In a fascinating revelation that sheds light on one of the most turbulent periods in professional wrestling history, Ken Shamrock has confirmed that Bret Hart intended to drop the WWE Championship to him shortly before Hart’s controversial departure from WWE to join WCW in 1997. This confirmation revives a long-standing backstage rumor tied intimately to the fallout of the infamous Montreal Screwjob and the shifting dynamics of the WWE roster during the Attitude Era.
Ken Shamrock and Bret Hart: A Promised Championship Transition That Never Was
During an appearance on Wrestling Life with Ben Veal, Ken Shamrock disclosed that he was one of only a select few wrestlers Bret Hart had trusted enough to lose the WWE Championship to before his exit. Shamrock described their chemistry as exceptional due to their similarly technical wrestling styles, especially centered on submission wrestling.
“Yes, no doubt, me and Bret had great chemistry because of the style which Bret wrestled, he was closer to who I was,” Shamrock said candidly. He further emphasized that although their in-ring time together was limited, the potential for a full-fledged feud was enormous and could have produced matches unlike any seen before in WWE.
Shamrock explained, “Even with the limited time we spent together, we were able to put something together… but being able to work in a program… it would have been stuff you’d never seen. It would have been incredible.” This underscores how Shamrock believed the match-up had the potential to redefine WWE’s main event scene in 1997.
The Montreal Screwjob and Its Effect on WWE Title Plans
Bret Hart’s planned transition out of WWE was famously complicated by the Montreal Screwjob at Survivor Series 1997, where Hart’s WWE Championship reign abruptly ended in a controversial finish. This incident, which involved Vince McMahon and other officials overriding the match outcome without Bret’s consent, derailed many backstage plans, including Hart’s title drop to Shamrock.
Sources close to WWE from that era have long indicated that Hart had multiple candidates in mind to hand over the championship smoothly before his departure, aiming to preserve the prestige of the title and set up fresh rivalries. Ken Shamrock’s acknowledgment adds significant weight to the notion that a major push was planned for him, but the Screwjob forced a sudden re-work of angles and storylines.
According to a WWE insider familiar with backstage conversations from 1997, “Bret really wanted to make sure the belt went to someone worthy and legit—Ken’s MMA background and submission style fit perfectly with Bret’s vision for where the title should go.”
Ken Shamrock’s Legacy and the “What Could Have Been”
Despite never winning the WWE Championship, Ken Shamrock’s tenure in WWE is often remembered for his legitimate fighting credentials and intense in-ring style, which presaged later stars like Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey. Shamrock himself acknowledged this when discussing how WWE might have delayed showcasing fighters like him until the emergence of Lesnar and Rousey several years later:
“It was almost like we delayed what we could have had then to when Brock Lesnar or Ronda Rousey came in. That was something I saw myself doing; they brought me in to do those sorts of things,” Shamrock recounted.
This statement connects the dots between early attempts to bring a more realistic, shoot-style wrestling to WWE and the eventual superstars who embodied that hybrid style with great success and mainstream crossover appeal.
Fans often speculate how WWE storylines and Shamrock’s career could have evolved had the title change to him occurred as initially planned. The synergy between his real-fight background and Bret Hart’s technical prowess could have ushered in a fresh era for WWE’s main event scene during a pivotal time.
Revisiting Ken Shamrock vs. Bret Hart in WWE: A Glimpse of Their Chemistry
Their in-ring rivalry was seen briefly on WWE programming, including a notable WWE Raw match on October 27, 1997, where Shamrock challenged Bret Hart for the WWE Championship. This match was among the last key title defenses for Hart in WWE before Survivor Series 1997.
Even in limited encounters, Shamrock and Hart demonstrated a compelling mix of technical wrestling and submission expertise, which fans felt could have led to more high-profile matches and storylines. Matches they had are still discussed fondly by wrestling historians as underrated gems from the late 1990s.
The Attitude Era and the Shift in WWE’s Championship Landscape
Bret Hart’s departure coincided with the onset of the Attitude Era, a period marked by edgier storylines and a shift toward more entertainment-centric booking. The disruption caused by the Montreal Screwjob inadvertently accelerated this change, emphasizing characters like Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock.
Ken Shamrock’s style, which blended MMA legitimacy with pro wrestling theatrics, might have offered WWE a unique middle ground between pure athleticism and entertainment—a balance WWE would later fully embrace with stars like Lesnar and Rousey.
Backstage Perspectives and Fan Reactions
An anonymous WWE creative team member recently shared with Ringside News, “The idea was to keep the title prestigious and in hands that added legitimacy. Bret trusted Ken because of his fighting background and work ethic. It’s one of the biggest ‘what ifs’ from that era.”
Fans continue debating what could have been if Shamrock had been elevated to the top spot. Many argue that a full feud with Bret Hart may have altered the legacy of both men in WWE, possibly changing the entire trajectory of the company’s main event scene in the late 1990s.
Final Thoughts: An Untapped Chapter in WWE History
Ken Shamrock’s confirmation that Bret Hart wanted to drop the WWE Championship to him before moving to WCW not only adds depth to the narrative surrounding the Montreal Screwjob but also spotlights a fascinating alternative path for WWE in 1997. This lost opportunity between two submission specialists might have been a defining chapter in wrestling history, blending real fighting credentials with technical mastery at the highest level.
As WWE continues to honor its rich history, the story of Shamrock and Hart’s near championship handoff reminds fans and historians how moments behind the scenes can drastically shape what unfolds inside the ring.