I used to attend the Chiller Theater Conventions quite frequently, but there was one convention that left me with a fond memory before I even got inside. As I pulled into the parking garage in North Jersey right across from where the convention was being held, the car that was in the spot next to me decided to pull out and leave. I found out later that the reason for his leaving is that the show is sold out! Even though I didn't have a ticket, I was able to get in due to my association with Visual Experiences, a local movie production company that had an association with TROMA Team Video.
Anyway, I digress. No sooner did the guy next to me leave, but a van pulled in to that spot and the driver looked very familiar. After doing a double-take, I noticed that the lone person in the vehicle was Mick Foley. Arriving a little after the event started, it was no wonder that he seemed to be in a rush. As we both got out of our vehicles, I happened to mention to him that I loved his book. He genuinely thanked me and before he was on his way he asked me if I knew where the elevators were. To his disappointment, I explained that there weren't any working elevators that day. Upon hearing this, he slid up the handle to his suitcase and started on his way down the very long car ramp.
Just as he was beginning his journey to what would surely be a very long day for him, a group of teenagers ran up to him. They told him how they made the long journey to the convention but when they tried to purchase tickets they were told that the event was sold out. Putting the cherry on top, they informed the Hardcore Legend that he was their main reason for attending.
Now Mick Foley has wrestled for many organizations and even lost a piece of his ear in a bout that included barbed wire. As a matter of fact, he had a baseball bat wrapped with barbed wire for special occasions way before Negan introduced Lucille to a Walking Dead audience. He was part of what could be said to be the most incredible Hell In A Cell Match with The Undertaker in which he fell twice from the 20 foot high structure. The first time the announcers thought he was dead as he landed through an announce table. Not allowing the medics to wheel him away, he climbed the structure again and was pummeled through the cage by The Undertaker. This time, the audience could see a tooth trying to escape by way of his nose. Amazingly, he still continued the match with the finale coming not too long after he landed on hundreds of thumbtacks.
It doesn't matter if you knew him as Cactus Jack (Bang Bang!), Mankind, Dude Love or just Mick Foley, every match he was involved in was something special. He didn't block chair shots, which nowadays grapplers are only allowed to use a chair on the back of their opponent. Foley took them right to the center of his skull. He had The Rock hit him in the head with a chair multiple times during the same spot in a match. An attempt to hurt his opponent always put his own body on the line.
Foley always knew how to get a pop from the crowd, especially when he included the city he was in during his promos. His use of the mandible claw was classic, thanks to Mr. Socko. If you told him there would be flaming tables, he would just lick his lips. One piece just can't do justice to the awesomeness of Mick Foley. I am sure that Al Snow would have a different viewpoint considering their constant ribbing of one another over the years.
Once again, I digress. Hearing that these kids couldn't get into the show, he posed for pictures with them and autographed some of the photos he brought with him. He didn't turn any of them away. He didn't care that I photographed him doing this either. He earned some fans for life and the utmost respect from me!
