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Mick Foley Interview Recap

Posted: Mar 11th 2007 By: CMBurnham

On March 6th, Wrestling Weekly hosts Doc Young and Les Thatcher were joined by former WWE World Champion and New York Times best selling author, Mick Foley. Wrestling Weekly airs every Tuesday at 8pm Eastern at www.wrestlingweekly.com.

Doc and Les were joined by this week's featured guest, Mick Foley. Les talks about Mick's book Tietam Brown, stating he liked it. Mick says he didn't realise it was dark until he first got feedback from Beyond The Mat producer Barry Bloustein. Barry said that it was really good but "so dark". Foley states after the feedback he received he lightened the book up. Mick Foley discusses being asked a question at a book signing about where the dark theme for "Tietam Brown" came from. Mick replied that they didn't see his 1995 ECW promo's and that everyone has different sides to them. Foley goes onto to mention that he wrote the book after 9/11 and it was a microcosm of how he felt about the world at the time. Les mentions Mick's angle with Ric Flair and Foley said it was an incredible night and you "can't script passion". He states that Ric was to surprise him, as he didn't know what he was going to say. Mick talks about his promo's on Ric Flair and he said that they should have been built up as the main event. He mentions that if WWE promoted the angle and it did good numbers it would be "main event stuff" as Mick highlights. Mick was told by Vince McMahon that his angle with Ric Flair wasn't a big deal and not worth promoting. He concludes on this topic by saying it could have been played up to be a much bigger deal.

Les talks about how younger wrestlers promos can seem to come across like painting by numbers with a mechanical type delivery due to their scripted interviews. Mick notes this isn't their fault, considering this is what they learned and if they have ideas, it's likely they won't be used. Foley goes on to say he's spoken to a couple of wrestlers and told them to always come armed with stuff, to have the opportunity to say something and states "you don't have a second chance to make a first impression". Mick talks about Edge and when they gave him a chance to talk with the Brood. Foley highlights that after Edge spoke it was clear he was the leader of the group and clearly the star. Les makes a good point saying that wrestlers should be given an opportunity to try and get away from the scripted element of storylines sometimes and develop into characters known for their good mic work, citing Mick, Roddy Piper and Jim Cornette as examples.

Mick says that Les is right and mentions he wrote about Terry Funk in his new book, "The Hardcore Diaries" and highlights that Vince McMahon gave up on Terry when he stumbled on the ramp. He said that Paul E took over instead of Terry Funk when they debated WWE vs. ECW. Mick Foley notes that it stopped being about himself and Edge versus Terry Funk and Tommy Dreamer and more about ECW. Les asks Mick about ECW and if it's being used by WWE to take its frustrations out, considering the new ECW "product" is a long way from the original. Mick highlights that he doesn't think that's the point and the jury is still out in regards to ECW but states that "December to Dismember" was a big wake up call to everyone. He continues by saying Vince was right about ECW being more than a nostalgia act and you need to make new stars. Foley mentions that CM Punk was being pushed as a top star but seems to have the rug pulled from underneath him and highlights that it's not easy to get over a new character.

Les discusses Leo Garabaldi and if people gave ideas, which could work, he would use them. Les makes a point saying that other promoters would say it's horrible and six months later they would use the ideas themselves for their own angle. Mick notes he was told by Jake Roberts that a wise man knows where to steal his material. Mick Foley says it doesn't matter who contributes to the creative process. Doc asks if there's a lot of Al Snow jokes in his new book and Mick replies says no, the jokes are mostly about Test. Mick Foley then goes onto discuss the creation of his book in more detail and the promotional interviews for "Hardcore Diaries". Doc asks about Mick's promo on "Monday Night Raw" where he mentioned Christy Canyon and Foley discusses her in more detail. The discussion then gets to Melina and Les mentions that MNM were brought up through the developmental system. Mick highlights that there was no mention of his firing on the next week's "Raw"; and notes that Vince was so absorbed in DX everything else was secondary.

Les talks about Mick's angle with Melina and Foley highlights they could have made it truer. Mick Foley goes on to state that Johnny Nitro has come along way and has a good attitude. Mick spoke candidly about his health, saying "if I could list the worse I've ever felt physically in the business, it would be today--;it's the worst I've ever felt". Foley noted he has a problem with his back and a numb left leg, which Mick highlights is "terribly painful". Les asks if there's anything else in the works along with the book. Mick responds saying he always has things in the works, one thing might go through but he doesn't want to talk about it, but does say that a major actor is looking at playing Tietam and Andy Brown. Foley says again that he always has a couple of things going on. Mick then talks about his book Tietam Brown in a wrestling context. Mick notes he asked to write letters to the authors he enjoys during the time the book "Scooter" was released. Foley highlights he received replies to his letters, including one from John Irving. Doc asks about the home movie which Mick made with his friend Danny Zucker. Les asks Mick Foley if he wrote "Hardcore Diaries" long hand and Foley replies "of course". Mick states he does know how to type but gets a better connection whilst hand writing. Mick Foley highlights "Hardcore Diaries" is the book for wrestling fans to get.

Chris from the chat room asks which of Mick's characters would he liked inducted into WWE's Hall of Fame. Foley says Cactus Jack because he had a pretty good career before he got to WWE. Mick Foley then tells a funny story about how his children rooted against him when they watched him win the title for the first time from The Rock and again when he showed them another match, they rooted for Triple H. Mick is then asked if in real life he's heel or face. Foley says he's a "white meat baby face". Doc tells Mick Foley that he is well known as being one of the most polite wrestlers. Another question is what Mick thought about Eric Bischoff's book. Mick replies he hasn't read it and discusses the 24/7 episode, which will feature Eric, and is about the "Monday Night Wars". Mick is then asked about appearing for Ring of Honor again and he says he shows up at some ROH shows as fan. For the next year and a half, Foley states he can't do any other wrestling shows, other than WWE. Mick Foley is asked about his thoughts on UFC and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in general. Mick says he isn't a huge fan, but he likes it and is in his words, a "basic fan". The danger he notes, is that too much MMA could make it over saturated. Foley is asked his opinions on Vince Russo and Ed Ferrera. Mick replies he liked them, but didn't work with them in WCW. Another question is for Mick Foley to share a story of his late friend Brian Hildebrand.

Mick says he has a lot of stories about Brian and says he was happy Brian Hildebrand was involved in big angles in Memphis (USWA) and Dallas as a heel. Mick is asked about the comparisons between Mankind and Abyss. Mick Foley says that the mask which Abyss wears is similar and he's a good guy. After wrestling, will Mick pursue his writing career full time?, Foley notes that no he doesn't have any projects but has some ideas and if he was to write after wrestling, he would under a synonym. Mick is asked by the chat room if Melina is his children's real life godmother. Mick Foley states that she isn't. Doc states that Mick Foley's new book "Hardcore Diaries" is available in stores everywhere and Les notes for people to check out Tietam Brown too. Doc and Les then thank Mick for being a guest.

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On Tuesday March 13th, Wrestling Weekly will welcome former WWE Superstar Romeo Roselli. For more future guest information, visit www.wrestlingweekly.com and www.myspace.com/docyoung (the official MySpace site of 'Wrestling Weekly')

Wrestling Weekly, featuring Les Thatcher and Doc Young, airs every Tuesday at 8pm Eastern!