Ken Shamrock almost ran me over once… There is no punch line here. “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” came within an eyelash of running me down with his basil colored rental car, and it was entirely my fault.
The reckless pedestrian in me darted across the street in pursuit of autographs as wrestlers entered the Fleet Center for that evening’s WWF house show. At the moment of near impact, I went from sheer terror to pure joy when I realized who my would-be killer was.
Instead of learning my lesson and safely crossing the street, I stood there and shrieked “Oh my God, that’s Ken Shamrock.” To the dismay of the motorists on Causeway Street, I took several pictures of his vehicle with my Kodak disposable camera, rapidly winding up each exposure.
The squared circle was good to Shamrock on that hot August night. He toppled Vader in a singles match and won a Battle Royal to earn a WWF title shot at the next Boston show in November. However, he wrestled Triple H, instead, since he would get his title shot, eight days later, at the D-Generation X pay-per-view against Shawn Michaels.
Ken Shamrock was one of my favorite wrestlers and UFC fighters. I was proud of almost meeting him, even if it was under dubious circumstances. Now, it’s one of the moments where I wish I could go back in time knock my sixteen year old self upside the head.
Years later I overheard a conversation my parents had with some of their friends. They talked about how I must have been a good kid because I was allowed to go to Boston by myself. In an astounded tone my father replied “Are you kidding me, its wrestling. He ain’t going anywhere else.”
Well, Dad, you weren’t wrong.
WWF @ Boston, MA Results – FleetCenter – August 16, 1997 (8,698)
Miguel Perez Jr. & Jose Estrada Jr. defeated the Headbangers
Flash Funk pinned Rockabilly
Goldust pinned Brian Pillman
Crush, Skull, 8-Ball, & Chainz fought Farooq, D-Lo Brown, Kama, & Ahmed Johnson to a Double DQ
Ken Shamrock defeated Vader
Savio Vega defeated WWF European Champion Davey Boy Smith via count-out after Smith was attacked by Los Boricuas while brawling with Savio on the floor
The Legion of Doom defeated Henry & Phinneas Godwinn
Mankind pinned Hunter Hearst Helmsley in a falls count anywhere match
Ken Shamrock won a 20-man battle royal; due to prematch stiplations, Shamrock earned a world title shot for the November 29th card
The Undertaker defeated WWF World Champion Bret Hart via disqualification
Ringside Logic 