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#3 Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock was the UFC's top star when he departed the MMA powerhouse in late 1996 to embark on a new career in pro wrestling for WWE.
The UFC was in the midst of a political storm with the government and state athletic commissions clamped down on the company, causing major financial and numerous other headaches. Using his mainstream fame, Shamrock shrewdly calculated that a switch to pre-determined competition would be hugely beneficial for his career.
Shamrock was installed as the special referee for the "I Quit" bout between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Bret Hart at WrestleMania 13. It was a great debut as Shamrock was promoted as the only man tough enough to officiate the bout between two of the company's biggest stars.
"The World's Most Dangerous Man" made his in-ring debut two months later in a stiff match versus the monstrous Vader, which he won via submission.
Over the next two years, Shamrock would win the Intercontinental Championship and Tag Team gold and engage in many high profile feuds with the likes of The Undertaker, Owen Hart and The Rock.
After a reasonably successful run at the height of the company's Attitude Era, Shamrock departed WWE to return to MMA, signing for Pride FC in January 2000.
Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
