In advance of July’s huge TNA Slammiversary on Vision Sport, we speak to all-round wrestling legend Mick Foley about feuds, injuries… and stationery.
Mick, you’ve spent a bit of time outside the ring, how did you enjoy your return at TNA Genesis?
I thought I’d broken my leg there! Did you see where AJ Styles and ‘Cute’ Kip James crashed into a table? I didn’t have the sense to get my leg out from underneath. If you watch it again, it’s scary. It was the first time I’d nearly broken my leg from being unaware of my surroundings. Wrestling was my passion for so many years and, having been out of the game for a little while, I think the fans understand that I’m a little bit slower than before.
You’ve played in some extreme matches and pulled off some insane stunts during the course of your career. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
Once you’ve been thrown off the top of a 12ft cage, it’s time to set the bar a little lower! On that particular occasion I was fighting the Undertaker, and it was a steel mesh cage that gave way a lot quicker than anticipated! That’s probably the most insane thing I’ve ever done. I even said before the show that we couldn’t land on that without getting seriously injured. As it turns out, I was right. But I knew what I was in for and did it regardless. When I was in Japan there was some crazy stuff too, like boards that exploded on impact.
Can we expect to see more high-risk moves in future?
Er… a few a year maybe. My biggest challenge has been getting into good enough physical condition so that when I do have a singles match, I’m able to give people their money’s worth.
You’ve had some battles with some of TNA’s finest – like Sting – in the past. What’s it like renewing these acquaintances?
You know what, I even said in my book, Have A Nice Day!, that I wouldn’t consider my career complete until I’d had another match with Sting. I always said he was the guy who helped put me on the mainstream wrestling map. It’s been great revisiting our history.
As well as the experienced lads, there are some talented youngsters on the roster. Who do you think is the best?
There’s so many guys. I guess you can’t really refer to Samoa Joe as a youngster any more, but I like watching guys like him, Jay Lethal and Consequences Creed. I really marvel at the fact that these guys are only in their early twenties and they’ve already accomplished quite a bit.
TNA has a massive following here. How do British crowds react to you?
Touring Britain has always been a lot of fun for me. I’ve always had a good following in the UK – I was surprised back in 1999 when my book did so well here. Me and the guys and the Knockouts love visiting this country.
What’s different about TNA Wrestling?
I think there’s a much better chance for different looks to be accepted by our fans and that’s great. I was lucky, I got a chance to show what I could do in WWE, but those chances aren’t very common for people who look like me. In TNA there’s more of an emphasis on ability and, ultimately, the fans get the chance to see a different end product.
What made you sign for TNA?
I’d been aligned with WWE off and on for 12 years and I just thought my days of making a difference there were over. When I met with TNA, they convinced me I had a chance to make a big difference and that’s important to me.
Lastly, if you were a piece of stationery, what would you be?
I’d like to be a stapler so I could bust some metallic moves with a spring in my step.
