“I wanted to win the WWE title” – Exclusive Interview with WWE legend, Ken Shamrock

Exclusive interview with Ken Shamrock

One of the most significant periods in wrestling history was the Attitude Era in the then WWF, when Vince McMahon brought forward something called as “car crash TV”. The storylines became more engaging, the angles became more edgy and the overall product was upgraded to suit the mature audience. The teenagers identified themselves with the changing product, as the WWF beat its competition, WCW thus ending the Monday Night Wars. While people still argue about the very beginning of the Attitude Era, it is believed that the WrestleMania match between Bret Hart and ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin laid the foundations for it. One man who was responsible for that match to be remembered by the fans was arguably one of the greatest names in contact sports – Ken Shamrock.

The MMA/UFC legend transcended the full contact sport, and brought with him the cross – border appeal to the WWF. The man who was famously known as ‘The world’s most dangerous man’, and rightly so brought legitimacy to the organization, something which was essential for the Attitude Era to be kicked into over – drive. Ken Shamrock is one of the greatest names in the history of MMA and pro wrestling, and my colleague Ratish Menon and I had the honor and pleasure of talking to the man himself about his MMA/UFC career, and his stint in pro wrestling. During the course of our conversation, we talked about his UFC fights and rivalries, the legendary Lion’s Den and how it all began, and asked him questions that have been lingering in the minds of pro wrestling fans. Here is an excerpt from the interview.

AG: You’ve been vocal regarding Triple H’s involvement as the head of talent relations in the company. After Lesnar was introduced as a legitimate monster in ’12, Triple H beat him once at WrestleMania, and lost the rubber match after Lesnar was booked to look weak. What is your opinion of Triple H as someone who can take over the company soon?

KS: Listen, at the outset let me tell you that I couldn’t take over the company as it would be too much for me. It takes a certain individual to go into a company, with a mindset to make other people look good and feel good about it. Triple H isn’t that guy. I am not saying it as a negative thing, but as a positive thing for the organization so that they can realize that what they need is a person who doesn’t mind making the other people look good. HHH just isn’t the guy. He has his picture on the Muscle & Fitness magazine and every time he walks by a mirror, he has to stop and check if his triceps are coming out. I do the same thing, just like most people do in the entertainment business – they want to look good, they want to be the star, they want to be at the front. You have to have that type of an attitude to be a champion, but not to run a place which is entertainment-based.

RM: So, in your opinion, Hunter has a way bigger ego than that of Vince McMahon?

KS: Vince McMahon, you watch everything that he has ever done, if he has got over on anybody, he has looked twice as bad when they got over on him. Listen, what is relevant is that there is a problem, yet it just seems like no one wants to pay any attention to it. When you plant a seed and you water it, it is going to grow and it will do well. But if you only give it half the water it needs, it is going to do “okay” for a year or two, but then because it isn’t getting the needed nutrients, it will get smaller and smaller and it will soon wilt and die.

RM: Do you currently keep track of WWE’s product? And if so, can you share your thoughts on the direction the company is heading in? Do you believe your character would’ve flourished today?

KS: I do watch it every now and then, but not too frequently as I have to travel a lot as part of my ministry work. I enjoy it and like some of the talent that is in there. I don’t know, but I really miss the Attitude Era though, the tough guy era. I don’t know why they turned away from it. Maybe it’s because of new people in charge - I don’t know, but it is not there. It was pretty clear that was what the fans liked, but you know it is what it is and the people are doing the best they can with what they think will work, it is definitely not that someone is trying to sabotage the WWE or anything. They seem to be trying to do things that they think is the best for business, no question.

AG: I’ve been asked this question by a lot of wrestling fans, and I honestly couldn’t find an answer to it. Why haven’t you made an appearance in the WWE after leaving the company in ’99, and do you think the fans can see you one more time on WWE TV in the future?

KS: I would love to, but I wish I had an answer for that. I wish I could tell you that this guy doesn’t like me or these people don’t think I am healthy enough or know they are jealous or they are afraid of me, I don’t know because I have never been told. I have been saying this for years that I would love to give it another shot, having seen other guys go back and do it. I mean, I am not doing anything and I am just sitting around. Of course there is the ministry work that takes up a lot of time, but I am also an athlete and I would love to go back and do that. I have captured a title in every organization that I have been involved with, whether it is MMA or pro wrestling, which is about 7 or 8 different places, except for the world title in the WWE and that is something that is missing from my entourage.

One thing that was for sure was Ken Shamrock’s love for MMA and pro wrestling, and it would be a shame if Ken doesn’t return for one last run with the WWE. With the legend open to working with the WWE again, it is up to the WWE fans to let the company know that we’re interested in seeing the ‘World’s most dangerous man’ back in the organization in some capacity. You can follow Ken on Twitter or Facebook, and make sure to listen to the entire conversation here. Don’t hesitate to drop in comments about what you think, and make sure to voice your opinions to the WWE if you want to see Ken back in the organization for one more run.