What Does Strong Style Mean in Wrestling?

Wrestling is a fascinating and dynamic sport that has captured the hearts of millions around the world. One particular style that has gained immense popularity in recent years is strong style. In this article, we will delve into what strong style means in wrestling and how it has revolutionized the industry.

What is Strong Style?

Strong style is a term used to describe a specific wrestling technique that focuses on hard-hitting strikes, realistic grappling, and intense physicality. It originated in Japan and gained prominence through promotions like New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and Pro Wrestling NOAH.

Strong style emphasizes:

• Impactful Strikes: Wrestlers utilizing strong style incorporate powerful punches, kicks, elbows, and knee strikes into their moveset. These strikes are delivered with precision and force, creating a sense of realism.
• Stiff Grappling: Unlike traditional wrestling styles that prioritize smooth transitions, strong style focuses on realistic grappling techniques with minimal cooperation between wrestlers. This results in intense and hard-hitting exchanges.
• Athleticism: Strong style wrestlers often display exceptional athleticism by executing high-impact maneuvers such as suplexes, powerbombs, and dives.

The Evolution of Strong Style

In the early days of professional wrestling, matches were largely predetermined with little emphasis on realism. However, as the sport evolved, audiences began to crave more authentic performances.

Influential Strong Style Wrestlers:

• Kazuchika Okada: The IWGP Heavyweight Champion has become synonymous with strong style wrestling due to his hard-hitting offense and technical prowess.
• Shinsuke Nakamura: Known for his charismatic persona and hard-hitting strikes, Nakamura played a pivotal role in popularizing strong style both in Japan and the United States.
• Mitsuharu Misawa: Considered one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, Misawa’s hard-hitting style inspired a generation of performers.

The Impact of Strong Style

Strong style has had several notable impacts on professional wrestling:

1. Realism: By incorporating realistic strikes and grappling techniques, strong style has created a sense of authenticity that resonates with fans.
2. Innovation: Strong style has pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the wrestling ring, inspiring wrestlers to develop new and exciting moves.
3. Cross-Cultural Appeal: With the globalization of wrestling promotions, strong style has transcended borders and gained popularity worldwide.

In Conclusion

In summary, strong style is an impactful wrestling technique that prioritizes hard-hitting strikes, realistic grappling, and athleticism. It has revolutionized the industry by introducing a sense of realism and pushing the boundaries of what wrestlers can achieve in the ring. As we move forward, it will be fascinating to see how strong style continues to shape the future of professional wrestling.