Gallery 467
Classic Sleeper Hold






What series of Sleeper Hold images would be complete without a look at the burly studs of yester-year putting out their competition?  Check out this hunk's muscles as he cranks on the pressure.

This victim looks nearly helpless, ready to pass out from lack of blood to his brain.  According to the caption, he somehow breaks free and wins the match!


If you get off on looking at these old photos and want to revisit other vintage sleepers, check out Galleries 298, 290, 252, and 134.



There is something hot about a dude in long white tights, especially when he is being forced to take a nap by his beefy opponent.  I think that is Chief Jay Strongbow, an Indian from the olden days who liked to wear wild colored trunks and fringe boots.

Now Chief Strongbow slaps the sleeper on Johnny Valiant, who breaks free by driving the savage Indian back into the ropes.

Baron Scicluna looks directly into the camera with a dazed look of helplessness as Strongbow pours on the pressure.  Baron seems to be pleading with the fans at home to come rescue him before this merciless savage puts him under.




Well we can see that Tito Santana dresses to the left based on his tight bikini trunks.  Click the picture to enlarge it for a closer look at Tito.






























I'm not sure who this handsome, masculine hunk is, but he sure looks great feeling his own bicep as he sends his opponent off to Dreamland.







Come on, ref, this dude is clearly out cold.  Quit screwing around and call for the bell before this bearded animal hurts the poor kid!



This brute with the striped tights and big belly thought he would easily dominate over the cute rookie.  The rookie surprised him with a deadly Sleeper.  
Paul Christy was another handsome rookie with the looks of a movie star who knew how to destroy other men with his Sleeper Hold.  I wonder how these burly veterans felt when this young stud put them away in his hard embrace.




Here is some studio wrestling from the 70's.  The masked man's arm seems to be paralyzed by the tight squeeze of the shirtless dude with the wild mop of hair.
The ref checks the masked man's useless arms while the hot rookie smiles and calmly waits for the submission.



I like this dramatic photo of Hector Guerrero struggling to avoid slipping into a coma as the Masked Superstar pours on the pressure, smothering him with a bicep over his mouth.




Mark Lewin was a burly hunk who loved to get violent in the ring and loved to sleeper his opponents.  He busted this brute's face open and now forces him to take a nap.  You can check out more Mark Lewin sleeper action in Gallery 135.


Since Fritz von Erich was the promoter in Texas, his boys were the only wrestlers allowed to put away opponents with the Sleeper or the Iron Claw, giving them not one, but two, unbeatable holds.  Here young Kevin destroys a much larger opponent in Wild Bill Irwin.
Ric Flair howls in agony as Kevin's hard bicep flexes like a rock, pressing into his neck.  The caption says:

"Trained by his father Fritz von Erich... Likes to wrestle barefoot...  Has had serious feuds with Black Bart, Chris Adams, Brian Adias, and One Man Gang... Has held numerous Texas titles... Was the World Class Heavyweight Champion.  Fun Fact: Kevin once taught Sunday School.  Favorite Move:  Iron Claw."
Kerry von Erich slaps the famous Von Erich sleeper on Ken Patera. Kerry is cheating by applying the hold over the ropes.  I'm surprised the ref doesn't just let Kerry get away with this cheating as usual, since his father is the boss.
Now David finishes off hairy-chested Michael Hayes with his wild blond hair and dark beard.  Hayes seems to be liking his hard-bicep embrace judging from that smirk on his face.



Jim Garvin always enjoyed staring into the camera with a cocky, sadistic look in his eyes whenever he had a man in trouble.  I think he is daring the fans at home to come climb in the ring with him.

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This veteran in the singlet is helpless in the arms of the shirtless rookie.  Not only did the younger man beat him in looks and muscles, but he is also the better wrestler.






























This dude not only Sleepers his opponent's neck, he also buries the man's mouth and nose in the crook of his arm, making it difficult for the opponent to breathe.  It's just a matter of time now.




The fat, hairy wrestler fell asleep 10 minutes ago, but his opponent is having so much fun, he maintains the pressure on the deadly sleeper.  The fans are ready to riot as the bell rings over and over.


Steve Keirn thought he had finally beaten the Assassin when he clamped on his Laying Sleeper.  Too bad the other Assassin snuck into the ring to stomp Keirn dizzy so the helpless Assassin can escape!  These dirty bastards never follow the rules!!