Subhojeet Mukherjee on June 2, 2024
Ken Shamrock is one of the first names that comes to mind who transitioned from the MMA world to the world of professional wrestling. He is still a popular name in pro wrestling and has now addressed what he thinks about fans demanding autographs at the airport.
The issue of fans showing up at airports to meet pro wrestlers has increasingly become a problem for many stars. While spontaneous encounters are usually appreciated, a certain group of individuals now intentionally flock to airports with large quantities of merchandise, seeking autographs to sell on eBay for profit. This has caused significant frustration among wrestlers.
Last year, a video emerged on social media showing an unmasked Rey Mysterio refusing to sign an autograph at an airport. The fan in question was clearly trying to capitalize on Mysterio’s autograph for profit. Rey Mysterio isn’t alone in facing this issue; Rhea Ripley also encountered similar disrespect at an airport last year, where she was bombarded by fans and expressed her frustration with their behavior.
While speaking to Steve Fall for Ringside News, Ken Shamrock shared insights on his approach to interacting with fans, attributing his philosophy to the lessons imparted by his father. Reflecting on his experiences in both MMA and wrestling, Shamrock explained how the environment often becomes chaotic due to the sheer number of people.
“You know, I mean, depending on the environment, if it’s around an MMA thing, it was crazy. Even wrestling at different events, because of the masses of people, you know, that would happen.”
Ken Shamrock was then asked to share his opinion on fans demanding autographs from professional wrestlers at airports. Shamrock noted that his father’s advice has been pivotal in shaping his attitude towards fans. As Shamrock’s popularity surged in the UFC, his father emphasized the importance of acknowledging every fan, regardless of the circumstances. Shamrock’s father stressed that fans might never get another chance to meet him, urging his son to always be accommodating.
“My father had schooled me early on. As I started getting up into the UFC and gaining a lot of attention, he schooled me early on and told me, ‘Anytime anybody ever comes up to you, I don’t care what you’re doing. You’re eating dinner, you’re with your family, people always make excuses like, “I’m with my family.” Don’t do that.’
My dad always said, ‘You have to understand that these guys, when they’re coming around, they may never see you again. So if you’re sitting down with your family, this is their only chance to come up and say something or do something. For anyone to get mad at them, you have to understand where they’re coming from. They’re not going to see you; they don’t believe they’re ever going to see you again, right?’
He said, ‘Make sure you always take that 10 minutes, five to 10 minutes, whatever it takes to at least say hello to them and sign. It’s not going to be that strenuous for you. It’s not like you have 10 people standing in line to sign an autograph while you’re eating dinner. If that happens, then somebody else can step in for you, but not you.'”
The World’s Most Dangerous Man adopted this principle wholeheartedly, understanding the crucial role fans play in an athlete’s success, so he always gives fans his time.
“I’ve always lived my life like that. Whereas the fans, I appreciate them because without them, and this is breaking it down to simple facts, we are nothing. We are zero without them making us something, without making us important. Then comes the money, and then comes the fame, and it’s all because of the fans, period.
My father broke it down to me real clear early on. So I’ve always wanted to make sure I took time, no matter what situation I was in, to appreciate the people who are spending their hard-earned dollar to come watch us.”
Recently, footage emerged of Liv Morgan engaging with fans seeking autographs at an airport. Wrestlers are not obliged to entertain fan requests, and it entirely depends on the wrestler in question whether they want to sign anything, so Ken Shamrock simply feels it’s best if he obliges the fans in the end.
Are you surprised by Ken Shamrock’s take on fans demanding autographs at airports? Sound off in the comments section below!
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
June 2, 2024 11:09 am
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