By Laura
Trust and betrayal, like love and hate, are two polar emotions that are all too often intricately interwoven. And no one knows this better than Kane.
Kane is perhaps one of the most misunderstood superstars in the Federation. Regarded as a "retard" or a sociopath, he is believed to have no cognitive or conscientious abilities. However, the reality is that Kane is a survivor - a survivor of a deprived, depraved and tragic upbringing.
Kane has tasted the bitter seed of betrayal from an early age - a seed planted by the most influential force in a person's life - family. It is family that teaches the most basic of human behaviors and interactions - how to communicate, to trust and to love. The family is a haven in a heartless world - the place not only where material support is granted, but so are affection, love and security. To be born a bereft background can almost guarantee irrevocable damage to the psychological development of an individual. Burned in a fire set by his own brother, the Undertaker, and exiled to a cold, dark basement for years by his father, Paul Bearer, Kane has endured injuries of the most detrimental kind. And his physical scars pale in comparison to the emotional ones he bears.
Dissociative, violent, appearing mentally "slow," Kane is the epitome of a survivor of extreme abuse. Because trust was so damaged at such an early age, it would take a miracle to reach the heart of Kane. It had appeared as if there indeed was someone finally able to tap into the Big Red Machine's inner world and teach him to trust once again - Chyna. Her maternal hand was there to guide Kane after he was ostracized from the Corporation. However, her protective hand concealed a back-stabbing blade - one she did not hesitate to use at WrestleMania XV, joining forces once again with Triple H. While betrayal was nothing new to Kane, he was still devastated by his Jezebel. This deception had to be the last straw. Was it the final betrayal to close Kane off to the world forever? Perhaps X-Pac can best answer that question.
Granted, X-Pac has not endured the extent of abuse and betrayal that Kane has - yet he is perhaps the one who can most closely identify with Kane's tragic life. Having been an outcast himself - battling a drug addiction - X-Pac knows what it's like to be on the outside looking in. Dumped via Fed Ex by his former employer, deceived and conspired against by Triple H, and stabbed in the back by Chyna - for whom he had maternal regard - all qualify X-Pac. However, can X-Pac convince Kane that he not only understands the Big Red Machine, but that he is also a trustworthy ally?
Due to booking and not affinity, X-Pac and Kane have been thrown together and have prevailed as the Federation Tag Team Champions, beating Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett - even the New Age Outlaws. And when the two work together, they have achieved some amazing feats.
"As long as he keeps being there when the time is right, there is NOBODY that can beat us - NOBODY," X-Pac declared in the ring during a recent RAW.
But is Kane just a rebound partner for X-Pac - a last resort, a substitute, someone to fill the void DX has created? There is the possibility that Kane will again be abandoned once X-Pac heals his own wounds… or is the Bronco Buster truly vested in this new relationship for the long term?
If X-Pac is serious about his newfound alliance with Kane, will he be able to convince the Big Red Machine to change his colors? Can he persuade Kane to trust once more - that the DX green will not only have financial significance but familial significance as well?
Trust: faith in the character, ability, strength or truth of another - something Kane has never known.
Betrayal: to be led astray, seduced, to be deserted especially in dire times - something Kane knows better than the back of his hand.
Can X-Pac change Kane's colors, or has too much damage already been done?
