Friday, June 29, 2007

A big red monstrous flashback for MVP

By Bryan Robinson
Written: June 29, 2007

SAN ANTONIO – MVP couldn’t help but start – ahem – ballin’ after getting slam-dunked by Kane on SmackDown this Friday night.

“Man, I thought I was rid of that Big Red Monster,” the United States Champion said, holding his lower back. “No matter what I do – no matter who’s in charge, whether it’s that hater Teddy Long or now Vickie Guerrero – somebody is throwing Kane in my way. I’m telling you, it’s a conspiracy, man.”

Unfortunately for MVP, he may have to see more of Kane, especially since the Big Red Machine pinned his shoulders 1-2-3 in a non-title match on SmackDown. The U.S. Champion solidified his hold on the gold when he defeated the legendary “Nature Boy” Ric Flair at Vengeance: Night of Champions but will he be forced to face the man he fears most, Kane, with the championship on the line?

Time will tell on that question. But MVP must have been having flashbacks of all his wars with Kane last year, especially the Inferno Match where he was scorched by the monster, when the former WWE Champion stood across the ring from him on SmackDown. Gone was Montel Vontavious Porter’s swagger; his sunglasses were off and small beads of sweat trickled from his corn-rolled hairline. He did not want battle the man who put him out of action late last year and early this year.

MVP admitted he still has nightmares about getting burned by Kane. He said he can still hear Kane cackling while his flesh burned and bubbled at Armageddon last December.

“I’ll never forget that,” he said. “As long as I live, I’ll never forget hearing that big red freak laughing while I was choking on those fire extinguisher fumes. He tried to end my career – what do I have to do to stop getting matches with his guy?”

Though MVP hates battling Kane, he has a very successful track record against Undertaker’s younger brother. He survived Street Fight Matches, Cage Matches and other wars across the globe, showing the world that he was more than bling and had plenty of sting.

Still, MVP may be facing a more determined, focused Kane who feels like he has something to prove. Though he has been WWE’s resident monster for a decade, at One Night Stand, Kane was forced to pass out at the hands of a Mark Henry bear hug.

Kane wasn’t seen for weeks until he showed up at SmackDown this Friday. SmackDown locker room sources close to Kane say he’s more focused than ever and determined to reassert his dominance in WWE. One source said he saw the one-time WWE Champion and former multiple-time World Tag Team Champion after SmackDown outside the AT&T Center in San Antonio, burning pictures of MVP holding the U.S. Championship. He was apparently laughing as the pictures crumbled into ashes.

A focused, yet utterly sadistic Kane? MVP’s U.S. Championship may be in real danger. When informed about Kane’s activities, MVP’s eyes bulged behind his shades. He only backed up and clutched his U.S. Championship, massaging the nameplate that bore his initials.

“You can try to freak me out all you want. You can try to diss me all you want,” MVP said. “But if I have to face that big red freak again, fine. He’s just going to be the latest one left ballin’.”

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Monday, June 4, 2007

Hungry for respect

By Zack Zeigler
Written: June 3, 2007


Mark Henry and Kane will settle their differences in a Lumberjack Match at One Night Stand.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — One Night Stand’s Lumberjack Match could prove to be the most barbaric hand-to-hand combat match on the Extreme Rules card. With Mark Henry and Kane, two of WWE’s most powerful and volatile Superstars looking to establish dominance in the SmackDown kingdom, both men realize exactly what is at stake – respect.

“Being who I am, I’m always a target anyway,” said Kane. “Anyone who wants to make a name for themselves are usually going to go after me. But, I’ve got to tell you, Mark, you have no idea what you’re getting into.”

But the World’s Strongest Man claims he knows exactly what he’s doing. His unexpected return to SmackDown when he pummeled Undertaker after The Deadman’s bloody, grueling Steel Cage Match with Batista, made it abundantly clear that he was back. And according to the former Olympian, the Big Red Monster is the first in line of many beatings to come.

“The reality is that Kane follows behind me, just like everyone else around here does,” growled Henry. “There is nothing that is going to keep me from winning this Lumberjack Match at One Night Stand. I’m the man in WWE, and everything and everyone else follows suit.”

The Big Red Monster remembers what Henry did to Undertaker at WrestleMania 22, when he took his brother to the physical limit in their Casket Match. Now, after the callous ambush on SmackDown, he plans to rely on strategy instead of brute strength as his tactic for revenge.

“I’m sure I’ll have a few tricks up my sleeve,” said Kane with a devious smile. “I’m not going to be able to overpower him like I can most people, but I don’t think anyone can.”

As much punishment that will occur in the ring when these two goliaths lock horns, getting pushed outside the ring could subject them to even more brutality. Avoiding being blasted by the Lumberjacks that line the outside of the ring is crucial to sustaining the amount energy it will take to win the match.

The Lumberjacks ensure that neither Superstar will have a place to run beyond the four corners of the ring. Does that give either man an advantage in the match?

“It all evens out,” said Kane. “Just like I won’t have anywhere to run, neither will he. As I said, he doesn’t know what he’s getting into. I think he bit off more than he can chew this time.”

With his reemergence from injury, and the subsequent need to prove those wrong who have claimed Mark Henry has been a colossal underachiever, the World’s Strongest Man has a goal to achieve, and going through the Big Red Monster is a bona fide route to achieving it.

On Sunday at One Night Stand, only one Superstar in this battle of the titans can emerge victorious. Will Kane avenge his brother’s beating, or will Henry keep the pendulum of momentum swinging in his favor?

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Large Differences



SmackDown! Preview:
Kane vs. Mark Henry (Lumberjack Match)
June 3, 2007

The World’s Strongest Man Mark Henry and Kane certainly could blame each other for not winning the No. 1 contender's Fatal Four Way Match which would have given either a chance at the World Heavyweight Championship. Both men assaulted each other throughout the match, and neither came away with the victory. Now, Henry and the Big Red Monster will brawl at One Night Stand, looking to settle their differences.

In a precursor on SmackDown between the two, Kane was counted out after a ferocious bearhug into the steel post from Henry. So, in the hopes of keeping these two behemoths from tearing down the entire arena, the match has been made a Lumberjack Match – an idea from SmackDown’s new Assistant General Manager Vickie Guerrero. With the ring surrounded by other Superstars, there is sure to be a clear-cut winner in this matter of unfinished business between two of WWE’s most dangerous competitors.

Will Kane find a way to show that the kingdom is not a one man jungle? Or will Mark Henry continue on the path of destruction he has vowed to follow since his return?

Kane: 10 Years of Big Red Destruction
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