Ken Shamrock is one of the most widely recognized MMA fighters in the world. He is a legendary American Mixed Martial Arts fighter & former professional wrestler. Ken Shamrock is best known for his participation in the UFC, Pancrase, PrideFC, WWF and TNA. No other fighter possesses the credentials that has rightfully earned him the title of “The World’s Most Dangerous Man”.
Shamrock began as a pro wrestler, in the late 80s. While wrestling in Japan, he became interested in MMA and competed in the first Pancrase and UFC events, in 1993, quickly gaining a reputation as one of the best in the world. From 1993 to 1996, he became the first ever King of Pancrase and the first UFC Superfight Champion, with a record of 23 wins, 5 losses and 2 draws.
Over time, the UFC garnered a lot of negative attention. The sport continued its downward spiral, and fighter’s purses began to dwindle at every show. Shamrock had a family to support, along with a house full of fighters. So when the UFC showed no sign of making a dramatic comeback anytime soon, he decided to use the popularity he’d garnered in MMA competition to return to the ranks of professional wrestling. He left at his peak.
Ken Shamrock debuted in the WWF, in early 1997. From 1997-1999, he had a very successful career. In his first year, he feuded with Bret Hart and the Hart Foundation, as well as Vader and Shawn Michaels. He was even a potential candidate to be the man to take the WWF Title off of Bret Hart. He won the 1998 King of the Ring Tournament, defeated Owen Hart and won the WWF Intercontinental Title and the WWF World Tag Team Title. By late 1999, he decided the time was right to get back into MMA, leaving the WWF in the middle of a feud with Chris Jericho.
He began fighting for PrideFC and broke even, as he won two fights and lost two fights, from 2000-2002. Shamrock then returned to pro wrestling, briefly, to join TNA and win the vacant NWA World Heavyweight Title. Within a couple months, he had walked away from pro wrestling, once more, to return to the UFC.
Since the autumn months of 2002, Shamrock's performances have been less than stellar. From 2002-2008, he has earned one victory and eight losses. Many would say that he is washed up and past his prime. He is not the dominant force that he once was and doesn't even appear to employ the same style that carried him to the top. It is sad to see a once great fighter tarnish his legacy as a result of bad timing.
Ken Shamrock left MMA at his peak. His reasons for leaving were good, but one cannot help but think that it would have been better to continue fighting for a couple more years and then make a permanent transition to pro wrestling at a later time. Either way, there are many pro wrestling fans that would like to see "The World's Most Dangerous Man" return to the quared circle and put his fighting days behind him. WWE is in desperate need of main event wrestlers and a big name, like Shamrock, would easily fill that role. On the other hand, he would probably accomplish a lot more if her were to return to TNA. He was the first NWA World Heavyweight Champion of the TNA Era, and he gave instant credibility to a promotion that was just getting on its feet, in 2002. Surely, they would have a place for him. Not to mention the great matches he could have with Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe.
With the MMA world far different from when he left it, in 1996, it might be time for Ken to consider making a return to pro wrestling.
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