Nobody backstage seems to know why Kane beat Finn Bálor, either

The wrestling week is only a couple days old, and WWE has already provided a bunch of debate fodder. But one move that has most fans scratching their heads is the decision to have Kane post a relatively quick victory over Finn Bálor on the Oct. 23 episode of Raw.

Kane is clearly being groomed to put over Braun Strowman, as Big Show did before him. And the last time we saw the character, he was basically a mid-card gatekeeper-type, so it’s understandable he’d be booked to pick up some wins en route to the Strowman match.

But over Bálor? A guy who’d been winning a feud with recent WWE champion Bray Wyatt before the Eater of World went down to a viral infection, and who just pinned another top star in AJ Styles the night before at TLC? Finn is rumored to be getting a future shot at regaining the Universal title from Brock Lesnar. While that certainly could still happen, this didn’t seem like something you’d want to script on the way to it - especially with a locker room full of guys who could do the job.

According to Dave Meltzer’s sources, this booking left people backstage looking for answers, too. On last night’s Wrestling Observer Radio (subscription required but recommended), here’s what he said when discussing this match:

“I’ve asked around and like, I mean, people who always defend Vince [McMahon] have been, like, there’s no explanation. There’s no defense. He just whiffed.“

The positive thing, I guess, is that Meltzer’s sources belief the Chairman just screwed up might quiet folks who are worried this booking is a sign Vince didn’t like the moment AJ and Finn reportedly improvised after their match on Sunday.

But is deciding to elevate a 50 year old part-timer at the expense of a younger full-time performer better than being really petty?

Let me know if you figure it out. I’m just glad I’m not alone in thinking this made no sense at all.