Mick Foley on his unofficial TNA debut, Russo, Sting

Submitted By Nick Noel on 10/22/08

Newsday.com is featuring an interview with Mick Foley where he talks about making the jump to TNA, if it matters he is now working in front of smaller crowds compared to WWE-sized crowds, Vince Russo and more. Here are some highlights: On his unofficial debut for TNA in Westbury, NY: "I had just joined and I just thought it would be a shame to not come out and support the company. It wasn't planned as a public appearance, but the guys behind the scenes thought it would be a shame to waste the opportunity. And even though we made it a public appearance, it wasn't supposed to be a speaking appearance until I realized I was walking in circles. You got lost, right? Yeah, in the theater. And (I decided) that I better say a couple words to salvage what up until that point was the worst debut in modern wrestling history." On performing in front of smaller crowds: "I was struck by something that Ray Davies of the Kinks said in 1981 when his band was finally given the chance to play big indoor arenas. He said, actually, that as long as he could see faces he didn't let the size of the crowd dictate the magnitude of the event. And that's always stuck with me. And therefore I think some of my favorite matches and some of my best matches have been in front of smaller crowds, whether it was the ECW Arena or some of the matches that I did with Terry Funk in Japan. I mean, huge crowds are great, but sometimes there's more passion in a smaller building." On the criticism of Vince Russo and TNA creative: "If you were traveling around the country, you probably wouldn’t have fans quite as interested in the backstage happenings. So you would be a lot less likely to hear, “Fire Russo” chants. I was always a supporter of Russo’s. I even have that in writing in WWE books. You know, I think he’s a great idea guy. The challenge of coming up with something new every week is probably not fully appreciated by many people. And I think that now we have a cast of guys who could really make things happen. And I think that you will see a better focus on creative." On working with Sting again in TNA: "I hadn’t seen Sting in 14 years. It had been a long time. And after about ten minutes he kind of said, “This kind of surprises me, but it doesn’t.” And I said, “What’s that?” And he said, “You are exactly the same as you were 14 years ago.” He meant that as a compliment – not that I hadn’t grown as an individual since he last saw me, but that I didn’t seem to have let whatever success I had go to my head. I would look forward to doing something with Sting. I think fans would have to realize that we’re both 17 years older than when we really produced some big matches in 91. But I think he could drag one last good match out of me." On being involved in a new locker room in TNA: "I can honestly say that this is the most fun I’ve had as part of a wrestling show since probably 2000 when I was the commissioner. And it’s the first time in quite a while where I feel like what I do or say is making a difference, or, I guess more accurately, that what I do or say will be given the chance to make a difference. I never even talked to WWE about the possibility of re-signing. The deal with TNA was very flexible and they were really easy to deal with. I’m really excited about working with Dixie Carter and Jeff Jarrett and everybody at TNA." :: DISCUSS THIS POST ON THE FORUMS! :: SEE MICKIE JAMES & THE DIVAS NUDE! :: BUY WRESTLING DVD'S THROUGH OUR STORE! :: GO BACK TO THE HOME PAGE WRESTLING EPICENTER STORE IS OPEN! THE HOTTEST WRESTLING DVD'S ARE NOW AVAILABLE! We've got hundreds of pro wrestling DVD's at your fingertips! All your favorite stars such as Hulk Hogan, Kurt Angle, Sting, Ric Flair, Bruiser Brody, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Harley Race, Andre the Giant, Dynamite Kid, Davey Boy Smith, Bret "The Hitman" Hart, Booker T, & countless others! We've also got the Divas! Raw and extreme footage of Candice Michelle, Beulah McGillicutty, Gorgeous George, Tylene Buck, Francine, Christy Hemme, Dawn Marie, Madusa, and the rest of your favorite sexy divas! We even have got official WWE merchandise! All this can be yours in the Wrestling Epicenter Store! CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE STORE! Home | News | Editorials | Interviews | Forums | Chat Room | Store | Divas | PPV Results | TV Results | Shows | Links | Metal Epicenter | Contact Us/Staff