Smackdown: Get ready for Kane vs. The Undertaker (the final chapter?)
When it comes to horror movies, there is never a shortage on sequels and remakes, so it’s only fitting that the feud between WWE’s two scary movie-inspired characters just won’t die.
Thirteen years after the first Kane-Undertaker program, “The Big Red Monster” and “The Dead Man” are about to go at it yet again. Their verbal exchange was the focal point of Friday night’s Smackdown.
For longtime fans such as me who have seen all of the feuds and subsequent reconciliations between the “Brothers of Destruction,” another Kane-Undertaker series is hardly anything to get excited about. But to be fair, it has been six years since their last program, so for newer fans, this may be the first time they’ve seen Kane versus The Undertaker. And WWE at least has added a couple of new wrinkles to the rivalry, as The Undertaker is actually the underdog this time (being in a vegetative state for a few months takes its toll you know) and the world heavyweight title is at stake.
With that being said, however, I really do hope that this is the final chapter in the Kane-Undertaker saga. Beyond the been-there, done-that aspect of it, I just find the supernatural elements of the story line and all the spooky music and special effects to be too corny for my tastes.
Other thoughts on Friday’s show:
WWE did a very good job of following up on Alberto Del Rio’s strong debut last week. After Rey Mysterio lost to Kane in the opening match, Del Rio – dressed in his dapper street clothes – came down to ringside and taunted Mysterio (who was selling an arm injury) before delivering a vicious beat-down on him. After just two live appearances on Smackdown, Del Rio – who later in the show won a squash match over an enhancement talent in impressive fashion – already has massive heel heat. Mark my words: Del Rio is a future world champion. …
I thought the Kane-Mysterio no-disqualification match was better than their SummerSlam bout. With Del Rio attacking Mysterio’s “injured” arm after the match, it looks as if Mysterio may finally be getting that time off that he reportedly had been promised a while ago. …
The Intercontinental title match between champion Dolph Ziggler and Kofi Kingston was good and I liked the finish. As both guys were about to get back in the ring at the count of nine, Vickie Guerrero pulled Ziggler off the apron. That allowed Kingston to beat the count and win the match – but not the title. The stipulation was that if Ziggler got disqualified, he would lose the championship, so this finish kept the program going. …
It was great to see CM Punk booked so strongly. Not only did a more-aggressive Punk make quick work of JTG, but he brought back the Anaconda Vise to get a submission victory. …
It will be interesting to see what becomes of The Straight Edge Society. Punk told Luke Gallows that he would be kicked out of the group if he didn’t beat The Big Show, and Gallows did lose. We already know the SES will be without Serena going forward. This show marked her last appearance with WWE, which has finally acknowledged her release on its website. ..
I was glad to see Jack Swagger dominate MVP in the Jack Swagger Senior Invitational Shootout, which was an amateur wrestling-style takedown competition. Given Swagger’s background, anything short of that would have been ridiculous. …
Matt Striker said that it was The Undertaker who had unmasked Kane, repeating what Kane had said in his promo last week. It was actually Triple H who defeated Kane in a match in which the stipulation was that Kane would unmask if he lost. …
The only comment I’m going to make about Rosa Mendes “exercising” with the Shake Weight is that I bet Vince Russo is kicking himself for not doing it first on TNA Impact with members of The Beautiful People.
Comments
I know this has nothing to do with this posting but I'm just watching superstars and has anyone noticed that Chris masters has breasts instead of pecs. Just saying, looks weird.
Posted by: scott | August 29, 2010 5:48 AM
Mark my words: Del Rio is a future world champion. ….........................
That's what You said about MVP a couple of years ago
RESPONSE FROM KE: Hey, it could still happen for MVP. Or not.
Posted by: AIRA | August 29, 2010 5:59 AM
I believe this will be indeed be the final chapter of the Taker-Kane saga. As I believe it will end with Kane's last match before he retires.
Posted by: King Tony | August 29, 2010 6:23 AM
Russo did "beat" Vince as far as the shake weight by a few months, unfortunately it was Orlando Jordan playing with the shake weight, not a Knockout.
RESPONSE FROM KE: Fortunately, I do not remember that.
Posted by: D. Ablo | August 29, 2010 8:41 AM
Hey kev, Russo was actually one step ahead on the shake weight. Even though it was Orlando Jordan and not the beautiful people who had it.
Posted by: Orton hears a who | August 29, 2010 9:19 AM
Well, Striker is not wrong about The Undertaker unmasking Kane at one point. Kane did address in his promo last week that that particular unmasking had an effect on him.
Posted by: Abusoru | August 29, 2010 9:59 AM
WWE might be trying to make us think Undertaker is the underdog but does anyone really think he isn't going to beat Kane? Really? Anyone?
Posted by: Josh | August 29, 2010 10:08 AM
I don't always remember things that happened so long ago, but I thought it was Shawn Michaels who beat Kane in order for the mask to come off.
Posted by: A Pimp Named Slickback | August 29, 2010 10:32 AM
When they said Undertaker unmasked Kane, they're talking about Summerslam 2000. The two of them were having another one of their countless feuds, and the Undertaker ripped off Kane's mask, which essentially ended the match as Kane then ran off with his hand covering his face. But you're right, officially Kane's unmasking came about after a defeat to Triple H in '03.
I'm not even gonna pretend that I knew that off the top of my head, but I thought it'd be a pretty strange mistake for WWE to two weeks in a row, so I thought I'd do the research for you (I know you're a busy guy Kev).
I'm enjoying the Kofi Ziggler feud at the moment, mainly because I love Ziggler, but I can only see this ending one way. Kofi regaining the title, and nobody needs to see that. Kofi could do with getting his agressive streak back, going after the heavyweight title. Maybe then a feud between Swagger and Kofi? I'd like that, it would certainly open the door for Del Rio (not that he needs a door opened by the looks of things).
Posted by: Nick Jolley | August 29, 2010 11:04 AM
I love Punk but the three members of the SES were/are a total bust and waste of time. Punk was/is the whole act. It won't be hard to find others that might bemore compelling with a little creativity. Whoops, sorry, I forget this is WWE where creativity means things like midgets hiding under the ring and kicking people in the shins. Hilarious!
Posted by: AMC | August 29, 2010 1:22 PM
I agree with you, Alberto Del Rio is a future world champion. He is very impressive, a total package. Regarding the SES, if they disband, it would have been a waste of a storyline, WWE should have done the invasion angle with them instead than with Nexus. But, anyway I hope CM Punk will have the big push he deserve. Speaking of push, I'm really scared with the burial of Jack Swagger. A program with MVP? Come on! I think he's one of the top talent of Smackdown, and that he has a bright future ahead of him. And last but not least, the swaggie is delicious.
Posted by: Gobbledy-Gooker | August 29, 2010 1:31 PM
i was listening to a sports radio show in boston and a ad came over for the 900th episode of raw it said that it would feature john cena vs sheamus vs orton in a steel cage for the wwe championship hav u heard anything in regards to this
RESPONSE FROM KE: That most likely is for the live crowd after Raw goes off the air.
Posted by: takers #1 fan | August 29, 2010 3:19 PM
Alberto Del Rio makes me want to learn spanish.
Posted by: Mark K | August 29, 2010 5:14 PM
thats too bad it would probably be a very good match but im guessing sheamus will most likley retain the title
Posted by: takers #1 fan | August 29, 2010 6:37 PM
Finally going to get to attend a Smackdown Taping on the 14th since they're coming back to Detroit,
I've been to RAW a couple times and attended Royal Rumble 09 and Over The Limit but this is my first chance to see Smackdown. Looking forward to it. They're advertising some form of WHC match which will probably be the dark match.
Posted by: Leonhart | August 29, 2010 6:49 PM
Del Rio (Dos Caras Jr.) has some actual mixed martial arts fighting credentials to go along with his wrestling pedigree. I agree he is the complete package.
Posted by: AMC | August 29, 2010 7:41 PM
would u cry if hornswoggle died?
Posted by: ballchinians | August 29, 2010 7:52 PM
Maybe, Undertaker may be done after Wrestle mania, hang it up and Kane is the first stop on the final tour. One last time isn't bad if thats the case, but I'm just guessing.
Posted by: Nick | August 29, 2010 9:47 PM
Agree on Del Rio. He has a great mix of old-school showmanship and new-school moves.
He employs a terrific ring psychology and allows the story of a match to develop, rather than barfing up a bunch of spots.
Great character, what Ted DiBiase Jr. wishes he could be.
Posted by: ANon | August 30, 2010 2:07 AM
Kane is extremely active in politics (he's a libertarian and gives speeches/has a blog about it). I wouldn't be surprised if he was considering making a move to another profession before long. Although I have seen him deny any intention of running for office.
Posted by: tom | August 30, 2010 2:24 PM
YES! The Anaconda Vice is BACK--FINALLY!
Posted by: DeathNote81 | August 30, 2010 3:44 PM
"would u cry if hornswoggle died?"
Storyline death? Tears of joy definitely.
Posted by: James madison | August 30, 2010 5:12 PM
The guy who jobbed to Del Rios on Smackdown was Alex Kozlov, of AAA fame. He also competed in the X-Cup tournament in TNA a few years back.
Posted by: paul | August 30, 2010 7:02 PM
Hi Kevin,
I've heard allot of rumours that this could be Takers last year before retirement. Do you think their is any chance that Kane is going to ultimately win this fued and have Taker put him over? or maybe its just a "for old times sake story" - Of course theres always the chance that the creative team have just run out of ideas. Thoughts ?
Posted by: antomurf | August 31, 2010 7:22 AM
Undertaker came back too early Now we might get Kane vs Taker at Night of Champions instead of him coming back at SummerSlam he should of came back at Night of Champions it would be the perfect set up for the Hell in a Cell PPV which would be way more exciting
Posted by: Darren Taylor | August 31, 2010 7:07 PM
Just so you know, it wasn't The Undertaker, Triple H, or Shawn Michaels that "unmasked" Kane. It was Chris Jerico for those of you who don't know the match, and it was a half-hearted attempt at a rivalry that never really panned out.
Posted by: Vaign | September 9, 2010 8:05 AM