they have no impact at all cause noboby is selling anything.

[@clivet3252]

Someone superkicks someone and then they superkick them right back, so it's just like a slap. And this is the finisher for Shawn Michaels, who is one of the greatest of all time and won numerous titles and beat everybody with it.

[@insignificantaftermathPROJECTS]

The wrestlers were the ones who looked dangerous.

[@Devypocalypse]

Honestly the way Cornette described that entire bearhug sequence had me popping. Could just see Hogan Vs Andre at Mania 3. God tier psychology and engaging the crowd.

[@timsmith4631]

For some reason I think anything Cornette says will have you “popping” 🤭

[@EvaFull]

That’s one of moments that came to mind. The late great Gorilla Monsoon also came to mind with how he used it in his matches. 🤔 Didn’t Hulk Vs Andre also do that spot in Shea Stadium 🏟?

[@TriplomatX]

I like when Chyna ise to Ragdoll Marlena bka Terri and Terri's dress would rise more and more as she's shakened up like Shaken Baby Syndrome.

[@n.e.i.l9248]

The bear hug is a legendary hold I’m shocked no big men are using it now. It’s effective

[@JPS47]

Cause "I'm so mad at you, I'm gonna hug you to death." That's why.

[@joshuaDstarks]

It really is. It doesn’t need to be held for 10 minutes, but a big guy picking his opponent up and just folding them like that would be crazy effective.

[@unclecreed2986]

If it's used asa finisher it's fine when it's just a rest hold people hate it.

[@QAZ-OMEN]

Braun would b able to kill someone with that move him or someone like OMOS or Otis should use it.

[@Paugose]

@@QAZ-OMEN Otis should definitely use it. Just give it the name of the tag finisher he had; "The compactor".

[@amvs4realsawft976]

I remember when Lesnar put Hogan in a bear hug in 2002, both selled the move so well, it was a simple yet fantastic finish!

[@kprnr7140]

I've been a wrestler for 12 years and I'm mesmerised by Jim explaining the basics.

[@Coudicini1]

The last bear hug I saw in WWE was Rusev. Coachman, who was immediately taken off his second stint on commentary for saying this, suggested that the other wrestler was getting “a rest” while being in the hug. Michael Cole almost had a heart attack. “Rest?!?! Rest?!?! What the hell do you mean?!?!”

[@matthewl3002]

He still uses it (when he actually wrestles)

[@sebastianb.3978]

@@matthewl3002 Well yeah, but he isn't in the WWE anymore.

[@matthewl3002]

@@sebastianb.3978 until he fell off the face of the Earth, Miro was one of the better booked Ex-WWE talents

[@nbaldwin45]

That was an incredibly stupid thing for Coach to say.

[@barricadeprime29]

That was in the Nia Jaxx/Ronda Rousey match

[@bren7883]

Love when Jim covers vintage pro wrestling psychology. It’s like a free history course

[@elmagnificodep]

I loved being a little kid in the ‘80s and seeing a face like Hogan passing out from a bear hug. Then on the third-hand lift, the face would come back to life.

[@dustinmorrison5359]

The Atomic Drop! This was my favorite move growing up, and I haven't seen it in over a decade.

[@pleaseshutup7053]

Cesaro does it

[@Jowls2024]

Johnny be Bad Mark Mero sold it best. Ouch!

[@Clubber-Slang]

Rude and Honky both sold the atomic drop like it was gonna end their ability to sit every again!

[@jeffnettleton3858]

My favorite was Rick Martel, who would do an Atomic Drop, then hang onto his opponent and then execute a back suplex. Made for a great near fall spot. I always thought you could do it as a finishing sequence, with the Atomic Drop, followed by a back suplex, then rolling with the guy as he hits, to go into a rolling reverse cradle and back bridge, into the pin.

[@matthewl3002]

Saw a guy just hit it at an indie show and I popped because I haven’t seen someone use it in forever

[@jeffd5759]

One move I haven’t seen done since the 80s is the flying head scissors. Rey Mysterio uses a variation off the top rope but it’s never done in the ring. I remember George Wells using it.

[@db-jk8dl]

HBK used to do the baseball slide to an opponent outside the ring, but I don't see that one either.

[@dceasedbrickfan74]

The bear hug is one of Warrior’s legendary “I gotta rest after my run to the ring and rope shake” move. I definitely miss a lot of the old moves that the guys used to do. NJPW young boys still use some of them occasionally. Always nice to see.

[@bigsteve8921]

I miss Vince Screaming "And a Big Back Body Drop!"

[@EvaFull]

“….Oh What A Maneuver!!” Was always my favorite Vince call, because you could tell he didn’t know/care what to call it but you could tell once he “saw it with his eyes/heard the crowd” he was very impressed by it.

[@bigsteve8921]

@@EvaFull ONE... TWO... Three.. He Got... no lol

[@EvaFull]

@@bigsteve8921 😂’80’s Vince is the best background noise for when working. 😂 😂 😆 😆

[@brihev4355]

in promos, Vince loved the word "notwithstanding"

[@jasondelvaux3036]

Do you miss Vince pooping on your chest?

[@Juicelee777ssj]

The best use of the bear hug that I can remember was when Chyna use the hold on Terri Runnells The way she ragdolled That woman made Chyna an instant threat.

[@nbaldwin45]

No reason why a woman couldn't use it particularly somebody like Rhea Ripley or Raquel Gonzales

[@britishbulldogsvsthehartfo5677]

1) arm drag 2) hip toss 3) bodyslam 4) vertical suplex 5) backbreaker 6) backbreaker submission 7) back bodydrop 8) abdominal stretch 9) atomic drop 10) reverse atomic drop 11) bulldog 12) headbutt 13) cobra clutch 14) sleeper 15) leg drop 16) elbow drop 17) knee drop 18) top rope elbow 19) eye rake 20) rubbing eyes on the ropes 21) backslide 22) sunset flip 23) flying bodypress 24) dropkick 25) press slam 26) flying shoulder tackle 27) double arm suplex 28) back suplex 29) top rope elbow 30) sunset flip 31) monkey flip 32) big boot 33) running powerslam 34) northern lights suplex 35) using the ropes to choke 36) any basic double team move in tag team wrestling, ie. holding your opponent's arms while your tag partner punches them, the double headbutt, stomping on your opponent together, slamming your opponent followed up by your tag partner doing either a leg or elbow drop, double clothesline

[@brihev4355]

small package, slingshot suplex,

[@HeavensRedemption]

I Wana see technical wrestling make a comeback. Need a new Bret Hart, William Regal, Dean malenko, Lance storm. Lol I miss them the closest we've had would be DB.

[@Justin_1980]

Ah, the drop down. I remember Survivor Series 1990, IIRC, where Ted Dibiase shot an exhausted Bret Hart off the ropes and dropped down. Bret went over him but on the second time coming back Dibiase lifted his body slightly to cause Bret to trip - masterful use of such a simple move to tell a great story.

[@pauladams1915]

If someone bear hugged Darby, he'd snap in two

[@QAZ-OMEN]

Bayley should have been using the bearhug when she was the hugger

[@wake6937]

I could have sworn Brody king put him in a bear hug not to long ago and then he reversed it into a stunner

[@pauladams1915]

@@wake6937 I think he had him by the neck. He was just dangling there.

[@wake6937]

@@pauladams1915 that’s was another spot

[@EvaFull]

Go watch 1-2-3 Kid in a Bear Hug to know it can be done & look good if the smaller person knows how to sell it properly.

[@MathiasMaximus]

Sidewalk slam. Always looked good when Kane did it

[@positively_broad_st3780]

I did my time in Fairborn, Ohio in the early 80's. That's where I got into Georgia Championship Wrestling. Shoutout to all you Foy's Five & Dimers!!

[@trappenweisseguy27]

The headlock was the first thing that came to mind. Also the “claw hold” is something I haven’t seen for decades. The bear hug, in reality, is about suffocating your opponent because they are unable to breathe under the pressure a la constricting snakes 🐍.

[@HeavensRedemption]

Lmao the iron claw is still one of my all time favorites finishes. I chase my son around trying to lock it in lol.

[@samsneadd]

Doesn't the Von Erich son use the Claw?

[@mrdethbuzzard4885]

@@samsneadd Yes, both sons do it in MLW

[@murraykelm5691]

Davey boy Smith was the master of the headlock, at least 3 times a match, I guess it mattered how knackered he was.

[@krolik1157]

Lance Archer uses the claw hold as a finish as well.

[@SmegulonPrime]

I'd like to see more atomic drops, both regular and inverted

[@jesseslack2089]

Inverted Atomic Drop and Clothsline combo is still one of the best!

[@rentoptional1524]

Need Rick Rude selling them.

[@jesseslack2089]

@@rentoptional1524 lol Rick Rude was the ultimate Inverted Atomic Drop seller!! This is fact!!

[@SmegulonPrime]

@hollaatmeross prefer inverted

[@SmegulonPrime]

@hollaatmeross I haven't actually watched wrestling in some time tbh stick to highlights, podcasts and reviews now

[@MeNoSpeakJibberish]

You barely see a big back body drop anymore. That used to be a high spot in a match or come back

[@rentoptional1524]

Need Vince screaming BAAAAAAAAACK BODY DROP!!

[@MeNoSpeakJibberish]

@IGogetaX10I AJ could take that move from a broom and make it look great. Makes you wonder why the big back body drop went out of fassion. Its hardly boring cuz it can look great and impactful so could it be that its too big of a bump on the spine which wrestlers just dont want to take anymore? Thats my only guess

[@cococolasparks]

Many wrestlers today apparently consider a backdrop amongst the most painful moves to take a bump from. So unfortunately it will remain a rarity.

[@MeNoSpeakJibberish]

@@cococolasparks That does make sense. I just hope these arent the same wrestlers opting to take slams onto ladders or ring aprons both of which always make me cringe and you would think hurt much more

[@claybaxter3202]

I loved watching HBK take the big back drops. Especially from Taker.

[@bookmark7859]

" 'CUZ THE MARKS GOT IN THE RING!" 'Nuff said.

[@liontasouou]

Listening to Jim describing the bear hug was more satisfying than watching a whole wrestling match

[@jamesblevins5088]

I always thought the "Greco Roman knuckle lock" was funny. It was a strange test of strength. It was just two guys facing each other with their hands clasped together trying to push the other guy to their knees. Eventually the heel would kick the Babyface.

[@ponokanaka]

Great with big guys, like Hogan and Warrior, or Hercules and Warrior. I liked this as a kid

[@M-E_123]

I'm surprised the Big Back Bodydrop isn't used more these days. Used to be a staple and would fit in with the flip flop style so many of today's wrestlers prefer.

[@ponokanaka]

Nice, this is another old school move that’s gone today, along with the backdrop.

[@kublayrodriguez3188]

🔥

[@justinalley3399]

it is used

[@justinalley3399]

@@ponokanaka backdrop isnt gone when its use in wwe every show

[@ponokanaka]

I rarely ever see it. Growing up it was used just about every match after an Irish whip

[@stevengrvp]

The ear clap was great

[@claybaxter3202]

Damn right it was.

[@TheLOD2099]

Brad Armstrong Russian leg sweep was golden 🤌

[@stevecrawford5619]

I'm surprised big men don't utilize the back drop. Imagine Braun Strowman just launching a guy up as high as he can or across the ring. I still remember to this day the Warlord launching Marty Jeannette so high for a back drop it took him a full 2 seconds to come down. Wrestling psychology 101, so simple and effective yet it's gone kinda like wood shop, shame

[@JDotWill]

I think Brock was the last guy to effectively use a bear hug

[@mayerbasic7004]

Chyna's bearhug on Marlena looked unbelievable. It would still make a great finish for a woman nowadays.

[@sudarshaniyer6201]

Andre Chase, Roxxane Perez, Santos Escobar, Pete "Butch" Dunne,...and more. All of them use the Russian Leg Sweep. Bobby Lashley used the Bear Hug on Apollo Crews back in 2020 (I think) . If we go further back , in 2019, Brock Lesnar used it on Rey Mysterio momentarily. Sheamus is also known to use the Bear Hug and Alabama Slam frequently.

[@chrischar9428]

What's an alabama slam

[@rentoptional1524]

I always thought the drop down was meant as an offensive trip maneuver.

[@kidneystonermusic]

Fuck I never thought about it lol. I always just accepted it.

[@rentoptional1524]

@@kidneystonermusic watch guys who do it correctly dive at their opponents feet.

[@joshuaDstarks]

It’s how I’ve always looked at it.

[@HazelWolfieLive]

I think it's meant to be that, but people nowadays just don't even try to make it look like a trip, it just feels like part of a routine of the whole drop down, jump over, hit move combo that almost all wrestlers do nowadays I think I've only seen the trip attempt be successful once, at an indie show in some random gym. A shame the guy had to completely ruin the spot by just shouting things like "I did it coach" while doing a celebratory lap in the ring.

[@RagingCookie127]

In the wrestling school I went to we were taught that when we drop down we're then supposed to scoop with our arm to make it look like we're trying to grab the opponent's foot. Now it's 100% just a part of the dance.

[@EvaFull]

Hulk was great at selling The Bear Hug.

[@SmegulonPrime]

Especially if put on by the Yeti

[@deanw0rmer]

Not really lol

[@johnkolko5199]

@@SmegulonPrime That was a two man bear hug also know as The Lucky Pierre

[@EvaFull]

@@SmegulonPrime Can’t forget the other piece of the 🥧, The Giant. 😂 😂 😂

[@Jowls2024]

The mouth of the south could have got HH to sell that move! Lol

[@AV57]

What’s great about a lot of these old moves is they made certain outcomes believable. Wrestling used to not sell itself purely on body-building, but also on the wits and strategy of the wrestler in question. That’s how you could get fans to buy into the idea of an out of shape guy beating someone that looked like a Greek god. That used to not be a crazy idea; that used to be a typical, believable, and dramatic wrestling angle.

[@Epsilonsama]

Bret Hart Russian Leg Sweep was a thing of beauty and let the fans know it was almost time for the Finish.

[@sonnysatar5916]

The last Bear Hug was Shockmaster making Booker T quit at War Games

[@jackc1186]

Would love to be able to buy some of the artwork as posters

[@QAZ-OMEN]

I want a daily calendar with all the artwork with a line from the show for everyday

[@joshuaDstarks]

I don’t want to speak for the guy, but I’m pretty sure Travis said something about likenesses and copyrights and this and that being the reason his art stays right here.

[@thehammockdistrict5355]

Surprised this wasn't mentioned here anywhere - it's my opinion that the sleeperhold is a pinnacle wrestling move - super believable, excellent drama, and an awesome spectacle staged in the middle of the ring. It is gone now and that makes no sense to me.

[@MilMaska]

"Oh Cornette. You love matches with 20 minute headlocks" - Jim Cornette

[@officespace7777]

You don't see the backdrop anymore because the guy that's getting back dropped flips on his feet.😂

[@coltoncampbell3919]

FUCKING THANK YOU!!! I’m 24 born in 1998 and I have ALWAYS wanted to know the reason behind the drop down!! Stuff like this is why I listen

[@JAvellino669]

The most interesting use of the bear hug was a very young Brock Lesnar squeezing Hogan into submission soon after Hogan's return to WWE. It was brutal and shocking at the time.

[@LiEv838]

I think of Hogan and Anfre when a bearhug comes to mind

[@LiEv838]

Andre*

[@RagingCookie127]

Anfre The Fiant

[@MrTonyJ]

I remember all of this when I was a kid. Even the psychology.

[@octagonseventynine1253]

Cornette is the best at reading sponsorships lol

[@llydrsn]

The bear hug is so devastating in real life, boa constrictors and anacondas use it as their finishing move

[@drjoshuamc]

“Anaconda squeeze!” Ignacio “nacho libre”

[@baoxidiaoyu]

Ironically, bears don't

[@nssatomic]

I want Kenny Omega's move to disappear, you know the one where he just gets in the ring.

[@DeathofaNINJA]

I get so tired of super kick parties and flips. Cornette’s description of the bear hug made me miss the stories it could tell.

[@HunterGargoyle]

Brock Lesnar had an awesome Bear Hug, it looked devastating he even did different variations and he even put away Hulk Hogan with it

[@ChristopherJames1993]

No he didn't. He fucking Borked Hogan with it. Made him bleed from the mouth. Beat him that bad he left WWE for TNA lol.

[@ZForceFFC]

Yeah I remember that, it made Brock look like an absolute monster at the time.

[@Spaceman-mm6od]

I remember when I was a kid, I created my wrestler to have the most "finishing" move available as a normal move as possible. I also had the 3 amigo suplex and 3 benoit german suplex as a normal grapple move 😅. I am pretty sure it didnt make sense as I created my wrestler as a 5'8" cruiserweight guy doing the moves against the Undertaker 😅

[@matthewl3002]

I’m currently training and I use a sleeper hold, an armbar, a crossface, an STF, and a Brainbuster and Lariat as finishers

[@lonnynix9362]

Verne Gagna beat Nick Bockwinkle with a simple suplex in his retirement match to retire as the champion. Great match too.

[@matthewl3002]

@@lonnynix9362 respect, but a simple suplex is vague, there’s so many different versions of a suplex? So which one?

[@ccgmacc69]

Awesome cast. I love hearing tidbits of ring psychology

[@VinnieGer]

Brock Lesnar was the last person that made a bear hug look like it killed a person.

[@nkotbfreak2983]

Never loved bear hugs but dropkicks, back drops, vertical and belly to back suplex, atomic drop, abdominal strech they were all great moves

[@matthewl3002]

Grounded abdominal stretch is a legit catch wrestling finisher because it’s harder to escape from

[@justinalley3399]

bell to back suplex still is

[@matthewl3002]

@@justinalley3399 especially the Backdrop Driver variant

[@Uuusssaaas]

You should watch NJPW. You won't see an atomic drop, but you will see the rest of those moves quite frequently.

[@matthewl3002]

@@Uuusssaaas atomic drop is a good move to weaken the opponent, trust me, being dropped on your tailbone hurts. Also it would be funny for someone to shout “MY ASS!” after taking an atomic drop

[@mrwednesdaynight]

I miss the abdominal stretch. Those kind of moves really gave you a chance to get behind your favorite and cheer him on.

[@Dodong0]

I’m surprised we haven’t been seeing it more in homage to Inoki since he had his Cobra Twist and Manjigatame version…

[@supportpatriarchyordietrying]

Baseball Slide has disappeared for the Topey Suicida.

[@JoeR203]

You don't see a guy pinning his opponents arm on the mat, then doing a quick handstand and driving his knee down into the arm anymore. Also, nobody gets tied up in the ropes anymore either. I haven't seen a Back Body Drop in awhile. LOL Just as I was typing this, Jim said "You don't see a body drop". I guess it's been replaced by the stupid "Fallaway slam".

[@johncole9995]

I miss everything Jim described. I grew up with AWA in the late 70's. I miss the good ol days. I hated the shit out of you Jim and now I can't wait to listen everyday. Heenan and Cornette best ever

[@valentine_puppy]

I love, Love LOVE going to Jim Cornette Wrestling school.

[@patshowiedoit5340]

I miss a good Russian Leg Sweep. Don't even see many vertical/fisherman suplexs. Or Belly to Back Suplexs.

[@hughmorris2078]

I wish moves like the Claw and Hart Punch were still valid if guys are gonna do ridiculous flips and somersaults into moves .

[@thelastmotel]

Heart Punch*

[@QAZ-OMEN]

Watch nwa , tyrus uses the heart punch. And the Von Erichs still use the claw in mlw

[@sweetpepino1907]

Never understood why the heart punch isn't a bigger thing, other than maybe it's the simplest way kids trying wrestling at home could potentially kill each other? Sure it's not flashy and doesn't involve 720° of rotation through the air but it is dangerous as hell conceptually.

[@whooll]

Bret harts Russian leg sweep was also always really good

[@LongLiveRockAnRoll]

Do people still do the devastating and deadly chinlock? Remember, it's 3 strikes and you're out with that one.

[@yourdagan]

Grapples and throws have fallen to the wayside in wrestling in favor of gymnastics and MMA. Now you mostly just get body slams and supplexes.

[@martyscurllisinnocent4324]

I'd be fine with MMA influenced stuff because it can go along with the older wrestling moves. Flips and dives don't

[@megsley]

the bear hug only works when it's a giant dude with a little guy - when it's two wrestlers who are the same size it just looks ridiculous 😂

[@adamfein4970]

My Jr. High wrestling team heavyweight turned an effective move into a legit finisher and sports entertainment moment on the mat. When allowed to call starting position, he'd call "diamond", let them up, bear hug slam, pin. It eventually became a thing, and when calling, he'd turn to the audience, show THEM the diamond position hand position, take position, and hit the bear hug slam to go home. Huge pop in the gym.

[@insupportofjunhado]

As an amateur booker, that part about indie wrestlers not knowing how to use a bearhug properly is depressingly true. But the move hasn't quite disappeared yet, it's not the alligator clutch or flying mare. I still say most of the wrestlers I saw, as a fan or otherwise "got" the bearhugs. But the fact that there are any PROFESSIONAL wrestlers anywhere who don't get grab and squeeze is still depressing. Such a simple yet versatile hold. Grab him from the front, from behind, from the side. Squeeze the upper back/torso, lower back/torso, target the ribs, target the abs, target the chest cavity, trap the arms, both of you standing, both of you sitting, both of you lying on the ground, you lying on the ground while he's sitting, you standing while holding him up in the air, you standing while holding him upside down and squeezing(especially if the pile driver is banned. "Don't you do it!"), sitting while combined with body scissors, as a set up for a double team in a tag match. Scissors, if anything, are even more underused than the bear hug. The gals seem to be the only ones who really use them anymore, and even then not really consistently. Unless it's a rear naked choke, triangle choke, gogoplata, or maybe one of those fancy lucha libre/lucha resu holds like those Zeuxis and Dragon Kid came up with, which doesn't even cover a third of possible scissor holds.

[@wildwine6400]

A proper flying headscissors, I think Marty Jannetty and maybe Owen Hart did them from time to time

[@jeffjohnson5119]

kevin von erich!

[@realityorfiction]

The airplane spin isn't completely gone, this guy sending the question probably hasn't seen a Claudio match.

[@randallallgood8661]

This would funnier if Yogi Bear had Jim in the hold 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MrDrokkul]

Both the atomic and reverse atomic drop seem to be gone as well. Also, I can't remember the last time I've seen a standard backbreaker or shoulder breaker.

[@robertclark3725]

Y'all are great but you missed one... The Full Nelson!!!

[@brihev4355]

the sunset flip, small package, slingshot suplex, full nelson

[@RagingCookie127]

I loved when Daniel Bryan was on commentary getting super excited about bearhugs

[@josephsmith5367]

Scott steiners backflip powerslam was a must see

[@SpiralPoliFemboy]

The Alabama Slam. You almost never see it for some reason. I guess Hardcore Holly did it so well, that nobody tried to do it again. I don't think the Sit-Out Tiger Bomb is used much which sucks because guys like Dean Malenko made it a badass move.

[@MiniMugenMan]

Didn't Dumbfuck Moss just almost die on a botched Alabama Slam?

[@SpiralPoliFemboy]

@@MiniMugenMan It was an inverted one that looks fucking ridiculous and way too dangerous. Drew and Moss both looked horrible there. Moss because of the way he took it and Drew because he thought of doing the move. It's stupid. I just don't like that move. It's way too dangerous and someone using it as a regular move devalues the importance of the OG Alabama Slam being someone else's finisher. The regular Alabama Slam is a perfect finisher. Visual move, easy to pull off if both guys are competent enough to be on TV and it's got history being used by legends.

[@RagingCookie127]

Cody Rhodes did the Alabama slam, don't know if he still does.

[@mattmaverick3602]

Liv Morgan did a Russian Leg Sweep during the build to her match with Ronda. The other two moves mentioned, I've not seen in a while.

[@ricosalvaje5802]

The bear hug, Iron Claw, back body drop.

[@halfwaydecent6842]

An old-school wrestler named Skull Murphy used the Gator Hold. It can be found on youtube, which is on the internet.

[@tampadave13]

I always wonder why no one ever attempted George Steele’s Flying Armbar.

[@krolik1157]

I’ve seen Nakamura and Asuka hit it in WWE, Asuka as a finish.

[@brihev4355]

crossface chicke wing ---bob backlund

[@Roger-Bacon]

Good auld russian leg sweep 😢

[@Mr.Reckless]

Here's a list of some of the wrestling moves and holds I don't see the wrestlers of today doing. Sleeper hold Boston crab Back breaker Flying four arm Frog splash The DDT Leap of faith Rude awakening Cobra clutch Etc......

[@ericz4780]

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone do an abdominal stretch while holding the rope for leverage.

[@ogmundprime6534]

Anybody want to break it to Jim that Brandon Cutler is using the airplane spin? 🤣

[@CamSTL]

I forget who it was on smackdown that did an Abdominal Stretch but I was like "dayum, I havent seen that submission in ages"

[@sychosethburnz625]

Big E would bust one out quite often

[@BeatUpRecordsCDs]

I can’t remember the last time I saw a body slam.

[@ponokanaka]

Other than Rhea using it recently, I can’t remember before that the last time I’ve seen it used

[@ChristopherJames1993]

Cesaro on Big Show, WM30.

[@tj2nasty4ya83]

Last great bear hug was Chyna on Terri

[@megsley]

that shit was brutal looking swinging her around like a ragdoll!

[@jamesbryant8677]

I miss the atomic drop, Macho Man's double ax handles, the sunset flip, the abdominal stretch.....

[@B3Band]

They used to do the spot where you'd punch the guy who's standing between the ropes, he would fall backwards, bounce his feet of the top rope, bounce back to his feet only to be punched again over and over. It happens so many times in the first couple WrestleManias.

[@Sevenduece]

the bear hug not fun?!?! don't tell that to Brian danielson.. he almost lost his mind when cesaro put on a bear hug years back on wwe velocity (look up the clip its hilarious). but then again danielson really loves bears 🐻

[@lilsunny7399]

Honestly I think Walter is the perfect example of the antithesis of this (Don't correct me, he's Walter) Powerbombs, Chops, Slaps, Headbutts, Suplexes. All sorts of classic moves. Not a flip or a weird setup in sight. He ends matches with simple moves like splashes and powerbombs. He could make a bearhug convincing. That's the kind of guy I want to see more of. Not the hardly boys adding another 2 rotations to something.

[@rentoptional1524]

I'll correct you. He's WALTER

[@lilsunny7399]

@@rentoptional1524 touché

[@SonOfMuta]

GUNTHER

[@ponokanaka]

I like that he didn’t want to go back to the Walter name. He looks at the change as a positive thing, and he worked hard to be in the shape he’s in now

[@cwalser544]

Well he was WALTER. Big and nasty. Now he's guntard. Shriveled and skinny.

[@ThrashAD720]

Liv has done the Russain Leg Sweep with the kendo stick similar to the Sandman so that move is still used. Claudio is the one that mostly does The Gaint Swing and The Airplane spin.

[@adrianelice9871]

Canadian destroyer is a freaking transition move these days

[@ziggymarley8498]

Sooooo we're just gonna disregard Big E usin the bear hug?? I kno he's out injured but he still uses the bear hug