If you've read the Smackdown spoilers, the one thing that probably stuck out at you was Kane's comedy routine. If you haven't, let me elaborate: on Smackdown, Kane imitates Hogan and "hulks up" for the crowd, and does "WATCHAGONNADOOOO" in a backstage skit. The Hulkamaniacs go wild, allegedly.
What's up with this? Do you think the WWF is trying to humanize the Big Red Machine as part of his Raw push and his impending epic battle with the nWo?
And...could this be leading to the great unmasking of Kane? At Mania, when Angle teased pulling Kane's mask off, my heart did a flip-flop. I know what Glen Jacob's looks like, but still, that would have been the shocker of the night.
Will it work to humanize Kane? We've debated the unmasking before. What can they do to get Kane over as mega-babyface of Raw? And will you care?
YOU WANT A PIECE OF ME!?! - The immortal, chilling words of...The Shockmaster!
We have seen Evil Kane, we have seen Lonely Kane, we have seen Hateful Kane, we have seen Loving Kane, we have even seen Hungry Kane, but now we will see Comedy Kane. Yes, appearing at the Improv until Thursday!
I guess they are trying hard to get him over as a face. I don't need he comedy act though. I just need to see Kane walking around in a T-shirt and jeans and that mask. That is funny enough. But I am just happy they are doing something with him at all. I wonder if this will continue when Austin gets over his hissy fit.
January 4th 1999 - The day WCW injected itself with 10 gallons of Liquid Anthrax...AKA...The day Hogan "Defeated" Nash to win the WCW title in front of 40,000.
You've got to hand it to Kane-he's probably gone through a lot of therapy to get from being a pissed-off burn victim to a Hulkamaniac, not to mention a Weakest Link champion.
First he wasn't able to speak, then he used the voice box, now he doesn't need it at all.
He was so angry at the beginning, even little things like getting coffee spilled on him would set him off. Then his girlfriend dumped him, and he reacted with appropriate revenge. Now, he's almost happy-go-lucky.
I suppose he has to begrudgingly thank Xpac, who taught him how to say "Suck it", and then, in a very hard lesson, showed Kane the sadness of betrayal. Tori gave him his first glimpse of love, despite the relationship ending badly. He should also look gratefully towards his brother-it seems like he's forgiven him for setting the house fire, and they've had each other's back periodically. Kane even got along with his sister-in-law, Sara.
The unmasking is probably inevitable. We've all seen Kane's self-confidence grow in the few years he's been around the WWF. I think he's about at that point, with the support of his friends and the fans, where he can feel comfortable enough to remove his mask and not be embarassed by his disfigurement. I would say that the only thing I can see causing a regression for Kane from a mental/emotional standpoint would be the return of his father, Paul Bearer.
The unmasking has been teased so many times, but they always seem to rethink the idea. I remember back in late '97 or early '98 Kane had a mask vs. mask match with Vader, and everyone thought Vader would win 'cause Jakks was showing prototypes of a Kane figure with removable mask. Obviously Kane won the match and was never unmasked (and I think this was the match where Vader called himself a "fat piece of shit" after losing). Around that time I read of rumors saying that they would unmask him and have a very elaborate makeup job underneath. Never happeneded.
Then at Summerslam 2000 Undertaker pretty much ripped it off, but Kane ran off with his face covered by his hair. I thought he would come out without it the next night, but he was back to the mask again. The WWF must feel pretty strongly about keeping it, seeing as how they go to great lengths to keep his identity hidden even on gameshows and promotional events.
The mask has really become who Kane is. It's his identifying trait. Without it there really wouldn't be much special about him. It would be like Austin coming out with his old blonde hair, or wearing flashy tights. It's kinda cool that he has gone so long without losing it. Plus, they would either have to think of a way to explain why Kane is not scarred after all these years of telling us that the is, or they would have to do the makeup thing, which would be stupid. Maybe they could do a plastic surgery angle.
And as far as the comedy goes- we've already seen it from Kane in numerous commercials. And if you don't count that since it wasn't part of the show there was the Santa hat thing at this past year's Raw Christmas party. I'm sure there are some other examples too.
Why not remove his mask to discover that he's never really had scars at all? Sort of a return of psychotic Kane, who thinks he's scarred but really isn't. Other people will tell him he looks fine, and he can get angry and beat them up, thinking they're making fun of them. I know I'm lifting this concept from an episode of the Batman cartoon of all things (and Vanilla Sky too, sort of), but wrestling doesn't have to always be perfectly original. I think it would have to be accompanied by a heel turn.
"Don't eat crackers in the bed of your future, or you might get scratchy" - The Tick
The spoilers made me think that it's the next step in unmasking him, too. Especially, as was mentioned, with the return of the mid-match unmasking spot against Angle.
I'd rather them not do it, because I think so much of the character is built around the mask. The valid counter-argument is that his character is bound to hit that point of diminishing returns eventually (if you don't already think it has), and the only way around that will eventually be to unmask him. I just think the big guy with long, stringy hair who beats people up is really overused. The mask shifts attention away from those aspects. Plus, you'd lose the head tilt.
If they have to unmask him, I hope it's against Nash and Nash rips the mask off, only to find himself gazing at his own face. This would cause Nash to run away screaming at the potential implications, and he'd show up the following night showing the effects of his soul-shattering fear by having his hair completely white or gray. Which, you know, would be easy to do.
Why unmask him at all. Somebody said it perfectly when they said thay Kane is the mask. There are plenty of guys who wrestle their entire careers with mask (Lucha Libre) and they are treated fine. I think it's ok to modify Kane's look, maybe even changing the mask, but if he takes the mask off it'll ruin the gimmick. That's just my opinion on it.
Mr. Flugelman: Do you know what "nada" means? Dusty: Isn't that a light chicken gravy? - Three Amigos (1986)
If they decide to unmask him, do it right. I remember this one angle they did in Japan (seems like all the best ones are from over there) whwere Jushin Lyger was going up against The Great Muta. They kicked the ever-lovin' shit out of each other, and the highlight was when Muta (at his dick-heel BEST) just went apeshit and started tearing at Lyger's mask. He ripped it to shreds, leaving nothing covering his face but Lyger's hands and long hair. The ref covered Lyger's face until he backed away in shock. Lyger raised his head and BAM! His face was painted Kabuki-style. He tore off his Lyger costume and revealed a body covered in tattoos and from there the match turned to ECW-style madness.
I think that would be a cool way to go for Kane. In the course of a brutal match, Kane's mask gets torn off, but the only thing revealed would be a warpaint-covered face and a more hardcore than ever Kane who goes on a tear from that point on, ending careers and putting more guys in the hospital than oxycontin. Of course, don't copy it EXACTLY! "Battle Kane" may not be the best name for him here in the states. But a super-charged Kane running around kicking ass like Undertaker did before his leave of absence would rule!
There are no facts-only observational postulates in an endlessly regenerative hodgepodge of predictions. Consensus reality requires a fixed frame of reference. In a multilevel, infinite universe, there can be no fixity; thus, no absolute consensus reality. In a relativistic universe, it appears impossible to test the reliability of any expert by requiring him to agree with another expert. Both can be correct, each in his own inertial system.
That, my friend, sounds totally awesome. Doesn't Kane wear some facepaint underneath anyway? When you look through the eye-hole, the skin underneath is black. It may just be some kind of mesh, though. I would love to see fired-up Kane instead of lumber-to-the-ring-menacingly Kane. He would kick ass.
YOU WANT A PIECE OF ME!?! - The immortal, chilling words of...The Shockmaster!
Originally posted by Dr UnlikelyThe spoilers made me think that it's the next step in unmasking him, too. Especially, as was mentioned, with the return of the mid-match unmasking spot against Angle.
I'd rather them not do it, because I think so much of the character is built around the mask. The valid counter-argument is that his character is bound to hit that point of diminishing returns eventually (if you don't already think it has), and the only way around that will eventually be to unmask him. I just think the big guy with long, stringy hair who beats people up is really overused. The mask shifts attention away from those aspects. Plus, you'd lose the head tilt.
If they have to unmask him, I hope it's against Nash and Nash rips the mask off, only to find himself gazing at his own face. This would cause Nash to run away screaming at the potential implications, and he'd show up the following night showing the effects of his soul-shattering fear by having his hair completely white or gray. Which, you know, would be easy to do.
I think if Kane loses his mask, it would be at the beginning of a heel turn. Then again, maybe not. Perhaps it could be a way to get him to fight Kevin Nash. But the again, probably no one remembers that Glen Jacobs played "Fake Diesel", so that wouldn't work either. I'm torn.
Originally posted by EastCoastAvengerIf they decide to unmask him, do it right. I remember this one angle they did in Japan (seems like all the best ones are from over there) whwere Jushin Lyger was going up against The Great Muta. They kicked the ever-lovin' shit out of each other, and the highlight was when Muta (at his dick-heel BEST) just went apeshit and started tearing at Lyger's mask. He ripped it to shreds, leaving nothing covering his face but Lyger's hands and long hair. The ref covered Lyger's face until he backed away in shock. Lyger raised his head and BAM! His face was painted Kabuki-style. He tore off his Lyger costume and revealed a body covered in tattoos and from there the match turned to ECW-style madness.
I think that would be a cool way to go for Kane. In the course of a brutal match, Kane's mask gets torn off, but the only thing revealed would be a warpaint-covered face and a more hardcore than ever Kane who goes on a tear from that point on, ending careers and putting more guys in the hospital than oxycontin. Of course, don't copy it EXACTLY! "Battle Kane" may not be the best name for him here in the states. But a super-charged Kane running around kicking ass like Undertaker did before his leave of absence would rule!
Dude! Where can I get a tape of that! That match sounds like it rules!
Everything's cool when you're Yun [point] Cheol [point] Su [point]
Ten bucks, got a whole bunch of good Lyger matches, including the Muta-Lyger match.
Also has some footage of a NASTY in-ring broken ankle during a tag match.
There are no facts-only observational postulates in an endlessly regenerative hodgepodge of predictions. Consensus reality requires a fixed frame of reference. In a multilevel, infinite universe, there can be no fixity; thus, no absolute consensus reality. In a relativistic universe, it appears impossible to test the reliability of any expert by requiring him to agree with another expert. Both can be correct, each in his own inertial system.
I don't think it really matters why Kane wheres a mask anymore, but I don't think that he should lose it. Without the mask he is just another big guy with long hair, then again maybe losing it will finally put him over the top. He still is the best big man around these days. I like the mask and I think with a personality he could really go places. Unless they are going for 'funny Kane' much like the Big Show a couple of years ago.
I have seen Kane uncovered, as Dwight Yokam, DDS. Undertaker looks a lot prettier than him.
The fans know that Kane won Weakest Link. As Angle, Edge and Booker T use TWL to spur a great angle, how about a Kane--HHH feud based on whoi is really the "strongest link" in WWF.
The only other time was held speechless was when Foley laid it to him when Foley mistakenly thought that The Rock threw away his book. Good job Hogan and Rock for putting Kane over.
That's Issaac Yankem, DDS! Dwight Yokam is a country musician known for wearing tight jeans.
There are no facts-only observational postulates in an endlessly regenerative hodgepodge of predictions. Consensus reality requires a fixed frame of reference. In a multilevel, infinite universe, there can be no fixity; thus, no absolute consensus reality. In a relativistic universe, it appears impossible to test the reliability of any expert by requiring him to agree with another expert. Both can be correct, each in his own inertial system.
They don't have to un-mask Kane, just widen the eyeholes a little.
He can express all his emotions through his eyes, just like Shamu did in "Free Willy." Depending on the situation, Kane could be alternately "sad" or "surprised" or "angry" or "Randy Savage-constipated."
Seriously, though ... one comedy skit does not a "personality" make. I'm still campaigning, based on his Weakest Link performance, for Contemplative Philosopher Genius Kane.
Shame on you guys... Comedy Kane's been around for quite some time now.
Remember Royal Rumble 2001? Kane cracked me the hell up with a lot of the stuff he did. Particularly the spot with the Honky Tonk Man, where Honky started singing his song with his back turned to Kane. Kane grabbed Honky's guitar, Honky turned around... EL KABONG! And Kane just kind of shook his head and tossed him over the top. Great stuff.
And let's not forget that one spot with D-Von Dudley when Kane did the “Whassup!” headbutt. I just about pissed myself laughing.
“If my answers frighten you, Vince, then perhaps you should cease asking scary questions.”
--Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson), Pulp Fiction
in addition to what people have already said about "the mask IS kane", something that makes me not want them to demask him is the simple fact that he is an over north american top tier worker with a mask that covers his entire face. he's the only one!
It's just you against the group mind. I like weiners.
Kane needs the mask. Without it he's just another big guy.
I can't wait for Kane to go to RAW because I see a push coming for him there, and I have been waiting for him to get one since he turned face in late 1998-early 1999.
And then there was the last SmackDown! in Philly, last spring, where Taker and Kane tried to do dueling Last Rides to Kaientai, but Kane screwed it up. Also a Kane komedy moment.
Not a bad show at all. I was pretty annoyed over the fact that four out of the five matches had a finish with either a roll up or a back slide. I swear the TNA agents are the least creative people in the world with their finishes.