On a recent edition of his “Foley Is Pod” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley reacted to the controversial Swerve Strickland vs. Hangman Page Texas Death Match at AEW Full Gear 2023.
The match has drawn a great deal of criticism for featuring a spot where Page drank Swerve’s blood and spit it into the air.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On not seeing the Hangman Page versus Swerve Strickland Death Match: “I wish I could say I’ve seen it. I heard it was really epic. I wish people wouldn’t drink each other’s blood in [his] day and age, let alone this one. I mean, heels used to do that. I remember even Tracy Smothers in Japan would do the deal where they you know, suck the blood out of the opponent’s head and spit into the air.”
On thinking the time to do a blood-drinking spot is over: “Maybe that had a time and place, but that time and place is over. Not a knock on the match, just looking out for everybody’s safety, knowing that people are going to possibly emulate what they see on TV. That doesn’t take away from the fact that the guys seemed to have a great match and really enjoyed doing it.”
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The recent Swerve Strickland vs. Hangman Page Texas Death Match at AEW Full Gear 2023 has sparked controversy and drawn criticism for a particular spot in the match. In this spot, Page drank Strickland’s blood and spit it into the air. WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley shared his thoughts on the match during a recent episode of his podcast, “Foley Is Pod.”
Foley expressed his regret for not being able to watch the match but acknowledged that he had heard it was an epic encounter. However, he voiced his concerns about the blood-drinking spot, stating that it is something that should no longer be done in today’s day and age. Foley recalled that in the past, heels (villains) would engage in such acts, citing an example of Tracy Smothers in Japan sucking the blood out of his opponent’s head and spitting it into the air.
While Foley didn’t criticize the match itself, he emphasized the importance of considering everyone’s safety and the potential for people to emulate what they see on TV. He suggested that the time and place for blood-drinking spots may have passed and that it is necessary to be mindful of the influence wrestling can have on its audience.
Despite his concerns, Foley acknowledged that the wrestlers involved in the match seemed to have a great time and put on an enjoyable performance. He commended their efforts while also raising awareness about the potential consequences of such spots.
The controversy surrounding this match highlights the ongoing debate within the wrestling community regarding the boundaries of what is acceptable and safe in professional wrestling. While some fans appreciate the shock value and edginess of extreme matches, others argue for a more cautious approach to protect the well-being of the performers and prevent dangerous imitations.
As always, fans can stay updated with all their wrestling news on eWrestlingNews.com or follow them on their Twitter and Facebook pages. It is essential to engage in responsible discussions about the content and presentation of professional wrestling to ensure the safety and enjoyment of both the performers and the audience.