10 Best MMA Wrestling Crossovers

Ken Shamrock is one of the most important names on this list, both as an MMA pioneer and key figure in pro-wrestling golden age.

Although Shamrock dabbled in pro-wrestling early in his career it was his spell with Pancrase where he first came to prominence, becoming the first American champion and holding wins over Maurice Smith and Bas Rutten.

Shamrock would also become a staple of the UFC's early years, competing in the company's first tournament in 1993 and later becoming Superfight Champion with a submission win over Dan Severn. Shamrock would defend the title twice before losing a rematch to Severn at UFC 9, by which time concerns over pay and rule restrictions saw him revive his pro-wrestling career with WWE.

Shamrock became a full time member of the roster in 1997. At the time, WWE were transitioning into a darker, edgier product that would form the foundations of the Attitude Era, and Shamrock's intense persona and aggressive style saw him become one of the company's most popular stars.

1998 would be Shamrock's most successful year, during which he defeated The Rock to win the King of the Ring and later claimed the Intercontinental title. Shamrock would also become a key figure in Vince McMahon's Corporation stable before leaving the company in 1999 to return to MMA.

While Shamrock's return to the UFC was unsuccessful, it did have a long term impact. His feud with Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz helped attract a new audience to the UFC, with their match at UFC 40 often cited as the most important in company history. The UFC would go on to become the sport's biggest promotion, by which point Shamrock was rewarded with a place in the company's Hall of Fame.