10 Rare Awesome WWE Surprises
8. That's Gotta Be Kane!
In one of the all-time great WWE storylines, even to those adverse to the supernatural leanings of professional wrestling, Paul Bearer for months alluded to a terrifying, vengeful presence set to wreak havoc on the Undertaker: his brother, Kane, long thought dead in a harrowing childhood tragedy.
Bearer's hammy delivery was the perfect vehicle with which to herald this scenario; warbling, intense, wild-eyed and distinctly southern, his Mobile, Alabama tongue echoed that of a hysterical preacher warning of the end. Kane was over as an unyielding force well before he debuted, and of course, the exact site of his debut was never specified. This had to feel uncertain to reflect 'Taker's fear.
Kane debuted, at long last, at In Your House: Badd Blood.
With Shawn Michaels beat - to something beyond a grotesque pulp, in that classic war - the lights went down. The subtle reaction was inspired; Vince McMahon on commentary didn't overstate things; he said "wait a minute", intentionally off-mic, to create the illusion of a real disturbance.
Then, the church organ blared out, which is when McMahon went into iconic over-sell over-drive. "That's gotta be - that's gotta be Kane!" he roared, as this masked terror stalked the ring and ripped the Cell door off its hinges.
God, this promotion was once so awesome: they created an equal to the Undertaker within seconds of his first material sighting.