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Submission holds are a key component in the world of wrestling since way back when Ed "Strangler" Lewis was dropping guys with a headlock. These moves are used not only to wear opponents down but also to finish matches emphatically in making an opponent physically "tap out."
While the early years of wrestling were dominated by male wrestlers, in the current time there is an assembly of female wrestlers who have not only proved their involvement in the game, but also have been part of major main event shows. The WWE Women's Championship returned in the year of 2016 when WWE Hall of Famer - Lita unveiled a brand-new Women's Championship belt during the WrestleMania 32 pre-show to signify a change in the status of the division from the earlier period when the female talents were referred to as Divas.
Female MMA fighters and world-traveled grapplers have been prowling the locker rooms, looking for a vulnerable limb to grab onto and rend into oblivion. But which maneuver designed to make an opponent cry uncle is the most effective?
While there have been many holds used over the years, many sharing similar origins, some look absolutely horrific, and this list will countdown the top 5 most painful-looking submission finishers currently used in wrestling by the female WWE superstars:
#5 Becky Lynch's Dis-arm-her
Becky Lynch’s Dis-arm-her is one of those holds where you either tap out or suffer an injury that will put you on the sidelines. Not only does Lynch bend her victim’s arm at an impossible angle, but she sits squarely on their back and shoulder, applying leverage and an increased amount of pressure on the joints. If an opponent doesn’t buckle under the intense force of Lynch’s patented hold, they risk suffering severe and permanent damage to their limbs.
And not only is the Dis-arm-her one of the most dangerous holds in WWE right now, but its name is the best pun going.
#4 Shayna Baszler's Kirifuda Clutch
As I’ve already illustrated, most submissions offer their victims two options: Tap or nap. Shayna Baszler’s Kirifuda Clutch is a little different. A vice-like rear-naked choke that’s near-impossible to escape, The Queen of Spades’ signature hold is an MMA staple that has already become a feared maneuver within the yellow ropes of NXT. It may not have the panache of an Indian Deathlock or a Figure-Four, but its success comes from its simplicity.
The ferocity of Baszler that offers her opponents a slight variation on those options we presented up top: Tap or Nap.
#3 Charlotte Flair's Figure-Eight Leglock
Combine the pure athleticism of Charlotte Flair with the pinpoint precision of her old man, Ric, and you get the Figure-Eight Leglock, a modified version of The Nature Boy’s signature hold that takes away the time-honored, “just roll over” counter to the move.
By bridging up on her hands, Charlotte inverts the hold to a 90-degree angle, combing the painful effects of the lock with a contorting position that’s near impossible to escape. Asuka was undefeated until she found herself trapped in this move.
Enough said!
#2 Asuka's Asuka Lock
When Asuka cinches in her eponymous Asuka Lock, it’s only of time before her opponent screams for the bell.
The Empress of Tomorrow traps her opponents in a Crossface Chicken Wing, and then drags them to the mat by clenching her legs around their body. Even if the opponent can somehow free themselves from Asuka’s body scissors, there’s no escape from the twisting and torqueing she applies to the head and neck with the crossface. Any attempts to reach for the ropes are futile. With nowhere to go, panic sets in and it’s only a matter of seconds before they’re tapping.
#1 Ronda Rousey's Armbar
She doesn’t give a damn about her reputation, nor does she care in the slightest about ripping her opponent’s arm out of its socket. Ronda Rousey’s Armbar is arguably the most devastating submission not just in WWE, but in all of the combat sports. It’s won Ronda titles and set records in MMA and has now earned her a victory at WrestleMania.
With “Rowdy” Ronda able to apply the holdout of virtually any exchange, opponents can never expect when they’re going to be in danger of feeling its excruciating impact. Try to charge at Ronda, and you’ll be in trouble. Try to strike Rousey, and you’re probably going to get caught. The Armbar will get you coming and going before it lands you squarely in a local medical facility.
