Christmas Chaos pure Foley fun
By BOB KAPUR -- For SLAM! Wrestling
Mick Foley's Christmas Chaos
By Mick Foley
ReganBooks
$29.95 Cdn, $19.95 US
ISBN 0060394145
In the world of wrestling, Kane is a burn victim who takes his pain out on
his opponents. His hatred of the world, stemming from his injuries,
strikes fear into the hearts of all WWF superstars.
Antonio Freitas, a real-life burn victim, has touched the heart of WWF star
Mick Foley in another way. Foley, inspired by the child's lively spirit
despite his hardships, has dedicated his new book "Mick Foley's Christmas
Chaos" to the kid from Lawrence, Mass.
The book, written in the style of Dr. Seuss, tells the story of Christmas
Eve at the North Pole. Santa, disillusioned by the greed and ill will
shown by society, decides to quit his job. Even intervention from WWF
wrestlers cannot change his mind. Until a letter from Antonio, asking
Santa to remember the true spirit of Christmas, persuades Santa to continue
in his spreading of good cheer throughout the land.
The story is touching, especially considering the real-life inspiration
behind it, but is very entertaining as well. Foley mixes in a good dose of
humour into the story, with many references to the WWF (of course, getting
in the obligatory Al Snow insult).
Illustrations by Jerry "The King" Lawler add to the fun, as his caricatures
of WWF stars are spot-on likenesses -- the man could be a cartoonist once he
retires from the wrestling game.
Overall, "Christmas Chaos" is an enjoyable read for wrestling fans of all
ages.
A portion of the profits from "Mick Foley's Christmas
Chaos" go to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
