In a powerful moment during the 2025 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, Stone Cold Steve Austin paid tribute to a figure from one of the most iconic matches in pro wrestling history.
Austin turned the spotlight on UFC pioneer Ken Shamrock while accepting the “Immortal Moment” induction for his WrestleMania 13 classic against Bret Hart. Shamrock served as the special guest referee in that match but wasn’t included in the official induction.
Stone Cold Steve Austin praises Ken Shamrock’s WrestleMania 13 impact
Speaking candidly during his Hall of Fame speech, Stone Cold Steve Austin acknowledged Shamrock’s influence in shaping the realism and impact of the 1997 match with Hart, a contest widely hailed as one of the greatest ever.
Austin noted that “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” not only added legitimacy to WWE’s product at the time but also drew crossover fans from the burgeoning world of mixed martial arts.
“Like (CM) Punk said, so properly addressed Ken Shamrock. I’d like to say thank you to Ken Shamrock,” Austin said. “He brought a lot of eyeballs to that match.”
“The only thing that pi**ed me off is that the son of a bi*ch is so jacked up. I mean, hell, me and Bret looked like sh*t next to Shamrock, but it was great. He looked like a million bucks. Hell, he was worth the pay-per-view all by himself.”
Bret "The Hitman" Hart & "Stone Cold" Steve Austin discuss what made their match at #WrestleMania 13 so iconic as they accept the first-ever "WWE Immortal Moment" Award! 🤝🏆#WWEHOF pic.twitter.com/N21pZ3SNMP
— WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2025
Ken Shamrock: From the Octagon to the Squared Circle
Ken Shamrock’s crossover into WWE followed his historic role as one of the original stars in the UFC. A key figure in the promotion’s early years, Shamrock participated in the inaugural UFC event in 1993 and went on to become the inaugural UFC Superfight Champion. His rivalries with Royce Gracie and Dan Severn significantly shaped the sport during its formative years.
Renowned as “The World’s Most Dangerous Man,” Shamrock achieved widespread recognition through both his MMA battles and his WWE appearances. He played a pivotal role in introducing grappling and submission fighting to WWE audiences, paving the way for future MMA-influenced wrestling styles.
Shamrock’s legacy is further solidified by his pivotal role in bridging the gap between the UFC and WWE. His transition into professional wrestling brought a level of legitimacy to WWE that was unprecedented, attracting fans from the UFC into WWE storylines. The enduring relationship between Shamrock and WWE continues to be celebrated.
Shamrock’s “ankle lock” submission hold became one of the most feared finishers in WWE, while his intense demeanor and legitimate fighting background imbued his wrestling character with authenticity that few others could match.
During his WWE tenure from 1997 to 1999, Shamrock captured the Intercontinental Championship and ascended to the title of King of the Ring, further cementing his place in wrestling history.
Ken Shamrock applies the ankle lock on Owen Hart inside the Lion's Den at SummerSlam '98 pic.twitter.com/qfVzkohokw
— Pro Wrestling Stories (@pws_official) December 6, 2021
Although his Hall of Fame induction remains pending, Stone Cold Steve Austin’s acknowledgment was a long-overdue recognition of a trailblazing combat sports figure who bridged two worlds.