Ken Shamrock has just confirmed a long-standing backstage rumor from 1997—and it involves the fallout of one of the most infamous incidents in pro wrestling history.
Speaking on Wrestling Life with Ben Veal, Shamrock said he was absolutely one of the select few that Bret Hart was willing to lose the WWE Championship to before leaving for WCW. When asked directly, Shamrock responded without hesitation:
“Yes, no doubt, me and Bret had great chemistry because of the style of which Bret wrestled, he was more closer to who I was.”
Although their in-ring interaction was limited, Shamrock believes the potential between him and Hart was through the roof—especially given their shared technical style and submission background. He made it clear that if they had a proper feud, fans would have witnessed something entirely new.
“Even with the limited time that we spent together, that we got to work against one another, we were able to put something together… but being able to work in a program… I mean, it would have been stuff that you’d never seen. It would have been incredible.”
The WWE Hall of Famer also touched on a broader concept that’s often credited to others—being the prototype for what Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey later became in WWE.
“It’s funny too, because it was almost like we delayed what we could have had then to when Brock Lesnar or Ronda Rousey came in… That was something that I seen myself doing… They brought me in to go in and do those sorts of things.”
While WWE never pulled the trigger on making Shamrock a top champion during the Attitude Era, his legacy as a legit fighter in the ring—and his chemistry with Hart—still leaves fans wondering what might’ve happened if plans didn’t fall apart after the Montreal Screwjob.
Do you think Ken Shamrock should have become WWE Champion in 1997? Could a full feud with Bret Hart have changed his legacy in the company? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
