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1998 was an eventful year in the world of professional wrestling. The two main organizations in the United States were embroiled in a bitter rivalry for the TV ratings, and towards the end of the year, the then WWF had just edge past WCW. WCW were desperate to get back at the WWF, and go back on the top of the charts as the leading professional wrestling organization in the world, but as the year ended, something incredible happened in the WWF.
Although the fans couldn’t see it for a week, it landed the decisive blow to WCW’s hopes and fortunes. On January 4th 1999, WCW came out with its first live episode of WCW Monday Nitro of the new year, while the WWF was airing an episode which was taped a week ago. WCW had been advertising the much anticipated bout between Hogan and Nash, and after the ‘Fingerpoke of doom’ incident that night, which saw Hogan and Nash getting back together and reforming the New World Order, WCW knew they had to do something to negate the advantage their competition had.
This led to Eric Bischoff telling Tony Schiavone to give away the ending of the Rock – Mankind match for the WWF championship, in a move which was seen as a stalemate; WCW wanted to take away the interest from the bout, and told the WCW audience which had tuned in that Mankind would beat The Rock for the WWF championship. He then mockingly said, “That'll put a lot of butts in the seats”, and ironically enough, that was exactly what happened.
On that night, the WCW audience switched the channel as soon as Tony had given away the pre – taped results to see Mick Foley win the WWF championship for the first time in his career. Many fans consider this as the night WWF ended the ratings war, coming out on top.
So why am I revisiting that moment today? Today happens to be the birthday of the guy who had won the WWF championship for the first time in his career that night. Today, Mick Foley celebrates his 49th birthday, and through the years, the fans have uttered the phrase “Foley is no God, God is Foley”, and to those who have been following professional wrestling for more than a decade and a half, that phrase comes off as completely true.
There is perhaps no other WWE superstar who had put his body on the line for the fans more than Mick Foley. There hasn’t been any other WWE performer, except for the legendary Terry Funk, who was beaten within an inch of his life more than Mankind. The risks he took can be termed foolish, but that didn’t matter to Mick. For him, the fans were more important.
Mick Foley’s bouts have become a stuff of legends. From his legendary matches with Terry Funk to his death defying bumps in the WWE, Mick Foley has always put the fans ahead of his career and well being. Perhaps, that is why the reaction to Foley winning the WWF title brought an organic essence; Mankind wasn’t pushed to the moon by the WWE machine, neither did they get behind him like they did with The Rock, telling the fans to care for him.
Mankind wasn’t just a character; he exemplified a common wrestling fan. Foley wasn’t heavily muscled, neither did he have the chiseled features that you find in a WWE superstar. He wasn’t “ravishing” (Cheap pop for Rick Rude!), neither was he the face Vince McMahon would want on posters to sell tickets. In short, Mick Foley wasn’t supposed to win the WWF title.
But that was what made the victory so special. Foley defied the odds, but that didn’t come easy. Foley broke so many bones in his body that one cannot pin point a part of his body frame where he didn’t suffer an injury. Torn ligaments, broken bones and an amputated ear was what it took for Mick to make a name for himself in the wrestling world. Although Foley received love and adulation from the wrestling fans all over the world, he wasn’t done yet.
As a young fan, Foley dreamt of making it big in the WWE, and one day win the WWE title. Like any other young wrestling fan, Foley wanted his name on the posters, watch himself performing on TV, but most of all, he wanted to hold the most prestigious title in the wrestling industry – the WWE title.
After the infamous Hell In A Cell match against The Undertaker in 1998, Foley’s fortunes in the WWE changed for the better. The match itself has become a stuff of legends, as the image of Mick bleeding with his tooth lodged up his nostril has been imprinted in the minds of all the wrestling fans, who had witnessed the punishment Mick endured during the course of the bout. This not only made the fans respect Foley even more, but it also gave them an idea about Mick’s willingness to go the extra mile to give the fans something they would never forget. On that night, Mick might’ve lost some blood, but he garnered a whole new generation of fans.
Mick Foley might’ve retired from professional wrestling, but to this day, he is one of the most respected superstars in the history of the industry. As one chapter closed, another chapter began in Mick’s life, which saw him becoming New York’s bestselling author on multiple occasions. Foley has also joined forces with organizations such as RAINN, and has been an advocate for human rights. Professional wrestling hasn’t been the same without Mick, and the fans to this day greet Foley with open arms whenever he makes an appearance for any wrestling promotion. In the end, it is true what people say. Mick Foley is no God, but God is indeed Foley!
