The Hook: A Casket Full of Nonsense
Let’s get this straight: Kane vs. Rey Mysterio at SummerSlam 2010 was supposed to be a red-hot, personal blood feud. Instead, it was a lukewarm bowl of WWE’s leftover storylines, reheated and served with a side of “Wait, what?” The match itself? A 13-minute snoozefest where Kane squashed Rey like a bug, and the only thing more predictable than the outcome was the post-match “twist” that felt like it was pulled from a 1998 WCW script.
But here’s the kicker: this wasn’t just a bad match—it was a symptom of WWE’s creative bankruptcy. The Undertaker, the franchise’s most iconic character, was written off TV in the dumbest way possible. Rey Mysterio, a fan favorite and one of the most electric performers in WWE history, was reduced to a punching bag for Kane’s midlife crisis. And Kane? Well, he was just Kane—big, red, and about as compelling as a wet cardboard box.
So, how did we get here? And why does this match still sting like a botched 619?
The Build: A Mystery So Thin, You Could See Through It
The Undertaker’s “Vegetative State” (AKA: WWE’s Lazy Writing 101)
The story starts with The Undertaker getting “mysteriously attacked” and put into a vegetative state. Sounds dramatic, right? Except the attack was so poorly explained, it might as well have been done by a rogue WWE writer with a grudge. The Undertaker’s injuries—broken orbital bone, broken nose, concussion—were real, sustained in a match with Rey Mysterio. But instead of using this as a chance to build a gripping whodunit, WWE turned it into a farce.
Kane, playing the role of angry older brother, vowed to find the culprit. His list of suspects? CM Punk, Jack Swagger, Big Show, and—wait for it—Rey Mysterio. Because nothing says “logical suspect” like a 5’6″ high-flyer who weighs less than Kane’s left leg.
The Accusation: Rey Mysterio, Mastermind of Mayhem?
Kane’s accusation of Rey was so laughably weak, it’s a miracle anyone took it seriously. Rey, the guy who embodies lucha libre honor, was suddenly supposed to be a backstabbing heel? The same Rey who spent years fighting giants and inspiring underdogs? Give me a break.
But WWE doubled down. Kane won the World Heavyweight Championship by cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Rey—because of course he did. This set up the SummerSlam match, where Rey would get his chance to clear his name and win back the title.
Spoiler alert: He didn’t.
The Match: A Clash of Styles (If You Call “One-Sided” a Style)
The Little Man vs. The Big Red Machine (Again)
On paper, Rey Mysterio vs. Kane should’ve been gold. Rey, the ultimate underdog, taking on Kane, the monster who’s been around since the Attitude Era. It’s a classic David vs. Goliath story—except David forgot to bring his sling.
Kane dominated the match. And not in a “holy shit, Kane’s a killer” way—more like a “why is Rey even here?” way. Kane used his size and power to control the match, hitting bearhugs, backbreakers, and sidewalk slams like he was phoning it in from 2003. Rey got in a few hope spots—a hurricanrana, a 619—but Kane shut him down every time.
The finish? A one-handed Chokeslam. No drama. No near-falls. Just Kane winning clean, because apparently, Rey Mysterio was never supposed to stand a chance.
The Crowd: Dead Silent (Just Like the Match)
The Staples Center crowd—usually a hotbed of energy—was asleep. Why? Because the match was predictable, plodding, and lacked any real tension. This wasn’t a world title match; it was a squash match with a belt on the line.
And the worst part? It didn’t need to be this way. Rey Mysterio has had classics with bigger opponents—Eddie Guerrero, Batista, even The Big Show. But here? He was just another victim of Kane’s mid-card purgatory.
The Post-Match: A Twist So Telegraphed, You Could See It from Space
The Casket Spot: Because Why Not? Not Like We’ve Seen This Before (see above)
After the match, Kane—ever the theatrical villain—decided to stuff Rey into a casket. Because nothing says “I’m a credible champion” like trying to bury your opponent alive.
But oh, what’s this? The casket isn’t empty! Inside? The Undertaker, sitting up like a zombie in a bad horror movie.
The “Reveal”: Kane Did It (Shocking, Right?)
Taker confronts Rey, who pleads his innocence. And then, the big reveal: “I believe you.” Cue the gasps—except no one gasped, because we all saw this coming from a mile away.
Kane, the real attacker, then overpowers a weakened Undertaker and hits him with a Tombstone Piledriver. Because nothing says “I’m a monster” like beating up your injured brother.
The Aftermath: A Feud Rehashed
This set up Kane vs. Undertaker (Again), a rivalry we’d already seen seven years earlier at WrestleMania XX. Because WWE ran out of ideas, they decided to recycle an old one.
And Rey? He was forgotten faster than a New Year’s resolution.
The Bigger Picture: WWE’s Creative Crisis in 2010
A Company Running on Fumes
2010 was a rough year for WWE. The PG Era was in full swing, neutering the edge that made WWE must-see TV. John Cena was the face of the company, but his superhero act was wearing thin. Randy Orton was stuck in endless rematches. And The Undertaker, WWE’s most mysterious and compelling character, was sidelined by a storyline so lazy, it insulted the fans’ intelligence.
The Misuse of Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio was one of the most over stars in WWE history. His 2006 Royal Rumble win and World Title reign were electric. But by 2010, WWE had no idea what to do with him. They fed him to Kane, a guy who—let’s be honest—was past his prime and lacking direction.
Kane: The Big Red Question Mark
Kane’s 2010 run was a microcosm of WWE’s problems. He was pushed as a monster, but his matches were boring. His promos were repetitive. And his feud with Undertaker was a retread of something we’d seen before.
The Verdict: A Match That Should’ve Stayed Buried
Kane vs. Rey Mysterio at SummerSlam 2010 wasn’t just a bad match—it was a symptom of WWE’s creative rot. The storyline was weak, the match was one-sided, and the post-match twist was predictable.
But here’s the real tragedy: Rey Mysterio deserved better. The fans deserved better. And The Undertaker deserved better than to be written off TV in a vegetative state, only to return as a plot device.
So, what’s the final score?
- Match Quality: ⭐½ (Out of 5)
- Storytelling: ⭐ (Because the only twist was that there was no twist)
- Long-Term Impact: ⭐ (It set up a feud we’d already seen, and Rey was left in the dust)
Final Thought: If this match was a casket, WWE should’ve nailed it shut and buried it for good.
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