What is the Lou Thesz Press and how did it become popular in WWE?
In professional wrestling, certain moves become iconic, forever associated with the wrestlers who popularized them. The Lou Thesz Press is one such move, named after the legendary Lou Thesz himself.
The Lou Thesz Press is a high-impact manoeuvre that involves a wrestler launching themselves towards a standing opponent and forcefully knocking them to the ground. As a result, the opponent finds themselves lying on their back while the attacking wrestler sits on their chest, effectively pinning them with a body scissor. This move’s sheer force and suddenness make it a crowd-pleasing spectacle that has endured through generations of wrestling.
Lou Thesz Press was one of the first iconic finisher moves in WWE.
Lou Thesz, a prominent wrestling figure of his time, popularized and lent his name to this impressive move. Known for his technical prowess and innovative techniques, Thesz incorporated the Lou Thesz Press into his repertoire. Its effectiveness as a finisher made it a defining move for Thesz, contributing to his success and reputation as one of the all-time greats in professional wrestling.
NumeThesz’shievements and innovations marked Lou Thesz’s illustrious career. He was the first wrestler to hold the NWA International Heavyweight Championship. This title became part of the prestigious Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship in All Japan Pro Wrestling.
Stone Cold’s Cold’sion of the Lou Thesz Press lent a modern take to the move.
Building upon Thesz’sThesz’stion, Stone Cold Steve Austin introduced a unique variation of the Lou Thesz Press that added an extra level of intensity. Austin’Austin’sn involved him jumping on a running opponent, mounting them, and then relentlessly striking the opponenopponent’sith repeated punches. This variation became synonymous with the Austin’Austin’sious persona, showcasing his relentless aggression and determination to dominate his adversaries.
The Lou Thesz Press, with its original iteration and Austin’Austin’sion, left an indelible impact on the wrestling world—thesz’sThesz’snspired future generations of wrestlers who sought to incorporate its dynamism into their styles. Likewise, Stone Cold Steve Austin’Austin’stion became a defining move of his career and further solidified his status as a wrestling icon. The Lou Thesz Press, in all its forms, continues to be recognized as a symbol of dominance and a testament to the innovation within the sport.
