Scariest of All-Time Part 20: 3 Faces of Foley

 

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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One person, three personalities. That's the best way, to sum up, Mick Foley, right? Although some might argue four personalities when you add Mick to the equation. However, for this blog, I'm focusing on Mankind, Dude Love, and Cactus Jack.

Of course, fans were first introduced to Cactus Jack. I remember seeing him in wrestling magazines first, being involved in bloody battles both here in the United States and Japan. Then he emerged in the UWF (Herb Abrams) and eventually WCW and ECW. Jack was a dangerous and scary figure in the ring, putting his body on the line and taking more out of himself than his opponents.

In the WWF, Foley became Mankind. Personally, that's my favorite incarnation of the character. I feel like it had the most depth and grew the most over time. In the early stages, his music and his screeches sent chills down my spine. But even as a good guy, carrying a sock (Socko) and writing books, you still knew this guy was badass and meant business.

Dude Love, while less violent, was no less scary. To think all of these characters were in Foley's head at the same time was nothing short of impressive. His trifecta at the 1998 Royal Rumble was one for the ages. I can't put over enough how much I have grown to appreciate and respect Foley through the years. He's made such a mark on the world of pro wrestling. Thanks, Mick!

Hall of Fame: Foley is Good!

The 3 Faces of Foley
Cactus Jack, Dude Love, Mankind 

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents

Even though it hasn't officially been announced on Raw, the WWE has let the cat (or sock) out of the bag with the announcement of the first inductee into the Hall of Fame this year.  It's none other than Mick Foley.

Personally, I think this is a good call by the WWE for a number of reasons.  Obviously, Foley is worthy of the honor.  It makes sense to induct the legend in his own backyard at Madison Square Garden.  Foley has no doubt had a Hall of Fame career.  He went places in the business very few have.  I'm not going to review his resume for you, as if you're a wrestling fan (and most likely you are) you already know Foley's list of accomplishments.

Cactus Jack vs. Vader
Photo courtesy: WWE

I remember Mick Foley's early days as Cactus Jack and even Cactus Jack Manson back in his days in CWA, World Class Championship Wrestling, and the remake of UWF.  I really took notice of him when he entered WCW and began feuding with the likes of Van Hammer (why?) and Sting.  He and Abdullah the Butcher formed a creepy alliance before Jack finally turned face to feud with Vader and team with Max Payne.

Foley falls
Photo courtesy: WWE

Arguably though Foley's star rose significantly upon signing with the WWF.  When he first entered as Mankind, I had no idea he'd excel the way he did.  A couple of personal favorites for me, most notably would be the 1998 King of the Ring Hell in a Cell match with the Undertaker.  The toss from the top of the cage and through the Spanish announce table is a spot that is forever burned in my brain. He literally put his life in the Undertaker's hands that night and luckily it paid off.  JR's emotion that night helped to sell what was already one of the most amazing things I'd ever seen at a wrestling show.

Foley didn't give up though, as that was in the opening minutes of the match.  He climbed back to the top, only to be choke slammed through the top of the structure.  Again, when most guys would have been carried away, Foley came right back to fight the good fight.  He came up short in the end, but earned the admiration and respect of fans everywhere.

Foley wins the gold
Photo courtesy: WWE

Another one of my favorite Foley moments came when he won the WWF title from the Rock the first time around.  It was an unexpected surprise (despite the spoiler given by WCW Nitro)  Foley proved he was the go-to guy in the company.  Sure his body was starting to turn against him, but Foley's years of toiling had paid off.

I'm stoked to see this year's HOF ceremony at Madison Square Garden, and seeing Foley go in as a first ballot candidate will be a true pleasure.  As his book title suggests, Foley is Good!

Be Kind, Man

Photo courtesy: Impact Wrestling

By Kevin Hunsperger

I'm breaking one of my self imposed rules of writing a wrestling blog.  Don't report on rumors.  It just helps spread the untruths and makes the world a rotten place.  But I'm going to break my rule, or at least bend it.

There's a lot of buzz that Mick Foley is legitimately finished with Impact Wrestling.  I missed the show last week with Hulk Hogan "firing" him.  Usually in wrestling, when there's an on air firing, it's done to give a character time off.  But a lot of folks seem to think that Foley is in fact finished with TNA.  His own Twitter account has fueled that speculation.  I'm still not sure what to believe because even when something in the business isn't a work, it really is.

Personally, I hope Foley is finished with TNA.  I never wanted to see him leave the WWE.  He needs to come back home, but NOT as a wrestler.  No, I'm a firm believer that when a wrestler says he's retiring and not going to overstay his welcome that he live up to that statement.  It was 11 years ago that Foley uttered those words.  Since that "final" match with Triple H in 2000, how many additional matches has he had?  And I don't blame Foley for that at all.  Wrestling is like a drug.  Whether you're the performer or the fan watching it.  It's hard to give up for anyone.

I also don't want to see Mick back in the WWE as a commentator or even the general manager.  Personally, I feel like the general manager, commissioner, "network" role is overdone in today's world.  While I think Foley would do a great job, I want something else out of him.  I would like to see Mick Foley return to the WWE as a manager.

Actually, managers.  Let me explain.  I've been playing with this scenario in my head.  And I think it's a good idea if I do say so myself.  What if the "3 Faces of Foley" became managers.  Each personality could have a different charge.  We know Foley can talk, so I have no doubt he could pull off the manager role.  Of course the only obstacle I see with the gimmick would be when it comes time for one of Dude Love's guys to face or team with one of Cactus Jack's or Mankind's guys.

Or try this on for size.  Cactus Jack manages let's say Husky Harris (since Harris seems to be out of the Nexus now).  Maybe Dude Love could manage Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins and get that tag team going again.  Then Mankind hosts a new talk show segment similar to Piper's Pit, but in the boiler room of the building.

So that's my big idea for Mick Foley if he has truly left TNA and if Vince McMahon rehires him.  It would definitely be something different and I think Foley could really pull it off.

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