‘On This Day’ is a commemorative article series dedicated to specific events, matches, and occurrences in wrestling history. We revisit those key moments and look back at how they went down and what they meant to the wrestling industry. WWE’s Big Red Machine, Kane, & the date May 19th is our focus.
Dates and numbers often carry with them reminders. For the WWE’s Big Reg Machine, Kane the date May 19th will forever live in infamy. As the weeks began to pass the sheer mention of the date May 19th often triggered an unrelenting attack by Kane. During his match with The Big Show, Kane could hear his voice echo out loud May 19th. He would respond by shouting out ‘they’re all going to know’, and ‘it’s happening’. As he feverishly clutched his ears, Kane wasn’t the same person. He was panic-stricken. With The Big Red Machine distracted by this, The Big Show took it upon himself to strike him with a steel chair.
While the date in itself is fictional, the results have brought about a reminder of Kane’s past. As the May 19th, 2006 edition of Smackdown had come upon us, Kane faced Rey Mysterio Jr. In facing Mysterio, Kane was facing a noted champion with a history of success. Although he was hand-chosen by JBL, this didn’t it would be an all but foregone conclusion that he would defeat Mysterio.
Kane and May 19th
When the voices could be heard once again, Kane chokeslammed both his opponent Mysterio and JBL. It wouldn’t be until the following week’s Raw where the date and what it meant became clearer. May 19th was the date his adopted mother and family died in a fire. The story of the tragedy continued on days and weeks after, the date took place. While the date held significance the story of its meaning carried on beyond this date. Ten days after the date had passed Kane was confronted by the ‘imposter’ Kane. While the match continued to take place, the imposter proceeded to chokeslam the Big Red Machine. The match itself was for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. These actions ultimately cost Kane his chance at the title.
As the weeks continued to pass, Kane and his ‘imposter’ continued to battle. Fans need to keep in mind the date’s significance has taken precedence over the actual date. At the WWE Vengence 2006 pay per view event, the imposter Kane defeated Kane. After a little more than a month after the date, Kane removed the imposter’s mask and threw him from the arena. The date’s meaning was significant but not for the reasons we had thought. It was also the release date of the WWE Studio’s film See No Evil.
We never really find out on-screen of the relationship the imposter Kane had with the actual Kane. Fans will likely not forget a date that will remind them publicity can be anything. It takes on all sorts of different shapes and sizes. For the WWE, May 19th was one families death and the release date of a film.
