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Mick Foley: “When you think of pro wrestling in Boston, you automatically think of the Kowloon”

Posted: Jun 20th 2024 By: Justin Barrasso

Not long before Mick Foley risked life and limb in his Hell in a Cell match against The Undertaker, he had a career-altering conversation with Terry Funk.

Funk, who passed away last August at the age of 79, left an indelible mark on the professional wrestling industry, as well as a permanent mark on Foley. They fought in all sorts of memorable battles, most prominently their iconic exploding barbed wire deathmatch in 1995. And it was Funk who jokingly suggested that Foley should start his Hell in a Cell match against The Undertaker on top of the cage.

“Terry said the only way I could compete with what The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels accomplished in the very first Hell in a Cell match was to start the match on top of the cage,” said Foley. “It began as a joke, but by the end, neither of us were laughing. And then I started thinking that was exactly what I should do.”

Foley will revisit the iconic Hell in a Cell match from the 1998 King of the Ring later tonight at his one-man show, which will commemorate the 26-year anniversary of one of wrestling’s most seminal moments. This will take place at the Kowloon in Saugus, Massachusetts, a legendary spot among pro wrestlers.

Even though it resides 10 miles away from the TD Garden in Boston, the Kowloon is a permanent fixture any time pro wrestling comes to the city.

“When you think of pro wrestling in Boston, you automatically think of the Kowloon,” said Foley. “Al Snow actually credits me for the modern craze of wrestlers going there after matches.

“The owner, Andy Wong, is an incredible person. The food is amazing. I’m a Celtics fan, and I heard Jayson Tatum loves the salt-and-pepper shrimp. So do I.”

One of the greatest to ever grace a professional wrestling ring, Foley developed a rare brand of versatility. He could be maniacal or comical, and wrestle as a crowd favorite or a detestable heel. Foley’s greatest skill may have been his uncanny ability to bring the best out of his opponents, and his charm and charisma were undeniable forces.

Foley turns 60 next year, and there was serious consideration about a return match, possibly against Matt Cardona. But the “Hardcore Legend” is no longer as agile as he once was. He is wise to spend his time at shows sharing stories instead of forcing more bumps and bruises on his body.

Foley’s storytelling will be at its best at the Kowloon as he shares the inner details of his famed cell match.

“I take pride in coming up with new twists to old stories,” said Foley. “People remain fascinated by this one match. It has captured the public’s attention for so long.”

Only a handful of restaurants around the globe are as synonymous with pro wrestling as the Kowloon. Foley even drove there from Worcester after he won the world title in 1999.

“After I won the title, I drove to Boston in a blizzard–and I went to the Kowloon,” said Foley. “It’s a really special place, and I’m so honored to have a packed house [tonight]. People already know a lot of the stories I’m going to tell, but they’re coming to hear me tell them. That means a lot.”

Foley took immense pride in adding a completely unexpected element to his work, which he now does at his shows. He is honored to share the behind-the-curtain details about one of wrestling’s most famed encounters, detailing one of the most famous matches in the history of professional wrestling.

“People have chosen to pass this match on to their children,” said Foley. “To me, that’s very humbling.”