The nature of the wrestling business will see many “what if” scenarios about wrestling performing in different eras. Quite a few names from the past would have done better in a modern era with the drastic changes throughout the years. Ken Shamrock deserves to be discussed about any wrestlers from the late ‘90s who were ahead of their time.
The Attitude Era did have some use for Shamrock who got over as a face. However, there could have been so much more for him to achieve if he was given a bigger opportunity. Vince McMahon likely would have made Shamrock a main eventer based on the talents he pushed and style of wrestling they embraced in the 2010s.
WWE Had High Hopes For Ken Shamrock
It would be disingenuous to pretend that WWE didn’t see the value in Ken Shamrock when he signed with the promotion. Shamrock actually had a lot of hype and was treated like a big deal during the early portions of his WWE stint. The background in UFC didn’t have the same appeal it would now since it wasn’t that popular at the time, but WWE tried to make fans understand the importance.
Shamrock’s real fighting background was used to enhance his character and separate him from the rest of the roster. WWE even used him in a huge role to debut as the guest referee for Bret Hart vs Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13. Shamrock played a major element in one of the all-time great matches that changed the landscape of WWE.
The early push of Shamrock even showed him as a rising star from 1997 to 1998. Shamrock won the 1998 King of the Ring tournament and appeared ready to move up the card. Unfortunately, WWE lost interest at some point and things would never pick up that much steam for the rest of his run.
Ken Shamrock Was The Victim Of Bad Timing
The Attitude Era featured many great moments with star power like Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H, Mick Foley and plenty others leading the way. Ken Shamrock was hoping to have the same impact by moving into the main event picture. WWE even flirted with the idea on a few occasions, but the timing never worked out.
Shamrock had his sole WWE Championship PPV title shot against Shawn Michaels one PPV after the Montreal Screwjob. Fans were getting behind Shamrock, but WWE booked a DQ finish since the heel Michaels dropping the title to Austin was the bigger long-term plan. Shamrock winning the King of the Ring peaked his feud with Rock when both men were on the same tier.
Rock moved higher up the card faster due to his heel role being more beneficial and the connection with promos meaning more than Shamrock’s in-ring work. WWE tried to turn Shamrock heel by joining The Corporation faction led by Vince McMahon. There was a higher ceiling for the heels on the show since top faces were getting over, but Shamrock felt like just another member doing Vince’s bidding. The WWE run of Shamrock ended in silence to return to MMA.
Ken Shamrock Was Ahead Of His Time In Pro Wrestling
The biggest long-term success in Ken Shamrock’s career was helping future MMA stars make the leap to pro wrestling. MMA took off in popularity in the 2000s into the 2010s with many wrestlers benefiting. Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar received massive pushes in the years after Shamrock’s WWE stint ended. Both stars became iconic performers by utilizing their real fighting passions as part of their identities.
Submission and technical-based wrestling reached new peaks in the 2010s with more performers joining WWE and showcasing that. Daniel Bryan, Samoa Joe and many others would have been perfect to work feuds with Shamrock in his prime. The intensity and fighting spirit of Shamrock called for physical matches, which became a calling card for wrestlers of the 2010s.
Wrestling missed out on a potential top-tier legend with Shamrock coming before the industry was ready for someone like him. WWE did enough to make sure Shamrock was a solid mid-carder that does hold a solid amount of nostalgia for those who watched his run. The approach to wrestling by Shamrock was ahead of his time in more ways than one.
Shamrock could have been one of the faces of the industry if he was in his prime during the 2010s. Any promotion would have benefited from making him a main event act and would have drawn more money from his UFC background. The matches and feuds for Shamrock could present a drastically different legacy than what he has today in wrestling.