Transition Moves

There are a few transition moves that every wrestling fan should know. This list does not detail every move but does give you a good basic understanding of the moves you might run across. As usual don't try these as home!
Some moves are meant neither to pin an opponent, nor weaken them or force them to submit, but are intended to set up the opponent for another attack.

Discus

This is a move in which a wrestler will spin in place before hitting an attack, like the discus clothesline, discus punch, or the discus forearm. The move is usually used instead of charging towards an opponent to built up momentum for an attack.

Kerry Von Erich during his stint in the then-WWF as the Texas Tornado, used the discus punch calling it his Tornado Punch.

Handspring

The wrestler runs towards the ropes and performs a handstand right next to them, using his momentum to throw his legs against the ropes, using the spring to throw himself backwards back onto his feet, and using the momentum still to leap backwards, usually to deliver an attack. A back elbow strike variation is the most common.


A rolling thunder refers to the action of a forward roll towards an opponent using the complete rotation to spring up onto their feet and into the air and perform an attack. The most popular version of this ends it with a jumping somersault senton and is used by Rob Van Dam.