Post by Lance Uppercut on Aug 19, 2005 17:10:07 GMT -5
www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/302480311
Mick Foley readies for Sunday’s SummerSlam
By Evan Denbaum
Three-time WWE Champion Mick Foley has experienced much success at past SummerSlams. In fact, it was at SummerSlam 1999 that the Hardcore Legend captured his third WWE Championship. WWE.com recently caught up with Foley to get his thoughts on this year’s summer spectacular.
WWE.com: When are we going to see you back in WWE?
Foley: Well, I would have liked to have been a part of SummerSlam (this Sunday). It would have been a perfect time to show up and shamelessly plug the book. But there’s only room for one returning legend at a time, and Hulk has that role pretty well sewn up for a while.
WWE.com: You have quite a history with some of the Superstars on the SummerSlam card. Any thoughts on Randy Orton vs. Undertaker? You have plenty of history with both of them.
Foley: Here’s a chance for Orton, with a great guy like the Undertaker, to maybe re-establish himself.
But I think, as a fan, the main event is clearly Shawn (Michaels) and Hulk (Hogan) and I think they’ve done a great job creating interest in that. I’d be surprised if this wasn’t a big success just based on that one match. And I’ll be interested to see what the reaction to both guys is. This might be a case where Shawn has been so entertaining that people are going to be hesitant to boo him.
WWE.com: How do you think the actual match will be?
Foley: Well, I think it’ll be very good. You’ve got Shawn, who is one of the best in-ring performers in our sport’s history and Hulk, who has been able to garner reactions like nobody else. I think they’ll adjust and be able to play off the fans and be able to put together a really good match.
WWE.com: There are two emotionally charged matches on the card. Any thoughts on the Custody Battle Ladder Match between Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero?
Foley: I’ve really liked watching Eddie. I don’t mean the story; I mean the reactions and the way he’s handled his telling of the story. It’s always difficult when you’re doing something that’s emotional and controversial and I can understand why some people might not approve of it, but it’s certainly going to be interesting, and I think the in-ring match will be outstanding. And aren’t a lot of custody battles settled this way, anyway?
WWE.com: The Matt Hardy vs. Edge match stemmed from a very personal situation involving Amy Dumas (Lita). What do you think about all that?
Foley: That was an unfortunate deal as I like everybody involved — Matt, Adam (Edge) and Lita. And they’ve chosen to make some money off their real-life problems, and I guess there’s nothing wrong with that. I kind of had an opportunity to do that last year and opted not to, but I don’t see anything wrong with it. I guess if there’s some real animosity there, working it out in the ring is probably a healthy thing and probably cuts down on therapy bills.
WWE.com: Why didn’t you choose to leverage the real-life situation with Ric Flair, as you mentioned?
Foley: Well, I think the main difference is that he didn’t think I was much of an in-ring performer. It would be kind of like having a jam session with someone who thinks you’re a lousy guitarist. It might draw and sell out arenas, but deep down at my age, I didn’t feel like I wanted to be working with somebody who thought I sucked.
WWE.com: What about John Cena vs. Chris Jericho for the WWE Championship?
Foley: It should be a great match. I like the rock ‘n’ roll guy vs. the rapper. I like Jericho. He’s a great dynamic guy with a lot of charisma. It’s almost impossible to find a Jericho stinker either in-ring or in the storytelling.
WWE.com: A lot can change in a year. Last year, Chris Benoit was the World Heavyweight Champion defending against Randy Orton. This year, he’s challenging for the United States Championship against Orlando Jordan.
Foley: It’s tough. There’s only so many top spots. And sometimes it’s a case of a guy having his time and then having to wait in line for another big run. I know I went through that not only in WWE but in WCW as well. And if you love what you do, then you just concentrate on putting on as good a match as you can in hopes that your number is called soon.
WWE.com: What are your thoughts on Eugene vs. Kurt Angle?
Foley: I really enjoy Eugene. It’s a shame that he got hurt when he did. As a matter of fact, I saw a Mick Foley rescue coming down the line. I would have loved to play the role The Rock played for me; I’d be Eugene’s knight in shining armor. But against Angle, I think Eugene is probably looking forward to displaying some of his technical know-how. Anybody (who has seen him wrestle) knows that is his hidden secret. And Kurt’s another guy who has had great matches with wrestlers of a variety of styles. I know he sees this as a challenge, and I can’t remember the last time he didn’t live up to it.
Mick Foley readies for Sunday’s SummerSlam
By Evan Denbaum
Three-time WWE Champion Mick Foley has experienced much success at past SummerSlams. In fact, it was at SummerSlam 1999 that the Hardcore Legend captured his third WWE Championship. WWE.com recently caught up with Foley to get his thoughts on this year’s summer spectacular.
WWE.com: When are we going to see you back in WWE?
Foley: Well, I would have liked to have been a part of SummerSlam (this Sunday). It would have been a perfect time to show up and shamelessly plug the book. But there’s only room for one returning legend at a time, and Hulk has that role pretty well sewn up for a while.
WWE.com: You have quite a history with some of the Superstars on the SummerSlam card. Any thoughts on Randy Orton vs. Undertaker? You have plenty of history with both of them.
Foley: Here’s a chance for Orton, with a great guy like the Undertaker, to maybe re-establish himself.
But I think, as a fan, the main event is clearly Shawn (Michaels) and Hulk (Hogan) and I think they’ve done a great job creating interest in that. I’d be surprised if this wasn’t a big success just based on that one match. And I’ll be interested to see what the reaction to both guys is. This might be a case where Shawn has been so entertaining that people are going to be hesitant to boo him.
WWE.com: How do you think the actual match will be?
Foley: Well, I think it’ll be very good. You’ve got Shawn, who is one of the best in-ring performers in our sport’s history and Hulk, who has been able to garner reactions like nobody else. I think they’ll adjust and be able to play off the fans and be able to put together a really good match.
WWE.com: There are two emotionally charged matches on the card. Any thoughts on the Custody Battle Ladder Match between Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero?
Foley: I’ve really liked watching Eddie. I don’t mean the story; I mean the reactions and the way he’s handled his telling of the story. It’s always difficult when you’re doing something that’s emotional and controversial and I can understand why some people might not approve of it, but it’s certainly going to be interesting, and I think the in-ring match will be outstanding. And aren’t a lot of custody battles settled this way, anyway?
WWE.com: The Matt Hardy vs. Edge match stemmed from a very personal situation involving Amy Dumas (Lita). What do you think about all that?
Foley: That was an unfortunate deal as I like everybody involved — Matt, Adam (Edge) and Lita. And they’ve chosen to make some money off their real-life problems, and I guess there’s nothing wrong with that. I kind of had an opportunity to do that last year and opted not to, but I don’t see anything wrong with it. I guess if there’s some real animosity there, working it out in the ring is probably a healthy thing and probably cuts down on therapy bills.
WWE.com: Why didn’t you choose to leverage the real-life situation with Ric Flair, as you mentioned?
Foley: Well, I think the main difference is that he didn’t think I was much of an in-ring performer. It would be kind of like having a jam session with someone who thinks you’re a lousy guitarist. It might draw and sell out arenas, but deep down at my age, I didn’t feel like I wanted to be working with somebody who thought I sucked.
WWE.com: What about John Cena vs. Chris Jericho for the WWE Championship?
Foley: It should be a great match. I like the rock ‘n’ roll guy vs. the rapper. I like Jericho. He’s a great dynamic guy with a lot of charisma. It’s almost impossible to find a Jericho stinker either in-ring or in the storytelling.
WWE.com: A lot can change in a year. Last year, Chris Benoit was the World Heavyweight Champion defending against Randy Orton. This year, he’s challenging for the United States Championship against Orlando Jordan.
Foley: It’s tough. There’s only so many top spots. And sometimes it’s a case of a guy having his time and then having to wait in line for another big run. I know I went through that not only in WWE but in WCW as well. And if you love what you do, then you just concentrate on putting on as good a match as you can in hopes that your number is called soon.
WWE.com: What are your thoughts on Eugene vs. Kurt Angle?
Foley: I really enjoy Eugene. It’s a shame that he got hurt when he did. As a matter of fact, I saw a Mick Foley rescue coming down the line. I would have loved to play the role The Rock played for me; I’d be Eugene’s knight in shining armor. But against Angle, I think Eugene is probably looking forward to displaying some of his technical know-how. Anybody (who has seen him wrestle) knows that is his hidden secret. And Kurt’s another guy who has had great matches with wrestlers of a variety of styles. I know he sees this as a challenge, and I can’t remember the last time he didn’t live up to it.
