Let me start this off by stating the obvious: Mick Foley is one fantastic storyteller. He’s earnest, comedic in his delivery and passionate about what he has to say. The sold out crowd in Pittsburgh got to experience all three of those faces as Mrs. Foley’s baby boy brought the house down recounting his historic fall off the Hell In A Cell. It was no mistake that this match occurred 20 years ago to the date and Mick was having his show in the city where it occurred. This felt like a big night and the electricity in the crowd reiterated that vibe. Below are some notes I took while struggling to see over much taller heads as the Mr. Smalls venue was packed to the gills (“hanging from the rafters”, as Gorilla Monsoon would once exclaim.)
Note about the notes: Mick would from time to time weave in and out of stories so some of my notes aren’t exactly in order, but are consolidated for a (hopefully) better read.
Mick Foley’s “Twenty Years Of Hell Tour” – June 28, 2018, Pittsburgh, PA at Mr. Smalls Theatre
The hardest working man in wrestling, Jeremy Borash, was there to open up the show and to let people know that tonight’s show is being recorded for the WWE Network, which will first air after September’s Hell In A Cell event later this year.
- Famed guitarist Nita Strauss kicks the festivities off by playing Foley’s car crash theme and we’re introduced to the Hardcore Legend himself.
- Foley begins by showing off his fanny pack which gets a “fanny pack” chant going for the Pittsburgh crowd.
Breaking Into The WWF, Sting & ‘Specific’ Promos With DDP & Dusty
- Mick starts off the wrestling talk with his struggles of trying to get into the WWF. For three years while in WCW, Foley would call J.J. Dillon (who at the time was in charge of talent relations) and inquire about job openings. Mick doesn’t fault Dillon for this since he was given a directive, but the infamous manager of The Four Horsemen would tell Mick that they weren’t hiring, all the while he’d see acts like Mantaur, Duke Droese and (yes) Al Snow get their opportunity to showcase themselves on the WWF product. That prompts an “Al Snow” chant.
- Then it was at a booking meeting in the fall of 1995 when Vince McMahon finally agreed to give Foley a shot, but Vince said he’d cover up his face. (Mick delivers one great Vince impression)
- In a fantastically candid moment, Foley prompted for a very large and tall audience member in the front to sit down, which at the time, got the pop of the night.
- Foley has currently instilled a one “F bomb” policy, and has decided to save it for the right time (and he picks the perfect time to later on).
- Diamond Dallas Page couldn’t adhere to a one F bomb policy because he drops like three in a sentence when talking about the birth of puppies.
- Vince told Jim Ross that he’ll hire Mick so he can see it blow up in the Boomer Sooner’s face (Vince used a little more non-PG language in the altercation apparently). Foley jokes (paraphrasing) “what type of human being does that? The kind of man that hires his oldest son as a writer! A kind man, a benevolent man.”
- Foley credits his wife Collette for helping build a sense of confidence in him.
- Foley was unaware of the fact that he was put in the role at WCW as a monster heel to lose to Sting. He told Sting he’s got a lot of ideas and Sting’s a great man and he respects the Stinger, but Sting looked concerned. He didn’t see the harm of putting himself over while his main goal was to put Sting over. He told Sting to give him five minutes and the two ended up turning that time into an act that battled their way around the US.
- Mick does one fine Randy Savage impression as he talks about market specific promos. Like his role as a monster heel, nobody briefed Mick about market specific promos and how every one you did was pretty much the same except for the town name and the date. Foley had 50 different promos that was specific for each market. DDP was the producer of these segments. One promo Foley remembers fondly is when he breaks into his own rendition of Julie Andrews’ “My Favorite Things”
- Foley also remembers doing a promo where counted all the ways to hurt Sting to help him fall asleep. Really great stuff here. DDP was there at the beginning of his promo, but was gone by the time he was done. What he didn’t know DDP left to speak to Dusty Rhodes. Dusty came to watch promos. After watching his second promo, Dusty said “I think we’re gonna keep you around for awhile.” (Another sweet impression by Foley, daddy!)
Next Page: ‘Mike’ Foley Meets ‘Mean Mark’ & The Element Of Magic
