5 times WWE Superstars proved Vince McMahon wrong

#4 WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley proved Vince McMahon wrong

Cactus Jack was never supposed to appear in WWE

Before Mick Foley set foot in WWE, he was known as Cactus Jack from his time in WCW and ECW. Cactus Jack was known as one of Foley’s most hardcore characters, and it helped him develop into one of the most physical competitors in the ring.

Did you know #CactusJack was a tribute to @RealMickFoley's dad? #StoneColdPodcast pic.twitter.com/cTzaY76CK1

— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) December 22, 2018

However, Vince McMahon wasn’t a big fan of how Foley looked and did not want him to bring the Cactus Jack character to WWE. During an interview with Inside The Ropes, Foley spoke about the time when he debuted in WWE back in 1996.

"I was not supposed to be a star in WWE," Foley said. "I heard in good faith that Mr. McMahon was not a fan of mine, at all. The direct quote was, 'Cactus Jack will never step foot inside of a WWE ring'. As Mick Foley, I stepped inside as Mankind."

"Even then it was just a concession to Jim Ross, he would bring up my name at every booking meeting as potential talent. Finally Mr. McMahon in the fall of 1995 slammed his hand down on a table and said, 'Alright, I'll bring him in but I'm covering up his face."

While Vince caved in and signed Foley, he knew that he wouldn’t be a big star in WWE. The Chairman also did not want Foley to set foot in a WWE ring as Cactus Jack and instead gave him the Mankind gimmick.

2️⃣3️⃣ years ago today, Cactus Jack surfaced in WWE for the first time to battle @TripleH in a Falls Count Anywhere Match on #WWERaw! @RealMickFoley Watch it NOW, courtesy of @WWENetwork. ⤵️ https://t.co/UG3ly45r4Q

— WWE (@WWE) September 22, 2020

Just a year later, Foley proved Vince wrong by debuting the Cactus Jack gimmick in 1997 and became a major Superstar who had three distinct gimmicks. The Cactus Jack gimmick remains one of WWE’s most iconic gimmick.