So you think you know the Big Red Machine, huh? Kane has been a mainstay in WWE for over two decades, first appearing in 1997 as part of the first ever Hell in a Cell match at Badd Blood. Kane’s humble nature outside of the ring seems to have translated into his character’s presentation, as he never seems to be credited for being an absolute icon of the industry.
It’s hard to pinpoint just five matches from Kane’s legendary career, he’s been through the ringer in all sorts of feuds, from inferno to ’til death do us part matches. But in celebration of the Devil’s Favourite Demon, we’re going to pick out just five for any Kanenite to look back fondly on and remember why we all fell in love with that masked burn victim.
5. Kane vs. Big Show vs. Raven – WrestleMania 17
‘Mania 17 is often considered one of, if not the best shows of all time. The card was stacked, giving fans a bit of everything that made wrestling so popular back in the early 00’s. One of the biggest attributes that WWE had going for it at the time was the hardcore division, and the pure mayhem that would ensue when the rulebook was thrown to the dogs.
Kane found himself involved in a triple threat match for the Hardcore Title, pitted against Big Show and current champ, Raven. Seemingly an after thought, this match soon became one of the most talked about of the night, quickly descending into the chaos that all fans were waiting for.
The trio fought through the massive WrestleMania crowd and into the backstage area. They threw each other through tables, glass windows and even entire walls. It was funny, it was ridiculous and it was downright fun to watch.
The match concluded with Kane nailing a leg drop off the side of the stage and through an ‘electrics board’, pinning Raven for the Hardcore Championship. Looking back on it, it’s such an understated moment for Kane, a title win during the peak of his popularity. JR made quite the comment suggesting that he’s the future of the WWE, which just goes to show how over he was following this match.
4. Team Hell No & Ryback vs. The Shield – TLC 2012
Bit of a cheat considering who else was in this match, but there’s no denying that this TLC match in particular is one that should go down in history for being one of the best. Not only did it mark the debut of The Shield, but it’s also one of Kane’s better performances from the latter side of his career.
Alongside Daniel Bryan (and Ryback, I suppose), Kane put in the hours in this match, taking some pretty incredible bumps for a guy reaching the end of his full-time career. Kane embraced the hardcore nature of his character once again and proved that the ‘extreme’ side of WWE could still be fun in an era stripped of its violence.
This match was an all out war between the standard bearers and three dudes who were trying their best to prove themselves as the future of the company. Watching Kane be speared through the barricade whilst Daniel Bryan is curb-stomped into a chair never felt so satisfying.
Also, it’s a great case of Kane putting over young talent.
3. The Brothers of Destruction vs. The Two-Man Power Trip – Backlash 2001
You want to talk about old school? Then look no further than this nostalgia ride. Four of WWE’s most prominent figures from the Attitude Era putting all the belts on the line in this slug fest of a tag match. Kane and Taker teaming would always make for a fun match regardless of their opponents, but pitting them against Steve Austin and Triple H made for a very brutal, physical contest, the chemistry between them was off the chain.
Kane was competing with a broken hand due to shenanigans the week prior, which really told the story throughout the match. Kane was portrayed as one tough tank of a man, who fought through everything the two heels dished out at him and his brother.
To me, this match holds everything that made the Attitude Era what it was, constant twists and turns involving some of the most popular wrestlers on the planet. If you’re ever looking for something to remind you about how into wrestling you once were, then give this one a go on the Network.
2. 2001 Royal Rumble Match
What’s arguably the most talked about Kane match of all time makes its onto this list for numerous reasons. Firstly, Kane set the biggest Rumble elimination record of all time at this event. Despite being broken by both Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman, Kane eliminating 10 superstars and 1 stand-up comic in a single night stands the test of time as being one of the true epic WWE accomplishments
Nobody has looked like more of a beast in a single Rumble match than Kane has here. Making it all the way to the final two with Steve Austin cemented him as still being a massive threat to anyone on that roster. This was Kane’s Rumble, and WWE will never take that away from him.
Of course, this single feat is what carried Kane through a lot of his career, being one of the few things that commentators can actually call back on and use after taking 100 losses on Raw. It also made Kane one of the greatest Rumble competitors of all time.
Get lost, Kofi, Kane is Mr. Royal Rumble.
1. Kane vs. The Undertaker – WrestleMania 14
Naturally, the big pay-off against his brother The Undertaker has to take the number one spot. Somewhat of a generic answer to the question of ‘what Kane’s greatest match of all time is’ but the correct one nonetheless. Wrestling fans of old will remember just how incredible of a build the Kane/Taker feud had. It was shrouded in mystery and had an aura like no other. You were knee-deep in kayfabe and were having a blast.
>Kane had literally pushed The Undertaker over the edge and forced him into a match at that year’s WrestleMania. This was one of the few times that fans lost faith in Taker, believing that he had met his match in his own brother. The match itself wouldn’t exactly be considered a 5* mat classic, but in terms of sheer quality of storytelling and drama, this stands out as one of the greatest of all time.
These two hosses obliterated each other and it took three tombstones in total to put Kane away. This remains one of my favourite WrestleMania matches, my favourite streak match and my favourite Kane match. I dare you to try and tell me otherwise.
Kane is a legend, whether he’s corporate, part of a rebellious band of degenerates, or the father of Lita’s baby, he remains one of the marquee attractions for WWE. I can only hope that one day he gets given the almighty respect on par with the likes of Triple H, Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker, he has more than earned it through matches such as these.
Have I missed out your favourite Kane match? Let us know in the comments below.
Some of the coverage you find on Cultured Vultures contains affiliate links, which provide us with small commissions based on purchases made from visiting our site. We cover gaming news, movie reviews, wrestling and much more.
