Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense. Killer Khan used that philosophy to cut a
wide swath of carnage through WWE during the 1980s. And, as current WWE fans know well,
perhaps no one in the history of the sport has inflicted so much brutality and punishment
as Kane. Power vs. power, Pain begetting pain. A match between these two remorseless
monsters could be one of the most violent ever, one that fans couldn't help but watch
through pried fingers.
Killer Khan
Strengths:
Khan wasn't a tactician in the ring, but when you are able to manhandle most everyone in
your path with ease, applying the perfect wristlock isn't a key to victory. Khan pounds
on opponents from the opening bell with a dizzying array of karate chops, kicks, eye
gouges, and even a wide arsenal of nerve holds. He rarely gives opponents an opportunity
to breathe. Though a large man at 280 pounds in his prime, Khan is surprisingly agile on
his feet and could attack from a variety of angles, including off the top rope. But
perhaps Khan's strongest asset is his focus - all he wants to do is hurt people and will
go to any means to do so.
Weaknesses:
Again, Khan's scientific skills are almost non-existent, which means he's susceptible to
opponents with technical prowess. A mat-based approach often leaves Khan bewildered and
confused. His brutality serves him well more often than not, but it makes him one-dimensional
strategically. He's so used to dominating opponents that when he's not able to do so, he
can often become flustered.
Key Wins:
Khan's dominance in 1981 remains a piece of wrestling lore to this day. He claimed
victories over such greats as Pedro Morales, Curt Hennig, Tony Garea and Rene Goulet.
But his biggest victory wasn't actually a victory in the record books. On May 2, 1981 in
Rochester, New York, Khan leapt off the top rope onto Andre the Giant, which broke the
ankle of the Eighth Wonder of the World and sidelined him for most of the summer. His
brutality also nearly cost "Quick Draw" Rick McGraw his career several months later, as
the Mongolian monster snapped the young upstart's neck with a side suplex en route to
victory in a televised match in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Key Losses:
Khan's feud with Andre was the hottest story of 1981, but it ended badly for "Classy"
Freddie Blassie's charge, as Andre defeated him in their infamous Mongolian Stretcher
Match on Aug 24, 1981 at Madison Square Garden. That match haunted Khan as he subsequently
failed on several occasions to wrest the WWE Championship away from Bob Backlund. Khan
returned to WWE in 1987, but his attempts to win the sport's top prize were turned away
by champion Hulk Hogan.
Finishing Move:
After shattering Andre's ankle, Khan's finisher - a knee drop from the top rope - inspired
fear and dread. He was agile enough to scale the ropes and hit the move with only the
slightest opening, and when he did it, the match was almost always over.
Strategy:
Khan's main strength against Kane may be speed. He needs to use his agility to keep Kane
off balance. One of the sport's all-time best attackers, Khan should bring the fight to
Kane, but not be stationary when doing so. When he gets Kane down, he needs to pound him
relentlessly to set up his finisher. Khan doesn't match up well against the massive Kane
physically, but by keeping the match to a tempo of his liking; he can force Kane into
mistakes that could prove his undoing.
Kane
Strengths:
Just about everything. Arguably, no Superstar in WWE history possesses the offensive
arsenal of The Big Red Monster. He's equally comfortable crushing foes with power moves
as he is delivering his patented flying clothesline. His ability to shun pain is legendary;
as is the glee he takes in delivering it. In terms of offensive ability, he may be the
perfect Superstar.
Weaknesses:
Kane's loss to his half-brother, Undertaker, at WrestleMania XX illustrates Kane's
difficulty at times to concentrate and focus. If you can get into Kane's head, you may be
able to frustrate him. But the only Superstar to do that successfully is Undertaker, who,
in fairness, does that to most every other WWE Superstar as well.
Key Wins:
Kane is no stranger to big matches, nor is he one to wearing gold. He defeated Stone Cold
Steve Austin for the WWE Championship in a First Blood Match at King of the Ring in 1998.
He's also a two-time Intercontinental champ, defeating Triple H (2001) and Chris Jericho
(2002). Kane has also been co-holder of the World Tag Team titles on several occasions.
Key Losses:
Kane's reign as WWE champ lasted just one day, as Stone Cold regained the title on Raw 24
hours later. He also lost twice to Undertaker in mega-events - WrestleManias XIV and XX -
battles that, if anything, just made Kane even more sadistic in their aftermath.
Finishing Move:
Kane's chokeslam is as devastating a maneuver as has ever existed in WWE. If he grabs you
by the throat and drives you into the mat (if you're lucky), start planning how to spend
the loser's share of the purse.
Strategy:
When you are as dominant as Kane, you do what you do best - brutalize people - no matter
the opponent. Kane should go straight at Khan and brawl until Khan can give him a reason
to adjust his game plan. Khan has tasted power like Kane's against Andre and Hogan, but
not the swift, relentless manner in which Kane can administer it.
FINAL ANALYSIS
A brawl is probably not in Killer Khan's best interests, yet that's his primary strength. He has to be quick and decisive, but at the same time remain unorthodox. Kane is not used to dealing with opponents more eccentric than himself, which may cloud his judgment. Kane will not shy away from a fight, so this match may raise the bar for brutality. If Khan can cause Kane to question himself, he could possibly parlay that into victory, but his margin for error is small. If Kane focuses in on pure violence, it would likely result in a losing, painful trip back to Mongolia for Khan.