Do Wrestling Submissions Actually Hurt? The Truth Revealed

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Ever watched a wrestling match and winced, wondering if those submission holds are as painful as they look? The way a wrestler contorts, grimaces, and frantically taps out certainly suggests a significant level of discomfort. But is it all show, or is there genuine pain involved? As someone who has spent years studying and enjoying the sport, I can tell you it’s a bit of both. The reality of wrestling submissions is nuanced, involving a blend of calculated pressure, strategic application, and a high tolerance for physical stress. Let’s explore the world of submission holds, dissecting the pain, the risks, and the techniques behind them.

We’ll look at the different types of submissions, from joint locks to chokeholds, and break down how they work. We’ll also examine the role of training, conditioning, and the unspoken agreement between wrestlers to ensure safety. This isn’t just about the physical aspects; it’s also about the psychology, the performance, and the dedication that goes into the art of professional wrestling. So, prepare to delve deep into the world of wrestling submissions and uncover the truth behind the tap-out.

The Anatomy of Pain: Understanding Submission Holds

Wrestling submissions are designed to force an opponent to submit, typically by causing pain or restricting movement. They target various parts of the body, and the type of pain experienced can vary significantly. Understanding the mechanics of these holds is the first step in appreciating their impact.

Joint Locks: Bending the Body Beyond Its Limits

Joint locks are perhaps the most visually dramatic submissions. They involve applying pressure to a joint, forcing it to move in a direction it’s not designed to go. This can cause immense pain and, if held for too long, can lead to serious injury. Common joint locks include:

Armbar: This involves extending the opponent’s arm and hyperextending the elbow. The pain is intense, and the risk of elbow dislocation or ligament damage is high.
Kimura: A shoulder lock where the wrestler grabs the opponent’s wrist and twists the arm, putting significant stress on the shoulder joint. This can cause shoulder dislocations or rotator cuff injuries.
Triangle Choke: While often categorized as a choke, the triangle choke also puts pressure on the neck and shoulder joints, causing pain and restricting blood flow.
Kneebar: The kneebar involves applying pressure to the knee joint, forcing it to bend in an unnatural direction. Knee injuries are common in both professional and amateur wrestling, so this submission is often used strategically.
Ankle Lock: The ankle lock targets the ankle joint, forcing it to bend in a direction it’s not designed to go. This can lead to sprains, fractures, or ligament damage.
Heel Hook: This is a particularly dangerous submission that targets the Achilles tendon and can cause severe ankle and knee injuries. Due to the high risk, the heel hook is often restricted in certain wrestling promotions.

The pain from joint locks comes from the stretching of ligaments, tendons, and joint capsules. The body’s natural response is to tense up, making the hold even more painful. If the hold isn’t released quickly, the joint can suffer permanent damage.

Chokeholds: Cutting Off the Supply

Chokeholds work by restricting either the flow of blood to the brain or the flow of air to the lungs. These holds can be extremely dangerous and require precise execution. Common chokeholds include:

Rear Naked Choke (RNC): This hold cuts off blood flow to the brain by applying pressure to the carotid arteries in the neck. The wrestler uses their arm to wrap around the opponent’s neck, squeezing it to cut off blood flow.
Guillotine Choke: Similar to the RNC, the guillotine choke restricts blood flow to the brain, but it’s applied from a different position. The wrestler wraps their arm around the opponent’s neck, often trapping an arm, and squeezes.
Bully Choke: The Bully Choke, also known as a front face lock, cuts off the air supply by compressing the trachea.
Crossface Chickenwing: This choke involves using the forearm to apply pressure to the opponent’s face and neck, often leading to a submission due to the pressure on the windpipe and the discomfort.

The pain from chokeholds is different from joint locks. It’s a feeling of panic and desperation as the brain is deprived of oxygen. The body’s response is to fight for air, making the hold even more uncomfortable. The danger lies in the potential for unconsciousness and, in extreme cases, serious brain damage.

Muscle Cramps and Pressure Points: The Subtle Pain

Some submissions target specific muscles or pressure points, causing intense pain without necessarily damaging the joints or restricting blood flow. These holds often rely on precision and timing. Examples include:

Calf Crusher: This submission targets the calf muscle, squeezing it and causing intense cramping.
Abdominal Stretch: This submission involves stretching the abdominal muscles, causing pain and making it difficult to breathe.
Pressure Point Strikes: While not strictly submissions, strikes to pressure points can cause significant pain and contribute to the overall effectiveness of a submission hold.

The pain from these types of submissions is often more localized and can be excruciating. The wrestler’s goal is to wear down the opponent, making them more vulnerable to a more decisive submission.

The Psychology of Pain: Perception and Performance

While the physical pain of submissions is undeniable, the perception of pain and the ability to perform under pressure play a crucial role in professional wrestling. Wrestlers are not just athletes; they are also performers, and the way they sell a submission is part of the show.

Selling the Pain: The Art of Acting

Selling is the art of portraying the pain and effects of a move. It’s about making the audience believe in the authenticity of the struggle. A wrestler’s ability to sell a submission can enhance the drama and excitement of the match. Key aspects of selling include:

Facial Expressions: Grimaces, contortions, and cries of pain can help convey the intensity of the hold.
Body Language: Twisting, struggling, and trying to escape the hold add to the realism.
Timing: The wrestler must sell the submission at the correct moment, building tension and suspense.
Exaggeration: Wrestlers often exaggerate their reactions to make the hold look more devastating.

The best wrestlers are masters of selling. They can make a simple hold look incredibly painful, drawing the audience into the match. This is a skill that takes years to develop.

The Mind-Body Connection: Coping with Pain

Wrestlers develop a high tolerance for pain through years of training and experience. They learn to focus their minds and push through discomfort. Some strategies include: (See Also: Is Carmella Coming Back To Wrestling )

Mental Toughness: The ability to withstand pain and pressure is a crucial part of a wrestler’s mental game.
Breathing Techniques: Controlled breathing can help manage pain and prevent panic.
Focus: Wrestlers learn to concentrate on the match and block out the pain.
Experience: The more a wrestler experiences pain, the better they become at managing it.

The mind-body connection plays a vital role in wrestling. Wrestlers who can mentally overcome pain are more likely to succeed.

The Unspoken Agreement: Safety and Trust

Professional wrestling is a collaborative effort. Wrestlers must trust each other to perform safely and to protect their opponents. This unspoken agreement is essential for preventing serious injuries.

Communication: Wrestlers communicate with each other during a match, signaling when they need to adjust a hold or when they’re about to submit.
Timing and Execution: Wrestlers must execute submissions with precision to minimize the risk of injury.
Respect: Wrestlers respect each other’s well-being and prioritize safety above all else.
Tap-Outs: A wrestler taps out to signal they can no longer endure the hold.

The safety of the wrestlers is paramount. The unspoken agreement ensures that the risks are minimized.

Training and Conditioning: Preparing for the Grind

Wrestling submissions aren’t just about applying a hold; they’re about the physical and mental preparation required to withstand and execute them. Wrestlers undergo rigorous training to build the strength, flexibility, and resilience needed for this demanding sport.

Strength Training: Building the Foundation

Strength training is essential for wrestlers. It helps them build the power and endurance needed to apply and resist submission holds. Key aspects of strength training include:

Compound Exercises: Exercises like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses build overall strength.
Core Strength: A strong core is crucial for stability and control.
Grip Strength: Strong hands and forearms are essential for applying and escaping submissions.
Isometric Exercises: These exercises help wrestlers develop the ability to hold a position and resist pressure.

Strength training helps wrestlers withstand the physical demands of submission holds and also gives them the power to apply them effectively.

Flexibility and Mobility: The Key to Resilience

Flexibility and mobility are crucial for avoiding injury and enhancing performance. Wrestlers must be able to move their bodies in a variety of ways to execute and escape submissions. Key aspects of flexibility training include:

Dynamic Stretching: This involves moving the body through a range of motions, warming up the muscles.
Static Stretching: This involves holding a stretch for a period, increasing flexibility.
Yoga and Pilates: These practices can improve flexibility, balance, and body awareness.
Joint Mobility Drills: These drills help improve the range of motion in the joints.

Flexibility training helps wrestlers withstand the forces of submissions and also improves their ability to move and react quickly.

Cardiovascular Conditioning: Endurance for the Long Haul

Cardiovascular conditioning is essential for maintaining stamina during a match. Wrestling matches can be physically demanding, and wrestlers need to be able to perform at a high level for an extended period. Key aspects of cardiovascular conditioning include:

Running: Running helps improve endurance and cardiovascular health.
Interval Training: This involves alternating between high-intensity bursts and periods of rest.
Sprints: Sprints help improve speed and explosiveness.
Wrestling Drills: Wrestling drills help improve both cardiovascular fitness and wrestling-specific skills.

Cardiovascular conditioning helps wrestlers maintain their energy levels throughout a match and also improves their ability to recover from exertion.

Drilling and Sparring: Refining the Technique

Drilling and sparring are essential for refining wrestling techniques and developing the ability to execute and escape submissions. Key aspects of drilling and sparring include:

Repetition: Repeatedly practicing a technique helps wrestlers develop muscle memory.
Sparring: Sparring allows wrestlers to practice their skills in a live environment.
Feedback: Receiving feedback from coaches and training partners helps wrestlers improve their technique.
Adaptability: Wrestlers learn to adapt their techniques based on their opponent’s reactions.

Drilling and sparring help wrestlers perfect their techniques and develop the skills needed to succeed in the ring. (See Also: Is Asuka Still Wrestling Around The World )

The Risks and Rewards: Balancing Pain and Performance

Wrestling submissions carry inherent risks, but the rewards can be significant. Wrestlers must carefully weigh the potential for injury against the benefits of performing at a high level.

Common Injuries: The Price of Performance

Wrestling is a physically demanding sport, and injuries are common. Wrestlers must be aware of the risks and take steps to minimize them. Common injuries include:

Joint Injuries: Sprains, dislocations, and ligament tears are common in wrestling.
Muscle Strains: Overuse and sudden movements can lead to muscle strains.
Concussions: Head injuries can occur in wrestling, especially if the head is slammed against the mat.
Neck Injuries: Neck injuries can occur due to the pressure of chokeholds or from falls.
Back Injuries: Back injuries can occur due to the physical demands of wrestling.

Wrestlers must take steps to prevent injuries, such as warming up properly, using proper technique, and listening to their bodies.

Long-Term Effects: The Toll on the Body

The long-term effects of wrestling can be significant. Wrestlers must be aware of the potential for chronic pain, joint problems, and other health issues. Long-term effects can include:

Chronic Pain: Wrestlers may experience chronic pain in their joints, muscles, and other areas of the body.
Arthritis: The constant stress on the joints can lead to the development of arthritis.
Neurological Issues: Repeated head injuries can lead to neurological problems.
Mental Health Issues: The physical and emotional demands of wrestling can contribute to mental health issues.

Wrestlers should prioritize their health and well-being, seeking medical attention when necessary and taking steps to manage their long-term health.

The Rewards: Fame, Fortune, and Fulfillment

Despite the risks, wrestling can offer significant rewards. Wrestlers can achieve fame, fortune, and a sense of fulfillment. Rewards can include:

Fame and Recognition: Successful wrestlers can become celebrities, gaining recognition and admiration from fans.
Financial Success: Top wrestlers can earn substantial incomes through match fees, endorsements, and merchandise sales.
Personal Satisfaction: Wrestlers often derive a deep sense of satisfaction from their performance.
Community: Wrestlers often form strong bonds with their fellow performers and fans.

The rewards of wrestling can be significant, but wrestlers must be prepared to work hard and take care of their bodies.

Different Styles and Promotions: The Varied Approach

The application and emphasis on submission holds can vary greatly depending on the wrestling style and promotion. Some styles prioritize grappling and submissions, while others focus on high-flying maneuvers and power moves.

Technical Wrestling: The Art of the Hold

Technical wrestling emphasizes grappling, chain wrestling, and submissions. Wrestlers in this style often use a variety of holds to control their opponents and wear them down. Key characteristics include:

Emphasis on Technique: Technical wrestlers prioritize proper technique and execution.
Variety of Holds: Technical wrestlers use a wide range of submissions, joint locks, and other holds.
Strategic Approach: Technical wrestlers often use a strategic approach, targeting specific body parts to weaken their opponents.
Patience: Technical wrestlers are often patient, waiting for the right moment to apply a submission.

Technical wrestling is a highly skilled and demanding style that requires a deep understanding of grappling and submission techniques.

Strong Style: The Power of Impact

Strong style is a style of wrestling that emphasizes hard-hitting strikes and realistic submissions. This style is often characterized by its intense physicality and its focus on realism. Key characteristics include:

Hard Strikes: Strong style wrestlers often use stiff strikes to wear down their opponents.
Realistic Submissions: Strong style wrestlers often use submissions that are designed to look and feel realistic.
Emphasis on Storytelling: Strong style wrestling often tells compelling stories through its matches.
Physicality: Strong style wrestling is known for its intense physicality.

Strong style wrestling is a brutal and exciting style that appeals to fans who enjoy a more realistic and intense style of wrestling. (See Also: Is Wrestling Good For Autistic Kids )

Professional Wrestling Promotions: A Spectrum of Styles

Different wrestling promotions have different styles and approaches to submission holds. Some promotions emphasize technical wrestling, while others focus on high-flying maneuvers. Examples include:

Promotion	Style	Submission Emphasis
WWE	Sports Entertainment	Moderate, focuses on drama and storytelling
AEW	Hybrid (Technical/High-Flying)	Moderate to High, emphasizes technical wrestling
NJPW	Strong Style	High, focuses on realistic and impactful submissions
ROH	Technical/Strong Style	High, emphasizes technical wrestling and hard-hitting action

The style of a promotion can influence the types of submissions used, the frequency with which they are applied, and the overall perception of pain.

Beyond the Ring: Submissions in Mixed Martial Arts (mma)

While wrestling and mixed martial arts (MMA) share some similarities, there are also significant differences. In MMA, submissions are used to end a fight, and the stakes are much higher. The techniques and applications are often more brutal and effective.

Technique and Application: A Comparative View

In MMA, submission techniques are often more refined and applied with greater precision. Fighters must be able to execute submissions quickly and efficiently, as a fight can end in an instant. Key differences include:

Ground Game: MMA fighters spend a significant amount of time on the ground, making submissions a crucial part of the game.
Striking: MMA fighters can use strikes to set up submissions or to wear down their opponents.
Realism: MMA fighters prioritize realism and effectiveness over showmanship.
Risk: The risk of serious injury is higher in MMA than in professional wrestling.

MMA submissions are often more brutal and effective than those used in professional wrestling.

The Training Regimen: A Different Approach

MMA fighters undergo a different training regimen than professional wrestlers. They must be proficient in a variety of disciplines, including striking, wrestling, and grappling. Key differences include:

Cross-Training: MMA fighters must train in a variety of disciplines.
Sparring: MMA fighters engage in live sparring sessions to practice their techniques.
Conditioning: MMA fighters must be in peak physical condition to withstand the demands of a fight.
Strategy: MMA fighters must develop a strategic approach to their fights.

MMA training is more comprehensive and demanding than professional wrestling training.

The Psychological Aspect: Mental Fortitude in Combat

The psychological aspect of submissions in MMA is even more critical than in professional wrestling. Fighters must be able to remain calm and focused under extreme pressure. Key aspects include:

Mental Toughness: MMA fighters must possess a high level of mental toughness.
Focus: MMA fighters must be able to maintain focus during a fight.
Decision-Making: MMA fighters must make quick and accurate decisions under pressure.
Risk Assessment: MMA fighters must assess the risks and rewards of each submission attempt.

The psychological aspect of submissions is crucial in MMA, as fighters must be able to remain calm and focused under extreme pressure.

Verdict

So, do wrestling submissions actually hurt? The answer, as we’ve seen, is a resounding yes. The pain is real, stemming from the physical pressure applied to joints, the restriction of blood flow, or the targeting of sensitive muscles and pressure points. However, the experience of pain is often amplified by the art of performance, with wrestlers selling the holds to enhance the drama and captivate the audience.

Wrestlers undergo rigorous training to build tolerance and develop mental fortitude. They also rely on a crucial unspoken agreement to prioritize safety. The risks of injuries are present, and the long-term impacts are real. The type of wrestling style and promotion can affect how submission holds are used. Beyond the ring, MMA fighters face even more brutal and effective submissions. Ultimately, wrestling submissions are a blend of physical prowess, acting skills, and mutual respect, all combining to create a compelling spectacle.

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Understanding the intricacies of these holds reveals the dedication, skill, and calculated risks involved in the world of professional wrestling. Whether it’s the snap of a joint lock or the suffocating pressure of a chokehold, wrestling submissions are a testament to the human body’s resilience and the art of controlled combat.

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