I’ve discovered that January 21st has been designated “National Hugging Day.” If you don’t believe that this fantastic event exists, check out the Wikipedia article or the Official Hugging Day Website.
In honor of this auspicious holiday, which is celebrated by “offering a hug to anyone and everyone you want,” let’s review one of my favorite wrestling holds known as the Bearhug.
This move is very simple — anybody can apply it. Just wrap your arms around the other man’s lower back, pressing his lungs and ribs against your chest. Then squeeze him into your body with all your might until you hear him gasp and groan in submission.
The National Hugging Day website describes the Bearhug as follows:
“The Bear Hug is one of the hugs that we all consider to be the strongest. By squeezing your hugging partner gently, you can instantly give them reassurance and affection. But people tend to use Bear Hugs when they are excited or when they want to display strong affection. However remember, the best Bear Hugs require moderate squeezing not suffocating!”
Well don’t believe everything you read on-line. If you want to win a wrestling match and really punish and own your opponent, you may want to ignore the parts about being gentle and moderate and not suffocating your hugging partner.
Hulk Hogan loved to hug and be hugged — he would make a great spokesperson for National Hugging Day.
The Hugging Day website allows you to nominate and vote for the “Most Huggable People” each year. I was hoping to find Tom Zenk, Tommy Angel, maybe even Tommy Rogers among the prior winners, but none of them apparently have won in the polls.
Maybe the classic jobbers aren’t modern or current enough to receive votes. Maybe we will see Justin Gabriel, Tyson Kidd, or Ted DiBiase Jr. on this year’s “Most Huggable” list.
The National Hugging Day website helps to explain the appeal of Bearhugs — the reason so many wrestling fans react positively when they witness this hold applied in the ring:
“Most of us have a little person inside who needs human contact in this stainless steel, computerized society where we are kept at arms length. Consider hugging as non-sexual, like a handshake or a high-five. Such personal contact makes you feel good. A good hug warms relationships between people.”
(I’m not sure if I agree that Bearhugs are “non-sexual”, but I definitely would agree that they make me feel good!)
So use today’s holiday as an opportunity to practice your Bearhug.
Embrace that cutie in Accounting whom you’ve always wanted to wrestle, or that neighbor who looks so good in tight shirts, or one of your most huggable friends.
The recipient of your warm embrace probably won’t grouse or complain too much (depending how tightly you squeeze), but if you hear any objections, just point out that you’re celebrating National Hugging Day.
Maybe your tight embrace will serve as an inspiration to those around you and the holiday will grow in popularity. Someday you won’t be able to walk down the street on January 21st without being caught in multiple tight hugs.
If you’re too shy to hug somebody for real today, you can still celebrate by visiting Bearhugger.net (which really ought to be the official website of National Hugging Day!) or by watching some YouTube videos that feature the greatest pro wrestling Bearhugs of all time, such as:
- My 10-minute series of Bearhug clips
