Kane: Why His WWE Return Signals the Eventual Return of The Undertaker

After weeks upon weeks of speculation, it finally happened: Kane returned to the WWE on this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw, and he did so with his mask on. 

The Big Red Monster did it in epic fashion, too. 

During the main event match between John Cena and Mark Henry, Kane’s old music hit and he walked out into the arena, donning a new outfit and not one, but two new masks. As he made his way to the ring, the crowd sat there in awe, waiting to see what would happen next. 

Given that Henry was the one who injured Kane and put him on the sidelines way back in July, many fans expected to see Kane destroy Henry. But no, instead Kane grabbed Cena by the throat and destroyed him with a thunderous chokeslam. 

Kane’s return has sent shockwaves throughout the WWE. The Big Red Monster left the company this summer as a baby face on Smackdown, but appears to be returning as a heel on Raw. Obviously, it looks like Kane is headed for an immediate feud with Cena, but I think his return actually signals the return of another absent star.  

I’m talking, of course, about The Undertaker. 

At least on the surface, it doesn’t appear as if Kane and Undertaker will cross paths anytime soon. With the way Triple H mentioned Taker during his return promo on Monday’s Raw, many are expecting those two to face off at Wrestlemania again. And given that Taker is probably only going to have one feud between now and Wrestlemania, it doesn’t seem like another rivalry with Kane is in his future. 

However, I see things a different way. 

I just find it hard to believe that it would be a coincidence for Kane to return to the WWE—as a masked heel, I might add—right around the time that rumors started popping up about The Undertaker coming back to the company as well. We all know that Undertaker is coming back as a baby face and given that Kane just came back as a heel, the stars are already aligning for these two to meet in the near future. 

After all, it would make perfect sense to see these storyline brothers feud for what seems like the 83^rd time. 

It’s no secret that both Kane and Undertaker are nearing the ends of their storied careers. The Undertaker works as a part-timer who generally only comes around during Wrestlemania season and his undefeated streak at the pay-per-view currently sits at 19-0. 

Call me crazy, but I think it would be almost too easy for the WWE to book a storyline where The Undertaker tries to extend his record to 20-0 against his brother Kane, who he has already defeated twice at the pay-per-view.

The first time that Kane faced The Undertaker at Wrestlemania (Wrestlemania 14) he was masked Kane, the unstoppable monster who was one of the most feared superstars in all of the WWE. But the second time the two brothers squared off at the granddaddy of them all (Wrestlemania XX), Kane was the unmasked, boring Kane that lost most of the mystique of his character. 

So, they say that all stories have a beginning, middle and end, right? 

Well, we’re about to witness the end of the 15-year long saga between Kane and The Undertaker. 

Kane now has his mask on for the first time since 2003, looking like the true freak that debuted against Taker at Badd Blood: In Your House and made him so popular to begin with. Along with that mask comes a renewed energy, a fresh character and a great storyline as well: The final chapter of Kane vs. The Undertaker. 

After all, we must keep in mind that Kane and Taker feuded just over a year ago and the last match between the two—a Buried Alive match at Bragging Rights—ended with Kane burying his brother alive to retain his World Heavyweight Championship. 

Masked Kane has been “resurrected” since then and I don’t think that term was used by accident. Kane has risen from the dead and The Undertaker will, too. 

It’s just too perfect of a setup: Kane returns, The Undertaker comes back as well and then Taker puts his streak on the line against Kane at Wrestlemania 28. 

That’s the only fitting way for Kane vs. Undertaker to end once and for all.