'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgX/2gAIAQEAAAAAlv8A/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA//aAAgBAhAAAAAv/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABP/aAAgBAxAAAABv/8QAIhAAAgECBQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgMFAREABAYhIgcSMVKj/9oACAEBAAE/ANFw0RqXIPihTm2tNISCmJqC1ide8dvB2DlS198F0KlL8YIWU96PDl9cf//EABgRAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAAMS/9oACAECAQE/AK107Az/xAAZEQACAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgADBBP/2gAIAQMBAT8A1Wc0QgT/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
At the Royal Rumble event, Brock Lesnar will be defending his WWE Universal Championship. As one of the big four pay-per-views, the Royal Rumble needs a Universal Title match that will go above and beyond expectations. Therefore, Brock Lesnar will need an accomplished dance partner that can deliver when the lights are shining the brightest. As of now, there’s only one man worthy of facing the Beast in Philly and that’s the big red monster, Kane.
The Devil’s favourite Demon has been on somewhat of a renaissance since returning to the WWE. He’s belittled Braun Strowman, cleanly disposed of Finn Balor and made us remember why he’s an all-time great. An all-time great that deserves a title opportunity in January.
Here’s why Kane should face Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble.
#5 Gives the Rumble match more star quality
The Rumble match for many is the most exciting match the WWE has to offer all year. Every January, fans eagerly speculate which superstars will enter the match and anticipate which legends will make their epic returns. However, anticipation doesn’t sell the match alone, it’s branded as important because of the opportunity it provides.
A chance at competing for a world title at Wrestlemania should be every superstar’s dream. That’s why it’s imperative all the main event stars excluding champions are in this match. There’s no point in having the likes of Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman competing for titles at the Royal Rumble, they need to be in the Rumble match itself, ensuring it has the relevant importance.
Kane competing for the title at the Rumble allows all the legitimate main eventers on RAW to enter the Rumble and make it a star-studded affair.
#4 Braun vs. Brock isn’t fresh
At No Mercy, the WWE gave us two Wrestlemania-worthy main events in John Cena vs. Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman vs. Brock Lesnar. One bout lived up to expectations, while the latter didn’t. But regardless of the execution, the fact remains, Braun vs. Brock isn’t the must-see, first time ever bout it was before October.
At No Mercy, the WWE basically hyped up a bout, built Braun Strowman into a monster and then had him lose to one F-5. It didn’t make sense and the WWE know that. That’s why they spent the majority of the Survivor Series main event building up the monster again. So, after all that, it’d be suicidal to have them throw away that momentum a second time at the hands of Brock Lesnar.
#3 Gives Brock a credible opponent before Wrestlemania
Whether we agree with it or not, the main event of Wrestlemania 34 will be Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship. Vince McMahon is hell-bent on getting the Samoan over to the wider public and a clean win over Brock Lesnar is one of, if not the best way to do so. In order to keep building Brock Lesnar up as the monster he needs to be before Wrestlemania, he needs a credible opponent to beat at the Rumble to give him more legitimacy.
On the same night, Roman Reigns wins the Rumble match, Brock Lesnar and Kane need to put on a beastly physical encounter. An encounter so physical that it makes us look at the Beast in an even more awe-inspiring manner.
#2 To avenge the Undertaker
From a kayfabe standpoint, this match has the context to be a classic. As of today, Brock Lesnar, not Roman Reigns, is the reason why the Undertaker isn’t the force he once was. The Beast slew the Undertaker at Wrestlemania 30 by breaking the streak, thus dismantling the Phenom’s legendary aura. Since then, Taker has gradually faded away into irrelevance but now it’s time for his hell-bent younger brother to kayfabe-wise, avenge him.
The fact the Undertaker will be appearing at RAW’S 25th anniversary, the last RAW before the Rumble, gives the WWE a chance to further build on this solid storyline. This bout already has a credible narrative to go with it, a narrative that’s worthy of a pay-per-view of the calibre of the Royal Rumble.
#1 Kane vs. Brock Lesnar is a first-time ever
Surprisingly enough, these two WWE legends have competed alongside each other for over two decades, but never actually faced each other on a pay-per-view or TV. The only ever time these two had a one on one bout was a live event all the way back in 2002, apart from that, the two haven’t done battle on WWE television. At the Royal Rumble that monumental mistake must be corrected.
In an age where WWE TV ratings are down, and WWE Network subscription isn’t growing exponentially, the WWE need as many fresh match-ups as they can get. Kane and Lesnar aren't particularly fresh faces, but seeing the two lock up in a title match would certainly be something new for us to absorb and enjoy.
