Lancashire wrestling

Lancashire wrestling
Illustration of a half Nelson technique
Also known asCatch-as-catch-can
Lancashire catch-as-catch-can
Lancashire style
FocusGrappling, ground fighting
Country of originEngland
Famous practitionersSam Hurst, Donald Dinnie, Edwin Bibby, Joe Acton, Tom Cannon, Billy Riley, Joseph Reid, Herbie Hall, see below for more
Ancestor artsFolk styles from England and continental Europe
Descendant artsCatch wrestling, freestyle wrestling, American folkstyle wrestling, theatrical professional wrestling, luta livre, submission grappling, vale tudo, Shooto, mixed martial arts, and associated styles
Olympic sportNo

Lancashire wrestling, commonly called Lancashire catch-as-catch-can or Lancashire style, is a folk wrestling style that originated in the historic county of Lancashire in North West England. It became notable as the least restrictive and most aggressive style in England. It was popular across Britain and abroad, becoming the primary influence on catch wrestling, through which it is an ancestor of freestyle wrestling, American folkstyle wrestling, Brazilian luta livre, Japanese shoot wrestling, and associated styles like mixed martial arts and theatrical professional wrestling.


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