56 Wrestling Styles Explained

How Many Styles of Wrestling Are There?

The number of wrestling styles depends on who you ask. Some experts have identified over 50 different styles, while others may place the number somewhere closer to 10 or 12.

However, most agree that the following five are among the most popular and commonly practiced: Greco-Roman wrestling, freestyle wrestling, folkstyle wrestling, professional wrestling, and Sumo wrestling. In this article, we mentioned more than 50 styles as many of them are similar, but also have their own distinct variations.

Wrestling Styles List

1. Amateur Wrestling

2. Greco-Roman Wrestling

3. Freestyle Wrestling

4. Folkstyle Wrestling (Collegiate wrestling)

5. Professional Wrestling

6. Beach Wrestling

7. Pankration

8. Sumo Wrestling

9. Submission Wrestling

10. Catch Wrestling

11. Sambo

12. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

13. African Wrestling

14. Kushti Wrestling (Pehlwani)

15. Korean Ssireum

16. Lucha Libre (Mexican Wrestling)

17. Igbo Wrestling (Nigerian Wrestling)

18. Chinese Wrestling (Shuai Jiao)

19. Irish Wrestling

20. Italian Wrestling

21. Cumberland Wrestling

22. Cornish Wrestling

23. Hawaiian Wrestling

24. Lancashire Wrestling

25. Scottish Highland Wrestling

26. Senegalese Wrestling

27. Devon Wrestling

28. Judo

29. Mongolian Wrestling

30. Finnish Wrestling

31. Home Wrestling

32. Collar and Elbow Wrestling

33. English Wrestling

34. Youth Wrestling

35. Turkish Wrestling (Oil wrestling)

36. Georgian Wrestling

37. Russian Wrestling

38. Arab Wrestling

39. Egyptian Wrestling

40. Ancient Greek Wrestling

41. Canadian Wrestling

42. Celtic Wrestling

43. Schwingen (swiss wrestling)

44. Kazakh Wrestling

45. Ringen (German Wrestling)

46. Arm Wrestling

47. Iranian Wrestling

48. Brazilian Wrestling

49. Shoot Wrestling

50. Kurash

51. Knee Wrestling

52. Belt Wrestling

53. Army Wrestling

54. Hungarian Wrestling

55. Steer Wrestling

56. Glima (Nordic Folk Wrestling)

1. Amateur Wrestling

Amateur wrestling is a type of competitive sport in which two opponents grapple with each other to gain control over the opponent’s body and force him or her to the ground. Amateur wrestling is divided into two disciplines: Freestyle and Greco-Roman. Both of these styles are governed by the rules of FILA, the international governing body for amateur wrestling.

2. Greco-Roman Wrestling

Greco-Roman wrestling is a style of amateur wrestling that originated in France in the early 19th century. It is a grappling-based sport in which the wrestler tries to control his or her opponent by using different holds and throws. Greco-Roman wrestling is an Olympic sport and part of the modern Summer Olympic Games.

3. Freestyle Wrestling

Freestyle wrestling is a sport that combines elements of Greco-Roman and other styles, allowing wrestlers to use their legs in addition to their upper body. Wrestlers compete in matches where the object is to score points, either by pinning an opponent or performing specific maneuvers like throws and takedowns.

4. Folkstyle Wrestling

Folkstyle wrestling is also known as Scholastic wrestling, this type of wrestling is popular in collegiate settings in the United States and Canada. It’s a combination of Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling, but with the added restriction that wrestlers must remain “in bounds” on the mat.

5. Professional Wrestling

Professional wrestling is a type of entertainment that utilizes scripted matches to create exciting storylines for audiences. While some professional wrestlers have pre-determined outcomes, many others are trained in the same techniques as Greco-Roman, freestyle, and folkstyle wrestlers.

6. Beach Wrestling

Beach wrestling is a combat sport that’s similar to traditional wrestling, but with the addition of sand and surf. Competitors grapple on the beach in a circular ring, with each wrestler trying to gain control over their opponent. The object of the match is to either pin your opponent or score more points than your opponent in the allotted time.

7. Pankration

Pankration is a combat sport that originated in Ancient Greece and combines elements of Greco-Roman wrestling, boxing, and martial arts. It is an all-encompassing, no-holds-barred combat sport that puts two athletes in a cage and allows them to use any techniques they deem necessary to win.

8. Sumo Wrestling

Sumo wrestling is a Japanese combat sport that has been around for centuries and continues to be popular today. Two competitors enter a circular ring called a “dohyo” and attempt to force each other out of the ring or onto the ground. Victory is determined by a variety of different techniques, such as pushing, throwing, and tripping.

9. Submission Wrestling

Submission wrestling is a hybrid form of martial arts that combines elements of Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling, as well as mixed martial arts. It is distinguished by its focus on grappling techniques like holds and submissions to defeat an opponent.

10. Catch Wrestling

Catch wrestling, also known as “catch-as-catch-can” wrestling, is a type of professional wrestling that originated in England in the late 19th century. It combines elements of Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling, as well as boxing and submission, holds. It is a combat sport that emphasizes the importance of technical skills rather than strength.

11. Sambo

Sambo is a type of martial art that incorporates elements of judo, wrestling, and striking. It has been used by Russian military forces since the early 20th century and is considered one of the most complete and effective forms of self-defense.

12. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport that combines elements of boxing, kickboxing, muay Thai, judo, karate, jiu-jitsu, and even sumo wrestling. In an MMA fight, opponents can use any combination of strikes, kicks, throws, submissions, and grappling techniques to win.

13. African Wrestling

African wrestling is a traditional form of wrestling seen in certain parts of the continent. It follows various ancient customs, such as using a single hand to grapple and throw an opponent, and the use of wristlocks to gain control. There are also various traditional forms of submission holds used in African wrestling to force opponents to submit.

14. Kushti Wrestling (Pehlwani)

Kushti wrestling is a centuries-old form of folk wrestling popular in India and Pakistan. It is often performed as part of religious ceremonies and involves a combination of grappling, striking, and submissions. The objective of the match is to force your opponent onto their back with any part of their torso touching the ground.

15. Korean Ssireum

Korean Ssireum is a traditional form of folk wrestling popular in South Korea. It is an ancient competition with rules and regulations that are still followed today. In a Ssireum match, two competitors stand in an 8-foot circle and attempt to takedown their opponent by any means necessary. The objective is to force your opponent out of the circle or onto their back with any part of their body touching the ground.

16. Lucha Libre (Mexican Wrestling)

Lucha Libre is the traditional professional wrestling style in Mexico. It is characterized by its acrobatic moves and colorful masks. In a Lucha Libre match, two wrestlers compete in a ring and try to pin their opponent for three seconds. They can also use strikes, throws, submissions, and aerial maneuvers to win. Victory is also achieved by disqualification if a wrestler breaks the rules or fails to follow the referee’s instructions.

17. Igbo Wrestling (Nigerian Wrestling)

Igbo wrestling is a traditional form of wrestling from Nigeria. It follows various ancient customs, such as using only the legs to grapple and throw an opponent and using submission holds to force opponents to surrender. The objective is similar to Kushti wrestling, which is to force your opponent onto their back with any part of their body touching the ground.

18. Chinese Wrestling (Shuai Jiao)

Shuai Jiao is a traditional form of Chinese wrestling that utilizes grappling, striking, and submission techniques. Matches are usually divided into two rounds, each of which is five minutes long. In a Shuai Jiao match, opponents can use striking, escapes, and joint locks to try to pin each other. Victory is achieved by forcing the opponent into submission or out of the ring.

19. Irish Wrestling

Irish wrestling is a traditional form of folk wrestling in Ireland that dates back hundreds of years. It is characterized by its unique rules and techniques, including the use of headlocks, wrestling slams, and throws. Victory is achieved by forcing your opponent onto their back with any part of their body touching the ground.

20. Italian Wrestling

Italian wrestling is a traditional form of folk wrestling from Italy. It is characterized by its use of holds and throws, with the objective being to force one’s opponent onto their back or out of the ring. It also uses various submission holds, such as the armlock and headlock, to force opponents to surrender. Victory is achieved when an opponent taps out or their shoulder touches the ground.

21. Cumberland Wrestling

Cumberland wrestling is an ancient form of folk wrestling from England. It is characterized by its use of throws, locks, and holds to gain control. Victory is achieved by forcing the opponent onto their back with any part of their body touching the ground. It also uses various submission holds, such as the armlock and headlock, to force opponents to surrender.

22. Cornish Wrestling

Cornish wrestling is a traditional form of folk wrestling from Cornwall, England. It is characterized by its unique rules and techniques, including the use of headlocks, wrestling slams, and throws. Victory is achieved by forcing your opponent onto their back with any part of their body touching the ground.

23. Hawaiian Wrestling

Hawaiian wrestling, a type of grappling commonly noted to have originated from British sailors stationed in Honolulu Harbor during the 1800s, has been around for centuries. It served as a way for them to pass time and enjoy their free hours. Today, this unique form of wrestling is still practiced in Hawaii and often features various throws, holds, and submission techniques.

24. Lancashire Wrestling

Lancashire wrestling is a traditional form of folk wrestling from England. It is characterized by its use of holds and throws, with the objective being to force one’s opponent onto their back or out of the ring. It also uses various submission holds, such as the armlock and headlock, to force opponents to surrender. Victory is achieved when an opponent taps out or their shoulder touches the ground.

25. Scottish Wrestling

Scottish wrestling, also known as Scottish Backhold, is an enduring style of folk wrestling native to Scotland, the wrestlers intertwine themselves by gripping each other around their waist with the right hand at their back. The objective of the match is to throw the opponent off their feet onto the ground.

26. Senegalese Wrestling

Senegalese wrestling is a traditional form of wrestling found in Senegal and is considered very aggressive and entertaining. It is characterized by its use of powerful throws, holds, and submission techniques.

27. Devon Wrestling

Devon wrestling was highly fashionable in the 19th century and has many similarities to Cornish wrestling. The Devonshire style of this sport allowed for hardened footwear, as well as the strategic use of kicks meant to disable opponents; it is believed that this mode focuses more on footwork than throwing moves.

28. Judo

Judo, the Olympic sport of grappling, is a Japanese martial art that utilizes throws and holds to control an opponent. It was developed by Jigoro Kano in the late 19th century and has become an Olympic event. Judo is characterized by its emphasis on throwing techniques, submission holds, and groundwork. Victory is achieved by effectively using these techniques to force an opponent into submission or by points awarded by referees.

29. Mongolian Wrestling

Mongolian wrestling is a traditional type of wrestling that originated in Mongolia. It is characterized by its use of hand fighting techniques, throws, and leg locks to gain control. Victory is achieved by forcing the opponent onto their back or out of the ring with any part of the body touching the ground.

30. Finnish Wrestling

Finnish wrestling is a traditional form of folk wrestling native to Finland. It is characterized by its use of holds and throws, with the goal being to force the opponent onto their back or out of the ring. Its aggressiveness and strength make it a popular form of sport in Finland and even across the world.

31. Home Wrestling

Home wrestling is a type of recreational wrestling practice that involves two or more people in the same household. It is meant to be lighthearted and fun, and relies on throws, holds, and submission techniques to gain control. Its popularity is getting bigger as more people learn about it and try it out. Victory is achieved by pinning the opponent or forcing them to tap out.

32. Collar and Elbow Wrestling

Collar and elbow wrestling is a traditional form of folk wrestling native to Ireland. It involves gripping the opponent’s collar or shirt with one hand and their elbow with the other, then attempting to gain control by throwing or forcing them out of the ring.

33. British Wrestling

English wrestling is an ancient, distinct style of grappling that combines elements from freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. This art form has been around for centuries, pitting two competitors against one another in a battle to gain superiority over the other by taking them to the ground or forcing submission.

34. Youth Wrestling

Youth wrestling is a competition for young people aged 5-18. It focuses on teaching the fundamentals of wrestling and involves techniques such as takedowns, throws, pins, and submission holds. It is an excellent way to develop physical fitness and mental discipline in young people while also having fun.

35. Turkish Wrestling (Oil wrestling)

Turkish wrestling is a traditional form of wrestling practiced in Turkey. It is characterized by its use of olive oil, which covers the wrestlers’ bodies and helps make them more slippery. Victory is achieved by forcing the opponent onto their back or out of the ring with any part of their body touching the ground.

36. Georgian Wrestling (Chidaoba)

Chidaoba is a Georgian style of wrestling that originated in the country of Georgia. It is characterized by its use of throws, holds, and submission techniques to gain control. Victory is achieved by pinning the opponent or forcing them to submit. This type of wrestling is known for its colorful costumes and grandiose celebrations.

37. Russian Wrestling

Russian wrestling is a traditional form of grappling that has been practiced in Russia for centuries. It combines elements from Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling, emphasizing grappling and submission techniques to gain control. Like most types of wrestling, victory is achieved by pinning the opponent or forcing them to submit.

38. Arab Wrestling

Another type of amateur wrestling is Arab Wrestling. It’s a traditional form of wrestling practiced in the Middle East and North Africa, which shares some techniques with other forms of wrestling. It is characterized by its use of throws, holds, and submissions to gain control.

39. Egyptian Wrestling

An age-old practice, Egyptian wrestling was a beloved sport among the Egyptians – both male and female alike. It wasn’t just for entertainment; it was also employed to resolve disputes between parties. Wrestlers were separated into two categories: those that exercised their hands and fists as weapons and those who used only their feet in combat.

40. Ancient Greek Wrestling

Ancient Greek wrestling was a type of martial art, not merely a game as it is in our day and age. As opposed to today’s competitive take on the activity, this form of combat was often performed with no rules or regulations during ancient times.

41. Canadian Wrestling

Canadian wrestling is a form of amateur wrestling developed in the nation of Canada. It combines elements from Greco-Roman and folkstyle wrestling, emphasizing grappling and submission techniques to gain control. Canadian wrestling can also refer to the Canadian pro wrestling scene, which is known for its high-flying and hard-hitting action.

42. Celtic Wrestling

Celtic wrestling is a style of professional wrestling developed in the British Isles. This style combines elements from traditional folk-style wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling. It emphasizes submission holds, joint locks, and pins to gain control over the opponent. Celtic wrestlers often use colorful costumes and entrance music to spice up their matches.

43. Schwingen (Swiss Wrestling)

Schwingen is an ancient Swiss style of wrestling that combines elements from Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling. It emphasizes grappling and submission techniques gain control over the opponent. Victory is achieved by either pinning the opponent or holding them for a certain amount of time.

44. Kazakh Wrestling

Since ancient times, Kazakh wrestling has been part of the Kazakh people’s legacy. Those who prevail in such contests are held with great honor and esteem amongst their peers. This style combines elements from Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling, utilizing holds and submissions to gain control over the opponent. It has many similarities with Georgian and Mongolian wrestling.

45. Ringen (German Wrestling)

As far back as the Late Middle Ages and German Renaissance, Ringen (wrestling in Germany) has been a cornerstone of unarmed combat. It involves grappling maneuvers used to complement sword fighting techniques.

46. Arm Wrestling

Arm wrestling is a sport that involves two opponents competing against each other using only their arm strength. Each combatant places one arm on a flat surface with their palm facing up and grasps the hand of their opponent. The objective is to pin their opponent’s arm down on the surface and win the match. Arm wrestling is incredibly popular and has been practiced for centuries. It’s even featured in various movies.

47. Iranian Wrestling

Iranian Wrestling is an ancient martial art, blending aspects from both Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling. It distinguishes itself with exciting tactics such as strikes, throws, and holds to overpower opponents. As well, it’s renowned for its remarkable entrances – costumes full of vibrant colors paired with rousing music. It is truly a unique display not found elsewhere in the world.

48. Brazilian Wrestling (Luta Livre)

Brazilian Wrestling (or Luta Livre) is a martial art combining elements of Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling, as well as judo and catch wrestling. It focuses on submission holds, pins, and throws to gain control over the opponent. It’s considered a very effective form of grappling and a popular martial art in Brazil.

49. Shoot Wrestling

Shoot wrestling is a hybrid martial art and combat sport which combines elements from catch wrestling, shootfighting, freestyle wrestling, and judo. It emphasizes submission holds, pins, and throws in order to gain control over the opponent. The main objective of this style of wrestling is for one wrestler to maintain the top position and dominate the ground game. This martial art is widely practiced in Japan and is slowly gaining popularity around the world.

50. Kurash

Kurash is an ancient style of wrestling that originated in Central Asia. It combines elements from Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling, utilizing clinching, throws, and holds to gain control over the opponent. Victory is achieved by either pinning the opponent or throwing them off the mat. Kurash is a highly popular sport in Uzbekistan and its surrounding countries.

51. Knee Wrestling

Knee wrestling is a form of grappling that combines elements from Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling. It involves two opponents competing against each other in a kneeling position. They attempt to gain control of their opponent by utilizing a variety of holds, pins and throws. Knee wrestling is mainly practiced in North America and Europe, with some tournaments held each year.

52. Belt Wrestling

Belt Wrestling is an ancient style of wrestling from Central Asia. It involves two opponents competing against each other while they are standing and wearing a belt. The objective is to throw or pin your opponent in order to achieve victory. This style of wrestling involves a lot of throws and submissions, making it a challenging and exciting sport. Belt wrestling is still practiced today in many countries around the world.

53. Army Wrestling

Based on freestyle wrestling, Army Wrestling is a military activity used to train soldiers for combat. It contains elements from the various martial arts that many militaries around the world practice. Army wrestlers are expected to be proficient in both striking and grappling techniques, which they must learn to apply in a real-life combat scenario.

54. Hungarian Wrestling

Hungarian Wrestling is a style of wrestling that combines elements from both Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling. It emphasizes grappling, holds, and submissions to gain control over the opponent. It is a highly competitive sport in Hungary, with athletes competing for various national titles.

55. Steer Wrestling

A bit of topic but also a style of wrestling, Steer Wrestling is an event in rodeo competitions. It involves two cowboys competing to wrestle a bull or steer to the ground. It is a highly dangerous sport, as the cowboys must grapple with powerful animals weighing up to 2000 lbs. The first rider to wrestle the steer over the ground wins.

56. Glima (Nordic Folk Wrestling)

Glima is a form of folk wrestling from the Nordic countries. It involves two opponents competing against each other in a standing position, with no contact with the ground allowed. Victory is achieved by using technique and strategy, rather than strength or size. Glima has been practiced for centuries and is still popular today in many parts of Scandinavia.

Which Is the Most Popular Type of Wrestling?

The most popular type of wrestling is probably freestyle wrestling, as it is a popular international sport that has been featured in the Olympics since 1904. Freestyle wrestling is widely practiced around the world and has a large following, making it the most popular type of wrestling. Other popular forms of wrestling include Greco-Roman, folkstyle, professional wrestling, Judo, Sambo, and Sumo.

What Type of Wrestling Is Real?

Unlike professional wrestling, classic or amateur wrestling is not fake, just like any other martial art. We should remember that all wrestling styles were developed as a way to resolve conflicts without anyone getting seriously hurt.

Wrestling matches are basically two wrestlers who can actually push each other out of the arena or cause a competitor to touch the ground with anything but their feet, they can also try to rotate each other’s bodies into different restraining positions and all this is done under the supervision of a wrestling referee.

What Is the WWE Style of Wrestling?

The style of wrestling found in the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) is known as professional wrestling. It is a form of theatre where wrestlers perform scripted and choreographed matches, with predetermined outcomes.

This style is quite different from other types of wrestling in that it focuses on entertainment rather than competition or realistic combat. Professional wrestlers often use exaggerated movements and attitudes to make matches more exciting than they would be if the moves were performed in a realistic manner.

What Is the Oldest Style of Wrestling?

The oldest known form of wrestling Ancient Greek wrestling, which first appeared in the Olympics in 708 BC. This form of wrestling was similar to the other Ancient Greek sports and was a popular pastime in the ancient world.

What Style Is High School Wrestling?

High school wrestling is usually a form of folkstyle wrestling, which is closely based on the collegiate style of freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. The rules of folkstyle wrestling are slightly different from other types, as it is more focused on controlling the opponent and scoring points than forcing them out of the ring. High school wrestling is also seen as a “gentleman’s sport” where respect and good sportsmanship are important.

What Style Is Collegiate Wrestling?

Collegiate wrestling is usually folkstyle wrestling. This style of wrestling is often seen as a bridge between folkstyle and freestyle and Greco-Roman, as it combines aspects from both styles. It is a highly competitive sport, with many college athletes competing for individual and team titles throughout the year.

What Style Is Olympic Wrestling?

There are numerous forms of wrestling that are recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), but freestyle and Greco-Roman were officially added to the Olympics in 1904. Contrary to what many people think, these styles have very little in common with their ancient predecessors. Both styles are very dynamic and athletic.

These days, most people refer to Olympic wrestling as freestyle because it allows contestants to use their legs more than the older style of wrestling; this is why athletes with strong back muscles (such as Burroughs) used to dominate Greco-Roman competitions.

Which Wrestling Styles Are The Best for Self-Defense?

When it comes to self-defense, Judo and Sambo are two of the most effective styles of wrestling. Both sports feature techniques that can be used to restrain an opponent or put them in a submission hold quickly.

Judo is especially effective for taking down and restraining attackers, while Sambo is better for using more powerful techniques to inflict pain and submit an attacker. Brazilian wrestling is another style that can be used for self-defense, as it focuses more on the ground game and submission holds than other forms of wrestling.

What Wrestling Equipment Is the Most Popular?

The most common type of wrestling equipment is a grappling dummy. Grappling dummies are used to help wrestlers with their technique and provide realistic resistance when practicing moves.

A common type of dummy is the stuffed bag, which can be used to practice throws and other grappling techniques. Wrestling mats are also important for providing a safe surface to practice on, especially for wrestlers who are still learning the basics of the sport. Other popular pieces of equipment include headgear, knee pads, and ankle guards which are highly recommended to reduce the risk of wrestling injuries.

Conclusion

Wrestling is an incredibly popular sport, and it has a variety of different styles. From ancient Greek wrestling to modern Olympic freestyle, there are numerous forms of wrestling that can be enjoyed. Many people use wrestling for self-defense, while others enjoy it as a competitive sport.

No matter what type of wrestling you prefer, it is important to have the right equipment and practice good technique in order to stay safe and get the most out of your experience. With the right amount of practice and dedication, anyone can become a skilled wrestler.