15 Ups & 13 Downs For WWE In 2017

11. Kane In General

Kane WWE Raw
WWE

The year's worst WWE return came on October 16th, when Kane interrupted a Steel Cage match between Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns, shoehorning himself into TLC's crowded main event in the process. It was an eyeroll-worthy moment in itself, but things got worse. Much worse.

Full-timers Finn Balor and Seth Rollins both ate clean losses. The latter's burial wasn't repeated, but the former was made to absorb another beatdown a few weeks later. At TLC, 'The Big Red Machine' moved into a feud with WWE's latest unstoppable force, Braun Strowman, but has only succeeded in halting his new foe's considerable upward momentum. Now, it looks very much like Kane will compete as part of a Triple Threat for the Universal Championship at the 2018 Royal Rumble, at least a decade removed from his athletic peak.

Old, out of shape, and well beyond his sell-by date, Kane now resembles a sad old parody of his former self. He's one of the best monster characters of all time, but everything about him is shot to pieces in 2017, and there's little value in having him around anymore - particularly in such a prominent role.

Advertisement
Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.