Catch wrestling is a classical hybrid grappling style and combat sport. It was popularised by wrestlers of travelling funfairs who developed their own submission holds, or "hooks", into their wrestling to increase their effectiveness against their opponents. Catch wrestling derives from various different international styles of wrestling including several English styles. The training of some modern submission wrestlers, professional wrestlers and mixed martial artists is founded in catch wrestling.
Catch wrestling
A hammerlock as demonstrated in Farmer Burns' correspondence course, 1913
Catch (or Freestyle retroactively) wrestling at the 1904 Summer Olympics
Professional match between Frank Gotch and George Hackenschmidt, 1908
Grappling is a fighting technique based on throws, trips, sweeps, clinch fighting, ground fighting and submission holds.
Masahiko Kimura vs. Hélio Gracie, a high-profile 1951 bout between Masahiko Kimura and Hélio Gracie
Hawaiian State Grappling Championships, August 2004.
Ancient Egyptian wrestling
A Greek bronze statue from 2nd century BC depicting Pankration. The standing fighter is applying an armlock, a grappling technique. From the Staatliche Antikensammlungen in Munich.
