An evening with Mick Foley
By AARON HENRY -- For
SLAM! Wrestling
Everyone is allotted fifteen minutes of fame in his or her life.
Mine
came this past Thursday night, February 1st, 2001. A World Wrestling
Federation Superstar visited the campus of Indiana University of
Pennsylvania, where it is rumored that Bad Ass Billy Gunn and Billy
Kidman
attended. On that night this Superstar spoke to a meager crowd of 700,
but
was interviewed by a terrified student 30 minutes before he spoke. That
Superstar is Michael Francis Foley. And that student was me.
My roommate was in charge of picking Foley up at a local hotel
and walk him
around campus. He pulled a few strings for me and granted me a
ten-minute
interview. Well, the interview lasted longer than 10 minutes, 15
minutes to
be exact (hmm, a coincidence?), and in that time I learned more than I
ever
could have imagined in that short of time. But first, allow me to recap
the
speech.
Foley, wearing his trademark sweatpants, a Dudley Boyz T-shirt
and a Walt
Disney World jean jacket, was introduced and immediately given a
standing
ovation. He then went for a huge (cheap) pop by saying it was "great to
be here in
Indiana, Pennsylvania." He did not preach about not doing drugs or
alcohol.
He didn't preach about going to class and getting a college education
either.
That wouldn't be Mick Foley. Instead, Foley regaled us with stories
about his
wrestling career, other wrestlers in the business and what he has been
doing
since he was fired as Commissioner of the WWF.
His first story was about himself and a wrestler by the name of
Troy
Orndorff, better known as 'The Franchise' Shane Douglas that took place
in
November of 1986. Foley and Orndorff were wrestling right here at
Indiana
in a small venue called the Omni. It was here that he had one of his
worst
moments as a wrestler. Foley and Orndorff were working on a move that
would, or should, bring the crowd to its feet. The two men decided to
start
the match off with the move. The two had practiced weeks to get the
move
down. When it came time for them to do the move, they blew it. Not
only
did they blow it once, but also they blew it twice. After that second
time,
the crowd of 150 people heard Foley scream 'TROY!' like a little girl.
Foley continued his speech by telling stories of his adventures
in the WWF.
He told the crowd that Steve Blackmann believes the best place to dump
dead bodies is in Western Pennsylvania. There was a story how Bob Holly
whined on an October evening because Foley and Al Snow played Nat King
Cole's Christmas Album in the car the three men were sharing. However,
Foley asked Snow if he had any Elvis tapes and Holly started to sing
'Blue
Christmas' by Elvis Presley. He also had some classic one liners. The
program was billed as an evening with Mick Foley. Foley asked for
ladies in
the audience to raise their hands. Foley responded "Wow! About 20 years
ago
that many women would have laughed at me if I asked them if they wanted
to
have an evening with Mick Foley." There were many more stories, but
that's
not why you are reading this.
Now as I begin to recap my interview, let me tell you these are
facts from
his mouth. Mick Foley will be back in the WWF within the month or
beginning
of March. He said he "might not be there physically, but the aura of
Commissioner Foley will be present."
Foley has been working on his second book since we last saw him on
television. The book will not be journey oriented, but will take a
different path. One chapter in the book will contain 'Foley's
Findings.'
These finding will contradict what Indiana University found in the
study.
He also has a chapter devoted to the Parent Teacher Council. If you
want to
know more then you will have to buy his book.
We talked about many positive things. He "loves his wife and all that
she
has done for him." He thinks family is very important and loves to be
around his family. In fact, he has been blessed with another child, a
boy.
Colette was a strong influence for him to keep moving in his career.
"She
has helped with his confidence a great deal," Foley said.
We even discussed a moment in his life he wishes he could take
back. "Why don't I like my last match? Because I sucked! My heart
wasn't into it and
I was afraid I would be viewed as a hypocrite." Of course, he was
speaking
of the Fatal Four Way at Wrestlemania. However, he loved his role as
Commissioner and can't wait to get involved again. He loves working
with
today's wrestlers and has the utmost respect for Triple H, The Rock,
Stone
Cold Steve Austin and The Undertaker.
Foley even talked about the origins of testicles the size of
grapefruits.
In an interview with Jim Ross in 1996, Foley, then known as Mankind told
a
story from his lacrosse days. He told Ross he did not wear a cup at one
practice and took a shot right to the junk. "My testicles were the size
of
grapefruits and all the girls were staring at them," said Foley in his
Mankind voice as he paced the stage. So remember, Vince doesn't have
the
grapefruit sized testicles, Mick does.
I could write much more, but I am tight on time. If you ever
have a chance
to talk with this man or hear him speak, don't turn your nose up at the
opportunity. Make time even if you don't have any. It will be a time
you
will never forget. As I leave you please remember this one thing.
Foley
doesn't like to shake hands. So if you see him on the street or at the
airport, just say 'hi' and give him a thumbs up sign.
And to Mick Foley, if you are reading this: Thank you for the best
15
minutes of my life! You are one of the greatest guys I've ever met!
Aaron 'Hank' Henry is SLAM! Wrestling's resident Smackdown!
reporter.
