The Wrestling Legend Shares Insights into His Early Career and McMahon’s Initial Reluctance to Bring Him Onboard
In the world of professional wrestling, few names are as iconic as Mick Foley. Known for his tenacity and unique persona, Foley has left an indelible mark on the industry. However, his journey to the top was not without its challenges, as he recently revealed in an episode of his podcast, “FOLEY is POD.”
During the podcast, Foley shared how Vince McMahon, the head of WWE, initially didn’t want anything to do with him. Foley, who had made a name for himself in other wrestling promotions, found it difficult to crack into the WWE’s top tier, which wrestlers with Turner contracts dominated.
“So you know you’d have your run but as far as the guys who were perpetually on top they were uh Turner contracts and not WCW contracts and there just didn’t seem to be a way to crack in there,” Foley said.
Foley also recalled how he was offered a starting income of $1500, which was considered good money at the time. Despite the low pay, Foley was determined to make his mark in the WWE.
“So far, I think my favorite moment being in WWE would probably be joining Judgment Day. That’s where I got my ‘Mami,’ I got Finn, and I got my boy, Damian. I’ve been having a blast with Judgment Day. We’ve clearly been taking over all of WWE. So I think joining them has been one of my favorite moments so far,” Foley shared.
Despite McMahon’s initial reluctance, Foley eventually made his way into the WWE, thanks partly to the support of Jim Ross, who was head of talent then. Ross believed that Foley could bring something different to the table and was a strong advocate for him.
Foley’s story is a testament to his perseverance and passion for wrestling. Despite the initial hurdles, he managed to carve out a successful career in the WWE, becoming one of the most beloved figures in the industry.