KANE Interview on ByteThis! Friday, May 17th, 2002
Any time KANE is on any
particular show, I'm sure to be there to see and hear him. I was
particularly anticipatory toward THIS show, because it's the
first time in over five weeks that we've heard anything from the
Big Man himself. It was a deeply appreciated treat to hear him -
hear for ourselves the definite positive attitude he carries
through all of this. I'm telling you, he seemed much more relaxed
and at ease talking and inteacting in this interview.
4:38PM KANE!!!!!!
Kevin Kelly welcomes KANE to the show (- KANE sounds GREAT!!! He
actually sounded in GREAT spirits).
Kevin wastes no time getting to the heart of the question many
have been asking - What actually happened? KANE says he was in a
gym training, shoulder shrugging a little over 400 pounds, when
on the last couple of reps, he heard a sound "like you
stepped on a bag of potato chips . . ." (I didn't know KANE
even knew what potato chips were! LOL) and felt a sting in his
elbow. He apparently tore the long head of his biceps and had
surgery to repair it, performed by Dr. Andrews, noted orthopedic
surgeon in Birmingham, AL.
KANE credits Dr. Andrews, noting that he's probably the best in
sports medicine. Kevin indicates that KANE, even though feeling
nervous and in some pain, must have felt better knowing he was in
good hands. KANE avers the truth of that.
KANE goes on to say that now he feels that every day he's one day
closer to coming back - one day closer to walking through an
arena door, walking down the aisle and getting back into the
ring. Kevin says that's something everyone is waiting for,
because KANE was really setting the stage for remarkable
character growth just before the injury.
KANE agrees that we're definitely seeing new things out of him
and that the timing of the injury was unfortunate - but says
"We'll make the best of it."
Dr. Tom asks him about the Kanenites, and KANE give a little of
their history - says they've been around for about 3000 years or
so, but he just changed the spelling of it a little :D .
Kevin then asks KANE if he at any time since the injury thought
of "hanging it up". Immediately, with HEAVY emphasis,
KANE states "ABSOLUTELY not!" He tells us he's been
lucky - as this is the first injury he's had that had him down
for any significant period of time. He feels he's been fortunate
and way ahead of the game. As for hanging it up, that's
"still over the horizon" (YIPEEE!)
Asked his opinion of the Brand Extension, KANE says he thinks
it's a tremendous thing - more TV exposure for more individuals,
including young people (like he's THAT old!!!) we haven't
even heard of. He jokes that the company changed it's name while
he'd been gone only a couple of weeks - and laughs. (It feels
good to see/hear him laugh and in high spirits!!!)
Kevin broaches the issue of physical activity for KANE and where
or not he's begun to get 'stir-crazy'. (ROFLOL!!!) KANE replies
that he has started to work out on his left side, and eventually
will be at home training and eating like he wants, to come back
to us in better shape than he's ever been in. (I have NO idea how
one improves upon perfection - but if anyone COULD it would be
KANE!!!!) He says anyone who knows him, knows that's true . . .
and anyone that bets against it doesn't know what they're talking
about (YEAH! Tell'em KANE!)
Kevin turns the talk to the up coming Judgment Day PPV, the Hell
In The Cell match specifically, and asks for KANE perspective on
the Mick Foley/UT HITC match of 1998. KANE gives credit to that
match changing the course of not only Mick and 'Taker's careers,
but the entire industry.
Kevin agrees, and starts to wrap up the interview, telling KANE
we look forward to seeing him back really soon, then asking if
KANE has a timetable in mind. KANE ventures two months, maybe
three. Kevin says time can't go fast enough for all the Kanenites
who look forward to his return (WHAT an understatement!!! Ever
watch a starfish move three feet???) and thanks him for his time,
inviting him back to talk again soon. KANE bids Kevin and the Doc
adieu. 4:50PM
Audio Media credit: WWE ByteThis! in WMA format 56K or WMA format 300K.
I'd like to be able to thank KANE for caring enough about his
fans to take time and let us know what happened, how he's really
feeling, what his rehab looks like, and some time reference on
when we'll be seeing him again. I echo Kevin Kelly in
reiterating, his return won't be soon enough.