To be stiff in professional wrestling is to hit an opponent with more force so as to make the attacks seem real to the fans. This could be the result of a shoot, but some wrestlers have worked stiffly throughout their careers even though their intentions are not to legitimately hurt their opponents. Ric Flair was known to be particularly stiff with his chops, to the extent of leaving red marks and even welts on his opponents' chests.

For wrestlers in Japan, especially in AJPW, NJPW and Pro Wrestling NOAH, working very stiffly exists in almost every match. Dubbed "Strong Style" in NJPW and "King's Road" in AJPW, it is done to show that the wrestlers are fighting hard for their pride and honor, a tradition that originated from the samurai. But being stiff in Japan is not restricted to Japanese wrestlers; Stan Hansen once poked Vader in the eye and dislodged Vader's eye out of its socket.

See also

• Professional wrestling slang

Professional wrestling slang