How often in modern professional wrestling ("modern catch" included) we see a match being won on either on:
1) NELSONS, whether they are STANDING or PAR-TERRE, whether they are half, 3/4, or even full
or on
2) Hammerlock pinning combination
It's a time for the TIME-MACHINE. We are going to travel back in time when those two holds were the most common ways of winning in wrestling.
Bringing up these 2 iconic championship wrestling matches of XIXc.
The 1893 mixed style (catch and Greco) championship of the world and the 1895 catch wrestling championship. Notably, in both those matches the flying fall (a throw from the standing position onto both shoulders) was allowed and that made wrestling even more beautiful. In fact Lewis won his 1893 championship on a FLYING FALL, as we learn from the below attached newspaper article it was a "neck-hold and hip-lock", which is pretty much similar to the "headlock into cross-buttock". Sadly, a beautiful "neck-hold and grapevine" throw by Lewis in less than 30sec was disallowed in 1893 match despite it being an obvious, clear fair back fall.
1893. EVAN LEWIS 'THE STRANGLER' v ERNST ROEBER.
1895. MARTIN 'FARMER' BURNS v EVAN LEWIS 'THE STRANGLER'.
It is amazing in pre TV,RADIO and Internet days how detailed and precise these press reports of wrestling matches were.Probably because fans had time to read them