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Former WWE wrestler shares stories: Mick Foley's one-man show
By John Benson
Even though Mick Foley (AKA Mankind) spent several grueling years during the ’90s in the wrestling ring, during which time he was known for absorbing seemingly nonstop punishment, you could make a solid argument that the Long Island native remains just as popular today.
When he’s not appearing on TV or writing New York Times best-selling books (“Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks” and “The Hardcore Diaries”), the 48-year-old performer can be found touring the country in his one-man show.
The Mahoning Valley can see the three-time WWE champion in person when “Hardcore Legend: An Evening With Mick Foley” comes to the Funny Farm in Austintown on Thursday.
The show features stories from his past (delivered with just one F-bomb) and a question-and- answer session. The Vindicator talked to Foley about this next round in his life.
Q. First of all, any memories of wrestling in Youngstown?
A. Sure, I wrestled there on a handful of occasions. Sometimes I incorporated Dumpsters into my matches. I remember someone driving me and a girl from the ring, like she was my queen in a Dumpster. We were pushed away from the ring together like it was my chariot. That’s a good memory. Also, “Youngstown” by Bruce Springsteen is my favorite song, so I have Youngstown on my mind more often than you might think.
Q. As far as your one-man show is concerned, how did you end up on stage?
A. It started when I began speaking at colleges in 1999. I’ve been doing them for a long time, although it’s only been the last five years that I’ve been given a chance to try out the shows on traditional stand-up stages. I learned to incorporate the stories and make it more of a one-man show with quality. It’s a fun show, and every night I learn something and figure out ways to make it better.
Q. It sounds similar to Mike Tyson’s one-man show that has been garnering attention of late.
A. It’s similar to that but I don’t have anyone writing it or directing it for me. But I really enjoyed Mike Tyson’s show. The one difference is I only have one curse word in the show.
Q. The other difference between the one-man shows is you don’t have a face tattoo.
A. No, but I could paint one on. [laughs]
Q. Regarding “Hardcore Legend: An Evening With Mick Foley,” do you have to be a wrestling fan to enjoy?
A. No, absolutely not. I don’t mean to pick on the women, but usually they accompany a boyfriend or husband, and they end up going out of their way to tell me how much they enjoy themselves. It’s a wrestling-centric storytelling show but if you don’t have any wrestling knowledge you’ll enjoy the stories I tell.
Q. What sort of topics will you be covering?
A. I will address the end of the Undertakers’ hallowed Wrestlemania streak and compare the performers versus competitors in the world of professional wrestling. I’ll take people on a journey of how a guy, an unlikely physical specimen, managed to strike fear into the hearts of a generation while possessing no physical tools whatsoever. That’s kind of the theme of the show.
Q. Finally, while you’re no longer wrestling in the ring, it sounds like you’re now wrestling with an audience on a nightly basis.
A. Yeah, and with these shows, I can give everything and not have to worry about a late-night emergency-room visit. So it’s like being in the ring without getting hurt.