The injury list on the back of Foley's book

[Futureraven: Beelzebruv]

Aug 17, 2016 14:24:37 GMT -5 canal said:

It makes me think of that ECW interview he did during the Tommy Dreamer feud. He talked about the 20/20 expose on wrestling, and how this thing he loved more than anything in the world was now subject to ridicule for being phony. He said he was on a righteous mission to make the world respect professional wrestling. I don't think that was just a promo, I think there was serious truth to that. In his own deranged way, he thought if he could take enough indisputably realistic punishment, it could convert doubters into believers.

I think that attitude is a downplayed but important part of the Attitude Era boom. Sure, it was about Austin and Rock and all the great storylines, but it was also about Foley and those he inspired taking insane punishment that made people who may have found wrestling hokey and phony before take notice. It signified that wrestling wasn't just Hogan and Flair cartoon stuff anymore, it was people literally putting their lives on the line, and people thought it was cool and badass, perfect for the 90s XTREME culture. The Hardcore division, the tag ladder matches with all the wild bumps (which still influence the product today through MITB matches), even the wicked unprotected chair shots guys like Taker, Kane, Austin, and everyone else were giving and taking, that stuff was Foley(and ECW)-inspired, and added the element of spectacle to the Attitude Era that I'm sure drew in more fans.

Now, much like Benoit and Guerrero, he's more of a cautionary tale than anything. He sacrificed his health to become a highly influential star in the business he loved. Since he's always been such a good guy and got along with everyone, the business has taken care of him in return, continuing to give him chances to make money and even get his kids jobs.

In Mick's case, I bet he doesn't regret that much personally, but judging on how bothered he was by things like the JT Smith incident in ECW, I bet it bothers him that other wrestlers and even backyarders took after him and tried to emulate his freakishly physical style. It was even going to be the basis for that Ambrose/Foley feud that never was. True to form, I'm sure Mick was going to dig into some real, conflicted feelings for promo material.

I see it like this: there's so much inspiration to take from someone like Mick Foley, and there's plenty of recklessness one can discard and reframe into a smarter way for doing things. That's how the world turns, we look to the past and learn from successes and mistakes.

I think it was in one of his books he mentioned the lesson more people could take from him.

He spent 10 years destroying his body all over the world, sometimes for less than nothing.

He got his best reactions and paydays putting a dirty sock on his hand.

[segaz]

Aug 17, 2016 14:24:37 GMT -5 canal said:

It makes me think of that ECW interview he did during the Tommy Dreamer feud. He talked about the 20/20 expose on wrestling, and how this thing he loved more than anything in the world was now subject to ridicule for being phony. He said he was on a righteous mission to make the world respect professional wrestling. I don't think that was just a promo, I think there was serious truth to that. In his own deranged way, he thought if he could take enough indisputably realistic punishment, it could convert doubters into believers.

I think that attitude is a downplayed but important part of the Attitude Era boom. Sure, it was about Austin and Rock and all the great storylines, but it was also about Foley and those he inspired taking insane punishment that made people who may have found wrestling hokey and phony before take notice. It signified that wrestling wasn't just Hogan and Flair cartoon stuff anymore, it was people literally putting their lives on the line, and people thought it was cool and badass, perfect for the 90s XTREME culture. The Hardcore division, the tag ladder matches with all the wild bumps (which still influence the product today through MITB matches), even the wicked unprotected chair shots guys like Taker, Kane, Austin, and everyone else were giving and taking, that stuff was Foley(and ECW)-inspired, and added the element of spectacle to the Attitude Era that I'm sure drew in more fans.

Now, much like Benoit and Guerrero, he's more of a cautionary tale than anything. He sacrificed his health to become a highly influential star in the business he loved. Since he's always been such a good guy and got along with everyone, the business has taken care of him in return, continuing to give him chances to make money and even get his kids jobs.

In Mick's case, I bet he doesn't regret that much personally, but judging on how bothered he was by things like the JT Smith incident in ECW, I bet it bothers him that other wrestlers and even backyarders took after him and tried to emulate his freakishly physical style. It was even going to be the basis for that Ambrose/Foley feud that never was. True to form, I'm sure Mick was going to dig into some real, conflicted feelings for promo material.

I see it like this: there's so much inspiration to take from someone like Mick Foley, and there's plenty of recklessness one can discard and reframe into a smarter way for doing things. That's how the world turns, we look to the past and learn from successes and mistakes.

That's a very interesting viewpoint, and one I agree with.

[AJ Smudgico]

The way I see it with Mick is that he was so over, the buzz he got meant it became more and more difficult to walk away.
In comparison, I used to be a soccer player to a decent standard. I was known for tough tackling but being fair. However, despite only ever injuring one player, I'd often get injured myself. If I was out injured I'd on occasion be told by a team mate or manager that they couldn't wait to see me back. Knowing how I played and having the ego that I wanted to play again, I carried on playing and carried on going when I should have given up a long time before. The result? I'm in my mid-thirties and in crippling pain every day. Sure, nothing I did was as bad or as nuts as Foley, but what I'm saying is, if you get the buzz from going out there and doing it, your judgment may not be clear and you might do too much.
Foley entertained me for years, knowing the pain he is now in, I can't help but feel for him.

[canal]

Aug 18, 2016 13:58:05 GMT -5 Futureraven: Beelzebruv said:

Aug 17, 2016 14:24:37 GMT -5 canal said:

It makes me think of that ECW interview he did during the Tommy Dreamer feud. He talked about the 20/20 expose on wrestling, and how this thing he loved more than anything in the world was now subject to ridicule for being phony. He said he was on a righteous mission to make the world respect professional wrestling. I don't think that was just a promo, I think there was serious truth to that. In his own deranged way, he thought if he could take enough indisputably realistic punishment, it could convert doubters into believers.

I think that attitude is a downplayed but important part of the Attitude Era boom. Sure, it was about Austin and Rock and all the great storylines, but it was also about Foley and those he inspired taking insane punishment that made people who may have found wrestling hokey and phony before take notice. It signified that wrestling wasn't just Hogan and Flair cartoon stuff anymore, it was people literally putting their lives on the line, and people thought it was cool and badass, perfect for the 90s XTREME culture. The Hardcore division, the tag ladder matches with all the wild bumps (which still influence the product today through MITB matches), even the wicked unprotected chair shots guys like Taker, Kane, Austin, and everyone else were giving and taking, that stuff was Foley(and ECW)-inspired, and added the element of spectacle to the Attitude Era that I'm sure drew in more fans.

Now, much like Benoit and Guerrero, he's more of a cautionary tale than anything. He sacrificed his health to become a highly influential star in the business he loved. Since he's always been such a good guy and got along with everyone, the business has taken care of him in return, continuing to give him chances to make money and even get his kids jobs.

In Mick's case, I bet he doesn't regret that much personally, but judging on how bothered he was by things like the JT Smith incident in ECW, I bet it bothers him that other wrestlers and even backyarders took after him and tried to emulate his freakishly physical style. It was even going to be the basis for that Ambrose/Foley feud that never was. True to form, I'm sure Mick was going to dig into some real, conflicted feelings for promo material.

I see it like this: there's so much inspiration to take from someone like Mick Foley, and there's plenty of recklessness one can discard and reframe into a smarter way for doing things. That's how the world turns, we look to the past and learn from successes and mistakes.

I think it was in one of his books he mentioned the lesson more people could take from him.

He spent 10 years destroying his body all over the world, sometimes for less than nothing.

He got his best reactions and paydays putting a dirty sock on his hand.

That is good advice, but it makes me wonder, how well would the Socko and Comissioner Foley stuff have gone over had he not put all that work in and gained so much respect from the fans and his peers? If he started off doing more lighthearted comedy stuff, I don't think he would've ever gotten in position to get those huge pops and paydays. He earned his pass to be goofy and fun by toiling away in Japan, ECW, and everywhere else for 15 years. Santino got some nice reactions doing the Cobra, but he never made close to the money Foley did, let alone the legacy and level of respect. Foley strikes me as one who cares a lot about that stuff.

[Futureraven: Beelzebruv]

Aug 18, 2016 15:51:05 GMT -5 canal said:

Aug 18, 2016 13:58:05 GMT -5 Futureraven: Beelzebruv said:

I think it was in one of his books he mentioned the lesson more people could take from him.

He spent 10 years destroying his body all over the world, sometimes for less than nothing.

He got his best reactions and paydays putting a dirty sock on his hand.

That is good advice, but it makes me wonder, how well would the Socko and Comissioner Foley stuff have gone over had he not put all that work in and gained so much respect from the fans and his peers? If he started off doing more lighthearted comedy stuff, I don't think he would've ever gotten in position to get those huge pops and paydays. He earned his pass to be goofy and fun by toiling away in Japan, ECW, and everywhere else for 15 years. Santino got some nice reactions doing the Cobra, but he never made close to the money Foley did, let alone the legacy and level of respect. Foley strikes me as one who cares a lot about that stuff.

That's taking it a bit literally, it's more saying that personality was the main thing.

If someone has the charisma, they can do it. Hogan was never one to do more than he needed, Steve Austin's best run happened after his neck injury and couldn't go like when he was younger, The Rock had only been in the business a couple of years before he got hot and was a safe worker.

You bring up Santino, if not for injuries, he'd still be going and making good money. Even pushed as mid card comedy, there were at least 2 PPVs where people were on the edge of their seat willing him to win big.

It wasn't the stunts with Foley, it was getting people to invest in them in the first place. His passion, his mic skills and psychology. If it was just the blood 100 other guys could have been him but they weren't. He found something in himself to bring out and make people care.

[The Dark Order Inferno]

The whole 'Hogan never did more than he had to' thing isn't as good as people think, his routine is the reason his spine has been replaced by duct tape and an old umbrella now. Had he shaken things up, finished some of his matches with the axe bomber rather than the leg drop, or, god forbid, lost once in a while, he wouldn't now be feeling the effects of dropping his full weight down on his spine 3 nights a week, 52 weeks a year for a decade.

[Deleted]

Aug 17, 2016 19:16:24 GMT -5 Shai said:

Aug 17, 2016 18:57:16 GMT -5 Raw is Doodie101 said:

Wow that's amazing. Mick seems like such a great dude man.

This is me meeting Mick at a charity event a few months after I got clean. I cried like a baby.

#ThanksMick

It's actually really cool hearing stories about celebs philanthropic donations working rather than the story being the act itself. Congrats on getting clean

[Bo Rida]

Aug 18, 2016 16:10:29 GMT -5 The Dark Order Inferno said:

The whole 'Hogan never did more than he had to' thing isn't as good as people think, his routine is the reason his back has been replaced by duct tape and an old umbrella now. Had he shaken things up, finished some of his matches with the axe bomber rather than the leg drop, or, god forbid, lost once in a while, he wouldn't now be feeling the effects of dropping his full weight down on his spine 3 nights a week, 52 weeks a year for a decade.

Yeah it does often seem to be the innocuous things that cause serious injuries more than the big spots.

[canal]

Aug 18, 2016 16:03:46 GMT -5 Futureraven: Beelzebruv said:

Aug 18, 2016 15:51:05 GMT -5 canal said:

That is good advice, but it makes me wonder, how well would the Socko and Comissioner Foley stuff have gone over had he not put all that work in and gained so much respect from the fans and his peers? If he started off doing more lighthearted comedy stuff, I don't think he would've ever gotten in position to get those huge pops and paydays. He earned his pass to be goofy and fun by toiling away in Japan, ECW, and everywhere else for 15 years. Santino got some nice reactions doing the Cobra, but he never made close to the money Foley did, let alone the legacy and level of respect. Foley strikes me as one who cares a lot about that stuff.

That's taking it a bit literally, it's more saying that personality was the main thing.

If someone has the charisma, they can do it. Hogan was never one to do more than he needed, Steve Austin's best run happened after his neck injury and couldn't go like when he was younger, The Rock had only been in the business a couple of years before he got hot and was a safe worker.

You bring up Santino, if not for injuries, he'd still be going and making good money. Even pushed as mid card comedy, there were at least 2 PPVs where people were on the edge of their seat willing him to win big.

It wasn't the stunts with Foley, it was getting people to invest in them in the first place. His passion, his mic skills and psychology. If it was just the blood 100 other guys could have been him but they weren't. He found something in himself to bring out and make people care.

It was the investment, and it was the stunts. For someone who isn't very athletic, not a techincal wizard, doesn't have a great body or classically handsome looks, he had to find a niche. You can get people invested all day long but if you don't deliver on the investment, it's all for naught. All that punishment and risk taking were him delivering on the investment in his own way.