Mick Foley on Fighting Bullying, Mankind and Making Peace With Ric Flair

Fred: Fred Richani here for The Sports Courier, pleased to be joined by WWE legend and future WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley. How are you doing, sir?

Mick Foley: Do you know something I don’t know? You’re just assuming I’ll be a future WWE Hall of Famer. Well, all right. I like the optimism. Thank you.

Fred: Always trying to be optimistic. Tell us what we’re here for tonight at the Hard Rock in Times Square.

Mick Foley: We are kicking bullying, right? I got a call just a few days ago and was told we were doing our best to kick out bullying. It’s something that’s completely preventable, unlike a lot of things we’re involved with, like Make-A-Wish, which are sad but sometimes inevitable. None of this is inevitable. All of it’s preventable. I guess the idea is to bring out a bunch of tough guys, which I kind of am, sort of, and send a message that bullying is not cool and won’t be tolerated.

Fred: You’re one of wrestling’s most unlikely world champions and legends, always fighting the odds. The Mankind character was always a little odd, but at the same time, he was kind of an everyman that people could relate to, Mrs. Foley’s baby boy reaching for his dream. How much did that character help you connect with the audience?

Mick Foley: He was an everyman, if every man wore a brown, smelly leather mask and talked to a sock puppet. But there were parts of that character people related to. He got beaten down, and he kept getting up. He got picked on a little bit, and I used some of my own life experiences to make that character click. So I know a little bit about the pain that goes along with bullying, and that’s why I think I can speak about it a little.

Fred: How pleased are you with WWE’s Be a Star program and how it reaches out to kids?

Mick Foley: I think that’s the best thing they’ve done. They’re really behind it. TNA did a good job too with Eliminate the Hate, but I don’t think they’ve followed through quite the way WWE has. WWE’s guys are out there in the public making positive contributions, and they’re letting us know about it. If and when those rumors turn out to be true and I do head back to WWE, that’s one of the things I’d really like to be part of.

Fred: I know that toward the end, when you started doing more anti-bullying campaigns, you asked for the show to be toned down a little bit so it fit.

Mick Foley: I’m on the board of directors of a group called RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization, so it goes hand in hand with the bullying and respect issues. I was a little concerned about some of the content, and they really made an attempt to tone it down, at least for the last couple of shows.

Fred: You’re awfully generous, man. I heard your interview with Dave Meltzer where you said your wife nags you a little because you donate so much of your money to charity. What keeps you wanting to leave a positive impact on so many people’s lives, between your books, your matches and helping people out, like the benefit show you did for Shane Helms?

Mick Foley: We have another one coming up Dec. 15 at Maguire’s in Bohemia, a comedy show where 100 percent of the proceeds go to a group called Holiday Magic, which makes Christmas happen for kids who are homeless or living in shelters. You can check that out on my website, RealMickFoley.com. I enjoy giving. It’s funny, because I won’t spend anything on my own clothes or car, but I like to help people out.

Fred: So you’re the anti-Ric Flair when it comes to fashion.

Mick Foley: Some people say I was the anti-Ric Flair in the ring too. Ow.

Fred: He was really good, and you guys had a great match in TNA too.

Mick Foley: We did have a great match. I think it’s called Impact now. As a matter of fact, the Nature Boy was part of that show for Shane Helms. Who would have thought it, back when Ric and I had our beef? We were in Charlotte, North Carolina, and we raised a lot of money. It’s kind of infectious. When people see one guy getting involved, it’s easier for others to get involved, especially when it’s as simple as showing up and giving your support to a great group like this.

Fred: I know you’ve got a lot to do tonight. What’s one piece of advice you’d leave young viewers about following their dreams, whether they want to be a pro wrestler or anything else?

Mick Foley: There you go. Here it is, one of only two wise things I’ve ever actually written: Don’t let anyone else define what being a success is. You get to do that for yourself.

Fred: Thank you so much. I look forward to your future induction.