Kane Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / September 7, 2024
Kane Then
Glenn Thomas Jacobs, widely known in the wrestling world as Kane was born on April 26, 1967, in Torrejón de Ardoz, Spain.
His early life was shaped by his family’s connections with the U.S. Air Force, which often led to relocations.
The Jacobs family eventually settled near St. Louis, Missouri, where Kane spent much of his formative years.
This period in Missouri provided a stable environment for Jacobs during his high school years in Bowling Green, a small town where he began to cultivate his interests and athletic abilities.
After completing high school, Jacobs pursued higher education at Northeast Missouri State University, now known as Truman State University. There, he earned a degree in English Literature.
His academic background in English literature, combined with his passion for sports and physical fitness, laid the groundwork for his later career in professional wrestling.
Jacobs’ educational journey provided him with a unique blend of intellectual and physical skills, which he would later channel into his iconic wrestling persona and performance career.
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Kane Wrestling Career
Glenn Thomas Jacobs, known in the wrestling world as Kane, began his professional wrestling career in 1992 on the independent circuit.
Initially wrestling under the name Angus King, Jacobs competed in Missouri’s Central States Wrestling Association.
His early career also saw him take on the role of an evil Christmas character in the Tennessee-based United States Wrestling Association.
In 1993, Jacobs made a brief appearance with World Championship Wrestling as Bruiser Mastino before relocating to Tampa, Florida, where he wrestled as Sid Powers with the International Championship Wrestling Alliance.
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He continued to build his career by wrestling under different names, including Doomsday in the USWA, and later in Japan with Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi.
Jacobs’ career expanded further in early 1995 when he joined Smoky Mountain Wrestling (SMW) under the ring name Unabomb.
Partnering with Al Snow as the Dynamic Duo, they captured the SMW Tag Team Championship by defeating the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express.
They held the title until July of the same year when they lost it to the Thugs.
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Jacobs made his final appearance with SMW at the Fire on the Mountain event in September before transitioning to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
In the WWF, Jacobs initially appeared as Mike Unabomb, defeating Reno Riggins in a dark match.
He then adopted the persona of Isaac Yankem, DDS, and later became Diesel in a tag team with Rick Bognar, who portrayed Razor Ramon.
However, it was in 1997 that Jacobs introduced his most iconic character, Kane—a monstrous, fire-themed wrestler and the younger half-brother of the Undertaker.
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This character quickly became a central figure in WWE storylines, with Kane engaging in a fierce feud with the Undertaker, which culminated in a dramatic victory for Kane on “Raw is War.”
Kane’s rise continued as he won the WWF Championship by defeating Stone Cold Steve Austin at King of the Ring, though he lost the title the next night.
In 1998, Kane formed a tag team with Mankind, securing two WWF Tag Team Championships.
His character then evolved to form alliances with both Mankind and the Undertaker, resulting in the creation of the Brothers of Destruction.
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This partnership led to additional tag team championships and notable feuds with teams such as Edge and Christian, Rikishi and Haku, and the Two-Man Power Trip.
Kane’s achievements also included defeating Triple H for the Intercontinental Championship and later winning both the WWF and WCW Tag Team Championships.
As the WWF transitioned into WWE in 2002, Kane joined the “Raw” brand and continued to thrive.
He won the WWE Tag Team Championship with the Hurricane and engaged in a feud with Triple H. Later, partnering with Rob Van Dam, he claimed another World Tag Team Championship.
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In 2004, Kane’s storyline included a turbulent romance with Lita, and he continued to feud with various wrestlers, including Edge and Umaga.
His notable achievements during this period included winning the ECW Championship and later the World Heavyweight Championship in 2010, making him the first wrestler to hold the WWE, ECW, and World Heavyweight Championships.
Kane’s later career saw him team up with Daniel Bryan in 2012 and reuniting with the Undertaker as the Brothers of Destruction.
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His accomplishments included a return to “Raw” in 2019, where he won the 24/7 Championship. A few years later, Kane was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Outside of wrestling, Kane has made a mark in film, starring in WWE Studios’ “See No Evil” and its sequel, as well as appearing in “MacGruber” and “Countdown.”
He has also been featured in nearly every licensed WWF/WWE video game since 1998’s “WWF War Zone,” cementing his legacy in the world of professional wrestling and entertainment.
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Kane Wrestling Competition
- Central States Wrestling Association (CSWA)
- United States Wrestling Association (USWA)
- World Championship Wrestling (WCW)
- International Championship Wrestling Alliance (ICWA)
- Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi (PWFG)
- Tri-State Wrestling
- Championship Wrestling
- World Wrestling Council (WWC)
- Catch Wrestling Association (CWA)
- Smoky Mountain Wrestling (SMW)
- World Wrestling Federation (WWF)
- World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
- Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)
Kane’s Wife and Children
In 1995, Glenn Thomas Jacobs, known professionally as Kane married Crystal Goins.
This union brought not only a new chapter in Jacobs’ personal life but also introduced him to a new family dynamic, as he became the stepfather to Goins’ children, Arista and Devan.
Jacobs and Goins have built a life together beyond the wrestling ring, with a shared focus on business and family life.
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In addition to their personal commitments, Jacobs and Goins have successfully ventured into the business world. They own an Allstate insurance agency based in Knoxville, Tennessee.
This business venture represents a significant aspect of Jacobs’ life outside of wrestling, showcasing his ability to apply his skills and work ethic to different fields.
The insurance agency not only provides financial security for their clients but also reflects the couple’s dedication to their community and their entrepreneurial spirit.
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Kane Now
At 57 years old, Glenn Thomas Jacobs, widely known as Kane, is a prominent figure in both professional wrestling and politics.
After joining WWE in 1995, Jacobs carved out an illustrious career as a professional wrestler, becoming one of the most iconic and enduring characters in the industry.
His contributions and impact on wrestling were formally recognized in 2021 when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, a testament to his significant achievements and lasting legacy in the sport.
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In addition to his wrestling career, Jacobs has made a notable transition into politics.
In 2017, he announced his candidacy for the position of mayor of Knox County, Tennessee.
His campaign resonated with voters, leading him to secure victory in the Republican primary and subsequently in the general election held in 2018.
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His initial term as mayor allowed him to focus on local governance and community issues, and his efforts were rewarded with re-election in 2022.
Jacobs’ dual roles as a successful professional wrestler and an elected official highlight his versatility and commitment to serving both his community and his fans.
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Kane Net Worth
Kane, known in real life as Glenn Jacobs, has accumulated a net worth of $7 million through his extensive career as a professional wrestler in WWE.
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FAQs
No, Undertaker (Mark Calaway) and Kane (Glenn Jacobs) are not actual brothers. They are fictional half-brothers in WWE storylines, with Kane being introduced as the Undertaker’s younger brother in a dramatic feud.
Kane has won a total of 22 championships in WWE, including the WWE Championship, World Heavyweight Championship, ECW Championship, and multiple tag team titles.
Kane has not officially retired from wrestling, but he has significantly reduced his in-ring appearances. His last notable match was in 2021.
Kane’s wrestling persona is that of a monstrous and fire-themed character, introduced as the Undertaker’s vengeful half-brother with a dark backstory involving their family’s tragic past.
Beyond wrestling, Kane (Glenn Jacobs) is serving as the mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, a role he has held since 2018. He also continues to make occasional appearances in WWE.
Kane has had a storied career in WWE with multiple title wins, memorable feuds, and character evolutions. He transitioned to a more part-time role as he focused on his political career.
Kane has not officially quit WWE but has reduced his full-time appearances. He made his last major appearance in the ring in 2021, and his involvement has been more sporadic since then.