Gallery 699
Sleeping Positions



Triangle Choke

In this variation, the attacker includes his victim's arm inside his Sleeper embrace.  This increases the pressure on the sides of the victim's neck.

Here is a closer view of the victim, who is basically applying the Sleeper Hold on himself, thanks to having his arm pinched inside the attacker's arms.
Half-Nelson Sleeper

Apply a Half-Nelson, then reach around with your free arm to encircle his neck.  Oil shines on the helpless man's body as he feels the effects of this tight Sleeper.
Camel Sleeper
The Camel Sleeper, also featured in Gallery 407, is a fun way to punish your opponent.  Apply a Camel Clutch, but instead if cupping his chin in your hands, lock on a nice, tight Sleeper.


Dragon Sleeper
The victim's neck is trapped under the attacker's arm-pit, as he is bent back until he starts tapping (which usually takes about 2 seconds.)  You can see more Dragon Sleepers in Galleries 138, 295 and 473.

The big Jap finished off his opponent with the Dragon Sleeper, pinching the helpless man's neck between his chest and bicep.
Rope Sleeper

Some dirty cheaters like to apply the Sleeper over the ropes for extra leverage on the victim's throat.  This clueless ref better get these young studs off the ropes before somebody gets hurt!
This beefy Brit -- Dave Taylor -- is looking very hot in his red speedo!  His tattooed opponent crushes his skull between his elbow and knee.
Later the brute punishes Taylor with a Rope Sleeper.  Wow, those are some great facial expressions on these hunks!  Meanwhile the ref, who looks about 150 years old, slowly counts to five...

"Kiss of Death" Sleeper

The "Kiss of Death", or Reverse Sleeper, is applied face to face.  Kid Leopard loves to destroy his opponents with this hold, using it here on Bryan Walsh in the purple briefs.

Bryan struggles as he feels himself beginning to fall asleep.  He slams Kid Leopard against the door, but Leopard maintains his grip on Bryan's face and neck.

As Leopard brutally drives his forearm into Bryan's neck, the stud in purple begins to turn limp. He slides down like an animal on "Wild Kingdom" that's been shot with the tranquilizer dart.

Leopard drops his prey on the mat, where he finishes him off with some rough bumping and grinding.  This is how the "Kiss of Death" normally ends, with the men in Missionary Position like lovers.
Claw Sleeper

Here is a classic pro brawler, combining a Claw Hold with the Sleeper.  Instead of pressing his hand on his chubby victim's forehead, he grips the man's skull like he's palming a basketball.
The ref is very concerned about the blond victim, who is beginning to twitch like he's having a seizure.  The masculine dude applying the hold continues to rock his boy off to sleep.
The victim feels the effects of the combined Claw and Sleeper, as his motions grow slower and weaker.  Meanwhile some fat guy in the third row stands up and cheers to show how much he loves watching Rasslin'.
Since the fans are really getting off on this hold, the wrestlers keep it on for several extra minutes.  Back in the glory days of pro wrestling, holds would last as long as 10 minutes if the fans were enjoying it!

Group Sleeper

Jimmy Dean's friends are holding this poor kid's arms, so Jimmy can take his time and slowly put the helpless kid to sleep.

This poor brother is being subdued by a Sleeper, Armlock, and two Leglocks all at the same time!  Four against one doesn't seem very fair to me.

Corkscrew Sleeper

The "Corkscrew" is a rare hold where you put a man to sleep by pressing your knuckles into his temple.  Austin Idol was a master of this hold, using it here to destroy some brawny brute.

Another master of the Corkscrew was Blackjack Lanza.  Here the manly cowboy corkscrews a Japanese opponent while some pretty boy at ringside eagerly watches.  
Lanza continues to grind his knuckles into the poor Jap's temple.  If you'd like to see more images of this rare hold, be sure to visit Gallery 137.

The Jap grits his teeth and winces in pain as Lanza penetrates his skull, screwing harder and harder to force the victim to pass out.

All the horny lads in the audience love watching the big cowboy apply his Corkscrew.  They cheer with delight and hold up their own fists, wishing they were in the ring punishing the victim.
Lanza meanwhile continues to violently screw the victim, working his taped knuckles deeper into the nerves above the man's cheekbone.  The victim scowls in agony.
The Jap is finally falling asleep, laying flat on his back as Lanza cradles his head and works his fist against the man's skull like he's grinding up some hamburger.
The camera zooms in to give the fans at home a close-up of this unusual nerve hold. The victim's face is twisted in pain as Lanza's fist presses tightly against the soft spot in his temple.  Finally the bell rings and Lanza is the winner!