10 Most Awesome Wrestling Submissions (And Who Did Them Best)

The Octopus Hold or Octopus Stretch is one of the most beautiful yet deadly-looking submissions a wrestler can have in their back pocket. The move was invented by Japanese legend and founder of New Japan Pro Wrestling Antonio Inoki and has been used by Katsuyori Shibata, who was one of the three pillars - alongside Shinsuke Nakamura and Hiroshi Tanahashi - of New Japan’s new era in the early-2000s.

For western audiences whose knowledge of Japanese wrestling isn’t as varied, you will recognize the move as one of AJ Lee’s finishers, which works perfectly for her as she is both beautiful and deadly. In WWE she would call it a ‘Black Widow’ in reference to the Marvel Comics character of the same name.

Zack Sabre Jr. has become the master of the Octopus Hold, using it to great effect as a finisher. His use of the move allows for multiple joint manipulations and almost instant submission of his opponent. What is so great about the way Sabre Jr. locks on the hold, is how easy it is for him to do out of nowhere - and his ability to, if his opponent falls over or goes down to the mat, tie them up.