If you ever wanted to know just how much Mick Foley loves professional wrestling, watch the promo he cut on Monday night. The passion he showed when talking about Hell in a Cell, while Sasha Banks and Charlotte waited to sign their WWE Women’s title contract, might be one of the signature moments of 2016.
When someone like Foley, who may be the most knowledgeable wrestler there is, when discussing the effects of the steel structure that almost killed him in his famous match against the Undertaker; puts it all on the line like he did, you know have something special.
For the wrestling fan, Foley’s plea to the current champion, Banks, and the former champion, Charlotte, will go down as one for the ages.
When Raw and SmackDown Live made the infamous brand change and created two general manager positions, I was sceptical of both Foley and Daniel Bryan, the SmackDown Live choice to assume the role.
For the most part, both have exceeded my expectations. While it’s not for me to decide if the job they have done is successful, I see Foley as the star of this split – the man who has taken the red team and helped forge a potential future of excellence.
Of course, depth, booking and character development must still be improved. But if anyone thinks Foley isn’t the right man for the job, they need their head examined. And after looking at the past general managers – what they accomplished and how they helped to improve their rosters and brand, Foley appears on track to be the most successful.
While there have been others who have fulfilled the role and done a solid job, even in this short time frame, Foley is already one of, if not the best Raw has had ever.
Here are five reasons why I know this to be true:
#1 Passion
There isn’t a single wrestler on Raw’s roster, who is as passionate about the business and making it successful as Foley is. His resume speaks for itself. And when he can cut a promo, almost bring himself to tears, and leave an otherwise silent crowd, in awe of how he promotes the company, that speaks volumes about how loves what he does.
When Foley was assuming other characters– Cactus Jack, Mankind and Dude Love, there was never the type of passion he displayed as he has done when being himself in the ring. While many disagree with how Raw has been managed and how there are still plenty of loose ends, no one can doubt his sincerity to his job.
#2 He’s a Former wrestler
Foley is a four-time world champion (three WWF Championships and one TNA World Heavyweight Championship), an 11-time world tag team champion (eight WWF Tag Team Championships, two ECW World Tag Team Championships, and one WCW World Tag Team Championship), a one-time TNA Legends Champion, and the inaugural WWF Hardcore Champion.
These credentials are worth their weight in gold. No other general manager on either brand has been this successful – not even Booker T. Because of that experience, he relates to wrestlers and can help put a segment over. Foley’s experience is also helpful to bring along the younger talent as they begin their quest towards greatness.
#3 Always an itch to return to the ring
Foley has said numerous times he will never wrestle again. He has been beaten, battered, put through hell and come back for more. But, in this business especially, never say never. The work he does with Stephanie McMahon is always cause for concern.
When will the other shoe drop? When will Triple H make a return to Raw? Will there be a confrontation? Will there be bad blood? Will something trigger an in-ring altercation between the McMahons and Foley? Would it mean he would once again lace them up and take a beating for the good of the company?
The 51-year-old has officially been retired since 2012. But never say never.
#4 Perfect foil for the McMahons
I have said this before. The relationship between Foley and Stephanie McMahon isn’t what is best for business. While the first few months have run smoothly, like any relationship, it will take a few hits before things settle down. I suspect at the end of 2016 or heading into 2017; this will be the case.
The great thing about Foley is that he stands his ground and won’t back down when McMahon tries to enforce her authority, on the brand or wrestlers. Foley’s position is more of a check and balance. Sooner or later, he will clash with his boss over a storyline, which will create a storyline of its own.
#5 Fans love him
And he loves the fans. Foley would have been successful in the more cartoon-centric 1980s WWF, where wrestlers’ personalities were just as dynamic as their in-ring performance.
Fans were captivated by their presence and were rewarded with the best era of my generation. Whichever character Foley walked out of the Gorilla position as, fans loved him.
His persona off camera and his success outside the wrestling business helped make him a real celebrity. Penning two best sellers didn’t hurt either, and his gimmick with Socko never got old. As one of the last vestiges of the Attitude Era, fans still cheer him like he still competes.
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