As we previously reported here on eWn, Mick Foley recently announced that he’d like to compete in one last deathmatch before he turns 60 years old.
In a new YouTube video, the WWE Hall of Famer commented on why he decided to do the match and what he hopes to gain from it.
You can check out some highlights from the video below:
On why he decided to do the match: “One day, when I was really struggling, I realized that what used to be the best motivation for me was another match. I always got in shape with the goal of having another match, another match, another match. Fast forward, my wrestling days are over. I’ve spent, with two small occasions, since 1999, well over 300 pounds. I got down on three different occasions below 300 and then as I saw my weight really get away from me, I thought, maybe I need that same kind of motivation and along the way I can appreciate the lifestyle changes, eating differences, exercise. There is no reason for somebody, at my age and weight, to not be exercising for three straight years. It’s embarrassing. It’s embarrassing when you’re asked in the airport if you need a wheelchair. It’s embarrassing to be the guy who is bigger than the chair on the airline. It’s something of a paradox that by competing in a death match, I will have a much better life. That day, or night, is going to be tough. It’s going to be tough, but the lessons I learn leading up to that match are lessons I intend to carry forward for the rest of my life. To me, it’s the difference between being a grandfather someday, or can crawl on the ground and play with their grandchildren or a grandfather who sits and watches from the sidelines. I don’t want to be that guy sitting on the sidelines. I know having a wild match involving barbed wire and thumbtacks…we’re going to bring in a bed of nails. These are going to be tools of life for dad.”
On what he hopes to gain from the match: “Catharsis. I’m just looking for catharsis. In Japan, the fans are described as being oddly peaceful when they would leave because they had seen something. When it’s done right, it can be a work of abstract art. Some people will just see human beings putting each other into terribly inhuman situations while others will see two human begins working together to create surreal art. I’m hoping when it’s done there will be a sense of peace among the fans and a sense of inner peace for myself, even as my wounds stick to the sheets that night and for a few nights. I’m pretty sure I’m going to come out of that situation in worse shape than I was, but I believe I will pick up habits that are going to lead to a longer, better life.”
Mick Foley, the WWE Hall of Famer, recently made headlines when he announced his desire to compete in one last deathmatch before he turns 60 years old. In a YouTube video, Foley explained his reasons for wanting to do the match and what he hopes to gain from it.
Foley, known for his various personas such as Mankind, Cactus Jack, and Dude Love, revealed that throughout his wrestling career, the motivation to have another match was what kept him in shape. However, since retiring from wrestling, he struggled with his weight, reaching well over 300 pounds. Realizing that he needed a new form of motivation, Foley decided that participating in a deathmatch could be the catalyst for positive lifestyle changes.
The wrestling legend acknowledged that it was embarrassing to be asked if he needed a wheelchair at the airport or to be bigger than an airline chair. He saw the deathmatch as an opportunity to not only improve his physical health but also to regain a sense of pride and self-confidence. Foley believes that the lessons he learns leading up to the match will be carried forward for the rest of his life, allowing him to be an active and involved grandfather in the future.
While some may question the decision to participate in such a physically demanding and dangerous match, Foley sees it as a means of catharsis. He hopes that through this experience, both he and the fans will find a sense of peace. In Japan, where deathmatches are popular, fans often leave with a feeling of odd peace after witnessing these extreme encounters. Foley believes that when done right, a deathmatch can be seen as a work of abstract art, with some perceiving it as human beings subjecting themselves to inhuman situations, while others view it as a collaboration to create surreal art.
Despite acknowledging that he will likely come out of the match in worse shape than before, Foley remains optimistic about the long-term benefits. He hopes to develop habits that will lead to a longer and better life. While the physical toll may be significant, Foley believes that the mental and emotional growth he experiences during this process will be invaluable.
Mick Foley’s decision to compete in one last deathmatch at the age of 60 is a testament to his passion for wrestling and his desire for personal growth. As he prepares for this challenging endeavor, he hopes to inspire others to make positive changes in their own lives, regardless of age or circumstances.