Suplex

su*plex

What is the definition of suplex in wrestling?

1. A suplex is a common offensive move that is used in both amateur and professional wrestling. A wrestler performs a suplex by grabbing their opponent (usually from behind), lifting them up, and while in their opponent is in the air, arcing their back in order to throw the opponent over their center of gravity and slamming them on their back.

Are suplexes legal in wrestling?

The suplex is legal in Greco-roman and freestyle wrestling but illegal in folkstyle wrestling.

In Greco-roman and freestyle wrestling, a suplex is considered legal but carries very strict rules because of the danger involved. A wrestler must be in a correct position with the opponent gripped firmly from start to finish. This positioning protects both wrestlers. Given the difficulty of the move, it’s recommended that a wrestler have extensive training, strength, flexibility, and discipline prior to attempting a suplex.

The suplex is illegal in folkstyle wrestling because it contradicts the style’s focus on controlling the opponent. It is also considered too dangerous. Attempting the suplex in folkstyle wrestling is grounds for disqualification or forfeit.

Is a suplex lethal?

Part of the reason that strict rules about suplexes are enforced is the potential danger for injury. When a wrestler performs a suplex, their opponent could land on their head. The opponent has their entire body weight bearing down on them as well as the force from the throw being executed by the wrestler performing the suplex. Although the move can be performed safely, it has the potential to create life-threatening conditions.

Has a wrestler ever died from a suplex?

On June 13, 2009, Japanese wrestler Mitsuharu Misawa died after his opponent, Akitoshi Salto, performed a belly-to-back suplex. Immediately following this move, Misawa stopped moving and a team of emergency medical technicians tried to revive him. He was taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead. Doctors confirmed that he had sustained a separation of his first and second cervical vertebrae and suffered a cardiac arrest leading to his death.

Misawa had been a beloved figure in Japanese pro wrestling. For many years, he took up the persona of Tiger Mask, which was created to attract fans of the manga and anime series by the same name.

What are the advantages of a suplex?

A suplex is effective for getting an opponent off their feet and into a vulnerable position on the mat. When a wrestler flips their opponent over using a suplex, they can quickly reverse the momentum in the match and switch from a defensive to an offensive mode.

A suplex gets the opponent down quickly and can momentarily disorient them. Some wrestlers who use the move immediately try to pin their opponent, which is known as a suplex pin. Others may use a very powerful suplex to attempt a finishing move.

What are the types of suplexes in wrestling? 

There are several types of suplexes based on how the wrestlers are positioned in relation to one another before the move is performed. Each type of suplex has several variants.

Front facelock suplex

A front facelock suplex starts with two wrestlers facing each other. One wrestler puts his opponent in a front facelock by tucking the opponent’s head under their armpit. Then, the wrestler lifts them up and falls backward to throw their opponent down to the mat.

Belly-to-belly suplex

Belly-to-belly suplexes begin with the wrestlers facing one another. A bodylock is then applied to the opponent before the attacker flips them over onto their back and onto the mat.

Belly-to-back suplex

A belly-to-back suplex starts with the attacking wrestler positioned behind their opponent. The attacker applies a hold and falls backward to drop the opponent onto their back.

Side suplex

In a side suplex, two wrestlers start off standing side by side. Then, one wrestler applies a hold to their opponent and falls backward to slam them down to the mat.

How many different suplexes are there?

There are dozens of different suplexes that can be applied in wrestling (Wikipedia lists over 50). When these variations of the suplex are done correctly, they are aesthetically and competitively effective. Some of the most common suplex variants in modern wrestling include:

Vertical suplex

The vertical suplex is the most common type of front facelock suplex. This move starts with the wrestlers facing each other before the attacker applies a front facelock. The opponent is then lifted into a completely upside-down position before the attacker falls backward onto the mat. If the attacker holds the opponent upside-down for several seconds before falling, it is referred to as a hanging suplex.

Suplex DDT

The suplex DDT is a type of suplex maneuver that incorporates a front facelock. It starts off the same way as vertical suplex, but instead of falling backward onto the mat, the attacker drops their opponent face first. It was often performed as a finisher by wrestler Sylvain Grenier.

Saito suplex

The saito suplex, also known as a backdrop suplex, is the most common type of side suplex in wrestling. The move starts with the wrestlers side by side, then the attacker takes the opponent’s arm and puts it over their shoulder and executes a waistlock. The attacker falls backward while lifting their opponent up into the air so that they will land on their neck and shoulders.

Uranage

A uranage is a type of side suplex in which a wrestler stands next to their opponent before locking their hands behind the opponent’s waist or reaching around their neck and locking hands behind the opponent’s shoulders. As the wrestler lifts up their opponent, they twist to face the opposite direction then fall backward. This slams the opponent’s back down on the mat.

The name for this move comes from a specific type of judo throw that has several similarities with the side suplex.

Exploder suplex

The exploder suplex, which is also known as the T-bone suplex, is a variant of the belly-to-belly suplex. The wrestlers begin facing one another, then the attacker puts their head under their opponent’s arm. The attacker reaches an arm around the opponent’s neck and back and grabs their leg. The attacker then lifts the opponent up and over their head and throws them backward.

Northern lights suplex

The Northern Lights suplex is a variant of the belly-to-belly suplex. To execute this move, an attacking wrestler puts their head under their opponent’s arm and wraps their arms around the opponent’s waist. Then, using their own body weight as leverage, the attacker flips the opponent backward and slams them down onto the mat.

German suplex

The German suplex is one of the most common belly-to-back suplexes. While standing behind their opponent, the attacker grabs them around the waist and lifts them up. Then, the wrestler bends their legs to fall backward, which allows them to slam their opponent’s shoulders and upper back onto the mat.

Dragon suplex

The dragon suplex starts with a full nelson hold applied by the attacker, who then bridges their back and lifts the opponent up and onto their shoulders before slamming them down onto the mat. This often results in a pin where the attacker remains in a bridge position to keep their opponent’s shoulders pinned down to the mat.

The dragon suplex is a variant of the belly-to-back suplex. The move’s invention is credited to Tatsumi Fujinami, a Japanese professional wrestler who is often called “The Dragon.”

Reverse suplex

Also known as an inverted suplex, the reverse suplex is a unique variant which begins with the attacker applying an inverted facelock with one arm. With the other arm, the attacker lifts their opponent to an upside-down position and then falls onto their back to slam the opponent down onto the mat face first behind them.

What submission hold is a suplex?

Suplexes often incorporate some type of hold in order to gain control over their opponent before throwing them onto the mat. The specific wrestling hold used varies according to the type of suplex being performed.

For example, there are many types of suplexes which begin with a front facelock. There are also suplexes that begin with a full nelson hold or half nelson hold.

Why is it called a suplex?

The word “suplex” comes from the French word “souplesse,” which means flexibility.

How do you pronounce suplex?

Suplex is pronounced as “soo-plecks” by almost all wrestling professional and fans. A few pronounce it as “soo-play,” which likely stems from the word’s French origins.

What is the difference between a suplex and a German suplex?

A German suplex is one of the many types of suplexes used in wrestling. It is one of the most common belly-to-back variants of the suplex which involves a wrestler picking an opponent up and onto their shoulder before dropping them on their back.

How do you hit a German suplex?

In a German suplex, the wrestler stands behind their opponent and grabs them around their waist to lift them up. Then, the wrestler bridges his legs and back to begin falling backward. This slams the opponent down so that their shoulders and upper back hit the mat first.

Typically, the wrestler continues to hold the opponent by the waist after they fall backward. A strong hold allows them to pin the opponent down, which is often referred to as a German suplex pin. Some common variations on the classic German suplex include:

• Release German suplex: The wrestler lets go of their opponent as they arch and fall backward.
• Straight jacket suplex: The wrestler traps both of their opponent’s arms while performing the suplex.
• Half nelson suplex: The wrestler applies a half nelson hold and wraps their other hand around the opponent’s side before performing the suplex.

Who invented the German suplex?

The German suplex was invented by Karl Gotch, a German-American professional wrestler who had an international career in Europe, the U.S. and Japan in the 1950s and ‘60s. Gotch innovated and popularized the German suplex maneuver, which was named in honor of his German ancestry.

Which pro wrestlers use the German suplex?

In recent wrestling history, the German suplex has been one of the signature moves of WWE superstar Brock Lesnar. In addition, Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit were well known for their use of this wrestling maneuver.

Suplexes in professional wrestling

The suplex is a common professional wrestling move. Many of the variants on the suplex have been developed in pro wrestling, and some have become signature moves for specific wrestlers. Some of the pro wrestlers who are known for their effective use of suplex maneuvers include:

• Brock Lesnar
• Baron Corbin
• Bobby Lashley
• Chris Benoit
• Kurt Angle
• Roman Reigns

What is suplex city?

“Suplex City” is a phrase used by professional wrestler Brock Lesnar, who is one of the wrestlers best known for his powerful and effective German suplexes.

He first used the phrase while competing against Roman Reigns in Wrestlemania 31 on March 29, 2015, indicating that he had just taken Reigns to “Suplex City” after utilizing the move several times in the match. After that, “Suplex City” became Lesnar’s catchphrase and was featured prominently on merchandise honoring him. Later, the phrase was remixed with a popular Tyga song called “Rack City.”

The intimidating use of frequent suplexes fits with Lesnar’s wresting persona, which portrays him as a powerhouse wrestler. His nicknames include “The Beast Incarnate” and simply “The Beast” as a reference to his formidable size and strength. However, some have criticized Lesnar for relying too heavily on the use of suplexes in his matches, which they claim makes the competitions less dynamic.

Suplexes in other sports

Outside of wrestling, suplex-inspired moves are sometimes seen in other sports. In many cases, a suplex is deemed illegal in competition due to the dangerous nature of the move.

Suplexes in martial arts

Some martial arts incorporate a move which is quite similar to the suplex used in wrestling. For example, there is a judo suplex in which a competitor uses their momentum to temporarily lift their opponent up before slamming them onto the mat. It is used in judo as well as in mixed martial arts.

In certain martial arts, such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, suplexes are not permitted since they violate the rules of the sport.

Suplexes in football

In gridiron football, some aggressive tackles can have a similar effect as a suplex. However, suplexes are not legal in football, and players who use them may be penalized or charged with a fine by their league.

Example of how suplex is used in commentary

1. Baumgartner is able to release and wraps around to get position and performs a suplex on his opponent to gain a point.

Sport the term is used

1. Wrestling