This is old.
From 2004?
I was not there. Others here were.
Relson always likes to say that no one at his tournaments gets a serious injury. I think that helps him with his insurance for the events he holds. He has told me that he does not allow cervical (spinal) applications whether it be to escape or submit.
I have respect for the way that Monson handled himself. He seems to be trying to get his point across without the loudness and drama of Pe de Pano. I respect him for that.
In my humblest of outside opinions but also being a Relson student, when I view the video it seems that Relson was going to allow the ref to restart the event. What pisses off Relson is at the 12:16 mark when some guy says directly to Relson that "You(Relson) said ...." (basically that can openers were legal in whatever situation)
**From my own experience and dealings with Relson he appears very upset at this accusation - true or not***
That is when Relson says, "You say that I told you this? You lie. I never said this." The guy kind of backtracks and says it was covered by the refs at the rules. But Relson says "I know you don't have me on video saying that can openers are legal, you lie." Then he points to the ref and says, "To me Pe de Pano is the winner".
Relson is my instructor so I got to take his back as his student and friend, just as you all would try to explain your instructor at his own tournament.
But I was not there, if someone got Relson on video saying can openers or any other spinal/cervical attack submission is legal I would love to see that since he always preaches no cervical attacks.
Now I understand 100% what Haylicks and the others are saying that they have the rules in writing and heard the ref go over can openers and other cervical attacks. I have say that I can see that is where the confusion occurs. You get the rules that say it is legal, a ref may say how it is legal and then you have Relson saying he never said it. Both are right.
It was just a small thing that blew up. As another poster said, I don't see Pe de Pano tapping to that can opener unless he knew that he could get the DQ. I also don't see Monson applying the can opener unless he knew that he would not get the DQ.
So there are two sides of every story and no one knows what happened, shodding refs, rules confusion, rules enforcement, brazilian pride, money, who knows.
Instead of hashing this video out every so often, just leave it in the past and move on. I really respect Monson for his handling of the situation though.
Its Friday so have a great weekend and be safe sherdoggers.