edman7001

What do you think are some similarities and differences in their wrestling styles?

JensenS

I mean, they pretty much shared the same qualities that all great wrestlers do. Just in different quantities.

They both had good technique, Smith was known for it, but I think Brands' was definitely underrated.

Both guys had great gas tanks, they'd stay on guys the whole time out there, Brands was the guy more known for that but I've seen a lot of John Smith matches and I've never seen that dude get tired.

Brands was also known as the physical/grinder guy, but again I think Smith's attributes here are pretty underrated too. He was a good handfighter when he had to, and he finished his singles quickly, and at times pretty brutally.

If you haven't seen it, we have a video on another section of the board from 91 US Nationals of Smith at his apex absolutely woodshedding a just finished his junior year of college Brands.

Gantry

Though didn't Brands get a couple TDs at the end of that match? If so, you can argue that Smith was tired...

JensenS

Maybe, I mean Smith had just finished scoring 14 points on him so maybe he was a little tired.

I haven't seen the match in a while, so I really can't testify as to how the TD's came about.

contini

They both had good technique, Smith was known for it, but I think Brands' was definitely underrated.

I agree. People talk about Brands as intense and tough as hell, but not so often do they mention what a great technician he was (his brother as well).

gg121and2

In college, the difference was set-ups. Tom pounded on heads mercilessly to get guys out of position to set up his shots. I've seen few that were as good as him at "controlling the tie" and moving guys. One misconception is that he had to wear guys down to make this work. WRONG. Frequently his first takedown was in the first 20 -30 seconds of the match. He could just get on a guy's head and move him any way he wanted.

As a longtime Iowa season ticket holder, I obviously saw Brands in college far more than I saw Smith. Smith's movement was phenomenal - head feints, hand movement, the constant movement of his feet - unmatched. From the times I saw him wrestle, the so-called "Smith low single" is over rated. I think I saw him score more with a duck under and high crotch than with the vaunted low single.

In their freestyle careers, they remained basically true to their roots, but each improved and took on some aspects of the other. Where John really pulled away from Tom in their international careers was in the par terre position. Smith's leg lace was something to behold and his gut wresnch wasn't too far behind

contini

It was not unusual to see Smith get lazy at the end of matches after he had it wrapped up, putting up weak defense which allowed the other guy to get a takedown or two.

vaisforlovers

Brands goes every second of every match...John Smith built huge leads and shut down at times...Smith had uncanny technique, quickness and finishes...Brands would push you til you could go no more....He'd build his lead towards the end of a match.

tiger

I'd have to agree there. I didn't realize how good Brands' technique was until I saw the match where Brands dismantled Cross. It was straight nasty.

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arm-spin

Brands was great, Smith was one of the all-time greats

Here's their match (thanks to quick_single.)