Marvez: Shamrock's mouth works just fine

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He is a shell of a mixed martial arts fighter, but Ken Shamrock's mouth works just fine.This became evident during a recent media conference call promoting EliteXC's next prime-time MMA show October 4 on CBS. Taking a page from his pro wrestling days, Shamrock did everything he could to hype his upcoming headline bout against Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson in Sunrise, Fla.Shamrock unsuccessfully tried engaging in an entertaining war of words with Ferguson, whose charisma as a fighter stands in stark contrast to his bland interview style. Shamrock was rude with reporters whose questions he didn't like. He even argued with EliteXC executives who pathetically tried to proclaim this was an elite-level bout."The press wants to paint a picture that Ken is washed up and he's being served up," EliteXC executive vice president Jared Shaw said. "But Ken doesn't believe that and we don't believe that."Shamrock actually does know better. Asked whether EliteXC perceives him as a stepping stone for Ferguson, Shamrock said, "I'm absolutely taking this as an insult to me. I'm going to smash it back in their face."Shamrock is exactly the kind of opponent EliteXC wants to feed the popular Ferguson, a former real-life street fighter who is still an MMA novice. Shamrock is 44 years old and has lost all five of his MMA matches since 2005 in the first round. There are serious questions whether Shamrock should even be sanctioned to fight. He was atrocious during a knockout loss to journeyman British fighter Robert "Buzz" Berry in March.Shamrock and David "Tank" Abbott -- the 1990s Ultimate Fighting Championship star -- should both be retired from MMA competition. But neither was going to refuse EliteXC's offer of a six-figure payoff. Ferguson handed Abbott his ninth loss in 10 fights during a lopsided February match-up.EliteXC also doesn't want to risk having its top drawing card destroyed by a more experienced heavyweight. That's why the promotion isn't pushing to sign quality free-agent fighters like Josh Barnett, Tim Sylvia or Andrei Arlovski to face Ferguson.Even if the fight becomes as big a train wreck as the conference call, Shamrock vs. Slice should draw the strong television ratings EliteXC needs for a chance at keeping their CBS contract. A decent performance by Shamrock also could lead to another big-money fight against his brother Frank Shamrock (both were adopted by the same parents).Shamrock, though, is best suited for a return to World Wrestling Entertainment or TNA Wrestling. If handled properly, Shamrock could become a money-making draw. There is a built-in storyline with the washed-up MMA brawler trying to take his anger out on the "fake" pro wrestlers. In TNA, Shamrock could even be paired with Kurt Angle and the promising Frank Trigg as a clique of MMA fighters.Plus, pro wrestling is a much easier - and safer - way of earning a paycheck than MMA.For more information on the Shamrock-Slice fight, visit www.elitexc.com.X...X...X Foley to TNA: Mick Foley is the latest WWE alumnus to sign with TNA. Foley recently left WWE when a Smackdown announcing stint reportedly turned sour behind the scenes with promotion owner Vince McMahon. A Foley vs. Angle match was teased during this week's telecast of TNA Impact (9 p.m. Thursdays, Spike TV) ... Another WWE legend - "Stone Cold" Steve Austin - will return for a guest appearance October 26 on WWE's Cyber Sunday pay-per-view show in Phoenix ... Bill Goldberg has publicly claimed he is training for a pro wrestling comeback. Goldberg's most likely option is TNA, as he left WWE on bad terms in 2004 ... Jake "The Snake" Roberts is in the headlines once again for the wrong reasons. Roberts, who appeared to have beaten a long-standing problem with substance abuse, suffered a relapse last weekend on an independent show in Cleveland. Video footage is on the tmz.com web site. (Italics) Alex Marvez writes a syndicated pro wrestling column for Scripps Howard News Service (close italics).