15 MORE Incredible WWE Ruthless Aggression Era Moments Nobody Ever Talks About
4. Mr. McMahon’s Intense Face To Face With Kane
That shot above was a pay-per-view poster waiting to happen, people.
Kane blasted charisma vacuum Linda McMahon with a Tombstone on the 21 July 2003 Raw. It was a stunning bit of business that made the unmasked 'Big Red Machine' look like the coldest character skulking around the place on WWE's watch. Exactly one week later, an incensed Vince wanted answers.
McMahon went nose to nose with the big monster as fans popped at the thought of him stepping foot into the ring for a proper match against Kane. That didn't happen - none of Vince's 57 matches were in a singles setting with Kane. So, this staredown is really the only teaser fans got for such a confrontation. Talk about a missed opportunity.
Vince's son Shane was the one who worked those matches instead. He had his testicles electrocuted (as you do), but ultimately sought vengeance on Kane for the way the big demon had treated his family. Sure, there were logic loopholes all over the place (few had tortured Linda as much as Vince over the years), but the audience was willing to ignore those just to bask in the magnificence of McMahon and Kane getting up close and personal as enemies.
Both wore expressions of sheer hatred whilst eyeballing the other. It's astonishing that WWE didn't pull the trigger on this, especially when putting Vince in marquee outings against top stars (both babyface and heel) was such a common trope during the 'Attitude' and 'Ruthless Aggression' eras.
This was a blockbuster match everyone missed out on.