WrestleMania XXX may be the big ticket event in New Orleans, but it’s not the only WWE event that will be happening in the Big Easy the first week of April. The week starts with WrestleMania Axxess and ends with Monday Night Raw following ‘Mania, but there’s a lot more in between all of that. Three of the bigger events in recent WrestleMania’s have been the Hall of Fame inductees, “The Streak” and the main event (typically for the WWE title). Kane shared his thoughts on those three key elements.
Hall of Fame Induction of Paul Bearer
It’s been a little more than a year since Paul Bearer (Percy Pringle) died. Last year at ‘Mania, The Undertaker dedicated his victory over CM Punk to the memory of his former manager. Of course, Paul Bearer had just as much impact on the career of Kane as well as Kane’s storyline-brother.
“Without him, I wouldn’t be Kane,” the Director of Operations said bluntly. “Without Paul Bearer, there wouldn’t be The Undertaker. Paul Bearer was the bridge between The Undertaker and Kane.”
“I still think the Kane/Undertaker story is the best WWE story ever told,” Kane added. “The reason they were able to tell that story was because of Paul Bearer. He was talking about Kane six months before you ever saw him… He was an integral part of that story… It’s well deserved to see him go into the Hall of Fame. He’s as much of a part of WWE as any in-ring performer.”
Kane said that Bearer was crucial in transitioning from the Federation Era to the Attitude Era.
To date, the WWE has not said who would be inducting Paul Bearer into the WWE Hall of Fame. With Bearer managing the careers of ‘Taker, Kane, Vader and 2013 inductee Mankind, Kane has no doubt that it will be a memorable induction speech. “Whatever the WWE decides to do, it will be done very well,” Kane said. “Whoever they ask to do the inducting, that person’s going to gladly do it.”
“The Streak”
Brock Lesnar — “The Beast” — will be the next superstar to take on The Undertaker and his 21-0 WrestleMania streak. “Nothing’s official, but when you stab a man in the hand with a pen and throw him through a table, that pretty much tells you it’s going to happen,” Kane said.
Lesnar may have the edge as far as raw power is concerned, but Kane, who is responsible for two of those ‘Mania matches against his brother, knows it’s not going to be an easy task for Lesnar.
“Undertaker is the best at WrestleMania,” Kane said. “It’ll be a great match either way. Of course, it’ll be very physical match, a lot different from the other matches that night because of what Brock brings to the table. but remember that Undertaker himself is very versed in mixed martial arts.”
Main Event Winner
(Note: this interview took place when the announced title match was just Randy Orton vs. Dave Batista)
As always, one of the big questions about ‘Mania is who has the edge heading into the main event. As the two “future” members of Evolution, both Orton and Batista know each other very well. But who does Kane think will leave New Orleans as the WWE World Heavyweight title? “I think Randy definitely has the edge,” Kane said. “Dave is just coming back. Randy’s been out there against the top of the food chain every night.”
Batista does have the strength advantage, but with him still working off the ring rust, Kane believes Orton will be able to use that to his advantage. “Randy’s been able to win no matter what,” Kane said. “Even with the odds stacked against him. I don’t think his luck will run out. I think he’ll find a way to win there as well.”
Kane at WrestleMania XXX
As for Kane himself on the “Showcase of the Immortals,” it’s probably a fair guess that he will stick his nose in the Triple H versus Daniel Bryan bout, the one where Bryan gets into the WWE World Heavyweight title bout if he wins. As well, “The Big Red Machine” would fit well into the The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
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