28 Suplex Types

Suplexes are an essential technique used in various forms of wrestling. It is a move that involves lifting and throwing your opponent to the ground, usually from an elevated position. Suplexes can be performed from many different positions and angles, resulting in a wide variety of suplex types.

The most common suplex types include the German Suplex, the Belly-to-Belly Suplex, and the Snap Suplex. Each type has its own unique characteristics that make it effective for certain situations or opponents.

In this article, we will explore 28 suplex types to give you a better understanding of how they work and when they should be used during a match. With this knowledge at hand, you’ll be ready to take down any opponent with style!

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Table of Contents

What is a Suplex?

A suplex is a wrestling move that involves lifting your opponent and then throwing them to the ground. It can be used to set up other offensive or defensive moves, or as a finisher. Suplexes are very popular moves in both professional wrestling and amateur wrestling and can be used in many different positions.

28 Suplex Types List

  1. German Suplex (Back Suplex)
  2. Belly-to-belly Suplex
  3. Snap Suplex
  4. Side Suplex (Sambo suplex)
  5. Front Suplex
  6. Vertical Suplex
  7. Tiger Suplex
  8. Superplex
  9. Fisherman Suplex
  10. Swinging Fisherman Suplex
  11. Brainbuster Suplex
  12. Fallaway Suplex
  13. Package Fallaway Suplex
  14. Northern Lights Suplex
  15. Dragon Suplex
  16. Hammerlock Suplex
  17. Suplex Slam
  18. Slingshot Suplex
  19. Tornado Suplex
  20. Drop Suplex
  21. Saito Suplex (Backdrop)
  22. Gutwrench Suplex
  23. Butterfly Suplex
  24. Capture Suplex
  25. Head-and-arm suplex
  26. Inverted Suplex
  27. Super Flying Suplex
  28. Rolling Suplex

1. German Suplex

The German Suplex is a powerful suplex that is executed from a standing position. The wrestler starts by grabbing the opponent around the waist and then lifting them up by extending their arms. The wrestler then flips their opponent over their head, onto the ground behind them. This type of suplex is most effective against larger opponents, as it requires more strength to successfully execute. It’s also very popular in professional wrestling.

2. Belly-to-belly Suplex

Where the wrestler grabs their opponent and lifts them up, spinning them in midair before slamming them down onto the mat. This type is often used as a powerful finisher and can also be used to set up other moves.

3. Snap Suplex

The snap suplex is a quick and effective move that can be used from a standing or crouching position. The wrestler grabs their opponent and lifts them up, flipping them over before slamming them onto the ground. This type of suplex is useful for taking opponents by surprise and often results in a quick pinfall victory.

4. Side Suplex (Sambo Suplex)

The side suplex, also known as the Sambo Suplex, is a powerful move that involves the wrestler grabbing their opponent’s arms and then spinning them around before slamming them down onto the ground. This type of suplex requires good timing and accuracy, as it can be dangerous if not executed correctly.

5. Front Suplex

Where the wrestler lifts their opponent in front of them and then slams them down onto the mat. This type is useful for setting up other moves and is often used to catch opponents off guard.

6. Vertical Suplex

A vertical suplex is where the wrestler grabs their opponent in a vertical position and then slams them down onto the mat. This type is often used to create a sudden shift in momentum and can be very powerful when performed correctly.

7. Tiger Suplex

Tiger Suplex is a wrestling maneuver that involves the wrestler getting behind their opponent, firmly gripping both of the opponent’s arms on each side in a chickenwing position. Then, they press their hands flat against their adversary’s upper back and hold them there securely.

It’s called a tiger suplex because it was invited by Alfonso Dantés, a luchador from Mexico City who was known for performing it and later got used by the “wrestler with the tiger mask” Satoru Sayama.

8. Superplex

The Superflex is where the wrestler grabs their opponent using the ring ropes, lifts them up, and slams them down onto the mat. This type is often used to create a powerful finisher for high-flying wrestlers.

9. Fisherman Suplex

The Fisherman suplex is where the wrestler grabs their opponent’s head using a Guillotine choke and then lifts them up, slamming them down onto the mat. This is a powerful move and can be very effective for catching opponents off guard.

10. Swinging Fisherman Suplex

The swinging fisherman suplex is similar to the regular fisherman suplex, Instead of lifting their opponent and dropping them on the back, they get lifted from the side with a half roll. This type is often used as a transition move to set up other moves and can be very effective.

11. Brainbuster Suplex

A brainbuster, a finisher used in professional wrestling, is when a wrestler takes their opponent and puts them into an intense front facelock. They then hook the arms or thighs of their opposing wrestlers before hoisting them up as if they were doing a vertical suplex and dropping down onto their back.

The landing for this move should be done with precision so that the opponent crashes down on top of their head while still standing upright – making it one of the most powerful moves to execute!

12. Fallaway Suplex

Fallaway suplex also known as reverse suplex, or alley-oop as some may call it is a powerful move in which the wrestler lifts their opponent up onto their shoulders and throws them down to the mat on their chest. As they fall backward, the wrestler releases their grip on their opponent’s body for an explosive finish. This one is pretty hard to execute, and if not done right can leave the wrestler vulnerable to counterattacks.

13. Package Fallaway Suplex

This particular version of the fallaway suplex begins with the wrestler lifting their adversary onto their shoulders, identical to a powerbomb. Next, they seize and contort the opponent’s head into what is known as a ‘package’ position.

Then, crashing backward in an arc-like motion while releasing hold of their foe’s skull causes them to be flung over your backside and land on top of their neck and upper spine – creating tremendous impact! It is also possible for you to bridge in this method if desired.

14. Northern Lights Suplex

The Northern Lights suplex, innovated by Hiroshi Hase, is a move in which the attacking wrestler curls underneath their opponent’s arm, grasps them around the waist, and throws them over themselves. This move is often used to chain suplexes together and create unique finishers. It can also be used from a standing position, driving the opponent to the mat with a body-slam-like effect.

15. Dragon Suplex

The dragon suplex is a classic move where a wrestler grabs their opponent from behind in a nelson/chickenwing hold, then lifts them up and throws them over their back. This move is often used by Chris Benoit, one of the most famous wrestlers of all time.

16. Hammerlock Suplex

Before performing the Hammerlock Suplex, the attacker seizes their opponent in a hammerlock and slips into a front facelock before gently placing their rival’s uninhibited limb over their head.

17. Suplex Slam

Also called the Karl Gotch move. To execute this move, the wrestler stands behind his opponent, and grabs and lifts them around their waist before falling backward while arching his back and legs. This maneuver forcefully slams the target onto its shoulder and upper back with a powerful thud.

18. Slingshot Suplex

The slingshot suplex is an impressive way to complete a suplex. In this move, the attacker stands in front of the opponent, grabs him, and uses the ring ropes to bounce the opponent up in the air before flipping them over their back. This is a great way to add extra power and drama to a suplex.

19. Tornado Suplex

In this impressive approach, a wrestler climbs to the top rope and locks their opponent in a front facelock while they are still elevated. After grabbing hold of their adversary’s near arm and draping it over their shoulder, the wrestler propels themselves forward by swinging around before landing on their feet for an extraordinary suplex! An extremely impressive move.

20. Drop Suplex

This maneuver, also known as a front drop suplex or a gourdbuster, entails the wrestler taking an opponent’s near arm and draping it over their shoulder while applying a front face lock.

21. Saito Suplex (Backdrop)

To execute this move, the attacker should stand beside or slightly behind their opponent and put their near arm over the shoulder. While gripping a waistlock, they must lift up the adversary while falling back simultaneously – thus resulting in them landing on their neck and shoulders.

22. Gutwrench Suplex

A wrestler can pull off this throw by standing at one side of a fallen foe, locking both arms around their midsection – with the nearest arm in front and furthest behind. From there, they must lift up their opponent and hit them back first onto the mat for it to be successful. There is also an alternate version known as “inverted”.

23. Butterfly Suplex

The butterfly suplex is complicated to execute suplex that requires the attacker to grab the opponent in a butterfly lock while his head is down and then lift the opponent up and over by arching their back to the side. This is a great way to use leverage to take down an opponent but can also be dangerous and cause an injury to the opponent’s shoulders if don’t execute properly.

24. Capture Suplex

The capture suplex, got its name because it’s executed while the opponent attacks you, mostly with a kick, and you capture his leg up with your arms and perform a suplex. It’s an electrifying move with lots of opportunities to surprise the opponent and set up for another maneuver.

25. Head-and-arm Suplex

Is basically a suplex in which the opponent’s head and arm are grabbed together as one hand is on one side of the neck and the other hand is under his opposite shoulder. After that, the wrestler throws the opponent on his back while arching his/her own back. This move is great for setting up a pin or a submission and is also used in Greco-Roman wrestling.

26. Inverted Suplex (Reverse)

Also known as a reverse suplex, this powerful move allows the attacker to stand behind their opponent and apply an inverted facelock with one arm. To complete the maneuver, they use their other arm to lift them up upside-down before falling onto their back and driving the victim face down into the mat.

27. Super Flying Suplex

Extremely complicated and requires a lot of experience (and talent). This one is most common in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling and to execute, the attacker jumps over the competitor and grabs him on the back with the attacker’s head down.

The attacker then turns on his feet while holding the opponent and knocks him to the ground with his stomach or side on the mattress (depending on the strength of the swing). Could be dangerous and should be done with caution.

28. Rolling Suplex

This move is similar to a normal suplex and involves the attacker grabbing hold of the opponent’s near arm and draping it over their shoulder while applying a front facelock. Afterward, they must lift their adversary up and rotate in quick succession while falling back onto the mat. It is a great way to disorientate an opponent and can follow up with other attacks.

Conclusion

Suplexes are an incredible tool to use in both professional wrestling and amateur wrestling when you want to take down your opponent. Depending on the situation, you can choose from a wide variety of suplexes to surprise your opponent and gain an advantage.

Make sure to practice these moves before using them in a match and always remember to use caution when executing any suplex move. With some practice, you can become an expert in the art of suplexes and make sure to never be out of moves when you step into the ring!