Break Down The Walls: 7 Shocking Facts About Chris Jericho's Walls Of Jericho Submission Move

The Walls of Jericho is more than just a submission hold; it is a defining chapter in the career of one of professional wrestling’s most enduring and adaptable legends, Chris Jericho. This iconic move, a variation of the classic Boston Crab, has been the final nail in the coffin for countless opponents across every major wrestling promotion, from WWE and WCW to AEW and NJPW. As of today, December 12, 2025, the move remains a symbol of Jericho’s technical prowess and his ability to "break the walls down" on his rivals.

This deep dive will explore the move's hidden history, its technical evolution, and the surprising ways it continues to influence the wrestling world, revealing why the Walls of Jericho holds a unique place in the annals of sports entertainment history and why it is arguably more painful than you think.

The Ayatollah of Rock 'n' Rolla: Chris Jericho's Career Profile

Chris Jericho, born Christopher Keith Irvine, is a Canadian-American professional wrestler, musician, and podcaster widely regarded as one of the most decorated and versatile performers in the history of the business. His career is defined by constant character reinvention, from the self-proclaimed "Y2J" Millennium Man to the leader of the Inner Circle and the Jericho Appreciation Society.

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• Ring Name: Chris Jericho (Y2J, Le Champion, The Painmaker, The Wizard)
• Real Name: Christopher Keith Irvine
• Date of Birth: November 9, 1970
• Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (billed from Tampa, Florida)
• Debut: October 2, 1990
• Height: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
• Weight: 225 lbs (102 kg)
• Career Highlights: First-ever Undisputed WWF Champion, nine-time Intercontinental Champion, one-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, four-time World Heavyweight Champion (WWE), one-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion (NJPW), one-time AEW World Champion, and multiple-time Tag Team Champion across various promotions.
• Current Promotion: All Elite Wrestling (AEW)

1. The Liontamer vs. The Walls of Jericho: The Painful Technical Difference

The biggest misconception among casual fans is that the Walls of Jericho and the Liontamer are the same move. They are, in fact, two distinct variations of the traditional Boston Crab, and the difference is crucial to understanding Chris Jericho's submission game.

The Liontamer (WCW/NJPW Version)

The Liontamer is the original, more devastating version of the hold that Jericho utilized primarily in WCW and New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

• Grip: The opponent’s legs are pulled back much tighter, with Jericho planting his knee firmly into the small of the opponent's back.
• Posture: Jericho remains standing, or at least in a very high-seated, upright position, which allows him to exert maximum downward pressure onto the opponent’s back and lower spine.
• Severity: This version is significantly more painful and is reserved for smaller opponents or major championship matches, as it requires more leverage and flexibility from the opponent.

The Walls of Jericho (WWE/AEW Version)

The Walls of Jericho is the more common version seen throughout Jericho's WWE and current AEW runs.

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• Grip: It is a high-seated Boston Crab. Jericho sits back on the opponent's back, often with his legs fully extended.
• Posture: Jericho typically sits down on the opponent's back, applying pressure to the lower back and hamstrings.
• Evolution: Jericho switched to this safer, less strenuous version in WWE, partially because of the size of his opponents (often much larger than his WCW rivals) and to protect his own back over a long career.

2. It Was Inspired by a Japanese Legend

While the move is a variation of the Boston Crab, Jericho did not invent the submission hold itself. He learned the technique from Japanese wrestling legend Ultimo Dragon during his time wrestling in Mexico and Japan. Ultimo Dragon, known for his technical mastery, passed on the deeper, more painful version of the Boston Crab that Jericho would later brand as the Liontamer. This technical foundation from the Japanese *puroresu* style is what made the move so legitimate and feared.

3. The Name Was a Collaborative Effort

The iconic "Walls of Jericho" name was not Jericho's idea alone. When he arrived in WWE (then WWF) in 1999, he was already using the Liontamer. The name "Walls of Jericho" was suggested by WWE creative, likely to better tie into his Biblical-themed "Jericho" persona, which he had established with his famous "Break the Walls Down" debut countdown. The name immediately stuck, becoming one of the most recognizable finishing moves in the company's history.

4. A Real MMA Fighter Used It to Win a Fight

In a bizarre but true testament to the move's perceived legitimacy, a professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter successfully used the Walls of Jericho to win a fight. In 2017, British fighter Jonno Mears, during a light heavyweight bout at a Full Contact Contender event, applied the move, forcing his opponent, Aaron Jones, to tap out. This rare instance of a pro-wrestling submission hold being used effectively in a real combat sport went viral, proving that the move, when applied correctly, is indeed a legitimate threat.

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5. Jericho Has Applied It on Unbelievable Surfaces

A true sign of a great submission specialist is the ability to apply their finisher anywhere, and Jericho has certainly done that. One of the most memorable and dangerous applications of the Walls of Jericho occurred at the WWF Royal Rumble 2001. During a match against Chris Benoit, Jericho locked in the Walls of Jericho on top of a ladder, showcasing incredible balance and adding an extra layer of peril to the already brutal submission. Moments like this cemented the move's status as a high-spot finisher.

6. It Was Temporarily Replaced by the Codebreaker

As Chris Jericho evolved, so did his finishing repertoire. Around 2007, he introduced the Codebreaker (a running double-knee facebreaker) as his primary finisher. This switch was a reflection of his new, more aggressive heel persona. While the Walls of Jericho was still used as a signature move, the Codebreaker became the move he used to secure most victories, especially in his later WWE run. In AEW, he later added the Judas Effect (a spinning back elbow strike) to his arsenal, giving him four distinct types of finishers: the Lionsault (flying), Walls/Liontamer (submission), Codebreaker (grappling), and Judas Effect (striking).

7. John Cena Paid Tribute to the Move in a Recent WWE Match

Despite Chris Jericho being a prominent figure in rival promotion AEW, the legacy of the Walls of Jericho remains an integral part of WWE history. In a recent match, WWE legend John Cena paid a subtle but powerful tribute to his former rival by locking in the Walls of Jericho on an opponent. This unexpected move by Cena was a nod to Jericho’s impact and reminded fans of the classic rivalries and history shared between the two superstars. WWE’s inclusion of the move in their programming, even indirectly, highlights its timeless appeal and enduring recognition among the wrestling faithful.