Legendary WWE superstar and Raw general manager, Mick Foley, recently spoke to Jonathan Coachman on the ‘Off The Top Rope’ segment of ESPN Sportscenter.
During the interview, Foley discussed protesting against the Montreal Screwjob at the 1997 Survivor Series, promoting the WWE women’s division and the Rock’s chances in the 2020 elections.
The ‘Montreal Screwjob’ is remembered as perhaps the most shockingly controversial incident in WWE history and involved some of the biggest names in the business – Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and Vince McMahon.
Hart, who was on the verge of joining WCW, was supposed to defend his title against Michaels and relinquish his title on the following episode of Raw.
However, McMahon had other ideas and with help from ‘the Heartbreak Kid’ and referee Earl Hebner, he ensured that ‘The Hitman’ lost the match. While there were a number of wrestlers who threatened not to participate on Raw to protest against the incident, only Mick Foley was the one who actually did not turn up on the show.
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Elaborating about his actions post that forgetful night in Montreal, Foley said,
“I was just upset because I was a friend of Bret Hart's, and more importantly, he's a guy that I respect as a champion and a person. So I walked out and didn't show up the next night for Raw. If I had a car I would have driven home, but I didn't, so I sat in the hotel room in Montreal.”
He went on to talk about being the only person sitting out:
“I found out that night that one really is the loneliest number when only one guy sits out. There was a bunch of guys talking about it, but looking around the hotel I was the only one that ended up sitting out, so I said, 'Ah, I guess it didn't happen.”
Following a suggestion from his wife, though, Mick decided to return to the business and claimed that he was welcomed back with open arms by the WWE despite his actions.
“My wife pointed out that there was something in my contract that said I would be breaching my contract and couldn't work anywhere in the world for the next five years if I just sat home.
I came back and I was embraced, and it was never held against me -- as a matter of fact, I think Mr McMahon respected it.”
The Raw general manager also opened up about his role in promoting the women’s division in the WWE. He said:
“I've just been a guy pointing, going, 'Look over there, there's something special happening.
I hadn't seen Charlotte in years, and I hadn't even met the other women when I started watching them, but I knew there was something special there, and that people should take note of it -- and it's only going to get better.”
Mick Foley, who has been very opinionated about his political preferences of late, said that his former partner, The Rock, was a prime contender to become President in 2020 and that he could hold on to the post for two terms. He also spoke about other WWE superstars who may be potential presidential candidates:
“I see The Rock running in 2020 and being a two-term president. I think he would be great, and I'm joking when I say I think Stephanie McMahon wouldn't be a fine president of the United States. I think she's got the leadership qualities.”
Foley added,
“I see those two as potential candidates, and I see Kane as a congressional leader. Kane could win, and he's maybe the most knowledgeable man I've met in any field of business.”
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