WWE Legends deal ends after decades of merchandise history
Summary
– Mick Foley confirmed that his WWE Legends merchandising deal has expired
– Foley thanked WWE’s merchandise and marketing teams for supporting his legacy
– He said he is looking forward to new AEW merchandise and future outside projects
Mick Foley’s WWE Legends merchandising deal is officially over.
Foley announced on Instagram that he is no longer under a WWE Legends merchandise contract. The move ends a long business relationship with WWE, but Foley made it clear that he is leaving that chapter with gratitude.
“A MESSAGE FOR WWE – as of this day, I am no longer under a Legends merchandising contract, and have a message for @wwe at the end of our thirty year relationship. …have a nice day!”
Foley said his message was aimed especially at WWE’s merchandise and marketing teams. He looked back on joining WWE in 1996 after already spending 11 years in wrestling and finally receiving his first action figure.
“The message for WWE, and specifically for their merchandise and marketing people, is thank you. When I got to WWE in 1996, I had been in the business for 11 years, and I finally got an action figure. I figured that was my one and only action figure, and here it is, 2026, and honestly, a couple of days ago, I received my largest quarterly royalty statement in 10 years.”
That statement shows the decision was not a small one. Foley’s WWE merchandise still had value, and he acknowledged that the deal remained financially meaningful right up to the end.
“So I want to thank everyone in WWE who had a hand in making the decision that I was someone worth making action figures for and different types of merchandise.”
Foley also reassured fans that this does not erase his WWE history. He said he has no issue signing WWE memorabilia and remains proud of everything he accomplished there.
“For fans, I want you to know I have no problem signing WWE memorabilia. I’m proud of everything I did there, but it’s time for a new chapter in my life.”
That next chapter will include AEW. Foley said he is excited about working with AEW, creating merchandise there, and exploring other opportunities outside WWE.
“I’m looking forward to this venture in AEW, and I’m looking forward to making AEW as great as it can be. I’m looking forward to having merchandise coming out with AEW and other companies I talked to today.”
Foley previously admitted that stepping away from WWE money was difficult. He said WWE-related appearances were easier and paid well, especially around WrestleMania weekend.
“Well, it was a difficult decision to make to kind of cut ties with them. They hadn’t employed me for many years. I was, you know, an independent contractor, but I did have a merchandising deal. I had a couple of really easy, high-paying events at WrestleMania weekend.
As it turned out, I had to work 24 hours on my own to make what I would have made in four with WWE. But I’m okay with that. I believe if you want something, you go after it and you work hard for it.”
Foley’s split from WWE also followed his public criticism of the company’s ties to the White House and Donald Trump. He said Trump’s comments after Rob Reiner’s death were part of what pushed him away.
“Oh man, there’s just a type of discourse to me that is unacceptable from anyone, let alone the most powerful man in the world. You don’t mock people when they die. And why people in his party don’t call him out on that type of behavior. It’s not acceptable. That for me was the straw that broke the camel’s back, but there were an awful lot of straws on that camel’s back already.”
Foley is not leaving WWE’s history behind, but his business future is now moving in a different direction. He thanked the people who helped keep his merchandise legacy alive and made it clear that AEW is part of what comes next.
