Professional wrestling is an industry that blurs the line between fact and fiction like a few others, and one of the more interesting stories in the history of WWE centres around “Imposter” Kane. Debuting to fans in 2006, this wrestler was created to be a carbon copy of the real Kane, the Big Red Machine of WWE. Fans were awestruck and bewildered seeing two Kanes standing eyeball to eyeball in the ring. The narrative dabbled in the concept of identity, legacy and psychological warfare, with the angle proving to be one of the most memorable — albeit brief — angles in WWE history. But who was the man behind the mask, and what happened to Imposter Kane?
The Origins of the Imposter Kane Storyline
The Imposter Kane story arc began in 2006 on WWE’s Monday Night Raw, shocking fans and shifting current feuds. The concept was to create a character modelled after the original Kane but with a slightly more psychotic and retro look, being that of a classic red and black bodysuit and mask. The tale certainly played on nostalgia for the early days of Kane but also helped contribute to the mystery in the air surrounding who exactly this imposter was. Imposter Kane was made to look nearly supernatural and scary by WWE through all their cryptic backstage spots and dramatic entrances. The aim was to sow doubt in the minds of the public over how strong and in control of his dark past the real Kane was.
The Man Behind the Mask: Who Played Imposter Kane?
Although a lot of fans had a wide range of theories about who might be underneath the mask of Imposter Kane, the man behind the persona was eventually revealed to be Drew Hankinson, who would later go on to find success in WWE as Luke Gallows and a member of the Bullet Club in NJPW. At the time, Hankinson was just this young, unestablished guy, but his size and look, plus his in-ring style, made him a very believable stand-in for Glenn Jacobs, the actual Kane. WWE applied clever lighting, attire and camera angles to help sell the illusion. ‘While Hankinson had done a great job of replicating Kane’s appearance and mannerisms, it was always going to be tough to step into the shoes of a character so loved, as the original Kane had come to be by 2006.
The Feud Between Kane and Imposter Kane
The animosity between Kane and his imposter was intense and dramatic, as well as psychologically disturbing. WWE really went all in on the idea of Kane being haunted by his past—both literally and figuratively. The Imposter Kane would show up at random times, assault the real Kane and then disappear in the blink of an eye. This created the narrative that Kane was losing it, both mentally and physically. Imposter Kane won a clean victory over Kane at the Vengeance 2006 pay-per-view. The narrative indicated that Kane’s worst fears were being realized in this dark twin, who was bigger, stronger and a lot more ruthless.
Abrupt Ending: Why the Angle Was Dropped
All the interest and intrigue behind Imposter Kane, though, was shockingly killed off only weeks after it debuted. The details regarding why he was taken off TV were never officially announced, but we’ve heard that Vince McMahon was unhappy with how the angle played out on TV. Creative had been shallow, but most fans thought the feud hadn’t had time to grow fully. As one of WWE’s many about-faces, the real Kane unmasked the imposter Kane and beat the s–t out of him, tumbling the imposter out of the arena — both literally and figuratively putting an end to the story. The character was never referred to again which only created more questions than answers.
Legacy and Fan Reactions to Imposter Kane
The Imposter Kane storyline was short lived, but it is something WWE fans do not forget. While some thought it was an experiment gone wrong, others liked the emotional depth it tried to uncover. In the years since, it has kept a common presence among wrestling fans and podcasts, mostly because it spotlighted WWE’s propensity to take creative chances — even when they don’t work out. For Drew Hankinson, this character served as a stepping stone that eventually saw him transform into a far better-received character later on. The storyline was another dark layer to an already complex and storied character arc in WWE history for Glenn Jacobs, the man behind the mask of Kane.
Conclusion: A Forgotten Chapter in WWE Lore
The Imposter Kane storyline may have been short but it was a bold manoeuvre for WWE, attempting to further explore the mythos of one of its most cryptic personas. It explored topics like inner demons, identity crisis, and the haunting of one’s past. Though the storyline possibly could have been far better, it was a compound memory through Kane’s long and illustrious career. And fans continue to look back on the feud in retrospectives as a testing ground for WWE’s storyline innovation. In wrestling, even the most fleeting of characters can carve out a legacy — and Imposter Kane is proof of that.
FAQs About Imposter Kane
Which wrestler portrayed Imposter Kane?
Imposter Kane was played by Drew Hankinson, who is currently performing as Luke Gallows in WWE and NJPW.
In what era was the whole Imposter Kane angle?
The angle ran in 2006 and reached its climax at the Vengeance pay-per-view.
Imposter Kane did beat the original Kane?
Yes – imposter Kane actually defeated the real Kane at WWE Vengeance 2006.
What happened to this plotline?
Never officially confirmed. It’s apparently due to poor fan reaction and WWE management disapproval.
Does Imposter Kane count in WWE history?
Nah, it’s in WWE’s official TV history of the promotion, but I think most people look at it as a forgotten or minor part of Kane’s career.
