Sometimes I miss the old Sleeper Hold — one arm clamped around the neck, the other hand draped possessively up around the forehead; one face cringing with intensity while the other face grows droopy as the inevitable sleep sets in. Being reduced to a limp, helpless ragdoll by an opponent’s powerful embrace really demonstrates the concepts of domination and submission that so many wrestling fans, so many people, like to witness!
You just don’t see this hold as much anymore (not as much as I’d like to), and if some wrestler does attempt it, the victim usually escapes before long (Darn it!) Maybe too many people were trying this at home, even though they clearly said: “Don’t try this at home!”
So in memory of one of my favorite wrestling holds, here are some modern takes on an old classic. Hopefully these images will convince some of you pro wrestlers out there to resurrect this hold and start using it to put the opponent out — all the way out.
Hear! Hear! More sleepers–ALL THE WAY sleepers!
That photo of Evan Bourne’s torso stretched … WOOF. End of an era, but what a way to go!
Do I love a good sleeper! I still remember watching and drooling as Adrian Adonis put Paul Roma to sleep… Bart Gunn fading in the arms of Steve Austin… Lex Luger passing out cold as Tatanka squeezed… oh, my… got to lie down…
do you have the link for the roderick strong match ? and the evan bourne one , too 😀