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Mick Foley Interview from Silvervision

Posted: May 6th 2007 By: CMBurnham

On a recent trip to the UK, Mick Foley sat down with silvervision.co.uk to answer a few questions about his career...

Was seeing Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka dive off the cage at Madison Square Garden what inspired you to become a professional wrestler?

I wanted to be a wrestler before that match, but I think it was after seeing Snuka I that I felt I had to be a wrestler

When did you start training to become a professional wrestler and who trained you?

Let me see, I think it was the fall September in 1985. My trainer was Dominic DeNucci. A first I really did not like training for wrestling, it was far more real than I had imagined, eventually when things started sinking in, and I started picking things up I enjoy it very much.

Debuting on WWE TV as a rookie in the mid 80s, how were you treated by the other wrestlers backstage?

I was never treated bad, and in a few cases, you know, the superstars who went out of their way to say hello really stuck in my mind. So I try and keep this in mind when I meet the young wrestlers of today. Roddy Piper, King Kong Bundy and Kamala are three that come to mind.

What were the circumstances involved in you joining WCW in 1991?

I actually joined in 1989. I just showed up to a TV taping, uninvited, at centre stage in Atlanta, Jim Cornette introduced me to Jim Ross, who introduced me to Ric Flair who gave me a try-out two weeks later.

You detail in your first book Have A Nice Day about losing two-thirds of your ear in a wrestling match in Munich, Germany. The cartilage was reattached later that day so why didn't you get your ear totally reconstructed?

At one point I was going to, but I was asked to put the operation off so I could wrestle with Kevin Sullivan against the Nasty Boys. I never really had the time after that.

Your in-ring style was a perfect fit for the newly formed ECW promotion. Upon joining the group in 1994 you started a feud with Sabu. Why do you think some fans regard your first match with Sabu as a slight disappointment?

Because I think some fans expected someone to die in that match. The bar was set kinda high for that one.

In 1995 you won the IWA's King of the Death match tournament. With the abuse and violence you put your body through that day, were you wondering at the time whether it was worth it?

Probably (laughs) yeah, I think I asked myself that question quite a bit when I was over there. I can't remember if I specifically felt that way on that night though.

Where did being billed from "Truth or Consequences, New Mexico" come from?

(laughs) That came from ring announcer Hank Hudson, who said 'there are no cactus's in Bloomington, Indiana.'

What were your feelings when you finally received your WWE contract and debuted on television?

Well, it was kinda scary because it was a whole new world and I was portraying a whole new character that I was not comfortable being, but at the same time it was very exciting.

Were you upset that you weren't able to play the character of Cactus Jack upon your debut in the WWE?

At first I was. I thought about it a lot though and came to see it as a great opportunity.

Were there any drawbacks having to play the Mankind character?

Yeah, I wasn't comfortable in the new role at first and wearing that mask was really tough to deal with. It was tough to breathe in!

You mentioned in your first book Have A Nice Day that your match against Shawn Michaels at Mind Games was your favourite career match. Is this still the case?

No, that has been replaced by my match with Randy Orton at Backlash. I think if Mind Games have evolved and had a more satisfying ending it may still be my favourite.

Did you think the character of Dude Love would become popular with fans?

(Laughs) - I had no idea what to think on that first night in San Antonia, but fans really took to it. I think it was such a departure from Mankind and I think fans were happy to see me having fun. Mankind had really had a lot of place in their heart and I think they wanted to see him have fun.

Cactus Jack debuted in the WWE in September 1997. How pleased were you to play that character in the WWE and were you surprised by the fan reaction?

I was a little worried about playing Cactus Jack, because I really didn't know if anyone would remember, so I was shocked by the over-whelming response. I apparently wasn't as shocked as Vince McMahon was.

King of the Ring 1998 has become one of the most famous matches in WWE history, if you could go back to that day, would take the same risks again?

Probably although, if I knew then what I know now, I would have not climbed back onto the cage, after the first flight off of it.

What was a bigger for your WWE career, the falls from the cage or the introduction of your sock puppet, Mr. Socko?

(Laughs) I'm not sure if Mr Socko's popularity would have been possible without the fall from the cage. I think fans took to the image of a big guy with the sock puppet because they realised how much I had sacrificed in the past, so I don't think that a new guy could show up brandishing a sock puppet and expect any kind of reaction.

How did it feel to win the WWE Championship for the first time? You certainly looked pleased.

I was pleased. It was a shock because I have excepted a long time earlier that a WWE Championship was not in the cards for me.

Just a few weeks after your well publicised retirement match at No Way Out you returned to the ring at WrestleMania 16. Were you worried about any negative backlash it may get from fans and the wrestling community?

I definitely was. I felt the negative backlash every time I looked in the mirror. I know that WWE thought they were doing me a huge favour by allowing me to do a WrestleMania main event, but I really felt like a hypocrite. I had pretty much said that I wasn't going to be one of those guys that comes back and prostitute his name by coming back in 6 weeks, I didn't, I came back in four!

You debuted as a colour commentator at ECW's One Night Stand in 2005, how do you think that went and if asked would you do it again?

I think it went pretty well and I don't really want to watch it as I don't want to prove myself wrong. Maybe if I was asked on a one time basis or maybe if I was asked on an occasional basis I would consider doing it, but I certainly wouldn't want to be a weekly colour commentator.

How, if at all, has the industry changed since you first became involved?

Well, it is a lot more global. It's popular in places that most people don't even know exist. I think the Internet and international marketing has really helped WWE explode.

Who have you most enjoyed working with in your career?

I've been fortunate to have worked with all the top guys of my era and I enjoyed working with all of them, from the Undertaker to Stone Cold to the Rock to Triple H as well as working with guys like Terry Funk and Sting in WCW.

What are your favourite three matches not involving yourself?

Let me see, Terry Funk versus Ric Flair in 1989, Bret Hart versus Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania in 1997, and let me go with Sgt. Slaughter and The Iron Sheik in the Boot Camp Match from 1984.

If you could only have one more match, who would it be against and where would it be?

You know what I wouldn't mind closing out my career at SummerSlam in Madison Square Gardens. I'm daring somebody to do me wrong so that I can have a good opponent. I believe if I were to mention the name publicly it would minimalise my chances of making it happen.

How you holding up physically these days?

I definitely feel the effects of the physical style I incorporated. My knees are rough, my back hurts and my neck is sore, but other than that (laughs) I'm ok and I feel like a little joint pain was a small price to pay for everything I was able to accomplished.

If you could make one change to the wrestling business what would it be?

I would bring back the territories so that the younger guys have a place to really learn the trade.

Do you think the young Superstars you see called up to WWE TV today have truly paid their dues and have enough training and experience for life as a full time professional wrestler?

Probably not, which is why the territories would be so important. I don't hold anything against the guys, just they haven't had the proper place to learn and make mistakes on a smaller stage.

Do you think the addition of a third brand, 'ECW' is a good vehicle for some of the younger stars to get national exposure? And what are your thoughts on the new ECW in general?

No, but I think it's a good vehicle for the deserving guys to get exposure but national television shows are probably not the right place for the young guys to get exposure. I like the new ECW, and I know I get that question asked a lot because I imagine fans would think I would not enjoy the new show. It's a work in progress but I think they are finding their way.

Are there any young wrestlers that you can see making it in the WWE in the years to come?

You know I think some of them are starting to. Mr Kennedy is really starting to come into his own over the last several months, CM Punk seems to be getting his chance in ECW and I expect big things from Johnny Nitro if he's given the right opponent and opportunity. Also I see huge things for Melina down the line.

Do you see any of your children involved in sports-entertainment in the future? And would you be happy for them if they decided to try and make it in the industry or would you warn them off?

I certainly hope not. I would certainly warn them off. It is a rough business and the odds are against any kind of success happening. As long as they went to college and got an education I would encourage them to try anything they want.

As a part-time author as well as a 'hardcore legend' what book did you take most personal enjoyment out of writing?

I can honestly say that I enjoyed writing them all, but if I had to pick one it would be the first 'Have a Nice Day' because I was trying something I had never really thought was possible and was doing it without really any thought of financial commpensation.

After Hardcore Diaries are there anymore books in the offing?

I'm not sure. There may be, but I will wait until something really starts keeping me awake at night.

Finally, do you think you have anything left to accomplish in the wrestling business?

You know, I think I have pretty much accomplished everything I set out to and beyond, but I do think that I have a couple more really good stories to tell and I hope I am given the chance to tell them.