10 Most Awesome Wrestling Submissions (And Who Did Them Best)
1. LeBell Lock [Crossface] | Bryan Danielson
The LeBell Lock is a variation on the cross-face, created by the godfather of grappling Gene LeBell.
This submission hold is locked in place from the omoplata position; a seated position that allows the wrestler to lock in an armlock before going for a crossface submission hold. Many variations of the crossface exist, from Sasha Banks' Bank Statement to Taka Michinoku's Just Facelock, but by far the most famous and brutal looking is that of the LeBell Lock. While this variation has been used by Taiji Ishimori and KENTA in the past, the most famous and best-looking belongs to Daniel Bryan/Bryan Danielson.
A case could be made for including Danielson's bridging double chicken wing submission hold - aka the Cattle Mutilation - here, which he has brought back in full force since debuting in AEW. It is a thing of beauty, but the LeBell Lock is the more recognizable hold from the man who has cited Dean Malenko as one of his inspirations.
The American Dragon has used the arm-lock crossface variation to win matches on many occasions, including his WrestleMania 30 main event WWE Championship win against Batista and Randy Orton.