Chokeslam!

The History of This Iconic Wrestling Move

Chokeslam! A compound of words that’ll send a shiver down any younger sibling’s spine. It is one of the most iconic moves in professional wrestling history as it ticks all the boxes: It is safe to perform in the ring*, easy to pull off, and looks fantastic when done well.

Abraham Lincoln –  Originator of the Chokeslam?

Before he was the leader of the free world or hunted vampires, Abraham Lincoln was a simple store worker who used to like to wrassle, specifically in the frontier catch-can style.

According to WWE.com, the story goes that Jack Armstrong, leader of the local gang, The Clary’s Grove Boys, had heard about the store owner’s bragging and challenged The Honest One to a match. After a few holds and lock-ups, the fight ended with Lincoln grabbing Armstrong by the throat, hoisting him up in the air, giving a little shake, then throwing him to the ground.

The Chokeslam in  Modern-Day Wrestling

Ever since his debut, The Undertaker has liked to choke his opponent more than an annoyed Homer Simpson throttles Bart. He choked them standing up, he choked them lying down, he choked them in the corner, and with one particular move, he would choke them on the rebound of an Irish whip, lift them up in the air, then bring them back down.

So, technically, you can say it was a Paul Heyman and 911 (Alfred Poling) invention. 911’s version was used as a finisher where he incorporated the opponent’s arm over the shoulder (which he could use for a cheeky push-up to help him gain more height) and popularised using "hangtime," making the eventual throw-down more spectacular.

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