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Talking With Mick Foley

Posted: Oct 14th 2010 By: CMBurnham

Professional wrestling has helped Mick Foley fulfill his wildest dreams.

It also has given him the financial means to enrich the lives of others.

Foley did just that by donating the $100,000 advance from his ninth book -- "Countdown to Lockdown" -- to two charity organizations: RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) and ChildFund. The $50,000 given to the latter group will provide scholarships to as many as 200 women and children who were victims of rape and other sexual assault in Sierra Leone, the West African country where Foley had previously sponsored youngsters and school construction.

"I was really fortunate to be in (World Wrestling Entertainment) at a time when so many kids wanted their wishes fulfilled by going to the matches," Foley said Tuesday in a telephone interview.

"Even if the kids weren't necessarily there to see me, I really felt like I was doing something positive and adding to their day by going out of the way to be nice to them while they were going through a difficult time. When I was leaving the company, I knew I wasn't going to be around the kids like I previously had been. So I made a definite effort to start getting involved with places where kids like this were. I really want to make a difference."

Foley's RAINN involvement stems from an affinity -- and later a friendship -- with singer and co-founder Tori Amos. Foley cites Amos as a major inspiration while writing "Countdown for Lockdown," which intricately illustrates his 34-day preparation for a TNA Wrestling pay-per-view main event against Steve "Sting" Borden.

Like in his three previous grappling memoirs, Foley intersperses personal and professional anecdotes in an amusing fashion that shows his growth as a writer.

"Wrestling is such a vast subject," said Foley, a multi-time world champion and international headliner during his 27-year career. "In the case of this book, there was a specific subject I wanted to get into detail about. I also wrote an open letter about the substance-abuse problem (in wrestling) and five or six chapters that I really feel are important and extend beyond the wrestling world."

Foley said he wouldn't mind if his most recent match -- a hard-core bout against fellow wrestling legend Ric Flair on last week's "TNA Impact" (episodes air Thursdays at 9 p.m. EDT on Spike TV) -- were his last. Foley, though, has another year remaining on his TNA contract and expects he will eventually be back in the ring.

"I would actually like to do fewer dates even if that meant making less money," said Foley, who joined TNA in 2008 after a nightmarish WWE announcing stint that is chronicled in "Countdown for Lockdown." "I want to do stuff on TV that's meaningful. I'm also hoping to do something over the next few months that can help a couple younger guys along in their careers."

Foley's non-wrestling career -- he entered semi-retirement in 2000 -- is moving forward with another form of acting. Foley is co-writing the script for a movie about his life that will be produced by Union Square Media and Jeff Katz, who worked on World Championship Wrestling's hotline reports in the 1990s before becoming a top Hollywood executive.

"Until 'The Wrestler' came out, I did not have a lot of faith that a wrestling movie could be any good -- especially one involving me," said a laughing Foley, referring to the critically acclaimed 2008 film starring Mickey Rourke. "'The Wrestler' opened some doors and some minds. I think we have a narrative that people will find compelling. It will make for a good story for wrestling and non-wrestling fans."

Katz has said that he believes actor Joaquin Phoenix would be a good fit for the lead role, which is something Foley has no problem with provided the "I'm Still Here" star has interest.
"He'd be an interesting choice," said Foley, 45. "He certainly put a lot of people's fears to rest (about his acting ability) when he played Johnny Cash in 'Walk the Line.' And he proved he could grow a wild beard (in 'I'm Still Here'). So that's definitely a possibility."

For more information on "Countdown to Lockdown" ($26.99, Grand Central Publishing) and Foley book signings, visit www.hachettebookgroup.com.