Yeah ive been caught in one by just a bluebelt once and it was crushing imagine a guy like Couture who is freakishly strong and has better technique then just your good old bluebelt.
I think this sums it up best. When an RNC is locked the impact is instant and your feeling of hope quickly evaporates
Well, there isn't one that really involves any kind of pain (as once you feel any sort of pain given by the receptors in your limbs/joints, your brain signals you to give up), the most "vicious" one would have to be either the Heel Hook or a Twister (which is a spinal submission). The danger with a Heel Hook is that if applied properly, some people don't know to tap until it's too late. If you execute a Heel Hook properly, the moment someone feels anything, it's already too late. The damage is done.
Compression locks due, they are all about pain, which is why I picked them. Straight Achilles, bicep or calf splicer? Horrible. Watch Tyson Griffin vs Dos Anjos
a kimura and reverse trinagle locked in together from north south position is the worst ive ever felt... a kimura is agony on its own but when its locked in while your being helplessly strangled its just pure pain, embarrassment and hopelessness rolled into one