Mick Foley born in Bloomington, Indiana
Foley (Michael Francis Foley) is born in Bloomington, Indiana. He pursues wrestling and lacrosse while in high school. He begins wrestling training as a young man under the tutelage of Dominic DeNucci. He makes his professional wrestling debut in 1983.
Hell in a Cell
Foley faces The Undertaker in first WWE pay-per-view Hell in a Cell match. During the match, Foley is thrown from the top of the cage twice. Foley loses the bout.
Man, that was a good one, and we were having a good time thinking completely ludicrous things to do inside, outside, and on top of the cage. After a while I got serious and said quietly to Terry, “I think I can do it.”
Wrestlemania 15
Wrestlemania 15 is held at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The event features Hardcore Holly vs Billy Gunn, Mankind vs Big Show, Kane vs Triple H, The Undertaker vs Big Boss Man and Steve Austin vs The Rock.
Inaugural SmackDown
WWE SmackDown makes its television debut. The event features Blue Blazer vs Val Venis, Big Show vs Test, Ken Shamrock vs Bradshaw, Mankind vs Big Boss Man and Steve Austin and The Rock vs The Corporate Ministry.
Wrestlemania 2000
Wrestlemania 2000 is the 16th annual event and the first of the new millennium it is held at Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California. The event features Chris Benoit vs Kurt Angle vs Chris Jericho and Triple H vs The Rock vs Mick Foley vs Big Show.
Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks
Foley publishes his first memoir, Have a Nice Day: a Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks. Foley becomes the first professional wrestler to pen his own autobiography without the use of a ghost writer. The book covers Foley’s childhood, teenage years and early career.
A big book is like a serious relationship; it requires a commitment. Not only that, but there’s no guarantee that you will enjoy it, or that it will have a happy ending. Kind of like going out with a girl, having to spend time every day with her – with absolutely no guarantee of nailing her in the end. No thanks.
Foley is Good: And the Real World is Faker than Wrestling
Foley publishes his second memoir, picking up where the last left off. This book follows Foley as an aging wrestler and his most recent WWE run.
It’s difficult to differentiate between a story that’s humorous and clever and one that actually makes people laugh out loud. I do have stories in the book that make people laugh out loud, but there are others that make people smile or chuckle and you have to learn that you can’t tell too many of those types of stories on stage.
Pro Wrestling Radio interview
Foley talks about his new book, Tietam Brown:
I did feel like it was one of those books that you’d feel compelled to read once they started and to me that is the mark of a good book. One that kind of calls out to you when your’re not reading it and I have read a lot of books that are supposed to be great and I understood while I was reading them that was writing was really good, but I didn’t feel anything in common with the characters or any need to relate to them and I think if there is one strength, and I think that this book does have several strengths, I think that is the strongest point that the main character is very engaging and likable and I think people like you will find that they will be drawn to them.
Wrestlemania 22
Wrestlemania 22 is held at the Allstate Arena in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois. The event features Edge vs Mick Foley, Trish Stratus vs Mickie James, The Undertaker vs Mark Henry, Rey Mysterio vs Kurt Angle vs Randy Orton and John Cena vs Triple H
The Hardcore Diaries
Foley publishes a third memoir The Hardcore Diaries. This book follows Foley’s creative struggles with WWE and the return of ECW as a WWE brand. Foley goes in depth on his differences with WWE owner, Vince McMahon.
I believe that anyone that likes my writing style will enjoy this one as well. The things that they loved about the first three, the sophomoric humor, the Tori Amos references, are all abundant in this one as well.
TNA debut
Foley makes his first TNA televised appearance. TNA founder, Jeff Jarrett introduces Foley to the fans before he appears on the big screen on the entrance way to close the show.
One of the things that impressed me about TNA is that they have a big picture. I made it very clear that the show did not need to be about me. I saw the big picture and I realized that I can make contributions when they are needed. So while I don’t see Destination X as something that I’ll play a large role in, it will be an important role in the bigger picture.
Countdown to Lockdown: A Hardcore Journal
Foley publishes his fourth memoir, Countdown to Lockdown: A Hardcore Journal. The book follows Foley’s run in TNA as he counts down the events leading up to his highly publicized match against Sting.
At one time, I was really afraid they were going to scrap the whole project, especially when my own personal story started to take a turn for the worse. Luckily for me, Vince McMahon really believed that I should have the right to tell the story as I saw it.
The Art of Wreslting interview
Foley is a guest on The Art of Wrestling to discuss writing, wrestling and road stories.
I checked into a twenty-five dollar motel that did not take credit cards. You had to walk around the alley to get to the room. I said out loud, “I’m Cactus F’in Jack. That am I doing here?”
Wrestling101.com interview
Foley talks about being selected for the WWE Hall of Fame:
It’s going to be huge for me, I attended a New York Knicks game as a guest of the WWE and they but my name up on the scoreboard at Madison Square Garden and then played my Hall of Fame induction video and that is when it kind of dawned on me. In a very short amount of time I will be up on the stage standing in front of close to 20,000 people in the worlds most famous arena and for the first time I got a little bit concerned.
WWE.com interview
Foley speaks to WWE.com about his infamous fall in his Hell in a Cell match with The Undertaker.
I feel kind of like Adam West in his views towards being Batman. For so many years, he fought it. Just like for so many years it really felt like I had other matches that were worth talking about that seldom got mentioned.
Chicagoist.com interview
Foley talks to Chicagoist.com about his ongoing comedy tour and his comedy focusing on wrestling.
I don’t often venture out from my comfort zone. Again, it’s because people aren’t coming out to hear me tell stories about non-wrestling issues. I do describe how my career in professional wrestling has given me a unique perspective on traveling abroad, politics and pornography, but I have a tether that pulls me back in.
Star Tribune interview
Foley speaks to The Star Tribune about brain research in professional wrestlers, and donating his own brain to science.
I have been approached. These are some tough questions here. You see how quickly I did those autographs? We got through a few hundred people fairly quickly. Signing my name on that form to donate my brain took a long time. It’s a big step, but if other people can learn from what I’ve done, I’m willing to do it.
Ross Report interview
Foley is a guest on The Ross Report to discuss hardcore wrestling, steel chairs and CM Punk leaving WWE.
I imagine that any number of physicians would say he should be taking a long physical break. He worked a more fast pace than anyone I’ve seen in the past decade and that will wear on ya quickly.
Roman Show interview
Foley talks to The Roman Show about wrestling Edge at Wrestlemania and steal chair shots to the head.
He was a guy who needed to take a tiny step to the next level. I just happen to be the guy to help him. You try to give to others cause when I was there someone did it for me.
Chad Dukes interview
Foley talks to Chad Dukes Wrestling Show The Wyatt Family and The Shield.
Sometimes, and I’m not picking on other groups, but when I wrestled elsewhere for a couple of years it was almost as if they thought every person watching the show watched every episode and kept up on everything, and they would break up groups, literally within months, two or three months.