With Vince McMahons world hanging in the balance, he pleaded with someone to step forward. Ken Shamrock answered the call, but what were the real motives to the worlds most dagerous man? Did he fear for the safety of the owners daughter,or was it just to golden an oppurtunity pass up?
From the commen everyday joe all the way up the President Bill, everybody is just trying to get ahead. Weather its giving the guy on the corner a dollar or bailing some country out of war, racking up points is the name of the game. But its not about whos leading on the big scoreboard. As the saying goes, No good deed should go unrewarded. In every walk of life, particularly in the World Wrestling Federation, its all about getting a return on the favor.
In a cynical world does anyone do a good deed simply out of kindheartdness anymore? You know the answer to that and the next guy knows it. And whoever thinks Ken Shamrock rescued World Wrestling Federation owner Vince McMahons daughter this past april because of a soft spot in his heart could be sadly mistaken. Of course the owner claimed he'd be forever indeeded to the Worlds Most Dangerous Man for rescueing Stephanie, but was Vince really concerned about Kennys well being? The ministry could have ground Shamrock into Raw meat and the owner would not have cared. It was all about getting daddy's little girl back, and when the NO HOLDS BARRED fighter accomplshed that task all that sentimental nonsense offered each other was just talk.
For most fans, the image of Shamrock wretching Christian leg in the middle of a bloodbath during his search for Stephanie will remain in grained in our minds. Shamrock looked like the hero of the day minus the cape and the big letter "S" on his chest. But lets not overlook one possibility- It could have been dollar signs fualing this superman not compassion. When Vince called upon the former Intercontinental Champion to do the job, it was an unwritten agreement between the two that if Shamrock could bring Stephanie back unharmed he would be rewarded. As some point, Ken was probably reminded of Vince's track record when it comes to keeping promises-But this time is different. Shamrock knew that he had the owner by his testicular foritude.
Stephanie McMahon, his daughter, was down in that basement-perhaps the one person Vince holds more dear then his company. This wasn't Stone Cold flipping the bird on live television or hosing the owner down with beer. No, This was something that hit home- a place noone has gone before. As far as Shamrock was concerned, all he had to do was find the girl and bring her safetly to daddy's arms. At that point, The NO HOLDS BARRED fire can name his price.Floundering somewhere in the Team Corporate talent pool, this was his big chance to finally swim in the deep end; in other words, climb the corparate ladder. Its sounds like a win/win deal for both sides, right? Well, perhaps its not that easy.
Once Stephanie was returned safe and sound of course, all bets with Shamrock were off in the owners mind. He had what he wanted, and now Kenny could go on his merry way for all he cared. Vince said he was indebted...and the key word is "debt", as in "owe". On the other hand, did Shamrock shed one tear when father and daughter were reunited. All he wanted here was a token of his apprecition from Vinces mouth-and when he got it, it was a tantamount to a handshake. This time, though, both owner and employee may have had there fingers crossed when neither was looking.
And the overall picture, Shamrock has the advantage over the owner. After all, Shamrock was the only one to come through and get the job done when noone else could. This act, perhaps more then any inring accompishment, could represent Shamrocks golden oppurnity to cash in on that favor Vince owes him. "Gee,Vince, Isn't time we renegotiated my contract" or, "You know, I always wanted that house up in the hills." Vinces sacrifice of everything for his daughter means that he can be taken advantage of and Ken Shamrock maybe in the best postion to do so.
And YOU, the fans, were integral part of the deal as well. Shamrock knew that the fans would veiw him in a different light after walking straight into hell and daring the Underataker to stop him. It really didn't matter wheather he succeeded or not! Remember, This is the stuff fairy tails and comic books are made of. In the absence of a personnal reason to hate Shamrock, Who could help rooting for him as he stalked up the entrance ramp covered in that red viscous liquid.
Obviously, playing the fans in his favor was in the back of Shamrocks mind the whole time. This is not to say that he was merely putting on a show, but rather that gaining the support of the masses could only lend credibility to his cause. If and when he does ask for Vince for a return favor, The people of course will be on Shamrocks side. After all, No good deed is suppose to go unrewarded, RIGHT? If McMahon was to turn a deaf ear now, it would reflect badly not only on him as a business man, but on his family and company as well. Would Vince risk that? Of course not.
Ken Shamrock knows he has put his employer in a rather precarious position. Despite his "Heroics," The Worlds Most Dangerous Man, can play the villian if necessary. After all, its Supermans world a Bizarro exsists. Does anyone else notice the parallels?
The above column appears in the the July issue of WWF mag. Written by Bill Banks.
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