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!

Foreign Object Friday: The Undertaker's urn

The power of the urn
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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The Undertaker's urn has been used as not just a source of power for the Dead Man through the years, but also as a way to gain the advantage in some matches. Perhaps the most infamous moment the urn came in to play was at SummerSlam 1996 when Paul Bearer used the container and smashed his man in the head with it. It was a turning point in the character development for both men as Paul Bearer made it clear he no longer wanted to be affiliated with the Undertaker.

Double-crossed
Courtesy: WWE

When the Undertaker and Paul Bearer came on the scene so many years ago, I had little hope for the gimmick. I figured the duo would be another set of characters in Vince McMahon's parade of cartoonish gimmicks. Undertaker in my mind was going to be a short term mid-card performer at best. It's a true testament to the men behind both gimmicks to keep it alive and relevant for as long as they did.

Kane attacks
Courtesy: WWE

Back to the urn, though, the other significant time that comes to mind is when Kane used the urn to win the World Championship at Hell in a Cell 2010. The giant urn flashed a bright light in the eyes of the Undertaker and he cost him the title. 

I know there are plenty of other instances when the urn came in to play to support the Undertaker through the years. And who knows, maybe there's one more chance for the urn to return. Never say never.

#ThankYouTaker

Undertaker's last ride?
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Less than 24 hours ago, the Undertaker seemingly had what was his last match. After more than 25 years with the same gimmick and the same company, Mark Calloway has called it a career. And what a career it's been. I took to social media to get readers thoughts on the Undertaker. I'll include those along with my own for this blog.

Undertaker's debut
Courtesy: WWE

I'm old enough to remember the Undertaker when he was the Punisher in World Class Championship Wrestling and "Mean" Mark Callous in WCW. His debut in the WWF in 1990 caught my attention, but I never thought the Undertaker gimmick would go very far. To me, it was another cartoon character idea Vince McMahon and his team came up with and the guy would be gone in a year or two.

While I was never a huge fan of the Undertaker, I certainly respected his work ethic and ability to work in the ring. He did things I'd not seen a big man do before. Plus his loyalty to McMahon and the WWF/E is second to none. He never jumped ship, even when times were tough. 

WrestleMania 29 entrance
Courtesy: Chad Smart/My 1-2-3 Cents

Undertaker never lost his smile or whined about his role in the company. He got in the ring and kicked ass. He put over guys when the time was right and built an impressive streak of victories up at WrestleMania in the process. He's beaten everyone in the business from Ric Flair to the Rock to "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels and Triple H. 

Hell in a Cell
Courtesy: WWE

My favorite feud for the Undertaker was his battles with Mankind. Mick Foley seemed to be the first true throne in the side of the Deadman. Then when Paul Bearer betrayed Undertaker and joined Mankind, it was like a rebirth of sorts for Undertaker. The Hell in a Cell match sticks out as an instant favorite. I was in the arena live the night he battled Shawn Michaels at the first HIAC. I watched him retire Michaels and have his streak ended by Brock. All great memories of the Undertaker.

The American Badass
Courtesy: WWE

His gimmick tweaked a bit through the years, but Undertaker remained at the top of the card for most of his run. For that, I am impressed and salute the man behind it all, Mark Calaway. You have put your body on the line for us for decades. Thank you for that and enjoy your retirement, you certainly deserve it.  Here's what others are saying in the My 1-2-3 Cents community.

WrestleMania 28
Courtesy: WWE

Greg Mehochko - I'm going to share with you what I thought should have been Undertaker's last sighting. After 'Taker/HHH v.2 with HBK as the special guest referee. It made the most sense to have the "old guard" leaving the stadium together, then one final embrace. Those guys did all they needed to do and told an amazing story in that match. I was wholly disappointed to see that that was not Undertaker's final appearance. It seemed the most natural. It was like, after the fact, they (creative, Vince, Taker even) forgot about that moment and how amazing it was, and how it felt like the best possible time for him to step away from in-ring performances.

Andrew Whipple (@ItsWhipple) - I always liked his American Badass character. But I think my favorite is the HITC with Mankind.

Draven Glasco - WM 20 when he finally returned to being the Deadman.

Undertaker's attire after WrestleMania 33
Courtesy: WWE

Chad Smart - If this is the end of the Dead Man, then WrestleMania 33 is my favorite moment.

Dillon Huffman (@DillonHuffmanTV) - Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels WrestleMania 25

Sam Banks - Thankfully we won't have to suffer through any more Undertaker matches. That guy's been complete sh!t for a very long time. 

Missing from Manias past

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Ric Flair, Sting, The Road Warriors, Dusty Rhodes, Harley Race, Terry & Dory Funk, Jr., Kerry Von Erich and the Steiner Brothers. All guys at one point I would have never imagined wrestling at WrestleMania. But each of these men had at least one appearance on the WWE's biggest event of the year. Here are some others I would have loved to see step on the grandest stage of all.

Brody vs. Abdullah the Butcher
Courtesy: WWE

Bruiser Brody is one of my favorites from childhood. When I first started watching wrestling, I remember him well on Wrestling at the Chase and in World Class Championship Wrestling and eventually the AWA. One of the first live events I attended was main evented by Brody and Ric Flair. Brody won by disqualification. How cool would it have been to see Brody come into the WWF in the early years of WrestleMania?

Although had that happened I could see Brody being built up to the point of getting the title match against Hulk Hogan and then conquered by Hulkamania by the end of the night. That wouldn't have been a bad thing either, but something Brody would not likely have been keen on. Of course in different eras, it would have been great to see Brody vs. Mankind or Brody vs. the Undertaker at a Mania too.

The Midnight Express
Courtesy: WWE

One of my favorite tag teams of all time is the Midnight Express. While I liked Dennis Condry and Bobby Eaton, my pick for this blog is Stan Lane and Eaton, along with manager Jim Cornette. The British Bulldogs, The Hart Foundation and The Rockers would have all been worthy Mania opponents for the Express. Jim Cornette would later appear on WrestleMania events with the men he managed, but fans missed something in not having Eaton and Lane in the WWE. Now that the Rock 'n Roll Express is going into the Hall of Fame, I hope Midnight Express is on the shortlist to be inducted.

Kharma
Courtesy: WWE

Kharma's time in WWE was short, way too short. Her only match (at least official match) came at the 2012 Royal Rumble. She was a part of the 30 Superstar contest. I was there, so I'm grateful for having had the chance to see her in action. But I think a huge opportunity was missed with her. A Beth Phoenix-Kharma match for the Women's Championship would have been amazing. While I don't see the chance ever happening, she'd be a great opponent for any of the women on the roster today as well. I wish thing could have gone differently for Kharma both personally and professionally.

So who never made it to Mania that you would have liked to see on the show? Comment here or on the My 1-2-3 Cents social media pages.

When bromances go bad

When bromances go bad...
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Bromances are awesome. We see them in all walks of life. I even have a couple myself. In the world of professional wrestling, it seems these relationships always end up going south. It's inevitable, so let's take a look at some of the best bromances in the business.

Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens
Courtesy: WWE

Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho's bromance came to a screeching halt on the most recent episode of Monday Night Raw. When the union formed last summer it gave new life to the Jericho's character and helped endear Owens in the eyes of fans. Their SummerSlam victory over Enzo and Big Cass surprised me and I thought for a moment the two would get a run as Raw tag team champions.

The timing of the breakup concerns me, though. My hope was that Owens would retain the Universal Championship against Goldberg later this month with the help of Jericho and then set up a match between the two at WrestleMania. But now I'm worried Goldberg will emerge as champ because of Jericho's interference, still leading us to an Owens-Jericho Mania matchup.

I would have loved to see the two stick it out together longer, but with WrestleMania coming, you knew the fun was going to come to an end. Now I look forward to seeing what both of them can do against each in the ring.

The MegaPowers
Courtesy: WWE

In the late 80s, "Macho Man" Randy Savage was on the verge of turning good when he feuded with the Honky Tonk Man. Then one Saturday night the fans fully embraced Savage after he was attacked by HTM and the Hart Foundation. Miss Elizabeth summoned the help of Hulk Hogan and the two became fast friends. For more than a year the Mega Powers dominated the WWF with their bromance, but all the way seeds of dissension were being planted. It was great storytelling and the Mega Powers exploded prior to WrestleMania V, 18 months after the bromance began.

Chris Adams & Gino Hernandez

I'm going old school for this last bromance. "Gentleman" Chris Adams proved to be anything but when he turned on the Von Erichs in World Class Championship Wrestling. He aligned himself with Gino Hernandez and the two ran amuck on the babyfaces of the company. They were joined at one point by Jake "The Snake" Roberts and won the WCCW 6 Man Tag Team Titles. Adams and Hernandez also had a run with the tag team titles. 

But like all good things, the Gentleman and the Handsome Half-Breed had a huge falling out. Hernandez blinded Adams, which led to his return to being a face. Sadly, Hernandez died shortly after this while Adams was recovering from his injuries. The two never had that much-anticipated feud. Hernandez was just 28 years old and had so much potential. 

Rock n Sock Connection
Courtesy: WWE

Of course, there are plenty of other great wrestling bromances. Edge & Christian, Shawn Michaels & Triple H, The Rock & Mankind and Scott Hall & Kevin Nash just to name a few. These men have all had their ups and downs too, just like history has shown us. 

Rumble Ramblings: #3 Mankind gets ROCKED

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Since the 2017 Royal Rumble is right around the corner, I've decided to countdown to this year's event with my 10 favorite non-Rumble Royal Rumble matches. 

In early 1999 you needed to pay close attention to know who the WWF Champion was. The Rock won the belt at the 1998 Survivor Series by turning heel and joining Vince McMahon's Corporation. It was a switcheroo of sorts with former corporate Superstar Mankind. Fans were quick to cheer the underdog as he did battle against the WWF's first third-generation Superstar. 

Rock dropped the title to Mankind on the first Raw of the year. This was the infamous recorded show that Tony Schiavone spoiled on a live edition of WCW Nitro. Fans changed the channel in droves to see Mrs. Foley's Baby Boy win the gold. That victory led the way for a brutal "I Quit" match at the 1999 Royal Rumble. 

Chairshot
Courtesy: WWE

Pardon my language, but the Rock beat the shit out of Mankind at the event, nailing the hardcore icon with 11 chair shots, some with Foley's hands handcuffed behind his back and no way to "protect" himself. Mankind "quit" the match after being knocked unconscious. But it turns out the Corporation had used a recording of Foley saying "I quit" in a previous promo and played it over the speakers.

With doubt hanging in the air, Mankind got a rematch and won the title back at Halftime Heat. He would lose it back to the Rock and set up the continuation of The Great One's feud with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.

Mankind "quits"
Courtesy: WWE

While I wasn't a huge fan of the brutality of the match, I did rank it high because of my fandom for both men and the impact it had on wrestling at that time. We'd not seen an "I Quit" match end in this manner, so it gets bonus points for creativity in my book. And helped cement Foley as an upper tier Superstar. 

10 Favorite Non-Rumble Royal Rumble matches

10. Super Posedown
9.  Harts Broken
8.  All fired up

7.  Daniel & The Giants 

6.  Co-owners Collide

5. Rollins arrives

4. Great Scot! Piper wins

The night I stalked WWE Superstars

Searching for Superstars (circa 1996)

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I've been a wrestling fan for more than 30 years. Twenty years ago this week I was back in my college town of Cape Girardeau, Missouri for Homecoming weekend festivities. I also had tickets for the WWF house show the next day at the Show Me Center. Back then, none of my friends were wrestling fans, so I was dragging my fiance (now wife) to the show.

But the night before we were all hanging out at the Outback Steakhouse in town having dinner before the Homecoming social was set to begin. A couple of my fraternity brothers walked into the restaurant and asked me if I knew about the WWF semi parked in the hotel parking lot next door. I had no idea but instantly became interested. We hadn't been seated yet and I looked Lisa who simply nodded and said go.

Goldust at the Show Me Center (1996)

Remember this was 1996 so there were no smartphones or social media. I did have a regular old camera loaded with film in my pocket. I quickly entered the hotel lobby and headed for the elevator. I was dressed in a shirt and tie so I figured I didn't look like a crazed wrestling fan. The hotel only had three or four floors, so I started at the top, walking down the halls hoping to run into a Superstar or two. Shawn Michaels, Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Mankind, Goldust, Sid, Owen Hart and the British Bulldog were all scheduled to wrestle so I really didn't want to miss a chance to meet one of them.

Shawn Michaels wins (1996)

I walked the halls of each floor with hope fading. I never did run into any Superstars or even anyone who resembled a WWF employee. Little did I know the wrestlers were still in St. Louis for a show up there before making the two-hour drive to Cape Girardeau. I did get my picture taken in front of that semi and I thought it would be the closest I'd ever get to such a thing. But if you read this blog you know in the 20 years that have passed I've enjoyed some amazing opportunities. Here's to another 20 years of wrestling fandom and hopefully no more stalking.

The hypocritical blogger

Blogging!

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I write every day at work. Then I come home and write more. New blogs are published here daily (since enacting a blog streak in May). Most afternoons I write a blog or two for my freelance business. But I do very little reading. I proofread what I've written and I read other articles and blogs when doing research. But overall I'm not a huge fan of reading. I'd much rather watch a YouTube video or listen to a podcast.

I hate that about myself. The last book I read was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In fact the franchise of books is the only fiction I've read as an adult. I have Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (my son does actually) and I do intend to read it. But it will be the first book I've read since 2010 (I got started on the books after Deathly Hallows was published in 2007).

Mankind's first book

Most of my reading over the last 16 years (and I can pinpoint it to the year 2000 when the Rock and Mankind each published autobiographies around the same time) has been non fiction material. I've read a lot of entertainment related biographies, with the majority being wrestling related. But over the past six years I've simply not made the time to read like I once did.

So here I write every day hoping you and others will read it. Some blogs go over better than others. Subject matter plays a role, as does the distribution method. Timing is critical and after seeing some success, there's room for even more improvement and growth. If you happen to be a blogger and reading this, what are your tips for success? Non-bloggers, thanks! Please leave a note and let me know what kind of content you like to read. Feedback is always welcome here and taken very seriously.

Rumble Ramblings: 1997

1997
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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The 1997 Royal Rumble match has one of my favorite endings.  For those who don't remember, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin  was a rising star in the company.  He had drawn number five and had gone on two total elimination runs, leaving just himself in the ring.

Waiting for more victims
Courtesy: WWE

Then Bret "The Hitman" Hart came out and the action intensified.  The two had a great feud going at the time and I think the rub from Hart helped to build the Stone Cold character.  The two battled for about 90 seconds until Jerry "The King" Lawler left commentary and entered the ring.  He was eliminated about four seconds later, courtesy of Hart.

Stone Cold wins
Courtesy: WWE 

They battled it out alone until the ring slowly filled again.  In the end it was The Undertaker, Vader, Hart, Austin and Diesel.  Hart tossed Austin over the top rope, but because the referees were distracted by Terry Funk and Mankind brawling on the floor, Austin slipped back in the ring.  He pushed Undertaker and Vader over the top as Bret threw Diesel out.  Of course Bret thought he'd won, only to to be thrown over by Austin.  Since the refs hadn't seen the prior elimination Austin was declared the winner.  As a Stone Cold fan, this made me happy.  Nineteen years later it's a textbook example of how to help get a guy over even more.

Despite Austin winning the Rumble, he did not get the "guaranteed" championship match at Wrestlemania that year.  The newly crowned champion Shawn Michaels gave up the belt and Bret won it in a special four man match at the In Your House pay per view, only to lose it the next night to Sid thanks to Austin's interference.  That set up the Mania match between Austin and Hart and Sid defended against The Undertaker.

Here are some other ramblings about the 97 event...

Vader roughing up Rocky
Courtesy: WWE

• Toward the end, I thought it was cool watching it today and seeing all the future mega stars in the ring with established Superstars and legends.  Terry Funk, Vader, The Undertaker, Bret Hart, Steve Austin, "Diesel" (now Kane), Rocky Maivia (The Rock), and Mankind were in there together.

• JR made the same joke I did about Flash and Terry Funk not being related.  Of course more people heard Ross than me...

Mil Mascaras

• There was more inconsistency with the eliminations as Mil Mascaras jumped off the top rope and to the floor.  When Randy Savage did a similar move in 1992, he was allowed back into the match.  

• Faarooq also eliminated himself trying to escape Ahmed Johnson who had eliminated himself earlier in the evening.  I never understood why guys not involved in the match could do this, but I digress.

Bottom line as Stone Cold would say, I enjoyed this Rumble and think the ending is second only to Ric Flair's historical win in 1992.

This Really May Be Hell

Brock wins again?
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I've said it several times not just here but on my podcast as well, that I'm not a huge fan of specialty pay per views like Hell in a Cell and Money in the Bank.  I think too many of these matches takes away from the times when it's "important" to have competitors squaring off in a speciality match.  We're guaranteed at least two HIAC matches each year.  

Undertaker vs. Mankind
Courtesy: WWE

I don't hate the match itself, as there have been some extraordinary things go on inside and outside the structure.  My favorite is a no-brainer, The Undertaker vs. Mankind from King of the Ring 1998.  It was only the third cell match and the rivalry between the two Superstars had built for years.  Plus the emotional commentary of Jim Ross makes this one of those matches I go back and watch more often than any other HIAC match.

Courtesy: Jake Sharpless
http://rukkus.com/blog/author/jake/

Nearly 20 years and 30 Hell in a Cell matches later, I can't say that I'm overly excited for the 2015 incarnation of the event.  Putting Brock and Undertaker back in the cell for what will hopefully be their third and final match of this series makes sense.  Do I think it will be an outstanding match?  Not likely, but I do know both men will put 110% into the contest. But the buildup of this feud hasn't intrigued me at all.  Well I do like the Bray Wyatt-Roman Reigns rivalry, I don't think they NEED to be in a cell.  I'm not sure any feuds right now on the main roster are HIAC worthy.  That's been a trend in recent years and another reason to argue no need for two of these matches on each October pay per view. (Thanks to Jake Sharpless from Rukkus for the cool graphic)

I have no doubt the wrestling action Sunday will be amazing.  I hope from the creative side of things we are given some new options.  I'm still not sure how I feel about Kane competing for the top prize at this stage in his career.  It's a must to cultivate younger talent.  Kevin Owens. Caesaro. Neville. Rusev. Reigns. Wyatt.  The time is NOW to pull the trigger on these guys.  And stay behind them.

Tyler Breeze
Courtesy: WWE

I'll close with the John Cena U.S. Title Open Challenge.  They flirted with Owens a few months ago being the guy to knock off Cena.  If the "champ" is taking some time off in the coming weeks, Sunday's challenger should be given the ball and a chance to run (and far) with it.  Speculation is that it'll be Tyler Breeze.  I have no problem with that.  Let's see what he can do on the main roster.  I know it's a long shot, but I wouldn't mind it being Daniel Bryan (Yes! Yes! Yes! I'm a mark for him)  Tune in to a later edition of My 1-2-3 Cents the podcast and hear a first hand account of Sunday's action.