Get Out of His Way! - A Look Back at Ken Shamrock in WWE

Did Ken Shamrock's time in WWE during the late 1990s help lead to WWE and UFC merging in 2023??? Brian Zane takes a closer look at an underrated Attitude Era star!

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[patricknguyen]

I think the biggest disappointment of Ken leaving was that around the same time, Kurt Angle was debuting, just the fact we never got Kurt vs Ken would always be a disappointment

[gamerprincess]

Kinda bonkers how many times Shane McMahon was right and ignored. Shane wanted to buy UFC, he basically wanted to do with ECW what WWE did with NXT, He pushed for using the internet more like with the wwe network, he pushed for more of the internet darling talent to be brought in, etc. Now he just feels like a footnote in WWE pushed out by his dad, his sister, and HHH. I genuinely feel Shane was just as visionary for WWE’s future as HHH has been and that in a rather insane way Vince saw him as competition the way he was to his dad.

[mgkiryuu]

I think there is at least 1 thing that everyone can agree about Ken Shamrock...and that is that he had one of the most badass and greatest songs for his entrance music.

[venomousnate]

I agree. The reason Ken Shamrock was never a main event is because it was bad timing with Austin, Rock, Foley, Taker, and Kane. Had he still been around in 99 and he was more reliable, he probably would’ve gotten there.

[TheCheat]

It's so crazy to think that tap outs weren't a thing in the WWF before 1997.

[Obscusion]

That Backlash '99 match with Taker is, easily, one of the most divisive matches I've ever seen, from an online discourse perspective. There are some who (like Zane) consider it an absolute snorefest of a match, but there are others who see it more as being ahead of its time, as more mat-based, technical, & submission-focused matches would become more commonplace in WWE during the Ruthless Aggression Era. Personally, I do agree that it is a bit too slow for its own good, but I can definitely see what Shamrock & Taker were going for with it, and I do find enough enjoyment in it, but it absolutely had no place happening during the peak of the Attitude Era.

Regardless, while Taz may have technically introduced tapping out in North America first via ECW, Ken Shamrock was the man who made it mainstream, making him (low-key) one of the most important wrestlers in the history of the business, in my opinion. Just think of how many amazing moments came from a simple tap out, and it all started with a man who loved going

[Beavie]

Ken was easily ahead of his time. Yeah, he wasn't the best on the microphone, but he was a genuine badass, he was solid in the ring. I think his career hit a ceiling due to booking and timing. But despite his flaws, he was still was able to accomplish a fair bit, winning two thirds of that triple crown. I imagine if he came in the Ruthless Aggression era and had a mouthpiece, he could have been a world champ, especially with the Brand split.

[michaelpapich]

A footnote on the John McCain and MMA connection: McCain's father-in-law at the time was one of Anheuser-Busch's largest wholesale distributors. Televised boxing's largest advertiser was Anheuser beer, and not only did McCain have the family connection but he personally owned millions of dollars in their stock. McCain was a big boxing supporter, both personally and legislatively with the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act. He had a personal stake in seeing MMA not compete with boxing in getting TV time.

[ClarenceJ]

Ken Shamrock was so underutilized in WWF.

[coltsmallwood]

I don't know how it would work into other episodes, but I want the "Not Sharp But Dangerous Knzife" in more episodes

[michaelsinger]

If Shamrock were in WWE today, he’d definitely be a world champion.

[tvolution]

Ken's book is a fascinating read. They really could've done more with him if they just made him a silent destroyer. That Breakdown triple threat cage match showed how over The Rock was, but equally how indifferent the fans were towards Ken.

[kokotheclown]

He’s last videogame appearance was in WWE13 the game that celebrated the attitude era and Ken was a huge factor of the era thx to his participation in the Corporation stable

[JM]

As much as I wanted him to stay, by 1999 he was past giving a main event push. The time to push Shamrock was late 1997-mid 1998. By 1999 The Rock and Triple H were bigger stars, Mankind was in the world title picture. Big Show was there. Angle came in toward the end and got a mega push.

[danielderey]

I have ASD too! Was also diagnosed with Aspergers! So excited that one of my favorite YouTubers and I are brothers on the spectrum 🧩

[tellumyort]

I’m disappointed you did not put over the KOR match against Rock. They had a Japanese style match with Misawa spots, out of place for American wrestling at the time but a very underrated gem.

[green_eye_shy_guy]

My bro and I were just talking a couple hours ago about when there was going to be a new career retrospective, thanks Brian💪

[darcreave]

Wow… I never would have guessed in a million years that you’d have Asperger’s. Just shows how you’re not defined by your neurodivergence

[davisbowe]

Always a shame we never got a Austin/Shamrock feud. The World's Most Dangerous Man vs. The Toughest S.O.B. seemed like a no-brainer, especially after Shamrock turned heel.

[PhilasifyCreativity]

Ken Shamrock is one of my all-time favorite wrestlers. Glad to see him get a spotlight. He truly deserves a HOF induction just for being a pioneer of the MMA hybrid wrestlers that's the norm now, starting tapouts in WWE, and being a great part of the Attitude Era boom.