WWE submission matches are spectacle of pure willpower, technical mastery, and heart-stopping drama. Unlike traditional matches, the focus here is on forcing your opponent to tap out, either through joint locks, painful holds, or unrelenting pressure. Submission specialists like Bret Hart, Kurt Angle, and Daniel Bryan have shown us the art of making opponents succumb to debilitating pain. However, not all submission matches are created equal. Some stand out for their brutality, skill, and unforgettable moments that remain etched in fans’ memories. Whether you’re a longtime fan of WWE or new to the world of professional wrestling, the following submission matches stand as some of the most intense and thrilling bouts in WWE history.
1. Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin – WrestleMania 13 (1997)
Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin (Image via Getty)One of the most iconic submission matches in WWE history, Bret Hart’s clash with Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13 is a classic that still gets referenced today. This match was an all-out war, and it defined both Austin’s rise to superstardom and Hart’s role as a villain. The match itself was a Submission Match, where the only way to win was by making the opponent tap out or pass out.
The match took a brutal turn when Austin found himself locked in the Sharpshooter, a submission hold famously mastered by Hart. Austin, in a moment of true grit, fought through the pain, his face a crimson mask from the blood pouring down. Austin never submitted, but the pain was too much for him to endure, and he eventually passed out, leading to Hart’s victory.
What made this submission match so memorable was the storytelling. It wasn’t just about who had the superior technical skills, but the emotional journey Austin underwent. The image of Austin bleeding and refusing to tap out, while passing out in Hart’s Sharpshooter became one of the most indelible visuals in wrestling history. This match helped cement Austin as the rebellious anti-hero who would go on to dominate WWE.
2. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho – Judgment Day 2008
Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho (Image via Getty)In 2008, Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels faced off in one of WWE’s most personal and brutal submission matches. Jericho, playing the role of the devious heel, had attacked Michaels’ eye, making this contest more than just about winning—it was about revenge. This was a “No Disqualification” match with the stipulation that the winner had to make the opponent submit. The added intensity of the stipulation raised the stakes, making this match one of the most intense in WWE submission history.
The violence in this match escalated quickly, with both competitors using everything in their arsenal to outdo the other. Jericho, with his unorthodox submission techniques and ability to twist his opponent into painful positions, showcased his technical prowess. Michaels, known for his resiliency, fought back with his own moves, displaying incredible heart. However, Jericho, using his mastery of submissions, locked in the Walls of Jericho, turning the tide in his favor. Despite Michaels’s best efforts, the damage was done, and he eventually tapped out to Jericho’s submission maneuver.
What set this match apart from others was the deep personal animosity between the two men, which translated into every move and every moment. The intensity and brutal nature of their submission holds made it a true spectacle that fascinated fans and demonstrated just how far both superstars were willing to go for victory.
3. Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit – Royal Rumble 2003
Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit (Image via Getty)Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit are two of the most technically gifted wrestlers in WWE history, and when they collided at the Royal Rumble 2003, fans knew they were in for a match of the highest caliber. This Submission Match was a perfect showcase of wrestling technique, as both competitors were known for their proficiency in amateur wrestling and submission holds.
The match was a back-and-forth contest of mat wrestling, with both men targeting limbs and attempting to lock in various painful submission holds. Benoit, known for his crippling Crippler Crossface and Angle, with his devastating Ankle Lock, exchanged brutal submission attempts throughout the match. The back-and-forth drama escalated as both men continued to wear each other down with a mixture of joint locks, ankle twists, and punishing submission holds.
Angle eventually managed to lock in his Ankle Lock, but Benoit was resilient. In a heart-stopping moment, Benoit reversed the hold and locked Angle into his signature Crippler Crossface. Despite Angle’s toughness, Benoit’s relentless pressure eventually forced him to tap out, giving Benoit the victory. This match showcased not only the technical prowess of both men but also their incredible determination, making it one of the most intense submission matches in WWE history.
4. The Undertaker vs. Triple H – WrestleMania 28 (2012)
Triple H vs. The Undertaker (Image via Getty)The rivalry between The Undertaker and Triple H reached a fever pitch at WrestleMania 28 in 2012. This match was not only about submission, but it was also about survival, as both men fought for the honor of maintaining The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania. While not technically a traditional submission match, the inclusion of submission holds in the battle played a significant role in the match’s intensity.
The Undertaker and Triple H pulled out all the stops, and the match became a brutal, no-holds-barred affair. Triple H, a master of submission holds, tried repeatedly to make The Undertaker tap out using his infamous Figure Four Leg Lock. The Undertaker, however, was not one to be easily beaten, and he countered with his own submission-style moves, including his devastating Hell’s Gate submission hold.
The drama and emotion in this match were palpable as both competitors showed extreme pain but refused to give up. Triple H’s attempt to end The Undertaker’s streak was thwarted by The Phenom’s resilience. In the end, despite several near-taps and near-pinfalls, The Undertaker triumphed after hitting Triple H with a Tombstone Piledriver. Although this match was more of an all-around contest, the submission elements played a pivotal role, showcasing the legendary submission skills of both competitors and making it one of the most intense matches in WWE history.
The Art of Submission Wrestling in WWE
Submission matches remain some of the most thrilling and emotionally charged encounters in WWE history. From the technical wizardry of Bret Hart and Chris Benoit to the intense drama of Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho, these bouts offer an unmatched level of excitement for wrestling fans. Whether it’s about exacting revenge, testing one’s physical and mental limits, or simply showcasing raw athleticism, WWE submission matches have provided some of the most unforgettable moments in the sport. For fans of the craft, these matches are a reminder of what it truly means to be a wrestler: perseverance, strength, and the will never to give up.