History Main / CrushingHandshake

* EddieIzzard calls this the "[[CompensatingForSomething I've got a small penis]]" handshake.

-->'''Steelheart:''' "Put 'er there, sir!"
-->'''Stargazer:''' "Forget it! I read your file!"

* In the ''WesternAnimationKingOfTheHill'' episode "Westie Side Story" when Hank meets Kahn for the first time he accidentally does this to him.

* ''Film/SupermanII''. General Zod thinks that Superman has lost all of his powers. [[KneelBeforeZod He demands that Superman take his hand and swear eternal loyalty to him.]] Superman takes Zod's hand and ''crushes'' it, breaking bones. It turns out he hadn't actually lost his powers.

* ''TheAdventuresOfTintin'': Tintin and Captain Haddock get their hands crushed upon meeting a BoisterousBruiser type archeologist. It's noted that he's not being competitive or mean spirited, he just has a very strong grip.

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* In the revival ''WesternAnimation/HeManAndTheMastersOfTheUniverse'' cartoon, there is an episode where Man at Arms shakes hands with his brother. When they shake, the brother's mechanical hand can be heard clanking, implying he's applying more pressure than he needs to. Man at Arms doesn't scream, however.

-->'''Steelheart''' "Put 'er there, sir!"
-->'''Stargazer''' "Forget it! I read your file!"

* ''TheMasterOfDisguise'': Pistachio receives one when Jennifer first introduces him to her boyfriend, Trent (who already suspects and accusers Pistachio of trying to put the moves on her).
* In Mel Brooks' ''HighAnxiety'', Dr. Charles Montague does this to the main character when they're formally introduced, and during the handshake he says "I was the one in charge ''before'' you came".

* ''DoctorNo'': Averted--"Forgive me for not... ''shaking hands'' ..." He later demonstrates his mechanical hands' impressive strength by crushing a gold statuette.

* Played with at {{WCW}} Bash at the Beach 1998. StevieRay defended his TV title against ChavoGuerrero, with the stipulation that if Chavo didn't win the TV title, he had to face EddieGuerrero in a "loser gets their head shaved" match immediately following. Chavo, wanting to be fresh for the next match (and REALLY wanting to get to Eddie after weeks of abuse at his hands) offers Stevie a pre-match handshake.....and immediately taps out once a shocked-looking Stevie takes his hand. [[EpicFail Chavo would proceed to lose to Eddie and shave his own head.]]

* From ''Film/{{Predator}}'': When Dutch and Dillon meet after many years apart, they crush each other's hands in an competition of alpha male superiority. After the camera lingers on their bulging arms for a few seconds, Dillon finally surrenders.

* In an episode of ''Series/GoOn'', BobCostas is revealed to do this all the time, and almost always wins.

* In an episode of ''Series/GoOn'' BobCostas is revealed to do this all the time, and almost always wins.

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* Played with at WCW Bash at the Beach 1998. StevieRay defended his TV title against ChavoGuerrero, with the stipulation that if Chavo didn't win the TV title, he had to face EddieGuerrero in a "loser gets their head shaved" match immediately following. Chavo, wanting to be fresh for the next match (and REALLY wanting to get to Eddie after weeks of abuse at his hands) offers Stevie a pre-match handshake.....and immediately taps out once a shocked-looking Stevie takes his hand. [[EpicFail Chavo would proceed to lose to Eddie and shave his own head.]]

* In ''Droopy's Double Trouble,'' Droopy's super strong twin cousin Drippy crushes the hand of Droopy's superior, the mansion's head butler, upon extending it for a shake.

Two people, often two men, shake hands. One of the men grips harder than the other one, and the other guy might start wincing or showing signs of clear discomfort. The guy delivering the Crushing Handshake might grin about it, having shown off his superior strength or "manliness". This could be done to show off just that, or as a hint that the other guy doesn't like you, or wants to intimidate you--for instance, if he's a rival for a love interest. Or it could be that he DoesNotKnowHisOwnStrength. When both parties attempt to do this, the results can be embarrassing for one or both, which can be played for laughs. Can be related to BearHug.

!Examples:

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* From ''Film/{{Predator}}'': When Dutch and Dillon meet after many years apart they shake hands. Dutch applies increasing pressure until Dillon surrenders.

* ''Film/SupermanII''. General Zod thinks that Superman has lost all of his powers. He demands that Superman take his hand and swear eternal loyalty to him. Superman takes Zod's hand and ''crushes'' it, breaking bones. It turns out he hadn't actually lost his powers.

!!Examples:

* In the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' books, the Slytherin quidditch team captain tends to do this when he shakes hands with the Gryffindor captain at the begining of a match.