Ken Shamrock's Best, Worst and Most Outrageous Moments in WWE Career

When revisiting the Attitude Era, it is easy to pick out Superstars such as "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, The Rock, The Undertaker, Kane and Triple H as most representative of the tone of that period.

Often forgotten, perhaps because of his relatively short run in WWE, is Ken Shamrock.

The World's Most Dangerous Man brought an aura of legitimacy and genuine badassery to the product. He was believable and unpredictable. More importantly, he was over with audiences.

Shamrock spent his two-year career with the promotion at or near the top of the card, routinely competing for the Intercontinental Championship but also sniffing the WWE Championship from time to time.

One of the godfathers of mixed martial arts, he brought with him a ground and submission-based style that was entirely unlike any other on the show.

Often overlooked for his contributions during the birth of the Attitude Era, relive these five moments that helped define the career of wrestling's most unhinged badass.

Best: Refereeing a Classic

Everyone remembers the epic double turn that occurred at the conclusion of the Submission match between Steve Austin and Bret Hart at WrestleMania 13, but what is often overshadowed is the role Shamrock had in it.

The former UFC champion and experienced submission fighter not only called for the bell that ended the match, but he delivered a belly-to-back takedown of The Hitman, drawing a huge ovation and cutting off Hart's vicious onslaught.

That moment, when he tossed Hart to the mat like a sack of potatoes, ushered in the five-time WWE champion's heel turn, cemented Austin's babyface status and established Shamrock as one of the baddest men in WWE.

Worst: WWE Championship Match at D-Generation X

Credit: WWE.com

In December 1997, WWE was reeling from the turn of events at the Survivor Series that saw CEO Vince McMahon legitimately conspire with Shawn Michaels and referee Earl Hebner to screw Bret Hart out of the WWE Championship.

With The Hitman gone from the company, and long-term storylines involving Steve Austin and Undertaker still in their infancy, there was a lack of challengers to Michaels' title.

Enter Shamrock, who was still in his first year as a WWE Superstar and wildly inexperienced.

He was also wholly unprepared for the spot. Michaels, audible in calling spots more than once in the match, did not help matters.

Shamrock was exposed, with his weaknesses on display for all to see. In his first opportunity to make an impression as a marquee competitor, he bombed, and the result was a miserable main event that capped off D-Generation X: In Your House, one of the worst pay-per-views of the Attitude Era.

Most Outrageous: Snapping at WrestleMania XIV

At WrestleMania XIV, Shamrock challenged The Rock for the Intercontinental Championship in a match months in the making. After experiencing weeks of frustration, Shamrock trapped Rock in the ankle lock and scored a submission victory, becoming the new IC champion.

Then it happened.

Shamrock snapped, refusing to release the hold. He continued his assault of the self-proclaimed People's Champion to the point the referee had no choice but to reverse his decision, returning the title to The Rock.

Shamrock snapped, laying waste to the officials who had attempted to pull him off his prey.

The fans in Boston popped for the violence dealt by Shamrock, who had lost his title but arguably enhanced his popularity.

Best: King of the Ring 1998

Credit: WWE.com

Shamrock rode a wave of momentum into the 1998 King of the Ring tournament, where he was a heavy favorite from the get-go.

The all-time great mixed martial artist tore through Jeff Jarrett in the semifinals and found himself matched up with longtime rival The Rock in the final.

Just three months after missing out on the Intercontinental Championship after snapping and losing his temper, Shamrock once again trapped Rock in the ankle lock and defeated him via submission to win the honor of King of the Ring.

The tournament typically catapulted Superstars to the top of the card, preparing them for a main event run and maybe even a WWE Championship reign.

Shamrock never quite got to that level for a variety of reasons, yet his name is forever etched in history books for his victory in Pittsburgh.

Best: Lion's Den Match at SummerSlam 1998

Credit: WWE.com

Shortly after WrestleMania XIV in April, Shamrock was betrayed and beaten down by Owen Hart in a shocking moment on Raw.

Their rivalry continued for months, with Shamrock often getting his hands on Hart but rarely being able to exact his revenge.

That all changed at the 1998 SummerSlam pay-per-view.

For the first time, WWE presented a Lion's Den match featuring an octagonal cage that played into the babyface's UFC history.

Shamrock survived an onslaught by the ever-dangerous Hart and tapped him out to the ankle lock, getting a measure of revenge for the months of torture and torment he endured at his hands.

It was Shamrock's last great match in WWE.

In the year that followed, he would win the Intercontinental Championship in dominant fashion, turn heel, join the Corporation, rescue Stephanie McMahon from The Ministry of Darkness and turn babyface again.

Nothing, though, lived up to what he accomplished over the first year of his brief career in WWE. For one year, he was an elite star at the hottest point in WWE history. Though he never captured the top prize in sports entertainment, he was always in contention.

Injuries brought his career in WWE to a disappointing conclusion in 1999.