More from JR and a nugget from John Smith…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
(photo taken from JR’s Family Bar-B-Q)
WWE Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross was kind enough to send me his thoughts about both Brock Lesnar and Randy Couture. He was also bold enough to send a prediction. It was much appreciated, and JR has failed to ever disappoint me.
But because of space issues in the paper, not everything JR said was in Friday’s edition of The Oklahoman. If JR is going to take the time to answer the questions, the least I can do is get it on the blog.
JR’s take on Brock (most from personal experience as you know from Lesnar’s time in the WWE):
Brock has amazing athletic gifts one cannot coach or teach. Immensely
strong, cat quick, bona fide mean streak, healthy ego, and what many
feel has a pronounced fear of failure.
He rapidly moved to the head of the class of the WWE Developmental
Program because of his unbridled desire to be the best.
Brock went from entry level recruit to earning well north of 7 figures
within approximately 3 years of being “called up” to the primary roster.
Former OSU wrestler and current WWE official Jerry Brisco and I
recruited Brock out of Minnesota as Brock’s coach there, J. Robinson, was a
teammate of Brisco’s at OSU.
We had to restrain Lesnar from doing the more athletic, aerial maneuvers
that smaller wrestlers once had the market on. Lesnar’s natural balance
and coordination gave him the ability to execute maneuvers that 300
pounders rarely attempted.
Lesnar would likely be earning in the $5-10M range annually had he
chosen to stay in the entertainment world of the WWE. However, he hated
excessive travel which lead to his pre mature exit from the WWE.
JR’s take on Couture:
Couture is not only physically versed in ground and pound but Randy is a
brilliant strategist. He will be is superb condition and will know all
there is to know ab out Lesnar which could be a blessing or a curse.
Randy is a thinking man’s MMA star and is respected by the MMA world
whereas Lesnar hasn’t earned the respect from all his peers or hardcore
MMA fans because he was a pro wrestler which I find amazingly ignorent.
Lesnar is brash and out spoken. He knows how to stir the pot to create a
WWE-like atmosphere to where fans will pay money to see Brock get his
clock cleaned.
And JR’s prediction:
I have huge respect for Couture but at 45 years of age and giving up
approximately 55 lbs come fight time, I’m predicting a Lesnar win. I
think Randy can win if Lesnar gets careless and Couture can exploit a
Lesnar mistake. The good, big man beats the legendary, good smaller man.
Also wanted to get some words from Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith. Who would know Couture better than Smith? Special thanks to fellow chum Matt Patterson for the info.
“I’m rooting for the Cowboy. It’s pretty amazing Randy at his age, getting in the ring still. I’m rooting for his health, too. He’s a tough guy, always has been. Don’t count him out but age sometimes creeps up on you, you just don’t know it until it’s too late. I’m definitely rooting for Randy.”
- Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith
We’ve heard from just about everybody on this fight. Oh wait, we haven’t heard from me. My “long-awaited” analysis will be later tonight.
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