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 The masked Kane in 2000 |
It's still no holds barred in the interview hot seat, as WWE star Kane talks about unmasking, future storylines and getting his hands on the other Great One.
Everybody wants to know...
Is life more difficult since you've unmasked? You must get recognised at airports all the time now...
"Yeah, people say that a lot. But before, I was still an
extremely large human being with extremely long hair walking through an
airport. Anyone who is a wrestling fan will pretty much put two and two
together on that one. I got recognised a lot anyway, but as far as my
in-ring stuff, I'm having a lot more fun now without the mask. Having my
face out there, being able to do things I wasn't able to do before. I'm
having a lot more fun now than I ever had before."
The in-ring is easier?
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"When I had the mask, I really had to work on trying to express my emotions solely through body movement, but now I don't have to do that as much. I can be more entertaining and I can be more entertained by myself now than I was before."
Will we ever see you don the mask again?
"I don't know. If so, it would have to be a very special occasion. But you know, never say never."
How far ahead do they plan out the Kane character's progression? I mean, do you know where you'll be six months down the road?
"I pretty much take it on a show-by-show basis. You never can tell. We talked before about the character's success, and how I'd hoped so but I couldn't predict that. It's the same thing. I do the best that I can and try not to worry about the future that much. If I can do my job today, the future will hopefully take care of itself."
Do you have a lot of input into the storylines, or is that all the work of the creative team?
"It's certainly a little bit of both. A lot of the original ideas
aren't mine, but then it's left up to me to flesh them out and make them work.
Everything looks good on paper, but the performers and the wrestlers are the
ones who have to make it come to life. It's a combination of both, it
really is."
What's it like working with Pete Rose?
"Pete is actually a consummate professional, and it's always been a joy to work with him. And it's funny, because that's become part of Wrestlemania legacy, and who'd have ever thunk it. Here I am, the guy that got to induct Pete Rose into our Hall of Fame. I guess ironically, my career has been somewhat tied to Pete Rose. I have a great deal of respect for the guy."
Finally, if Pete Rose isn't available to take a tombstone or choke slam next time around, what other sports star would you love to pummel?
"Let me think, oh. Just for your Canadian fans, I'd have to say Wayne Gretzky. That would be pretty cool."
Kane's unauthorised biography, Journey Into Darkness, is available at
bookstores everywhere. Kane's next PPV appearance will be at
WWE's New Years Revolution event in January.
RELATED LINK
TJ Madigan is a sports writer with the Calgary Sun. His unique
one-on-one sit-downs with WWE wrestlers can be read exclusively on SLAM!
Wrestling.