Great documentary! Thanks for posting. I was a west coast small college wrestler in the 1980s. I only saw John Smith wrestle once in person in 1987 against the Soviet team in Portland, Oregon. He dominated his Soviet opponent. I remember him executing a beautiful “Metzger” on his opponent during that match. Coincidentally Andre Metzger was also participating in that USA/Soviet Union dual. Kenny Monday wrestled in that dual against the Soviets too. That dual meet had some of the best wrestling I’ve ever seen even after all these years.
Great job and a wonderful documentary on a true legend. I would love to see you do a documentary on Stephen Neal. A one time California high school fourth place medalist who would go on to win 2 NCAA titles, the U.S. Open freestyle title, the world team trials, the Pan-American games, the 1999 world freestyle championships, not to mention a 10 year NFL career with the patriots and three Super Bowl rings.
Dude. This is no bullshit. You are VERY good at these documentaries. This is so well done, I found myself paying more attention to that than the content of the documentary. This channel should be way more popular than it is.
@@truetanwrestling The development of the low single by Smith was an interesting part of the documentary. Maybe you could do something about famous signature moves of great wrestlers. JB’s blast double, Spencer Lee’s tilt, maybe the development of some mainstay moves and techniques.
A wrestler that was consistent at beating top soviet wrestlers that no one else outside the old soviet union could do during their dominance what a legend John smith is
I rolled with John Smith when I walked on at OSU in 1983. Coach Chesbro didn't know who I was and had me wrestle a couple guys smaller than myself: John Smith (40 pounds lighter than me) and Kenny Monday, about 20 pounds lighter. I smoked John really quick (I was a pretty good wrestler and a lot bigger than him), but Kenny took me down in about 3 seconds! Later on John kinda/sorta hazed me under the football stadium bleachers (which was part of the wrestling teams' running route), stopping me and questioning me intensely about my background in wrestling.
He was ahead of his time. Watching the Olympics this year, I finally saw people that had the leg/ankle lace techniques John Smith mastered in the 1980's! He was 40 years ahead of his time on technique. Almost every other wrestler at the Olympics was trying to lace up the ankles or leg in 2024. And he handed the OSU program off to another all time great David Taylor.
David Taylor was the best available to take the job after Smith's retirement. I can see them competing for the title as soon as next year. They're no doubt the 2bd best team in college wrestling right now
Very well done. If I could offer any constructive criticism, it would be the narration. 1. Enunciate. It might be the way you speak, but it sounds like you are rushing through some words and they get mushed together and syllables get lost. 2. This is just picky of me but there is a whole generation of “influencers” who use the same cadence that draws out the last syllable like you’re a 90s news anchoooor.
You realize that John Smith had 10 weight classes every year at that time. Not saying Burroughs is better. John Smith winning six consecutive and retiring at 26 because there wasn’t enough money for even the champions to live off of is what makes him great. It would have been interesting to see him continue and see him compete with Tom Brands after 92. Count your blessings that you can watch more John Smith wrestling now than we ever got to see when he was winning all those titles. He’s an even greater wrestler than I even imagined him to be at the time. That 3 match series with Randy Lewis in the 88 trials is the pinnacle of two great competitors battling.
Six straight is what makes him the legend he is. JB isn’t in the same convo. Although, he was amazing in his prime. But he’s gettin beat by guys who are retiring in there 20s now. If he wins another gold at a non Olympic weight? It wont matter imo…
I still don’t think the non Olympic weight should be part of the conversation because John Smith competed with 10 weight classes. Also, had John Smith continued for two more Olympic cycles, he would have had to contend with Tom Brands and Cary Kolat and not likely fending both of them off that long. Give Burroughs his due for beating the greats in Dake and Taylor as long as he did. If I had to pick one as greater, I’d say Smith. You gotta give Burroughs huge respect though, unlike those ridiculous Penn State fans at the trials. Iranian wrestling fans are way more respectful than that. Horrible fans at wrestling tournaments can be a topic for another day.
Great documentary! Thanks for posting. I was a west coast small college wrestler in the 1980s. I only saw John Smith wrestle once in person in 1987 against the Soviet team in Portland, Oregon. He dominated his Soviet opponent. I remember him executing a beautiful “Metzger” on his opponent during that match. Coincidentally Andre Metzger was also participating in that USA/Soviet Union dual. Kenny Monday wrestled in that dual against the Soviets too. That dual meet had some of the best wrestling I’ve ever seen even after all these years.
@@vincentlittrell6845 thank you! That sounds like the dual of a lifetime!
Great documentary on John Smith.
@@sportdvds thank you!
Great job and a wonderful documentary on a true legend. I would love to see you do a documentary on Stephen Neal. A one time California high school fourth place medalist who would go on to win 2 NCAA titles, the U.S. Open freestyle title, the world team trials, the Pan-American games, the 1999 world freestyle championships, not to mention a 10 year NFL career with the patriots and three Super Bowl rings.
Dude. This is no bullshit. You are VERY good at these documentaries. This is so well done, I found myself paying more attention to that than the content of the documentary. This channel should be way more popular than it is.
@@rhebbhulett I really appreciate it man! Any topics you’d like to see at the next long form documentary?
@@truetanwrestling The development of the low single by Smith was an interesting part of the documentary. Maybe you could do something about famous signature moves of great wrestlers. JB’s blast double, Spencer Lee’s tilt, maybe the development of some mainstay moves and techniques.
A wrestler that was consistent at beating top soviet wrestlers that no one else outside the old soviet union could do during their dominance what a legend John smith is
You need to make more documentaries. This was so good.
Another fantastic video! Thank you
@@dinocollins720 thanks for all the support on the channel Dino!
Great job!
Great Documentary
wow great video, John Smith is an American legend in the sport of wrestling
@@gregorydryden7865 thank you for watching! It was fun honoring him…what a legend!
Was just wanting to watch a John smith documentary! Keep em coming!
Great storytelling. Thank you for putting in the effort for us fans!
@@antigroundhogday thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed!
This was sick!!
I rolled with John Smith when I walked on at OSU in 1983. Coach Chesbro didn't know who I was and had me wrestle a couple guys smaller than myself: John Smith (40 pounds lighter than me) and Kenny Monday, about 20 pounds lighter. I smoked John really quick (I was a pretty good wrestler and a lot bigger than him), but Kenny took me down in about 3 seconds! Later on John kinda/sorta hazed me under the football stadium bleachers (which was part of the wrestling teams' running route), stopping me and questioning me intensely about my background in wrestling.
Great video man!!!
@@jamess970 thank you very much!
The true GOAT!
He is a legend. In world championships Everybody knew gold is for him
Recall jozef Chen loving his tie ups and set ups and highly recommending it. Dope to see how influential someone can be across time and sports.
Great work
A+ video
the man the myth the legend,
Nice job.
great video
@@sammyG5 thank you for the support!
He was ahead of his time. Watching the Olympics this year, I finally saw people that had the leg/ankle lace techniques John Smith mastered in the 1980's! He was 40 years ahead of his time on technique. Almost every other wrestler at the Olympics was trying to lace up the ankles or leg in 2024. And he handed the OSU program off to another all time great David Taylor.
@@MBoyer-ng6ok crazy how ahead of his time he was and now they have another coach ahead of their time in DT. Exciting future for Oklahoma State!
David Taylor was the best available to take the job after Smith's retirement. I can see them competing for the title as soon as next year. They're no doubt the 2bd best team in college wrestling right now
Where can we watch Oklahoma State vs Iowa this year?
Big10 and big 12 networks
Goat
Very well done. If I could offer any constructive criticism, it would be the narration. 1. Enunciate. It might be the way you speak, but it sounds like you are rushing through some words and they get mushed together and syllables get lost. 2. This is just picky of me but there is a whole generation of “influencers” who use the same cadence that draws out the last syllable like you’re a 90s news anchoooor.
Some of JBs were non Olympic weights. I feel that keeps him out of the convo? JS and Big Bruce. Toss up
Crazy statement
You realize that John Smith had 10 weight classes every year at that time. Not saying Burroughs is better. John Smith winning six consecutive and retiring at 26 because there wasn’t enough money for even the champions to live off of is what makes him great. It would have been interesting to see him continue and see him compete with Tom Brands after 92. Count your blessings that you can watch more John Smith wrestling now than we ever got to see when he was winning all those titles. He’s an even greater wrestler than I even imagined him to be at the time. That 3 match series with Randy Lewis in the 88 trials is the pinnacle of two great competitors battling.
Six straight is what makes him the legend he is. JB isn’t in the same convo. Although, he was amazing in his prime. But he’s gettin beat by guys who are retiring in there 20s now. If he wins another gold at a non Olympic weight? It wont matter imo…
I still don’t think the non Olympic weight should be part of the conversation because John Smith competed with 10 weight classes. Also, had John Smith continued for two more Olympic cycles, he would have had to contend with Tom Brands and Cary Kolat and not likely fending both of them off that long. Give Burroughs his due for beating the greats in Dake and Taylor as long as he did. If I had to pick one as greater, I’d say Smith. You gotta give Burroughs huge respect though, unlike those ridiculous Penn State fans at the trials. Iranian wrestling fans are way more respectful than that. Horrible fans at wrestling tournaments can be a topic for another day.
@@williamlathrop226 Thats fair. After Dakes 2nd Bronze. My level of respect for JB went up.
Frost and ragusin we're robbed imo
Regusin match was terrible robbery I can’t believe they did that to that poor kid
Fix didn't improve one iota while he was at OSU. If anything I think he regressed from his FS Fr year to his Sr year.
10th Place as a team was finishing on a high??
I'd hate to see what a "bad"finish would be...
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