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The Foley Files - January 1, 2010

The Foley Files - January 1, 2010

Posted: Jan 12th 2010 By: mikeiles

Here we are - an old year ends, a new year begins, and a new chapter in the history of TNA is about to be written. I think this Monday's live ?iMPACT!" has all of us excited, and I am looking forward to a great show, which will hopefully be looked back on as a landmark event for TNA. This live Monday show is a pretty gutsy move; personally, it's not a move I would have made. But great gains are never made without a willingness to take risks, and the truth is, if wresting companies were to rise or fall according to the risks I would have been personally in favor of, there would be no wrestling business as we know it today.

I remember talking to Jerry Jarrett on the phone many years ago, when the concept of TNA as a weekly pay-per-view entity was not even publicly known. Despite what I may have said on a couple of our ?iMPACT!? shows last spring, I had always liked Jerry Jarrett, and appreciated the break he gave me in Memphis in 1988 - my first full-time wrestling job. Maybe I didn't enjoy my time in the Memphis territory all that much - a subject I covered in 1999"s "Have a Nice Day" - but I learned a lot, and was always grateful for the experience. I respected Jerry, but I thought this idea of his sounded crazy. I wished him luck and really did hope for the best for him, but the idea of launching a national wrestling promotion seemed like a good way to waste a lot of time and money.

Some time later, when I heard about this Dixie Carter person purchasing the company, I wondered about this woman's mental state. Who would want all the headaches and heartaches that go along with running a full-time wrestling promotion? Well, luckily for everyone - the wrestlers, their families, the millions of people who enjoy TNA around the world, I wasn't the guy calling the shots at those pivotal times. And I didn't call the shot as it pertains to this Monday night. Anyone can see that WWE is taking this move seriously; they have the great Bret Hart hosting, and a lineup that looks stronger than some of their PPV's. Ultimately, it's a difficult decision for wrestling fans to make. Back in the glory days of the Monday night wars, the miracle of digital video recording was either non-existent or in its infancy, (this is a wrestling web-log, not a history lesson) so difficult choices had to made on a weekly basis. This seems like a situation custom made for the Tivo.

Wrestling fans can make up their own minds, but I know I am personally motivated about my upcoming moment in the ring (or backstage, or somewhere) with Hulk Hogan. I know I've been critical of the Hulkster in the past; not just on recent ?iMPACT!? episodes, but in books and interviews as well, but as a guy who appreciates the history of our business like I do, I have always looked forward to the prospect of doing business with one of the greatest stars in the history of the business.

Hope you point that remote control our way this Monday night.

Now, on to some sad news.

The wrestling business lost one of its great performers with the passing of Dr. Death, Steve Williams. For those who were fortunate to see Doc in his prime - in Bill Watts old Mid-South/UFC promotion, in early 90's WCW, or especially in late 80's-early 90's All-Japan Wrestling- you know what a huge loss this is. For those of you not as familiar with Doc, take a little time out to see how great some of his classic matches were - especially those with All-Japan. Those were truly some of my favorite matches to watch; by combining a world-class amateur background (an All-American at Oklahoma) with a rugged Bruiser Brodyish propensity for brawling, Doc had some of the wildest, most believable matches of his, or any era. At a certain time, I felt like his singles matches with some of the great stars of All-Japan were the absolute best in the business, even if the "backdrop driver" he used for a finish used to make me jump up out of my chair during late night viewings at my old house in Atlanta.

I only had a chance to actually wrestle Doc on one occasion; a little exercise in pain and fear in Saginaw, Michigan, in early 1990. I happened to be Doc's opponent on an evening where he had received some bad news concerning his contract negotiations with WCW. Eddie Gilbert tried to talk to Doc on my behalf before the match, but I'm guessing it didn't do much good. Anyone looking to see a retrospective of my Mick Foley's greatest offensive moves probably doesn't need to seek out the Saginaw match for their collection. I took quite a pounding in that match, but Doc never forgot it, and he always respected me for taking such a good beating on his behalf.

It was a respect that I was proud, a respect that lasted almost twenty years. I will always remember how well Doc treated me on my one tour of Japan; a time when he and Terry Gordy made up what I felt was the best tag-team in the business. He and Gordy had a thrilling match with Stan Hansen and Danny Spivey to end the tour at a sold-out Budokan show, and even though I was in something of a preliminary match on the show, Doc took the time to watch my match and offer feedback, which I've never forgotten. I dropped a big elbow off the second rope onto either Dory or Terry Funk (my actual first in-ring encounter with the Funker) and came up selling the move big-time, doing what I thought was the best thing to "get over" the pain involved in such a move. But my selling of the move brought about laughter from the Japanese audience. Doc told me to "sell" it stronger. "Brother, you just pulled off a strong move", Doc said. "It' your time to shine! Don't sell weakness...sell the strength!"

When I look back on my career, I so often think of people who took time out of their lives to help me -- to offer encouragement or advice. Doc was one of those guys. The wrestling business lost a hell of a performer with the passing of Steve Williams...and the world lost a hell of a man.

Dawn Marie wrote a very nice piece about Doc, a man she'd come to look at as an inspiration and an angel of sorts. I hope some of you will click onto WrestlersRescue.org to take a look.

 

Tags: Mick Foley, TNA, WWE, Steve Williams, Bill Watts, MSW, WCW, Bruiser Brody, Eddie Gilbert, Terry Gordy, Stan Hansen, Dory Funk, Jr., Terry Funk,

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Supplemental Information

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1959 Danny McShain def. The Zebra Kid for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1960 Danny Hodge def. Angelo Savoldi for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 1979 Mark Lewin def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1981 Bob Roop def. Super Destroyer for the MSW Louisiana Title
  • 1985 Butch Reed def. Dutch Mantell for the MSW Television Title
  • 2012 Cody Jones def. Les Mayne for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 2016 Nathan Estrada def. Adrian Dell for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 2016 Steven Cruze def. Seth Angel for the ComPro Showtime Title
  • 2017 Future Hall of Famers/Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Damien Morte & Jermaine Johnson) became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 2017 Ryan Davidson def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 2017 Aaron Anders def. Brian Breaker for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 2017 Wesley Crane def. Skyler Fayden for the UWE United States Title
  • 2023 Tyler Midas def. The Lunchador for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title

Week of Sun 07-19 to Sat: 07-25

  • 07-19 1968 Fritz Von Erich & Grizzly Smith def. The Spoiler & Gary Hart for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 07-19 1968 Jack Dalton [1st] & Jim Dalton became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
  • 07-19 1971 Thunderbolt Patterson & Toru Tanaka def. Johnny Valentine & Wahoo McDaniel for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 07-19 1982 Bill Irwin def. Brian Adias for the WCCW Television Title
  • 07-19 2008 Dane Griffin def. Les Mayne for the 3DW Texoma Title
  • 07-19 2013 Big Daddy Moore became the BPPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 07-19 2019 Shawn Sanders became the ASP Inter-County Champion
  • 07-19 2019 Xavior def. Paul Puertorico for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 07-19 2019 Team Boner (Drake Gallows & Mascara La Parka) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 07-19 2024 Father Padge became the MajCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 07-19 2024 Brandon Warhawk became the MajCW Flawless Champion
  • 07-19 2024 Hell's Kitchen (The Canadian Red Devil & The Lunchador) became the MajCW Tag Team Champions
  • 07-19 2024 Lunchador became the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 07-19 2024 Nightwolf became the MajCW Native American Champion
  • 07-19 2024 Cardinal Sin def. Lunchador for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 07-19 2024 Jason Simon/Bishop Simon def. Nightwolf for the MajCW Native American Title
  • 07-19 2024 Deacon Hendrix def. Cardinal Sin for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 07-19 2024 Tyler Shade def. Deacon Hendrix for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 07-20 1961 Waldo Von Erich def. Tony Martin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-20 1979 Gino Hernandez & El Gran Markus def. Jose Lothario & El Halcon for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 07-20 1986 Eddie Gilbert & Sting def. The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) for the UWF Tag Team Titles
  • 07-20 2008 The Forsaken (Michael Faith & Halo) def. Limited Edition (Les Mayne & Dane Griffin) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 07-20 2013 Drake Gallows became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 07-20 2013 Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 07-20 2014 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) became the WFC Tag Team Champions
  • 07-20 2018 Double D def. Colby Black for the MSWA eXpress Title
  • 07-20 2026 Vincent Cross def. Bang Bang Bennett for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
  • 07-21 1947 Buddy Rogers def. Dale Levin for the NWA Midwest World Title
  • 07-21 1979 Bill Watts & Buck Robley def. The Assassin & The Angel [1st] for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 07-21 2012 The Mercenary became the UWE United States Champion
  • 07-21 2012 L. J. McDaniels became the SWCW Womens Champion
  • 07-21 2012 Sam Stackhouse def. Jake O'Brien for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
  • 07-21 2012 Angel Blue def. Venus for the IZW Queens Title
  • 07-21 2018 Drake Gallows def. Alex Royal for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-21 2018 Alex Royal def. Drake Gallows for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-22 1959 Danny McShain def. The Zebra Kid for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-22 1960 Danny Hodge def. Angelo Savoldi for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 07-22 1979 Mark Lewin def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-22 1981 Bob Roop def. Super Destroyer for the MSW Louisiana Title
  • 07-22 1985 Butch Reed def. Dutch Mantell for the MSW Television Title
  • 07-22 2012 Cody Jones def. Les Mayne for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 07-22 2016 Nathan Estrada def. Adrian Dell for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 07-22 2016 Steven Cruze def. Seth Angel for the ComPro Showtime Title
  • 07-22 2017 Future Hall of Famers/Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Damien Morte & Jermaine Johnson) became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 07-22 2017 Ryan Davidson def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 07-22 2017 Aaron Anders def. Brian Breaker for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 07-22 2017 Wesley Crane def. Skyler Fayden for the UWE United States Title
  • 07-22 2023 Tyler Midas def. The Lunchador for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 07-23 1967 Karl Kox def. Waldo Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-23 1979 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody became the WCCW Texas Tag Team Champions
  • 07-23 2004 Rocco Valentino def. Justin Lee for the TPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 07-23 2005 Tyler Bateman def. John O'Malley for the MSWA Tri-State Title
  • 07-23 2011 John E. Stone def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
  • 07-23 2011 Double D def. Michael Barry for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 07-23 2011 Teila & El Hoto Loco def. Chris Von Luhr & Jason Noal for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-23 2011 Chris Von Luhr & Jason Noal def. Teila & El Hoto Loco for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-23 2021 Ky-Ote def. Dane Griffin for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
  • 07-24 1983 Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan def. Ted DiBiase & Mr. Olympia for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 07-24 2005 Brandon Groom & American Anarchy became the NWA-U Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 07-24 2010 The Hardcore Connection (Maniac Mike & Shane Sanchez) def. X-Rated (Bobby Star & Kevin James Sanchez) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-24 2010 Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 07-24 2010 Brandon Walker def. Jonathan Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-24 2010 Jonathan Cross def. Brandon Walker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-24 2019 Antonio Vega def. Shawn Sanders for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 07-24 2020 Derek James def. Alex Royal for the BPW Oklahoma Title
  • 07-24 2020 Size Matters (Sam Stackhouse & Mike Starr) def. Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) for the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 07-24 2020 Ethan Cole def. Tommy Dean for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 07-24 2022 Sam Stackhouse became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 07-25 1957 Duke Keomuka def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-25 1962 Hiro Matsuda & Don Kent def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 1966 Tony Borne def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-25 1977 Captain USA def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 07-25 1980 Ken Mantell became the MSW Louisiana Champion
  • 07-25 1981 Eddie Gilbert & Ricky Morton def. Ed Wiskowski & Mike George for the TSW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 07-25 1988 The Simpson Brothers (Steve Simpson & Shaun Simpson) def. John Tatum & Jack Victory for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2009 Team SuperBad (El Super Colibri & Justin Lee) def. Crazy Beautiful (Brett Taylor & Michael York) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2015 La Famiglia (Luke Grayson & Thomas Knight) def. Seth Angel & Adrian Dell for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2020 Real Dirty Brawlers (Brawler Morrison & Thrash) def. Tommy Dean for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2020 Jon Cross def. Luke Langley for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 07-25 2020 Tim Rockwell def. Jon Cross for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 07-25 2021 Thrash def. Luke Savage for the ASP Mid-American Title
07-22
  • Great Matsuda Jul 22nd Today!
  • Mike Musso Jul 22nd Today!
  • Shaun Simpson Jul 22nd Today!
  • David Von Erich Jul 22nd Today!
  • Nashoba Jul 22nd Today!
  • Fabulous Moolah Jul 22nd Today!
  • Mark Sterling Jul 22nd Today!
  • Frenchy Semard Jul 22nd Today!
  • Bob Roop Jul 22nd Today!
  • Shawn Michaels Jul 22nd Today!
  • Louie Tillet Jul 23rd
  • Jay Clayton Jul 23rd
  • Al Perez Jul 23rd
  • Maniac Mike Jul 23rd
  • Outlaw [1st] Jul 23rd
  • Mikey O'Shea Jul 23rd
  • Seann Stopp Jul 23rd
  • Anthony Wild Jul 24th
  • Joe Savoldi Jul 24th
  • Skip Young Jul 24th
  • Original Oklahoma Outlaw Jul 24th
  • Yali Sapphire Jul 25th
  • Pastor Brent Jul 25th
  • Kevin Morgan Jul 25th
  • Norman Charles Jul 25th
  • Jack Gamble Jul 25th
  • Athan Sorrow Jul 25th
  • Red River Jack [2nd] Jul 25th
  • Lee Cook Jul 26th
  • Mike Bytheway Jul 26th
  • Eric Rose Jul 27th
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  • Tom Simon Jul 27th
  • Jack Van Bebber Jul 27th
  • Johnny Idol Jul 27th
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  • Dan Webber Jul 29th
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  • Jimmy Golden Aug 1st
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  • Eric the Red Aug 1st
  • Amanda Barricade Aug 2nd
  • Tim Rockwell Aug 2nd
  • Jack Vaughn Aug 2nd
  • Capt. Rowdy Aug 2nd
  • Gorgeous George, Jr. Aug 2nd
  • Ronnie Morton Aug 3rd
  • Karl Gotch Aug 3rd
  • Altar Boy Sanchez Aug 3rd
  • Haystacks Calhoun Aug 3rd
  • Bull Ramos Aug 3rd
  • Stormi Renee Aug 4th
  • Ellis Bashara Aug 4th
  • Roy Dunn Aug 4th
  • Alaskan Aug 4th
  • Tyson Jaymes Aug 4th

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