10 Ways MMA Has Influenced Modern WWE

The term shoot comes up a lot in pro wrestling and the world of the WWE. Interviews can be "shoots" - when a wrestler breaks script/character and speaks his mind, often attacking his employer or other workers in the business. There are worked shoots, and real shoots. In general, however, "shoot" refers to things that are unscripted.

Then there's those times that a shoot happens in the ring.

Shoot fights are the stuff of legend in pro wrestling. However, they tie right back to the origins of MMA. Shootfighting itself is a martial art combining several disciplines, basically akin to MMA, and Ken Shamrock is actually recognized as one of the more prominent shootfighters around. In his early days in Japan, he got more involved in shoot fights in the ring, while working as a pro wrestler. 

As for shoots in wrestling - shoot wrestling is actually a discipline, influenced by catch wrestling, greco-roman wrestling, Muay Thai, Sambo, Judo, and other disciplines. Most shoot matches are official - what might be referred to as "strong style professional wrestling" - but to this day, the odd shoot breaks out in the pro ranks. Sometimes it's a guy going into business for himself - others, it's an open challenge. Just ask Kurt Angle. Either way, when a shoot breaks out, often it's MMA training that's relied upon.