The popular Mr. Socko character was inspired by the team of Mick Foley and Al Snow, the WWE Hall of Famer has revealed.
Foley introduced his sock puppet sidekick while visiting Mr. McMahon (who had been hospitalized by an attack from Kane & The Undertaker) during a 1998 edition of RAW.
On a recent edition of his “Foley is Pod” podcast, Mick recalled wanting to introduce a new character and shared Al’s involvement in the creative process. He said,
“Al [Snow] said, ‘How about a sock puppet… People hate sock puppets.’
“It was just that horrible ventriloquist act. If I’d been an actual ventriloquist, it wouldn’t have worked!”
During a 2021 edition of WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures, an episode was dedicated to finding the original sock Foley used for Mr. Socko.
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The Origins of Mr. Socko: Mick Foley and Al Snow’s Creative Collaboration
One of the most iconic and beloved characters in professional wrestling history is Mr. Socko, the sock puppet sidekick of WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley. But did you know that the creation of this character was a result of a collaboration between Foley and fellow wrestler Al Snow? In a recent episode of his “Foley is Pod” podcast, Mick Foley shared the story behind the origins of Mr. Socko.
It all began in 1998 during an episode of RAW when Foley’s character, Mankind, visited Mr. McMahon, who had been hospitalized after an attack from Kane and The Undertaker. Foley wanted to introduce a new character to add some humor to the situation, and that’s when Al Snow came up with the idea of a sock puppet.
According to Foley, Al Snow said, “How about a sock puppet… People hate sock puppets.” This suggestion intrigued Foley, and he decided to give it a try. The idea was to create a ventriloquist act, but with Foley’s unique twist. As Foley himself admitted, “If I’d been an actual ventriloquist, it wouldn’t have worked!”
And so, Mr. Socko was born. Foley would put a sock on his hand and bring it to life as a separate character during his promos and matches. The crowd instantly fell in love with Mr. Socko, and he became a staple of Foley’s persona.
In 2021, the search for the original sock Foley used for Mr. Socko was featured on an episode of WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures. The show follows WWE archivist and historian, Stephanie McMahon, and her team as they search for iconic wrestling memorabilia. The episode dedicated to finding Mr. Socko showcased the impact and popularity of this unique character.
Mr. Socko became an integral part of Foley’s career and is still remembered fondly by wrestling fans today. The character’s popularity even extended beyond wrestling, with appearances in various TV shows and commercials.
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In conclusion, the creation of Mr. Socko was a result of the creative collaboration between Mick Foley and Al Snow. This unique character brought humor and entertainment to the world of professional wrestling and remains an iconic figure in the industry.