Why Now Is the Best Time for a Ken Shamrock WWE Return

Ken Shamrock is a former MMA star and WWE wrestler. He is often very vocal about both pursuits. We discussed if now is the perfect time for him to return to WWE.  

With the merger of the UFC and WWE, a global fighting brand has been born. Yet as WWE plows its back catalog for legends to hype its events, one name that links the world of wrestling and MMA has been notably absent: Ken Shamrock. Often vocal and ready to give his opinion on both sports, could it be the time for a Ken Shamrock return to WWE?

Could He Return at Wrestlemania?

The stage is set for a return at Wrestlemania. This makes the most sense. It is a place where legends are often brought out in surprise matches. As the hype for the event increases, betting odds have started to appear on the bestbettingsites.com. Not all sites have extensive markets for WWE, but many at least include the main WrestleMania events. By using these sites, you can find the best odds for the WWE Undisputed Heavyweight Champion, Women’s WWE Title match, and others. You can even capitalize on their welcome bonuses, so you don’t have to spend too much of your bankroll placing a wager. So far, John Cena is pipped to beat Cody Rhodes. However, it is unlikely that Ken Shamrock would return in this, as he had no affiliations with either during their careers. However, he has feuded with The Rock in the past, and fairly heavily during the Attitude Era. This would be a great way for him to make a comeback.  

The most obvious path to a return would be for him to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Having signed a Legends contract, it seems the writing is on the wall. However, the main inductees have already been announced, being Triple H, Michelle McCool, and Lex Luger. Usually, after these main announcements come a string of celebrities and former mid-carders. It would be a shame to waste such a pivotal talent, who fought across UFC and WWE, and not have him as one of the main legends eventers.  

Ken Shamrock remains vocal about both industries and is often quoted in articles. He recently gave his opinion on why Connor McGregor would be a fantastic WWE addition, citing the fact that he has the ‘It’ factor. He has also been vocal about how WWE gave him the step up he needed financially, to keep feeding his family and running his own fighting school.

Who Is Ken Shamrock?

In September 2024, Kenneth Wayne Shamrock announced on the Chris Van Vliet podcast that he had signed a WWE Legends contract. For many, this was a long time coming. Not only had the performer known as Ken Shamrock been a key figure in the attitude era, but he also had a long history with MMA in its formative days. This means he could be set for an appearance.  

Born Kenneth Wayne Kilpatrick, Shamrock grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was the child of a military father and waitress husband. One of four, he was often left to end for himself. His early life was characterized by bouts of homelessness and spells in juvenile homes. At 14 he was placed in Bob Shamrock’s Boys’ Home, where he took his name from, and began to turn his life around. At school, he excelled in wrestling and turned down an offer from the San Diego Chargers to pursue his interest in Pro Wrestling.

After training in the US, he moved to Japan where his first forays into kickboxing and mixed martial arts began. His WWE debut came on February 24, 1997, when he refereed a match between Steve Austin and Bret Hart. He would go on to feud with Hart in storylines, but behind the scenes Hart was a real mentor to him, teaching him about the wrestling business and helping him hone his craft. He then became an integral part of the company’s ‘Attitude era’. He won the Intercontinental Championship and the Tag Team Championship, as well as the 1998 King of the Ring tournament.  

Throughout this period, he mixed his wrestling career with mixed martial arts. During college, he earned money by participating in organized street fights. Before his tenure in WWE, he had also taken part in Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling. His UFC debut was at UFC 1, where he had assumed he was signing up for a pro wrestling bout until the first match.  

There is no guarantee Shamrock will return to WWE. However, a legend’s contract often signifies that he will at some point. Be this as part of the Hall of Fame or in the ring, there will be lots from both corners glad to see the return of this classic competitor.  

Roberto Villa

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.