‘Mike’ Foley Meets ‘Mean Mark’ & The Element Of Magic
- Everybody loved the Mankind promos except for Vince (he also heard that Vince never actually saw any of his promos) and things started to make sense. On top of that, Vince would call him “Mike” and he never got into Vince’s living room like Jericho did.
- Mick envisions Vince’s idea for Mankind: Let’s put him in a leather mask, brown clothing and give him a drab theme that’s not exactly a Jim Johnston banger. (Mr. Smalls plays the original “Mankind Theme”) Nonetheless he still got over.
- But Foley said to never underestimate the power of the Undertaker. When he first fought the Undertaker in Milwaukee he was surprised to here he was going to win. And he actually won again two months later to win over Paul Bearer as a manager. He estimated that his entire career record against Taker was 2-98.
- Foley made note that there were no cell phones to illuminate the areas, but lighters. That’s right, small bottles of flammable liquid.
- McMahon began to see that Foley the person was much more interesting than the story created for Mankind and he allowed Dude Love to be brought into the Foley fold, along with Cactus Jack. This lead into a great story about Mick’s oldest son Dewey:
- As a kid, Dewey once told Mick that he didn’t understand how he could be a top star in the WWF. Foley thought that his son was joking but Collette confirmed that he wasn’t. Dewey asked his dad if he was ever in a Royal Rumble match and Mick brought up Royal Rumble 1998, saying that he was in it three different times with three different personas. Dewey’s response: “and you still couldn’t win.”
- There was concern that the King In The Ring match was going to be lackluster due to lack of interest. Mick was through so many personas and changes at the time and how could they top the classic that was Bad Blood 97 between Taker and HBK? (Foley remembers watching that match and considered it a fantastic HIAC match was going to be hard to top)
- He asked Terry Funk what he could do to top it and in perfect Funk timber Mick says “I have no idea.” Funk told him he should start the match on top of the cell.
- For research and re-acquaintance, Foley re-read his own autobiography while on the flight to WrestleMania 34 to New Orleans. He was concerned fans also in transit would the impression of being a mark for his own self as he read his own book. He was sitting by a lady from Ireland who was not a wrestling fan, and finally she asked if he was reading a book about himself. Then she asked him who wrote it? He did. Why? Because it’s really good.
- He approached Taker every night to tell him that he was going to start the match on top of the cell. Taker said it wasn’t gonna happen. Taker called him “Jack” and Foley called him “Mean Mark”. Taker asked, “why are you so intent on killing yourself?” Foley’s response was that we got a history, a legacy to build, but what if we can start a match in a fashion that no one has seen before? An element of magic. If they started the match differently, they could convince people that it was great match even if it wasn’t. Taker said he’d think about it.
‘Look At Those Shoes’ – ‘Wiggle It!’
- The night of, Vince asked if Foley was on the cell that afternoon (he wasn’t). So when Foley first climbed up there, he was terrified. His fingers went numb as he climbed the cage mesh (fun fact: that’s why they have footholds now)
- Foley plugs Chris Jericho’s book, A Lion’s Tale (not quite a #1 New York Times bestseller like his, but a NYT bestseller nonetheless) Jericho said on top of the cell people looked like ants. If there was a way for Mick to safely climb down without looking like a fool, he would have done it, but Taker’s music hit and it was too late.
- As they battled on top of the cell, twist ties were popping off. He doesn’t recall that happening as he watched Bad Blood. Foley tells the audience when they re-watch the match to look out for the Easter Egg of Taker putting the kibosh on Mick trying to suplex Taker on top of the cell.
- Then Taker throws him off. Fans start the hockey chant of “Undertaker, Undertaker.” As Foley laid there “broken in half,” Mick thought that maybe they’re cheering for the wrong guy. Really funny moment.
- Foley said the one thing that motivated him to press on was knowing his worse part of the evening was over (Nope!)
- Then he was chokeslammed through the cell. He considered himself lucky that he wasn’t able to lift himself up properly for Taker’s chokeslam because if he did he could have landed a lot worse, and his career definitely would have been over (or he may not be alive). Foley laid there, unconscious for 42 seconds
- He brings up how other sports balk at wrestling. Foley’s response: “Does your sport continue when one of your competitors was no longer conscious? Because mine did (at the time).”
- Foley realizes that the match would be ended in today’s world, and that it would be the correct move.
- Back then though, they bought time. Which is why Terry Funk took the chokeslam (causing his sneakers to pop off).
- All Mick remembered as he came to was seeing Funk’s sneakers – “look at those shoes”
- He then remembers Taker curtly telling him it was time to “go home.”
- Now Taker’s reputation: when he gives an order, it’s not up for interpretation. But that element of magic kicked on and they continued on.
- Mick makes note that Taker doesn’t receive enough credit in this match, as he bottle-fed Mick as he tried to recuperate. Taker did a beautiful job guiding him through the “Old School” maneuver.
- Foley takes a moment to clean his nose and delivers a “no bats in the cave” that gets a big pop from the crowd.
- A “wiggle it” chant fires up as Foley talks about sticking tongue out through his lip, but unfortunately, no one could see it because of the blood and facial hair.
- Many people thought that there were 700 thumbtacks, but there was actually 7,000 tacks!
- Foley reiterates again how much Undertaker took care of him.
- As he was pinned, Mick was sure to kick his leg ever so slightly to indicate that there was still life left in “Mrs. Foley’s little boy.”
- Foley for some reason unknowingly instilled in him thought it was an act of cowardice to be put on a stretcher twice in one evening.
- McMahon appreciated Foley and what he did for the company that night, but “don’t ever do that again.” He put a governor on him (meaning a restraint on what he could do in his matches).
- Foley remembers taking a moment to give his condolences to Pat Patterson, who lost his life-partner at the time, still concussed and still probably with a tooth in his nose. This was also the first time he met Stephanie McMahon (Foley conducts a Full House “awwww” moment with the crowd).
NEXT PAGE: The Match Of Three People, Vader & Vicky, The Q&A Session
