Submission finishes in WWE have always added drama and intensity to matches, bringing the action to an epic climax. These moments aren’t just about locking in a hold—they’re about making the opponent tap out or verbally surrender, leaving the crowd roaring in excitement. Whether it’s a technical masterpiece or a brutal move, submission finishes create memorable moments that stand the test of time. Some of these iconic holds have defined a wrestler’s career, while others have forever altered the trajectory of WWE’s history. Let’s explore the best submission finishes that stand out in WWE’s rich history.
1. Stone Cold Steve Austin – The Million Dollar Dream
Stone Cold Steve Austin – The Million Dollar Dream (Image via Getty)Stone Cold Steve Austin is known for his rebellious attitude, but his use of the “Million Dollar Dream” submission finish during his early WWE career is unforgettable. Often associated with his heel persona, Austin would lock his opponents into the devastating sleeper hold, effectively choking the life out of them. The move had an incredible psychological effect on the crowd, as they saw the Texas Rattlesnake transition from a cocky villain to an unstoppable force. This submission finish was particularly famous during his feud with Savio Vega, where Austin’s use of the hold became a symbol of his transformation from a mid-card talent to a main-event player. Though Austin later abandoned this move in favor of his signature Stunner, the Million Dollar Dream remains a pivotal moment in his career.
2. Bret “The Hitman” Hart – The Sharpshooter
Bret Hart’s Sharpshooter is one of the most technically sound submission finishes in World Wrestling Entertainment history. A submission that involves a painful figure-four leglock, reversed into a Boston Crab, it was a move that could break any opponent. Hart perfected this maneuver, utilizing it as both a powerful storytelling tool and a symbol of his in-ring expertise. The Sharpshooter was used in some of the most significant matches in WWE history, including his classic encounter against Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 13, where he made his rival tap out in one of the most memorable matches ever. Fans remember how Hart’s Sharpshooter often forced his opponents to tap out in the most dramatic moments, cementing his place as one of the greatest technical wrestlers of all time.
3. The Undertaker – Hell’s Gate
The Undertaker – Hell’s Gate (Image via Getty)The Undertaker’s “Hell’s Gate” submission finish is a terrifyingly effective move that highlights the eerie and supernatural persona that Taker has portrayed throughout his legendary career. This submission involves a gogoplata, where the Undertaker locks his opponent’s head and arm while wrapping his legs around their body, cutting off air supply and putting immense pressure on the opponent’s neck. The move became synonymous with The Undertaker during his latter years in WWE, where he would use it to incapacitate even the toughest competitors. It was a fitting way to end a match for The Deadman, as the move was a metaphor for the ominous doom he brought to the squared circle. The visual of his opponent struggling before tapping out made this submission finish unforgettable.
4. Shawn Michaels – The Sharpshooter
Shawn Michaels, despite being known for his high-flying and fast-paced style, also made use of the Sharpshooter as a deadly submission finish during his career. Michaels, who faced off with Bret Hart in one of the most iconic WrestleMania matches ever, made the Sharpshooter his own when he locked it in during his legendary bouts. His execution of the move wasn’t as technically flawless as Bret’s, but Michaels added his own flair by seamlessly transitioning into it from other moves. One of the most memorable times Michaels used the Sharpshooter was during the 1997 Survivor Series match when he made the Heartbreak Kid’s submission feel like an inevitable part of his storytelling. This move was pivotal in his evolution as one of WWE’s greatest in-ring performers.
From classic holds to signature finishes, submission moves have often served as a hallmark of a wrestler’s career. These iconic submissions not only showed off the in-ring skill of the competitors but also allowed WWE to tell compelling stories in and outside the ring. Whether it’s Bret Hart’s technical finesse with the Sharpshooter or The Undertaker’s chilling Hell’s Gate, each submission finish listed here helped shape WWE’s unforgettable legacy. For fans and newcomers alike, these finishes remain some of the most important moments in wrestling history.