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Mick Foley Interview

Posted: Oct 23rd 2009 By: mikeiles

Wrestler, writer, comic and philanthropist, Mick Foley is the antithesis of the typical old school, road worn and cauliflower eared, squared circle vets that you might see in a Darren Aronofsky flick. You'd think twenty plus years in the ring under numerous guises and several promotional task masters, including Vince McMahon, might wear on a guy, but not Foley. In fact, as this weekend's TNA Bound for Glory PPV event approaches, which will see Foley face off against Abyss in a Monster's Ball match, the scruffy star exhibited the kind of spirit and enthusiasm you would expect of a rookie. Foley was equally amped up about his new book, upcoming comedy gigs and sharing memories of Long Island with with our Editor-in-Chief and wrestling fanboy, Chris Radtke. Here's what this gentle giant, perhaps the nicest guy in wrestling, had to say while sitting down with us for some spicey tuna and shiitake mushroom rolls at a local sushi joint.

UGO: Let's talk about your program with Abyss. He seems a little bit like a "mini-Mankind" from days of old. Is you putting him over a passing of the torch?

Mick Foley: With Abyss there's so much there to work with. At the same time, he's been at TNA for so long, that the challenge is to bring out another level to his personality. I feel for Abyss in a way, because if wrestling were still a regionally based business, he could be a huge star and draw everywhere he went for six months to a year at a time. The nature of national promotions requires the constant tweaking of a personality. There have been times over the last few years where I think Abyss's personality has been tweaked from the wrong direction. But in this case, I think he's showing a seriousness and an ability to project that emotion that may have been missing in the past.

UGO: Into a more well-rounded entertainer?

MF: Yes. Part of the problem with Abyss in the Impact Zone is that the fans there have seen so much over the last several years that they can't help but become jaded, and I think that in some ways that's true for Abyss in general - people are seeing him so much, they come to take it for granted. The trick is to get people to care about the person more and I think that's happening

UGO: Lately, especially in the last week or two, there's been a lot of sh*t talking going on in the internet as far as the creative direction of the company. I'm not looking to disparage your employer in anyway but can you give us some insight into the creative process?

MF: What has been talked about? I guess I've been out of the loop.

UGO: Jim Cornette has gone and run his mouth off about Vince Russo and the creative direction of the company. He's been saying that these guys aren't comedians, and they're missing opportunities. By trying to be funny. I'm paraphrasing here, but that's the gist.

MF: Well, I guess it's puts me in a place where I like and respect both Jim Cornette and Vince Russo. I know they had trouble working together in the WWE because their visions were so far apart. And ultimately in the WWE Vince McMahon went with Vince Russo's vision because it was closer to his own - that action entertainment show format. And I don't think Russo got enough credit for kind of ushering in that era in the WWE, which was extremely effective.

I worked under Cornette in Smokey Mountain Wrestling and I think he's a genius. So it could just be that the two of them can't co-exist peacefully. But with that being said, I like the direction that TNA is going, and I know that they want more emphasis on the younger guys, which I think is essential, and which I hope to be a big part of in the next few years.

UGO: Can you give us some insight into the creative process in TNA - and how much you enjoy it? And what are the strengths?

MF: Well, I can't give you too much insight into the creative process outside of what I do. I know that I'm given the liberty to make things happen and most of my own dialogue. Fortunately I think I have a track record of producing entertaining and valuable stuff. So, I can't speak to the other guys, but it's been great for me. You know, at a certain point, the powers that be in the WWE decided that my days of making a difference were over. And fortunately the people in power at TNA decided they felt differently. So, for me it's been great - very low pressure and very high reward.

UGO: You say that TNA is highlighting some of the younger guys. Who are some of the guys that have the work ethic, the intelligence and the charisma? Who are the up and comers that have that spark?

MF: You know, I try to tell people that anybody who's made it this far in WWE or TNA has already been something of a success to stand out enough to merit inclusion in the national promotions. I think there are several people. Beer Money has recently shown that two guys together have really gelled, and I think, have re-ignited tag team wrestling. They've certainly made it much more of a tag team destination than WWE is. Of course you've got the Dudleys who kind of set the pace there - but also some of the faster moving teams like Motor City Machineguns, who I think we've just seen the beginning of as far as making a big impact in TNA.

I love Jay Lethal. We've been trying to talk to Jay about switching gears with his character and going a little bit different route. And although Abyss cannot be considered a young guy, I think the best from him is still yet to be seen. Because the audience is expanding, new fans are being introduced to AJ and Samoa Joe every week . And I'd like to see some of the cruiserweights get more notice. Whether it's a guy that's an amazing performer with kind of an introverted personality like Amazing Red, or a guy like Homicide who's just kind of an outright unknown. There are several names for you, right?

UGO: Let's talk about your writing career. Your book and Jericho's book I thought were both the pinnacle of wrestling autobiographies. Are there any old-timers, guys that you knew of when you were first coming around, that you felt you wished they'd put pen to paper, and were able to write their memoirs themselves?

MF: Well, I think now the secrets out that pretty much any wrestler who puts the time and energy into writing their own book is going to fair better than writing it themselves. Because wrestlers are first and foremost, I think, storytellers - as far as in the ring and out of it, and other aspects of entertaining. Jericho and Brett Hart both did really well as far as putting their own time into it. I'm not sure, like I said; I think every wrestler's got a story to tell. You never know which ones are going to be the most interesting. I think mine was interesting because in '99, when I wrote it, I was something of a journeyman wrestler who had struck it big, so there was a definite arc to the story. Whereas other wrestlers who've had so much success for so long, they don't have that kind of arc. It's harder to get to the top, and then tell a story about staying there for 20 years. And I think that's why a book like "Foul Ball," by Jim Bowden is more successful than any superstars book, because he had that perception of coming up through the ranks and an ability to look at the bizarre world he lived in. And I think that's one thing that Jericho did so well in his book. He had that ability to look as some incredibly bizarre stuff and then poke fun at his own business.

I just finished another one, by the way. The untitled book is finished will be out sometime next summer. It's non-fiction, and similar to Hardcore Diaries in that it details short period of time behind the scenes. I was really happy with the Hardcore Diaries, and this is sort of a bookend to that. It was sort of a frustrating experience like Hardcore Diaries but it tells a very gratifying experience.

UGO: Will you always be writing?

MF: I don't know. I'm always convinced that the last thing I wrote is the last thing I will ever write. And in the case of this book, I just had an idea, putting pen to paper in a hotel in Dublin, Ireland. I had no intention of writing a book, but when I was done with that chapter I thought, alright I can do another one of these. So, you never know when inspiration is going to hit. I still may and probably will give fiction another try within the next few years.

UGO: I want to talk about MMA. Because to me what MMA means to its fans is very similar to the passion of what the ECW fan base once had. Do you think wrestling is in trouble, and what can be done to remain relevant in what is now this Running Man style society? And is there a need for wrestling?

MF: I'd never though of it as a Running Man style society. I think wrestling is only in danger as far as pay-per-view goes. The challenge is to find other ways to develop and become profitable. I'm pretty sure we're doing that. I think we're up about 30 percent from where we were last year. In any other business that would be considered incredible. And it is frustrating because we should be doing better ratings than what we are, but at the same time the idea that three years ago that another national wrestling company would be making a profit was a joke. But the fact that there's a second profitable wrestling company and it's a viable alternative for people to go to, is a huge accomplishment.

We're not going to match them (WWE) in pay-per-view at all. UFC is somehow able to turn in something of a 100 percent ratio, because they're obviously drawing people from outside of the show. That's phenomenal. But, I think we've seen continuously that's going to be a one-business promotion. If you had up all the money that's been lost in MMA by people trying to compete with UFC, it's staggering.

UGO: In the spirit of having other competition are there any groups or anything you see that we should keep an eye on?

MF: There aren't a lot of them left. The truth is, when I was active on the independent scene, four or five years ago, and doing work for Ring of Honor, I was able to spot future stars. I don't have my finger on my pulse anymore, so I pretty much have to take the word of others. I can recommend people when I do see them wrestle, but I'm not out there looking for the superstars or tomorrow like I was years ago.

UGO: Let's talk a little bit about Mick Foley: Comedian. Can you give us some background about your stand-up routine?

MF: The only time I've really officially done comedy is at the Improv in Los Angeles. It was a show in and of itself - but I've done so many college campuses over the years, and it's not really that much different. Although in a comedy club you put more of the emphasis in making people laugh, instead of making them think. But my college talks were always pretty humorous. It's surprises me when people react.

UGO: It's more like spoken word?

MF: Yeah, that's why it's closer to what I would like to do. I know when you're in a comedy club people are expecting to base the success of what you do on how many laughs you get. So, when I do these comedy shows, I'll put more emphasis on comedy, but ultimately I'd like to do the spoken word or one man show where you can make people think or react in a variety of ways.

UGO: Would you ever consider doing an engagement at Atlantic City or here in New York?

MF: Yeah, well I'm doing a club on November 1st, I believe. And we're going to announce a handful of other shows in a few different places. And I'm doing Long Island on Thursday. That one's open to people of all ages, so I'll change around my subjects a little bit. It's at The Brokerage.

Most people understand I'm not telling jokes, per se. But they might have to listen and not get that ten second pop, but I think they'll enjoy themselves.

UGO: So, you have legend status...

MF: If you say so. I don't know if I'm allowed to say that myself, but it's nice to hear from someone else.

UGO: What does that get you these days?

MF: I'm lucky. My professional life has just been phenomenal. I really thought it would be a year or two. It means that I don't have to get a real job. I get to live in this fantasy world. I'm free to pursue other interests - I can even dabble in things like comedy if I want to. I'm very lucky that people have chosen to remember me so fondly.

And even though I'm on television, I haven't given people the equivalent of the Mick Foley Greatest Hits package. I am prone to tweaking the character and taking some chances, and changing it up. And I do think people can tell that I enjoy myself when I'm out there, and that makes a big difference.

UGO: I think that's why fans are willing to embrace you more on TNA. And they get to see you.

MF: And I also get to do a lot more than I would have in WWE.

UGO: Did you ever give any thought to creating your own promotion?

MF: No. I'm really not an effective detail man. When it comes to business, I dabbled for a few years with a gym in the Florida panhandle. And I dabbled long enough to know that I should never run a business again. It's just not for me. Even when it comes to charitable pursuits, people have their own foundations, I'm more than willing to let other groups who have a history of helping people to use my money to help others, but I wouldn't feel comfortable trying to do that type of work myself.

UGO: You love country music...

MF: Some of it, yes.

UGO: Working with people at TNA over the years, you probably get more of the sound there than would if you were in Long Island. Or have you?

MF: First of all, I'm not down there, in Nashville, that often. And I actually grew up on country music in Long Island on WHN. My dad discovered country music when he was in the Army in Germany. But now because of satellite radio I'm allowed to listen to those classics that I grew up on and go outside the mainstream of country music. I listen to outlaw country, or roadhouse. My musical tastes are either eclectic or horrible depending on who you talk to. Stone Cold Steve Austin told me I have the worst taste in music in the business.

UGO: What's the best mall on Long Island?

(laughs)

MF: Do I look like a mall guy to you? I avoid those things. I avoid any place where I can spend unnecessary money. You know I grew up by the Smithhaven mall, and even now I'll shop on the periphery but will seldom venture in there. And if I go, it's before school lets out. I am not a shopper. I actually get physical symptoms, anxiety symptoms when anyone tries to separate me from my wallet.

UGO: Very few wrestlers are able to parlay their careers into acting, although God knows many have tried. Is that something you'd ever be interested in? Didn't you have a sitcom at one point?

MF: It was kind of like an ongoing joke, that every year a reputable producer with a proven track record would find me for a show built around me, and then I would go to Hollywood and talk with all the networks, and we'd ultimately be rejected. Two of them went to script and then a reality show went to pilot. I don't count on any of it. And at a certain point, I just want to say, I have no need to have a show revolve around me. Make me the 5th banana on a successful show.

There was a guy, Jerry Kramer, who told me if he was still producing The Practice, he would cast me as an attorney. And I wished someone with that kind of foresight was still around. But I do not want the pressure of carrying a franchise on my shoulders. I'm not Kevin James, for crying out loud.

UGO: You would make an awesome wacky neighbor.

MF: Truth is, I had a chance to pursue that in 2000, and I really didn't want to be away from home for that long. So, I think 10 years later, I have to admit the boat has kind of passed on that kind of opportunity. But I would be available to be a wacky neighbor if the right show were to come along.

UGO: What did you think of The Wrestler? You had all the controversy around you.

MF: Oh, yeah, the guy from Sports Illuistrated kind of made me look like I was the living embodiment of the movie.

UGO: And that's pretty far from the truth?

MF: Yeah, by failing to include the fact that he met me at a media screening where I was covering the movie for Slate.com, he kind of misled people, whether intentionally or otherwise, into thinking that I had fallen on tough times. But it was a really good movie, and it was nice to see anything involving wrestling to get that kind of mainstream effect, which I didn't think was possible.

UGO: Yeah, as I life-long wrestling fan, I thought it honored the sport, but it really pulled the curtain back.

MF: I think the movie, with the themes that it covers, has the same themes in this new book. At least from time to time, where I'll ask in a sense, how does someone define dignity in retirement? Especially with crowds that are willing to taunt any wrestler who dares not to become a governor or a head of industry. Like, what's wrong with being a scab at the Olive Garden? Or what's wrong with working at a Target?

I think there's a lot of truth to the themes in The Wrestler.

UGO: Do you have a publisher for the new book?

MF: Yeah, Grand Central Publishing. I just turned in the manuscript a couple weeks ago. I think it's pretty good as-is.

UGO: And a title?

MF: Um, no. Because I had a tentative title that wasn't good. They had a tentative title that I liked, but that they might not go with. So, we'll just call it the "Future Mick Foley Book." I'll find out in the next few weeks what the title is.

Tags: Mick Foley, TNA, Jim Cornette, WWE, A. J. Styles, ECW