âThree-time WWE Champion Mick Foley allowed his contract with WWE to expire on August 31, 2008. WWE and Foley have mutually agreed to sever businees ties at this time as the former SmackDown announcer pursues other opportunities.â
No, âbusinees tiesâ is not my typo. Thatâs how it appeared on WWE.com today. Also, the page where the posting appeared was plastered with not one, but two ads for âThe Legends of Wrestlingâ show on WWE 24/7. The ad featured, you got it, Mick Foley. Flair was there too.
Ah, irony. You are just too ironic. All âbusineesâ and no pleasure.
Those âother opportunitiesâ were confirmed today by Foley, announcing that he had come to terms with a short-term deal with TNA. He is also taking bookings for independent shows as well.
I would think that Mrs. Foleyâs baby boy is in heaven right now.
Mick cut his teeth in the smaller promotions. He had nice days and bad days in the territories. Hell, thatâs what made his first book a must-read and the trendsetter for wrestling books in general. Most tomes that come out are from wrestlers who donât have the depth and breadth of experience that a Mick Foley or a Bobby Heenan (cheap plug) enjoy.
Experiences in the lower echelon of the wrestling business give you a heaping helping of interesting stories. A career that started with a fat contract where you started in developmental and then moved up to the main WWE roster gives you few anecdotes of interest.
The âshort-term dealâ may become a trend. Letâs call it the âFoley Clause.â Mick is essentially dipping his toe into TNA to test the water. He has the opportunity to kick TNAâs tires and give the car a test drive before committing. If he likes what he sees, he can be in it for the long haul. If not, he can do his âbusineesâ elsewhere.
Much ado has been made about Foleyâs legacy and how TNA will affect it. Pish tosh. Foleyâs place in history is secure. From a fall from the cell where hell was taking place to the unlikely three WWE title reigns, Foleyâs chapter in the wrestling annals will not be diminished.
His impact (pun intended) remains a question mark. Foley is god, but is he the God of Ratings? Can he get TNA up to a 2.0 or more? Can he create mainstream buzz, being a best-selling author and television host? Remember âRobot Wars: Extreme Warriors?â You donât? Well, from what I saw, Iâm sure Foley would appreciate your forgetfulness.
I see Foley in TNA as a win-win for both sides. Mick is no longer in the background as an announcer or an occasional attraction. Heâs going to get a spotlight. Heâs get more television time. New surroundings tend to freshen a guy up.
Foleyâs success comes from the fact that fans can relate to him. Heâs not sculpted in the body or handsome in the face. Heâs the guy down the street (no, not the one that required neighborhood notification). He gives TNA fans someone they can relate to. More fans equal more ratings and pay-per-view buy rates. TNA becomes more successful and more formidable competition for WWE.
Okay, itâs not quite that simple, but it seems like Mick Foleyâs upcoming nice day(s) in TNA is good for âbusinees.â
Seriously, WWE.com guys. Itâs spell check. Look into it.
