While the matchbook is pretty much a maneuver used exclusively for pinning, it can apparently be used as a submission hold as well. The matchbook submission hold is a peculiar variant of the matchbook, which allows the attacker to put pressure on the victim’s spine to force the submission. The hold can be slipped on in a variety of ways. For instance, the victim is vulnerable to it when sitting on the floor (trying to pull herself together following a bodyslam for instance). The attacker can then stand over her, with her neck between her legs pushing her head forward, and reach down and pick up her legs. The attacker then sits back and presto, the matchbook submission lock is on. On top of being an extremely spectacular female wrestling hold, the matchbook will also completely restrain the victim, thus it may well yield a submission, even if the attacker fails to cause pain. Pain is caused by the compression of the victim’s spine which also leads to extreme discomfort as it squeezes the air out of the victim’s lungs.

Possible escape: I think it’s safe to say that once locked on properly, the matchbook submission hold is impossible to escape. The attacker has her opponent completely at her mercy in this one.

Rating: extremely spectacular and efficient too. Because it is impossible to escape, a submission is virtually guaranteed in this hold.