From Tragedy to Triumph
Interview with KANE
We all know the story.
Kane lost his mother in a fire that also disfigured him - a fire
set by his own half-brother, Undertaker. After that loss and
devastation, Kane spent his childhood locked in a cold, dark
basement by his father, Paul Bearer.
As an adult, Kane came to the World Wrestling Federation, a
physically strong force, but easy prey for manipulators such as
the McMahons, Chyna, Tori, X-Pac, as well as his own flesh and
blood. A tortured soul scarred by those flames of yesteryear. A
man continually used and abused by those he let into his heart.
He was referred to as a monster and "retard."
Today having overcome the greatest of odds, Kane stands strong.
Once without a voice, Kane finally speaks. For the first time in
history, Kane talks to the World Wrestling Federation Magazine,
answering questions friends, foes and fans alike have been asking
for a long, long time.
Laura: For as long as
anyone can remember, you have been silent. What made you decide
to finally use your voice?
Kane: People thought that I
couldn't talk or comunicate. The simple truth is: I just never
felt that there was anything to say that my actions couldn't say
better. I finally realized that while actions speak louder than
words, people don't always "listen" to actions. They
may "hear," but you can't make them listen.
Laura: How much courage did it take for you to speak that first
time in front of millions of viewers?
Kane: My whole life has been filled
with pain and adversity. I have always done what needs to be done
to survive. Courage, if you want to call it that, has become
ingrained in me, through every step in my life. Speaking was just
another step.
Laura: Perhaps no other Federation Superstar has experienced as
much tragedy in his life as you have. From the abuse by your
father Paul Bearer, to the violent betrayal of your brother
Undertaker, to the multiple deceptions at the hands of Tori,
X-Pac, the McMahons and Chyna. Do you feel all of this has made
you a stronger person?
Kane: What doesn't kill you, only
makes you stronger...I ain't dead yet.
Laura: Of all those who have betrayed you, who do you harbor the
most resentment towards?
Kane: Of all the people you
mentioned, only two are related to me. The others had their
reasons. The McMahons justify all their actions by saying
"it's business, not personal." I can understand that.
In a way, X-Pac was also motivated by business. Maybe he felt
that he wasn't getting ahead by sticking with me. D-Generation X
had aligned itself with the McMahons and was making a serious
play for power. Same with Chyna. Even Tori probably felt that
way. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Ambition warps people,
makes them ruthless.
Laura: How do you feel about your father and brother?
Kane: The others you mentioned had
no blood bond with me, but my father and brother are a different
story. Their betrayal was, and remains, worse. It was worse
because it began long before my arrival here in the Federation.
It remains the worst because it is still going on. I can
understand my father's betrayal. He is not physically gifted, so
he felt that he had to use me to achieve his goals in the World
Wrestling Federation. And eventually, we made peace. Also, I feel
his betrayal was motivated by my brother.
Laura: How do you feel about your brother Undertaker?
Kane: Yes, my brother, the grand
manipulator. Perhaps of all people, I am the only one who truly
understands him. We had had our moments of reconciliation, but
these temporary alliances have always ended with me getting the
shaft. You can't trust him. From the time we were children, he
has always been out for himself, no one else. And he will take
whatever measures he feels are needed to eliminate any and all
threats - real or imagined. Together, the two of us would be
unstoppable; we would dominate the World Wrestling Federation. No
one, not even Vince McMahon, could stop us.
Unfortunately, my
brother couldn't live with that. He won't share power - or
anything else. Everything that has happened to me has been his
fault. From the fact that I wear a mask to the betrayals of
others. I worshipped him when I was a child, but now I see his
weaknesses - all of them. Maybe someday we will come to a total
reconciliation instead of uneasy, temporary alliances when we
both need them. But for now, I always stay behind him. That way
he can't stab me in the back.
Laura: Do you think you could ever trust another Federation
Superstar again?
Kane: I don't need to trust
anybody. I see people for their usefulness and certain purposes.
But I keep my eyes open.
Laura: What was your mother like?
Kane: She was beautiful. She loved
me. In her eyes, I could do no wrong. Perhaps that's the root of
my brother's problems, Undertaker thought she loved me more.
Laura: Were you in love with Tori? If so, could you ever love
another woman again?
Kane: I would have done anything
for Tori. In fact, I did do everything for her. Is that love? I
guess. Was it real? No. She surely opened my eyes. Just when you
think you know someone, you discover something different about
them. Sometimes it's good...sometimes it's not.
Laura: What do you want out of life?
Kane: What do we all want?
Happiness? Contentment? Power? Pleasure? Perfection? Or just
plain amusement? People spend their lives trying to answer these
questions and never can. I'm going to do whatever I want to make
myself happy. Whatever I want - and if no one likes it...that is
unfortunate for them.
Laura: Is getting the World Wrestling Federation Championship
your number-one aspiration?
Kane: Currently, yes.
Laura: Now that you're speaking - something none of us would've
ever thought possible - the next step is for the mask to come
off. Will you ever take it off and show the world who you are?
And who are you, Kane?
Kane: Let's start with what I'm
not. I am not the "Big Red Retard." I am not a freak I
am not the innocent, naive, child-like simpleton some people
think. Like everyone else here in the Federation, I have my own
agenda. But unlike most, I am capable of accomplishing it. And if
you don't know who I am, just wait - you'll find out.
By: Laura Bryson - WWF Magazine September 2000