Foley announces retirement
By "BLOODTHIRSTY" BOB KAPUR -- For SLAM! Wrestling
Mick Foley appeared on TSN's "Off the Record" yesterday, to announce his
retirement from the ring.
During the interview, Foley (aka WWF star "Mankind") indicated that his
decision was partially influenced by his recent performances in matches in
Toronto and Montreal which he found disappointing. His realization that he
can no longer deliver matches at the same high levels as he has put on in
the past, coupled with the constant pain he feels every day, were the main
reasons for his decision.
Ultimately, the years of chairshots and hardcore bumps have taken their
toll on his body to the extent that he could no longer perform even the
most elementary of moves without pain. Recently, he has shifted to more of
a comic element in his character, preferring to entertain via interviews
and antics rather than endure the pain of in-ring action.
Foley stressed that his retirement is not part of a wrestling angle, unlike
other similar storylines in the past (the most recent one being Hulk
Hogan's announcement in WCW). Rather than going through an undignified
cycle of fake retirements followed by quick comebacks, Foley said he would
prefer going out with finality, possibly by ending up the "Loser" in a
Retirement stipulation match, thus bringing some legitimacy to that ratings
ploy.
As for his post-wrestling career, Foley noted that he has a career with the
WWF for life, should he want it. He said that he "was made for" the role
of Commissioner or similar on-camera role with very limited (ie: one-time
only) returns to the squared cirlce. But as for day-to-day involvement in
the ring, Foley has two words for you... "I'm done."
(
On a personal note as a long-time fan and admirer of Mick Foley, I have
just three words to say to him: Thank You, Mick!)
Other highlights of his appearance:
- He discussed Stone Cold Steve Austin's possible retirement due to
injuries. Foley complimented Austin's work ethic and talents, noting that
Austin always gave 100% in the ring.
- Landsberg questioned Foley on whether he thought the WWF should have
stopped the Over the Edge PPV after Owen Hart's tragic fall. Mick said
that an in-ring death had never even been considered as a possibility, and
that there was no way to decide in advance what the call should be.
- Commenting on the WCW situtation, he welcomes a possible re-ignition of
the WWF-WCW wars which may stem from the crossover of Vince Russo and Ed
Ferrara. He thinks that the competition would bring out the best in both
companies, and expressed some disbelief that his "This is Your Life"
segment with The Rock a couple of months ago destroyed an actual wrestling
match in the ratings. He is not overly impressed with the changes to WCW
yet, saying that they are basically copying the WWF (eg: the new WCW
"Godfather" character).
- He believes that Ferrara's "Oklahoma" parody of Jim Ross is tasteless and
cheap. It's not funny to make fun of a guy with nerve damage, and that the
parody is a small step away from making fun of Droz's paralysis caused by
spinal injuries.
- While he wasn't particularly thrilled by the recent storyline about the
Big Show's father dying of cancer, he felt that the final segment of the
Show "casket surfing" was blatantly fake enough that viewers would have to
realize that it was not meant to be taken seriously.
- He remarked that the Goldust character took Dustin Runnels from "out of
the gutter and gave him a job", and that Runnels' knocking of the character
on WCW Nitro is ingracious and hypocritical.
- He plugged his book "Have a Nice Day!" heaviliy, and ended the show by
saying that this accomplishment was the highlight of his career.
