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Retired WWE wrestler trades mat for the microphone in Maple Ridge.

Posted: Sep 17th 2014 By: Julie Chadwick and Eric Zimmer

His hardcore wrestling career is marked with gory milestones of splattered blood, knocked-out teeth and an amputated right ear, but Mick Foley?s name has also become known as that of a bestselling author and advocate for both children and survivors of sexual assault.

As his nationwide Tales from Wrestling Past tour rolls into Maple Ridge on Tuesday evening, Foley will take the opportunity to showcase what he calls ?stories gleaned from observations I?ve made about the surreal world of wrestling - and the larger outside world, from a wrestler?s perspective.?

Foley said that essentially Tales from Wrestling Past is an "autobiographical journey, with lots of humourous stops along the way."

This isn't a comedy show, Foley said, but rather "stories about wrestling that are funny."

Foley performed at a comedy fest in Vancouver last year, but calls this show "completely different."

Instead of a departure from the carefully crafted wrestling characters like Dude Love, Cactus Jack, and Mankind that fans have grown to love, the show - which features a combination of standup comedy and storytelling - is simply a new avenue for Foley to connect with both followers of wrestling and beyond.

?I take people behind the curtain and tell (them) what goes on. I did the same thing in my first book, which was thought by some to be shocking, because no one had ever taken someone behind the scenes,? he explained. ?I firmly believed that people would walk away from that reading experience with more respect for wrestling than when they entered it.?

His career has taken him all over the world, and its from this experience that Foley draws much of his inspiration.

"Travel the world for 28 years and you?re going to walk away with a pretty good education if you keep your eyes and ears open,? he said.

Much of Foley?s appeal lies in the seeming contradiction in being one of the most hardcore performers - sprinkling the stage with tacks that became embedded in his flesh when he was body-slammed - and embracing a softer side that is decidedly different than what the conventional stereotypes of wrestling dictates.

?I think the idea of the wrestler as a thug is incorrect,? he said, though he admitted there are likely few other pro wrestlers who listen to Tori Amos.

?There?s this strange meeting of the sensitive artist meets the alpha male," Foley quipped.

"I was given a tough time years ago because... people were like, ?Okay, Mick?s a little different, he?ll go to the Butchart Gardens in British Columbia while you guys are going to the tanning bed.? ?Brett Hart and I, we were both fascinated with Civil War battle fields, so I?d get off the road and travel to different places where history was made, so although all my colleagues liked me, they didn?t like to ride with me.?

On the topic of visits to B.C., Foley said he has "reason to believe that when I hit Maple Ridge, we're going to have a really good time."

He also noted that this will likely be his "last time in Maple Ridge for quite awhile," and those who want to check out his show shouldn't hesitate.

Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and takes place at The ACT.

Buy tickets or find more information at www.theactmapleridge.org

Admission includes the chance for a meet and greet with the performer afterwards.