Kane...mocked and scorned; misunderstood and labeled a retard, a sociopath, a monster.
Kane...a man filled with a rage that had been buried for years; an unstoppable destructive force finally unleashed.
Since first coming to the World Wrestling Federation in 1997, Kane has been through a series of betrayals. In fact, his whole life has been about betrayal.
As a child, Kane lost his mother in a tragic fire, one that not only destroyed his house but also left him physically and emotionally scarred.
However, the tragedy doesn't stop there. Kane spent his youth locked away in a dark dungeon, isolated from the world by his very own father, Paul Bearer. It wasn't until he came to the World Wrestling Federation that he learned the most awful of truths: the fire that has injured him and killed his mother was set by his half-brother, Undertaker.
But Kane's physical scars pale in comparison to his emotional ones.
Kane was reunited with his family when he joined the Federation. He spent the first year in a constant struggle with Undertaker and Paul Bearer, being used and manipulated by both of them. His family toyed with his raw emotions and undeniable physical talents to achieve their own ends. Kane was merely a puppet, with his father pulling the strings.
In 2000, the series of betrayals extended beyond familial lines. Some of the most influential players in the World Wrestling Federation used Kane, scarring his soul in ways more devastating than physical pain.
Federation owner Vince McMahon used Kane to do his dirty work. Then he turned on him, having Kane committed to a mental institution. Chyna soon followed, befriending a vulnerable Kane and then backstabbing him at WrestleMania XV when she joined forces with Triple H.
It seemed as if Kane would fall irreversibly over the edge, but the X-Pac entered his life. Thrown together as tag team partners, the pair eventually developed a camaraderie based on trust and affinity. Many commented that X-Pac gave Kane a human side; he gave him a heart. Rather, X- Pac merely led Kane to what had been there all along. And while X-Pac eventually turned on him, he did give Kane the emotional strength to allow something into his life that had been missing since his dear mother's death love.
Tori entered Kane's life and a passion ignited between them. Kane was in love, and it was obvious he would do anything for her. She was the one soul in his life who had yet to betray him.
Tori led the world to believe the feeling was mutual. It appeared as if she saw past the physical deformity and into the beauty of Kane's heart. And many believed that her love could transform him.
Well, all of us had been duped. In fact, Tori proved to be a curse for poor Kane. In February 2000, Kane was tied up in the ropes by the New Age Outlaws, forced to watch his one true love passionately embrace and kiss his former best friend, X-Pac. Not only had Tori betrayed her lover, she rubbed it in his face.
This was the year in which Kane has finally been pushed too far. HE was sent over the edge by betrayal and dishonesty. But perhaps these were blessings in disguise. Because of all the turmoil, Kane has come out a better man one who has finally found his voice. For the first time since being released from that dungeon, he is alone, but for the first time in his life he is also beyond the reach of anyone's control.
Earlier this year, it seemed that Kane had fallen back into his father's clutches once again. He was attacking Federation Superstars for no apparent reason, interfering in matches, unleashing a seemingly uncontrollable rage. Some thought Kane had lost his mind, while others speculated that perhaps he was carrying out his father's orders. However, Kane's association was only temporary; soon Kane was alone and continued on his own.
The world began to hear Kane speak his mind more and more each week on Raw Is War. His words were few, but they were articulate and powerful, cutting right to the point, unlike the rambling diatribe of a few Federation Superstars. Kane spent his life with his emotions buried deep within his soul, but now Kane is finally in touch with his own raw power. While he is now able to express his emotions, Kane has also wisened up to the deceitful side of people. In a recent interview, Kane told us, "I don't need to trust anybody. I see people for their usefulness and certain purposes. But I keep my eyes open."
It is questionable whether or not anyone will ever be able to betray Kane again.
This summer, Undertaker returned to the Federation after a soul journey into the desert, and Kane and his brother did experience moments of reconciliation. They worked together as tag team partners against Kurt Angle and Triple H, and were victorious over Edge & Christian, as well. But their alliance proved temporary.
While the pair could be an amazing force one strong enough to take over the Federation too much bad blood exists between them. Undertaker certainly isn't one to share power, and Kane is no longer anyone's puppet.
Kane proved this by choosing to turn on his brother. In a match between Undertaker and Chris Benoit, Kane came down to the ring, appearing to stand by his brother's side. Instead, Kane turned on Undertaker, choke-slamming him so hard he went right through the canvas. Kane dished out a little of what he'd been given. Finally, Kane may be ready to pay back his brother for killing his mother, for disfiguring him and for never even asking Kane's forgiveness.
Through revenge, Kane has found redemption. He has finally come into his own. And just what is that? Who is really behind the mask? Kane tells us, "I am not the ‘Big Red Retard.' I am not a freak. I am not the innocent, naive child-like simpleton that some people think. Like everyone else here in the World Wrestling Federation, I have my own agenda. But unlike most, I am capable of accomplishing it. And if you don't know who I am, just wait you'll find out."
In a way, Kane has removed one mask. While Kane's face may be obscured from the world, his actions tell us just who he is and what he has become. Kane calls himself a "monster." Is he one in truest since of the word a being without a conscience, merely wiping out any and all who stand in his way? Or is there a method to his madness? Is Kane an indestructible, unstoppable force whose time has finally come?
The World Wrestling Federation had better be on guard. This man, this monster, most certainly has an agenda. Yes, perhaps this coming year will be Kane's time to truly shine and to hold Federation gold once again.
Courtesy WWF Magazine
