5 best submission matches in WWE history

Submission matches are always special. In a submission match, a wrestler has to force his opponent to “tap out” or actually give up. Such matches have always featured some of the most painful and brutal submission maneuvers and make no mistake, such matches are not for the faint-hearted. Surviving or inflicting painful maneuvers is no easy task. Quite obviously, submission specialists have always enjoyed such match types.

Two submission specialists, namely Natalya and Charlotte, both submission specialists who have learned a lot from Bret Hart and Ric Flair respectively are going to face each other in a submission match for the WWE Women’s Championship. It’s not just Charlotte v Natalya; it’s the Figure-four (a variation of Ric Flair’s signature maneuver, the figure-four versus the Sharp-shooter, an heirloom of the Hart family (even though other wrestlers have used it in the past).

Here’s the best submission matches in WWE history.

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Daniel Bryan vs The Miz vs John Morrison – Triple Threat Submissions Count Anywhere Match – Hell In a Cell, 2010

This classic saw three of the best workers WWE has to offer go at each other

Daniel Bryan had already established himself as a force to reckon with. Those who followed the indy circuits were aware of his technical prowess. His feud with The Miz resumed following his return after getting fired. He defeated The Miz at Night of Champions by forcing him to tap out of the LeBell Lock (the Yes! Lock). John Morrison too got a shot at the title, which made it a a Triple Threat Submissions Count Anywhere Match.

This match had awesome written all over it. You have a submission specialist in Bryan, one of the most agile and entertaining wrestlers we’ve seen in John Morrison ,and the egoistical (The) Miz who is a good in-ring performer in his own right. This match was surely not short on action, as the fight spilled out to the stage where at one point, John Morrison lept from the lower beam of the Titantron.

Daniel Bryan won after making The Miz submit by putting him in the LeBell Lock.

Kurt Angle v Chris Benoit – 30 Minute Ultimate Submission Match – Backlash, 2001

These two technical juggernaughts put on a classic that none can forget

Two submission masters. The rules were quite similar to an Iron Man Match. The wrestlers who, at the end of 30 minutes taps out fewer times, wins. This was an amazing feud. Chris Benoit proved that he could main event PPVs. This feud really helped his career.

This match did seem quite long with frequent pauses. Although it took time, it was worth watching. But the two submission masters tried every trick in the book to out do the other. Chris Benoit managed to get the better of Angle, but this was pretty close. Angle managed make submit Chris Benoit thrice, while Benoit made Angle tap out four times. We saw submission maneuvers like the cross-armbreaker, single leg crab and even the Ankle Lock.

Chris Benoit v Chris Jericho for the Intercontinental Championship – Judgment Day, 2000

Another great feud, another great match. Two great technicians who didn’t disappoint. A lot entertaining action here too. The two used very maneuver from their arsenals to inflict pain on the other. Counters and counter-maneuvers were too many to be counted. The two focused on each others injured body parts which can be too harsh.Although it was very intense the way in which they were performing moves were very smooth and professional. Chris Benoit even did a diving headbutt onto Jericho’s injured shoulder, who also rammed into one of the steel posts. Jericho even executed a Walls of Jericho using the ropes.

In the end, Chris Benoit had Chris Jericho trapped in the Crossface, who refused to tap out and his faced turned a little purple and lost consciousness. This led to Benoit retaining his title.

Bob Backlund w/ Owen Hart v Bret Hart w/ Davey Boy Smith – for the WWE Championship

Owen’s theatrics stole the show

The rules of this match were simple, although such matches are very rare. One had to force the opponent’s “second” (the person accompanying the wrestler) to “throw in” the towel and thereby forfeiting on the wrestler’s behalf. Bob Backlund was an established veteran and Bret Hart was delivering some brilliant matches and was in the prime of his career. Bret and Owen’s parents were in the front seats.

Some brilliant action here too and the crowd was definitely behind The Hitman, who was the babyface champion. Bret Hart had Bob Backlund in the sharpshooter, but is attacked from behind by Owen Hart. Davey Boy Smith chases after Owen Hart and is made to trip on to the steel steps and loses consciousness. Bob Backlund starts to gain momentum and gets him the Chickenwing Crossface.

Meanwhile, Owen Hart gets theatrical after failing to revive The British Bulldog and begs his parents to throw in the towel, feigning new found love for his brother. Stu does not budge, but Helen, his mother gives in and throws in the towel after seeing her son’s believable theatrics and Bret Hart in the Chickenwing Crossface.

Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Bret Hart – I Quit Match – Ken Shamrock as the Special Guest Referee

Not just the best match in this list, but this a strong contender for perhaps the best match ever. Everything in this match was almost perfect, right from the feud, to the commentary, and all the way to the action. The crowd loved it right from the start. Steve Austin seemed to strike a chord with his rebellious attitude and Bret Hart found himself being booed.

Stone Cold was at his devastating best, using all the tricks in the book, steel chair hits, a kick down there. Bret Hart fought fire with fire too. The action kept the crowd going throughout. Austin was busted open after being Irish-whipped into the guardrail and started bleeding profusely. He later even Austin in the head with the ring bell to make it even worse.

Towards the end, Bret Hart had a battered Austin in the sharpshooter who couldn’t break out of it. Austin passed out and the match was awarded to Bret Hart. Austin lying unconscious in a pool of his own blood. This match didn’t just change Austin’s career, it had a huge impact on the future of the WWE.