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Mick Foley on his one-man show, wrestlers on stage, Alabama memories, and Girl Meets World

Posted: Jul 7th 2014 By: John Corrigan

When I called Mick Foley last Thursday morning for an interview, one of his sons was teasing him about Dee Snider trouncing the Hardcore Legend in Newsday's "That's SO Long Island" online polling competition.

Foley has been retired for a couple years now, so don't expect the former pro wrestling champion to slap the Mandible Claw on Twisted Sister's frontman.

And because they're good buddies.

The WWE Hall of Famer has befriended many celebrities not only because of his achievements in the ring, but also his multiple New York Times bestselling books, charitable efforts with RAINN and ChildFund International, and comedic one-man shows.

Perhaps the biggest fan of Christmas in the world, Foley has been promoting his latest documentary, "I Am Santa Claus," by wearing Santa-themed attire for an entire year.

Portraying three diverse characters throughout his wrasslin' career?Cactus Jack, a bloodthirsty outlaw fond of carrying a barbed wire-wrapped baseball bat, Dude Love, a tie-dye clad, dancing hippie, and Mankind, a self-mutilating, loveable oddball who once bodyslammed Eric Matthews on an episode of Boy Meets World?Foley has advanced the art of storytelling within the squared circle.

Extending that art onto stages around the country, Foley will be performing his one-man show at the Flying Monkey Arts Center in Huntsville on July 15 at 8 p.m.

Admission costs $25 and also includes a post-show meet-and-greet.

What are your favorite Alabama memories?

Foley: "Oh, man, well I lived in Alabama for a while during the dying days of the Continental Wrestling Federation. I lived in Montgomery and traveled all over Alabama. It's funny, wrestlers and comics bond over remembering their best shows and their absolute worst shows. I was in the last days of the promotion so some of the shows were not so great. But it was an invaluable learning experience. I was generally wrestling three times a night; once in a single's, once in some type of tag team, and once in a battle royal. I wasn't making much in the way of money, but making a lot in the way of building character."

We have something in common-I recently moved from the northeast to pursue my dream as well. But I've had trouble meeting people. How did you keep yourself occupied in between the nightly matches?

Foley: "I think we had ten guys in a two bedroom apartment, (laughs) I don't want to say ten, I'll say six, I don't want to exaggerate. Now the idea of having six guys in a hotel room seems ridiculous. But that's what we did to make ends meet. And it was also part of the adventure. Now when I roll into Huntsville (on July 15), it's just me and a rental car after completing an 11-hour drive."

So you've been performing these one-man shows for five years, right?
"Your goal is to leave people with the biggest possible smile on their face."

Foley: "Yeah, but I've been talking at colleges since 1999, so in a way I have 12 years' experience as on-stage storyteller. Although it's really just in the last few years where I've really worked hard and dedicated myself to this craft."

What's been the biggest challenge as you've crafted and honed over the past few years?

Foley: "The biggest challenge to me was finding out there's not only no shame in working on stories as opposed to creating entirely new shows in every city, but that you actually owe it to the audience to give them a show that you have worked on. I had to convince myself that I didn't need a new hour every time I hit the stage. So when I get to Huntsville, I'll make sure it's a special show and I'll incorporate some Alabama memories because the stories about the bad, old days are actually the best stories of all."

I caught your show in Philadelphia last year and people should know that you don't have to be a wrestling fan to enjoy the show.

Foley: "Aw, I appreciate that. Thanks. You're gonna include that part in the article, right?"

Oh yeah.

Foley: "Alright, good good. You've seen the show so your expectations are going to be high. Most people are showing up out of blind faith and they have no idea what to expect. I hope in a few years word gets around and maybe WWE will show up with their cameras and realize it's a perfect fit for their network. Then the fan base will have a chance to see it and therefore arrive with high expectations. Until then, part of the fun of the show is to be better than people are expecting."

You've given WWE Superstar Dolph Ziggler an open invitation to appear on your show whenever he likes. Are there are other pro wrestlers who you believe could deliver on stage?

Foley: "Oh sure, a lot of guys. First of all, every wrestler has unique stories. But the key between doing a Q/A and actually putting on a show is the work. At that point the number cuts dramatically of the people who are willing to show up at open mics, feel terrible about themselves, worse emotionally than any other time in their lives, and then get up there and do it again. There is a market for Q/A. But I love that the show sinks or swims based on whether or not I'm good. There's no other match to go on if I'm having an off night. You know, I like the pressure and the adventure of being able to take people on a nice, enjoyable ride when I'm on stage."

What separates you from most performers is the post-show meet-and-greet. What are some of the funniest fan interactions you've had from these shows?

Foley: "You know, they're more touching than funny. I just got this beautiful Christmas card from the mother of a special needs' child and I'll actually put it in my photo album. It meant so much to her to have her son Johnny incorporated into the show. They tend to be more nice, touching moments and there's usually several of them a night. Of course, there are nights when you wish you could just do your show and go home to get some rest. But it's part of the reason people come and it's one of the things they enjoy most. If you're in my shoes, and your goal is to leave people with the biggest possible smile on their face, then doing the meet-and-greet afterwards makes sense."

Last but not certainly not least, have you seen the premiere of Girl Meets World?

Foley: "I did, I enjoyed it very much. I think they have a nice ensemble. The daughter is very likeable, and she has the spunky friend who she will learn what to do and what not to do from. I just want to see a little more Topanga. I think we all want to see a little more Topanga."