Exactly two weeks ago today, on the first of April, I appeared on the BJJ Mental Models podcast to discuss my views on why professional wrestling is the best base for learning the grappling arts. Show host Steve Kwan concurs, and for an hour, we talked about all the reasons this is true.
Since, I’ve received a host of messages asking for further research support — people interested in expanding their games are asking me where to go to learn pro wrestling techniques that they can include in their jiu-jitsu game.
OK, off the top of my head, the best 5 resources for studying pro wrestling for BJJ:
- Jerry Lynn vs. Lance Storm. It’s Lynn’s final match ever, and these two were / are true technicians … so for pure technique it’s hard to argue with. Plus, Lance’s half crab has proven effective in BJJ competition matches. If I, like Lance, can be serious for a minute, this is a tremendous resource.
- Ken Shamrock v. Owen Hart, Summerslam, 1998:
Possibly the most technical member of the storied Hart family versus a legend of MMA and submission grappling. In a cage! Pro wrestling works anywhere. Narrowly missed including Shamrock v. the Rock at Wrestlemania XIV, where Ken not only makes Rocky tap to the ankle lock, he suplexes the entire Nation of Domination. Talk about crossover appeal.
- Gail Kim vs. Awesome Kong, Turning Point 2007.
It’s got everything. Athleticism! A size differential, demonstrating the effectiveness of pro wrestling techniques against larger, strong, more aggressive opponents! Exclamation points! Gail Kim deserved to be a much bigger star.
- Ric Flair- Ricky Steamboat, Chicago, 1989: Two of the best ever, and of their storied trilogy, this is the one Ric picks as his best of all time. It’s got leg locks that would make Danaher proud, flying techniques and exemplifies the concepts Steve Kwan talks about on the show — knowing whether you’re essentially a heel or a babyface matters, and impacts your performance. Classic for a reason.
And drum roll please, the #1 resource …
- John Stossel getting the taste slapped out of his mouth by Dr. D Dave Schultz. As Nick Diaz once put it, “where I’m from people like you get slapped,” and I think Mr. Diaz would approve of this altercation and tactic. It’s a technique that works in situations from vale tudo to … well, you know. I study this footage at least 10 times a year, just for pleasure.