Mick Foley is a man who will never be forgotten in the wrestling world. In his masochistic heyday it seemed like destroying himself was on the top of Things To Do Today. Mick have calmed down since then, but he still can put up excellent matches, where he shows that he is willing to do anything, his microphone skills are also extraordinary.
The beginning
Mick Foley wanted to become a pro wrestler even as a teenager, one of his idols was Jimmy Snuka. Foley even created a character that he wanted to be, namely Dude Love, who was a ladies man. He also made videotapes of himself where he performed some suicidal stunts like jumping from the top of a roof onto one of his friends. This tape later found its way to the tape trader market, where it became an hot item.
Dominic Deucci also got a copy of the tape, and he offered Mick to train him. Foley made his debut on June 24, 1983 in the independent circuit under the name Cactus Jack Manson he defeated Kurt Kaufman. Mick wrestled in the independent circuit for some years without gaining much success, but one of Mick's wishes came through, when he started working for the WWF in 1986, where he wrestled shortly under the guise of Jack Foley, he only worked as a jobber, but he learned a lot from this experience.
After competing for Titan Mick started working for the CWA, where he joined Robert Fuller's Stud Stable in 1988. Together with Gary Young, Cactus defeated Bill Dundee and Todd Morton in a tournament final to win the CWA Tag Team Title, October 23rd, 1988. Fuller was mad because he didn't win the title, so the rest of his stable turned on Jack and Young, who lost their title to Robert Fuller and Jimmy Golden in November. Later that month they lost a loser leaves town match on November 20th.
Cactus then joined the World Class Wrestling Association, where he was quite successful. In one of his first matches, December 30, 1988, Cactus defeated Eric Embry to capture the WCWA Light Heavyweight Title, but lost it back to Embry, January 4, 1989.
Cactus then joined the stable of Gen. Skandor Akbar, where he hooked up with Super Zodiac, and they started to team on a regularly basis. They dethroned the WCWA Tag Team Champions, Jeff Jarrett and Kerry Von Erich, May 19, 1989. June 9, 1989, Jeff Jarrett and Mil Mascaras where able to defeat Jack and Zodiac.
Cactus then found a new tag team partner in the shape of Scott Braddock, and they defeated Jeff Jarrett and Matt Borne to win the WCWA Tag Team Title, August 4, 1989. Even though they were only able to hold on to the title for a week, before being dethroned by the former champions Jeff Jarrett and Matt Borne, the title changed name to the USWA Tag Team Title. After the defeat Jack moved on to the NWA.
Jack's stint in the NWA isn't one of the easiest to remember, like his jobber stint in the WWF, Jack didn't have much success. Again the promoters couldn't see the qualities that Jack had, so he was jobbed to death. Jack did have an feud with Norman, which also included the Road Warriors, but that is the best you can say about that.
Cactus then went back to the independents, where he was respected. He first started working for the UWF, where he appeared on the UWF's only pay-per-view Beach Brawl, where the team of Sunny Beach and Steve Ray defeated Jack and Bob Orton. Cactus then joined the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance, where things started to heat up.
In Tri-State Jack started a violent feud with the late Eddie Gilbert, this feud got Jack a "cult" following, who followed Jack because of his repertoire of high risk moves. The feud with Eddie Gilbert have been by many called the feud of 1991 and involved a lot of gimmick matches. One of the feuds highlights was when Jack and Gilbert fought each other three times on the same card, Summer Sizzler II, August 3, 1991, in the first match Jack defeated Gilbert in a Falls Count Anywhere Match, Jack lost the following Stretcher Match, and the final Steel Cage Match ended in a double disqualification.
After Tri-State couldn't handle the money, Jack moved on to Global Wrestling Federation, where he was inducted into the heel group of the Boss, which included Rip Rogers, Muckan Singh, and Scotty Anthony. Jack worked hard in the GWF but was never rewarded with a title regain.
Jack's hard work got WCW interested, and they signed Cactus.
WCW
In WCW Jack debuted as a gift to Sting at Clash of the Champions XVI, September 5, 1991. Sting had just defeated Johnny B. Badd, when Cactus showed his "ugly" face, but the Stinger was ready for Cactus, because he previously had a similar incident with Abdullah the Butcher. Jack teamed with Abdullah the Butcher, Vader, and the Diamond Studd to take on Sting, El Gigante, and the Steiner Brothers In the Chamber of Horrors Match, at Halloween Havoc 1991, but came out on the loosing end.
Jack had a feud with Van Hammer, before he took on his partner Abdullah the Butcher. After these feuds Sting got a shot at the WCW World Champion, Sting, and the two put on an excellent match at Beach Blast 1992, where Cactus came out with the short end of the stick. But Jack was still one of the top contenders and got another chance, when Ron Simmons won the WCW World Title, but Jack wasn't able to walk away with the title.
A short feud with Johnny B. Badd followed, which started at Starrcade 1992 in the Lethal Lottery, where Jack and Badd became partners, but Jack used most of his time attacking Badd. Then came a turning point in Jack's career, for the first time in many years, Jack was turned face. The reason for the turn was because Paul Orndorff attacked Jack during an interview.
Jack defeated Orndorff at SuperBrawl III, in a Falls Count Anywhere Match, which ended the feud. Jack was then named the number one contender for Vader's WCW World Title, they had their first clash at April 6, 1993, Jack defeated Vader by disqualification, but Jack suffered a broken nose and needed 27 stitches to close several facial wounds. This was the set-up for a rematch 15 days later.
April 21, 1993, at a WCW Saturday Night taping, Jack and Vader went toe to toe, during the match Vader wanted to power bomb Jack outside the ring, Harley Race, Vader's manager, removed the protective padding of the floor before Vader pounded Jack onto the floor. Cactus Jack was seriously injured and nearly paralysed. Cactus then disappeared for a while, and a series of interviews began, which involved the search for Cactus. They found him living with homeless people, and he had no recollection of wrestling or his family. But Cactus returned to wrestling, when he saved the British Bulldog from an assault by Vader
Vader defeated Jack at Clash of the Champions XXIV, with a helping hand from Race, but got a rematch when he defeated Yoshi Kwan at Fall Brawl 1993. These events led to the infamous Texas Death Match at Halloween Havoc. Vader and Harley Race knew that Cactus Jack wasn't an easy man to beat, so Race brought an electric prodder to the ring. It was a brutal match, which lived up to ECW standards using chairs and tables, both men were bleeding all over the place. In the end Race used the prodder on Cactus Jack and this gave Vader the victory, because Cactus Jack wasn't able to respond to the 10 count. Rumors say that because of the brutality of the match, WCW didn't want Vader and Jack to clash at another pay-per-view.
Jack then decided that since WCW wouldn't give him another shot at the WCW World Title, he would focus on the Tag Team Title instead. But Jack knew that finding a partner, which had the right stuff, wasn't the easiest thing to do, but eventually Jack found his partner in Maxx Payne.
The team of Jack and Payne quickly showed that they could match any other team in WCW and quickly got a shot at the WCW Tag Team Champions, the Nasty Boys, unfortunately the Nasty Boys had Missy Hyatt as their manager, and twice she saved the Nasty Boys from losing. At Spring Stampede 1994, the Nasty Boys won the Chicago Street Fight and injured Payne. Jack and Payne was awarded a rematch at Slamboree, but Payne wasn't able to make it, so Jack had to find a new partner, which turned out to be Kevin Sullivan.
On March 16, 1994, WCW was touring Germany, Cactus had a match against Vader in Munich. During the match Jack's head was caught in the ropes and while he was trying to free himself, his ear got torn off. Jack then had to make a decision, reattach the ear or go back to the States for his title shot at Slamboree, Jack chose the latter, and that is why Jack only have 1/3 of his right ear.
Jack and Sullivan won the WCW Tag Team Title at Slamboree, and they were able to hold on to the title in a rematch against the Nasty Boys. But then disaster struck, at Bash at the Beach Pretty Wonderful (Paul Orndorff and Paul Roma) won the title, after the match Sullivan blamed Jack for the loss and attacked him. This incident lead to their Loser Leaves WCW Match at Fall Brawl 1994, which Jack lost.
ECW and Japan
Since Jack now was out of WCW, he decided that he would spend his time wrestling in ECW and Japan, where he would concentrate on insane matches, and in ECW and IWA, and later FMW, he found his home. Jack's first feud in the ECW was with a man, who might is more insane than Jack, Sabu, the two had some excellent matches. Jack also worked some matches for Smoky Mountain Wrestling, but nothing interesting happened there.
Next in line was Terry Funk, but this feud was short, because at Hardcore Heaven '94, the Public Enemy attacked both men, Funk then called for a chair, and the audience threw one chair after another to ring, and Public Enemy was buried under the chairs. Jack and Funk then decided to team up and take on PE two weeks later, but Funk's plane ticket failed to arrive and he quit the promotion. Jack then hooked up with Mikey Whipwreck, and they relieved the Public Enemy for the ECW Tag Team Title.
Jack and Whipwreck were able to hold onto the title until November to Remember 1994, when Public Enemy regained the title. Kevin Sullivan then joined the ECW and Jack teamed with him until it erupted into a wild feud, but this time Jack got the last laugh, as it was Sullivan who left ECW.
Jack then started 1995 with going to Japan to the IWA, where he clashed with Terry Funk in one of many clashes of no rope barbed wire matches. In ECW, Jack went after the Sandman, but the Sandman retaliated at the show called: Return of the Funker. Jack had just defeated D.C. Drake, when Sandman and the returning Terry Funk attacked and brutalised Jack, who got 56 consecutive cane shots, before Jack's ally Shane Douglas came to the rescue.
Jack pinned Funk at Hostile City Showdown 1995, and then went after the Sandman, whom Jack defeated in a no rope barbed wire match for the ECW World Title only to have then referee Bill Alfonso to reverse the decision. In Japan Jack's left arm was cut open by Leatherface, who used a chain saw to do the dirty job.
While working for ECW and in Japan, Jack also worked in the independent scene, here he was very successful, he won the Ozark Moutain Wrestling Title and the Steel City Wrestling Title, respectively from Colorado Kid an T. Rantula.
August 20, 1995, IWA did the unbelievable, they staged a one night tournament to determine the undisputed King of Death Matches. In the first round of the tournament Jack clashed with Terry Gordy in a barbed wire baseball bat, thumb tack death match. The match showed that Jack is willing to do anything with his body, during the match Gordy stomped on Jack's head, which laid in the thumb tacks, but Jack won the match after a Double Arm DDT in the thumb tacks.
In the semi-final round waited Shoji Nakamaki, and the two clashed in a barbed wire board, bed of nails death match. This match was sickening, Jack decked Nakamaki with a bed of nails and the elbow dropped the bed, but Jack also got the taste of the bed in the match, but eventually Jack won, when he used the Double Arm DDT onto a board with barb wire.
The final was a no rope barbed wire, explosive barbed wire board, time bomb death match. Jack went up against his old nemesis Terry Funk. This match was brutal with the two bleeding all over the place, Tiger Jeet Singh interfered in the match, which helped Jack to the victory. Funk got third-degree burns, and Jack the victory after an elbow drop from the top of a ladder.
Jack had more success in IWA, as he together with Tracy Smothers dethroned the Head Hunters to win the IWA Tag Team Title, September 29, 1995. Tarzan Goto and Mr. Gannosuke relieved them of the title, October 1, 1995.
In ECW Jack team with Tommy Dreamer, but the team didn't last long because Jack turned on Tommy Dreamer during a tag match against the Pitbulls. He became the first man to defeat 911 on August 28. Jack then decided that the hard-core style of wrestling wasn't him, and started to use a more restrained style of wrestling, because the fans didn't show him the respect he deserved by putting his body on the line. Jack then hooked up with the philosophising Raven, but Dreamer wanted to bring back the violence and he knew that the only one who could do it was Terry Funk. But their first match was a disaster, Jack almost burned the arena to the ground, when he set a chair on fire.
Raven and Jack lost a tag team match to Funk and Dreamer at November to Remember '95, which witnessed a shopping trolley as a foreign object. Mikey Whipwreck defeated Too Cold Scorpio for the TV Title, December 29, 1995, where also the Tag Team Title was on the line, Jack then announced that he was Mikey's partner, but it didn't work, February 3, 1996, The Eliminators won the title.
In Japan, Jack joined FMW, after IWA went bankrupt. In FMW continued the antics from IWA, wild brawling featuring barb wire, bombs, glass and everything else in the book. Jack had many great matches with Wing Kanemura.
Jack then signed a contract with the WWF, and started praising the WWF on TV, this lead to a short feud with his former ally Shane Douglas, who despises the WWF. The feud ended with a match, where Jack in his street clothes were handcuffed and put in the figure-four leglock, but Jack wouldn't quit. Suddenly Whipwreck came to the ring and smashed Jack with a chair, Jack was out and lost the match.
Cactus wrestled his last match in ECW in April 1996 against Mikey Whipwreck. Jack won the match and did the fargo strut with Stevie Richards and the Blue Meanie. Cactus then cut an interview, where he declared Cactus Jack dead. Almost the same thing happened in FMW, but it was some months later in May, under the guise of Cactus Jack, Mick defeated Wing Kanemura in a barbed wire barricade spider net, broken glass death match, and then declared Cactus Jack dead.
WWF
Mick made his debut in the WWF, with his new gimmick the quite unstable Mankind, the day after WrestleMania 12, where he defeated Bob Holly with the Mandible Claw. Later that night Mankind attacked the Undertaker to start the feud of 1996. Mankind then aligned himself with Goldust and together the two played their mind games on the Undertaker.
The Undertaker was programmed to have a Casket Match with Goldust, and had an interview where he laid in the casket, when suddenly Mankind attacked. When the Casket Match took place, at In Your House 10 and the Undertaker was about to open the casket, so he could put Goldust in it, who was in the casket? Mankind who put the Mandible Claw on the Undertaker and put him in the casket.
At King of the Ring 1996 Mankind and Undertaker met for the first time on TV in a match, the match ended when Paul Bearer "accidentally" hit the Undertaker with the urn, but this was just the beginning of the feud. The two continued to interfere in each other business, so most of their matches against other wrestlers ended with a disqualification, when the other interfered.
Mankind and Undertaker clashed again at Summer Slam in a special Boiler Room Match, where the match started in the boiler room, the objective of the match was to retrieve the urn from Paul Bearer, who stood in the centre of the ring. The match was violent, but when the Undertaker reached the ring and was about to get the urn, Paul Bearer turned on the Undertaker and used the urn as a weapon. Bearer had aligned himself with Mankind.
After the Boiler Room brawl, Mankind was named the number one contender for Shawn Michaels' World Title, the two put on one of the best matches the WWF have ever made, with good moves and sick bumps, but the match was thrown out of the window, when Vader and the Undertaker interfered. After the interference Mankind and the Undertaker settled for a new clash.
In their third encounter, which was a special Buried Alive Match, where the objective of the match was to get your opponent in the grave and shovel some dirt on him. The Undertaker won the match, but he was attacked by Bearer's new protégé, the Executioner (Terry Gordy), who put Undertaker in the grave and together with Mankind and some other heels filled the grave. The pay-per-view was just about to end, when lightning struck in one of the shovels and the Undertaker's hand came up from the grave.
What happened at In Your House was the set-up for the fourth encounter between Undertaker and Mankind, which took place at Survivor Series 1996, where the Undertaker would get 5 minutes with Paul Bearer if he won the match. The Undertaker won the match, but didn't get the enjoyment of have Bearer from himself, when the Executioner attacked.
At the Royal Rumble 1997, Mankind ran in to his old friend Terry Funk. Paul Bearer, who also had acquired the services of Vader, set Mankind and Vader's eyes on the Tag Team Titles, but to no avail Vader and Mankind used just as much time on hitting each other as hitting the Champions, Owen Hart and the British Bulldog in their match at WrestleMania 13.
Mankind got another shot at the Undertaker and his newly won WWF World Title, when Mankind at a Raw is War taping from March 31 blasted the Undertaker with a fireball, when the Undertaker and Paul Bearer started arguing. But the Undertaker was simply to much for Mankind, who lost the match at In Your House 14 to end the feud once and for all, Undertaker also blasted Bearer with a fireball.
With Bearer gone for a while, the WWF had to come up with something new, and they did. Jim Ross had a series of interviews with Mankind, where they discussed his career, here they talked about Mick's own invention, Dude Love, the interview ended, when Mankind put on the Mandible Claw on Ross.
Around the same time Steve Austin needed a new partner to go up against the winners of a tag team tournament, to determine the new WWF Tag Team Champions. For weeks Mankind tried to get Austin to pick him, he even had a sign around his neck that said: Pick me Steve", but Austin wouldn't have anything to do with the deranged Mankind, who was the recipient of a Stunner. Mankind then promised that promised that things would never be the same in the WWF.
The next Monday, when Austin had to go up against Owen and Bulldog for the WWF Tag Team Title. Austin, without a partner, went up against Bulldog and Owen Hart, when suddenly Mick showed up as Dude Love and cleaned house. After the match Austin and Dude Love, the new WWF Tag Team Champions, in a matter of respect shook hands.
Mick continued to wrestle as both Mankind and Dude Love, but as Mankind he qualified for the King of the Ring tournament by defeating Savio Vega. In the semi-final waited Jerry Lawler, who gave Mankind quite a beating, but it wasn't enough Mankind won and advanced to the final. The final was against Hunter Hearst Helmsly, the two had a very entertaining match, where Mankind took one of the most savage beatings in WWF history. Hunter won with the Pedigree, but it wasn't enough as he continued his beating of Mankind to set-up their feud.
At In Your House 16, Mankind and Hunter clashed again, this time the match was declared a double count-out, since the two couldn't stop their brawl, where Chyna interfered as much as she could. Because of Chyna's interference, it was decided that Mankind and Hunter's match at Summer Slam would be inside a Steel Cage.
The match was excellent, the two showed what they are capable of, Hunter superplexed Mankind from the top of the cage and other crazy acts where performed. Mankind had the match won, but then decided to go back to the top of the cage, here he ripped of his shirt to reveal that he was Dude Love, and to honour his childhood hero, Jimmy Snuka, he elbow dropped Hunter from the top of the cage and won the match.
Dude and Austin had to vacate the WWF Tag Team Title at In Your House, Ground Zero, due to Austin's injuries. Now Dude had the time to concentrate on his singles career.
Mick then wrestled as Dude Love in the months to follow, but at Raw is War, September 22, Dude was to have a Fall Count Anywhere Match against Hunter. Dude knew that this wasn't his kind of match so he asked Mankind, who knew a better person to get the job done namely Cactus Jack. Jack made short work of Hunter and ended the match with a pile-driver through a table.
Nothing much happened in Mick's career, until a Dude Love was attacked by Kane, who totally annihilated Dude. This brought out Mankind to take care of business at Survivor Series, but he wasn't up to the task as Kane also defeated him.
After his confrontation wit Kane, the New Age Outlaws (Billy Gunn and Jesse Jammes) wanted their part of Mick. First they broke one of Dude's ribs, then they locked Mankind in a freezer. This brought back Cactus Jack to take care of action, and at Raw is War, December 29, 1997, he had a surprise for the Outlaws. After defeating Jammes by disqualification, Jack brawled with the outlaws towards the stage, here Chainsaw Charlie (Terry Funk) emerged from a huge wooden box with the aid of a chain saw.
The team of Cactus and Funk went after the Outlaws on every occasion, but the Outlaws also had some tricks up their sleeve. During a match with Cactus against Funk, which was set merely because they enjoyed the pain, Cactus and Funk ended up in a dumpster, following a elbow drop from the Titan Tron and into the dumpster. The Outlaws showed up and shut the dumpster and then pushed it off the edge of the rampway, which was a fall on 10 feet. According to the story line Cactus and Funk were injured, but came back later that night and saved Austin from an attack from Degeneration X and the New Age Outlaws.
The incident with the dumpster set-up the match at WrestleMania 14, where you had to put the opposing team into a dumpster and then shut the lid. This was an entertaining bout, where Jack and Gunn from the top of a ladder fell into the dumpster. Jack and Funk won the match and the WWF Tag Team Title, when they went backstage with the Outlaws and put them in a dumpster.
The next day at Raw is War, the WWF vacated the because they had used the wrong dumpster, so instead a Steel Cage match between Cactus and Funk against the Outlaws was signed. During the match Funk was handcuffed to the cage and the Outlaws and Degeneration X started a brutal assault on Jack, as the fans started chanting for Austin.
The next week on Raw, Jack came out and stated that the fans, due to the chant of Austin, wouldn't see Cactus for a long time because they didn't support in him. At Raw is War, April 13th, Austin challenged McMahon to a match, because he wouldn't say who Austin's opponent at Unforgiven was going to be. Austin had one hand tied behind his back and was about to collide with McMahon, when Dude Love came to the ring and asked if they could get along, Dude then attacked Austin, and was named the number one contender for Austin's WWF World Title.
At Unforgiven, Dude and Austin had a typical brawl, where Foley as always took some crazy bumps. The end came when Austin whacked McMahon with a chair, he then put a Stunner on Dude, but since there where no referee to do the three count, Austin did it himself and then left, Dude was declared the winner by disqualification due to Austin hitting McMahon.
At Raw is War, May 4, 1998, McMahon told Foley that he could be the number one contender again if he could defeat Terry Funk. Foley and Funk put on a brutal brawl, which Foley dominated and won after a pile-driver through a table, then Dude Love's music played and out came McMahon in Dude's T-shirt and with some chicks, Foley and McMahon then embraced and danced.
The next week on Raw is War, Dude appeared in a suit and with false teeth, acting like the perfect corporate model of a champion, just like McMahon wanted. To make things easier for Dude, McMahon had appointed Jerry Brisco as time keeper, the guest ring announcer was going to be Pat Patterson, and finally McMahon wanted the honour of being referee.
Unfortunately the conspiracy wasn't enough to secure Dude the victory, as he fell prey to the Stunner. McMahon was mad and at Raw is War the next day, he fired Dude Love, later that night during a Undertaker against Kane match, Foley came back as Mankind and slapped the Mandible Claw on the Undertaker, who had confronted McMahon earlier that night. McMahon then decided that he wasn't going to fire Foley.
Mankind have also aligned himself with Paul Bearer again, and together with Kane, he attacked Steve Austin and put him in a casket. Mankind will face the Undertaker at King of the Ring in a Hell in the Cell Match, and they had a premiere in it, when Mankind and Kane teamed up to take on Austin and the Undertaker, but the duo of Austin and Undertaker got the last laugh as Undertaker pummelled Bearer, and Austin scored the victory by pinning Mankind. The same night Kane and Mankind also won a tag team battle royal to declare the number one contenders for the WWF Tag Team Title, this match happened before the Hell in the Cell match.
At King of the Ring, Mankind and the Undertaker put on a great show in the Hell in the Cell match. Mankind took some amazing bumps, which made the Undertaker look good, though he had injured his ankle. Some of the best spots in the match was when Undertaker threw Mankind from the top of the cage and through a table. Mankind was also choke slammed THROUGH the cage and landed in the middle of the ring. The end came, when Undertaker choke slammed Mankind on some thumbtacks and then Tombstoned him for the victory. After the match Foley got a standing ovation for his performance. Foley lost three teeth during the match and will now take some time of to heal.
At Raw is War, July 6, Mankind was thanked on TV by Vince McMahon on his efforts at King of the Ring, I believe that is first time that have happened. Kane and Mankind will battle the New Age Outlaws on the July 13 episode of Raw is War. Mankind and Kane defeated the NAO and won the WWF Tag Team Title with a little help from the Nation's D-Lo Brown. Later that night they had a rematch due to the controversy, but it ended in a draw. Mankind and Kane also had their little confrontration when Kane stopped Mankind from hitting the Undertaker with a chair. Then problems started in the ranks of the tag team champions, during a handicap match against Austin, Kane hit Mankind with an elbow drop.
Mankind and Kane wasn't able to hold on to the WWF Tag Team Title for long, because they lost the title to Steve Austin and the Undertaker at Fully Loaded, July 26. Why is it that none of Foley's regains in the WWF are very long? Mankind and Kane will have to patch up their differnces during a run-in on Austin and the Undertaker, Kane hit Mankind with a chair instead of the Undertaker.
At Sunday Night Heat, August 9, Mankind trashed the fans for their failure to show him due respect after his performance at King of the Ring, Mankind also stated that he will not ever wrestle again for the acceptance of the fans. Later that night he was tombstoned on the concrete floor by the Undertaker, who was disguised as Kane.
The next day at Raw is War, Mankind wanted an explanation and wanted help from Vince McMahon. Mankind was told that he was a weakling, but McMahon again said that Undertaker and Kane was working together, he even stated that they were the same person. When it was time for the Four Corners Tag Team Match, it was clearly that Mankind didn't trust Kane, but in the end Mankind and Kane won the match and became WWF Tag Team Champions for a second time.
Kane has aligned himself with the Undertaker which spells trouble for Mankind, who tried to rescue Paul Bearer from a beating, but ended on the receiving end of a spiked Tombstone. Mankind then challenged Kane to a match in the Hell in the Cell, which Mankind promised would contain thumb tacks. The match was OK, but Mankind was clearly on the receiving end and got Tombstoned on a chair, when suddenly Austin showed up and beat the snot out of Kane. It will be interesting to see Mankind and Kane go up against the New Age Outlaws at Summer Slam for the Tag Team Title.
At Summer Slam, Mankind lost his hearse, his sledge hammer, his tag team partner, and the WWF Tag Team Title. Austin smashed the hearse with the sledge hammer, and when Mankind couldn't find Kane, McMahon suggested that Mankind faced the New Age Outlaws by himself, this would give Mankind a spot in the Hall of Fame. The match was a No Holds Barred/Pinfalls count anywhere Match, where many weapons were used, Mankind was on the receiving end of a spiked piledriver on the Tag Team belts, and was then dumped in a dumpster. Kane suddenly appeared from the dumpster and bashed Mankind with the sledge hammer.
Mankind got his first taste of revenge against Kane as he hit Kane with a sledge hammer during a match between Rocky Maivia and Kane. This got the Undertaker to challenge Mankind to a match. The match with Undertaker took place later that night and it was a brutal encounter where the sledge hammer was used together with chairs and tables, also Kane stuck his ugly head in the match. When the Undertaker wanted to use the sledge hammer on Mankind, Rocky Maivia emerged from the dumpster, which Foley brought to the ring, Maivia saved Mankind from further damage. Mankind and Maivia have apparently formed a pact since they came to the ring, when Undertaker and Kane attacked Steve Austin and Ken Shamrock during their match.
Mankind has obviously struck a deal with Rocky Maivia and Ken Shamrock and they protect each other to keep Undertaker and Kane at bay. During an interview with Kane and teh Undertaker, Mankind attacked Kane, and when Undertaker protected his brother, Maivia and Shamrock came to the rescue. But Vince McMahon tried to split the team, when he ordered them to face each other in a triple threat match to name the number one contender for the World Title, the match was thrown out the window, when Kane and Undertaker attacked.
A new Triple Threat match with Shamrock, Maivia and Mankind was announced during Sunday Night Heat, but this time the match would also be a cage match, so no one could interfere. The match was great and ended with Mankind brained Ken with a chair, Mankind then started to climb out, but Maivia went for the easy way as he pinned Shamrock. During the match Mankind again emulated his hero Jimmy Snuka and attempted to throw an elbow drop off the top of the cage, but all he saw was canvas.
The three teamed up at Raw is War the next day to take on the Undertaker and Kane in a handicap match, but Mankind's team also started fighting among themselves. I can only ask, when will Foley get the World Title that he has deserved? Mankind and Ken Shamrock are set up for a feud, it happened at Sunday Night Heat, October 4, where the two teamed up to take on the DOA, but during the match Shamrock turned on Mankind and waffled him with a chair.
At Raw is War, October 5, Mankind visited Vince McMahon at the hospital, McMahon was sent to hospital due to an attack of the Undertaker and Kane. Mankind also brought a clown and a sock puppet (Mr. Socko) and started making babytalk noises. McMahon then told him to leave.
The next week at Raw is War, we witnessed the return of Mr. Socko, who helped Mankind defeat Mark Henry in the tournament for vacant Intercontinental Title, but the second round was the end station for Mankind as he was attacked by Ken Shamrock, who used a chair on Mankind's ankle. Mankind and Ken Shamrock clashed at Judgement Day in a strong encounter, Shamrock got Mankind in the Ankle Lock but Mankind refused to submit, so he slapped on the Mandible Claw on himself, this got him to pass out. Shamrock was declared the winner but due to the Mandible Claw, this got Shamrock to attack Mankind, but Mankind got up and applied the Mandible claw to Shamrock, looks like these two will clash again.
The next night at Raw is War, Mankind distracted Ken Shamrock in his match against X-Pac, giving X-Pac the win. Mankind then paid McMahon a visit together with Mr. Socko, who got to wear a security badge. Later that night Mankind fought Val Venis, but Shamrock was looking for revenge, so he blasted Mankind with a chair, the two then started a brawl which brought them into the crowd. The next week at Raw is War, Mankind teamed up with Al Snow to take on the New Age Outlaws, unfortunately the odd team lost, but they held their respective companions (Head and Mr. Socko) hostage until they agreed to trade. Later Mankind put more fire on the feud with Shamrock as he put the Mandible Claw on Shamrock.
The next week on Raw is War, Mankind again tagged up with Al Snow. Mankind was just about to get Mr. Socko to secure the win, but he wasn't on his foot, so he started looking for Mr. Socko. Mankind then ran into Vince McMahon, who got Mankind to promise that he wouldn't interfere in the match with Ken Shamrock later, after this McMahon presented the WWF Hardcore Title to Mankind for his efforts. The belt wasn't worth a thing, but Mankind gladly accepted it. McMahon then said that he might had gained a new son, which to Mankind replied "Thaks dad". Guess McMahon got something to think on.
The next week on Raw is War, McMahon said that Mankind would defend the WWF Hardcore title against Ken Shamrock, before the match took place Mankind got a makeover, when Mankind got his toe nails he stated that he missed Mr. Socko. It looks like McMahon has found his new corporate champion as Mankind came to the ring in a tuxedo and his beard was shaved, and a clean hair cut. During the match, which was a Falls Count Anywhere No Holds Barred match, the Big Boss Man (another of McMahon's associates) nailed Shamrock to secure Mankind the victory.
At Survivor Series, Mankind's mystery turned out to be a jobber named Duane Gill, whom Mankind squashed. In his next match Mankind took on Al Snow (Head was wearing Mr. Socko as a headband). During the match Vince revealed that he had made the headband for head. When Mankind discovered the whereabouts of Mr. Socko, he ripped the headband off and took out his frustrations on Head, this gave Snow a chance, but reunited with Mr. Socko, Mankind took the win. In the semi final, Mankind tangled with Steve Austin, Vince encouraged Mankind during the match, but still Mankind wanted to get out of the match, but was lead back by McMahon's stooges. Austin had the match under control, but as he went for the pin, Shane McMahon turned on Austin, Patterson then brained Austin with a chair so Mankind got the win.
In the final Mankind squared off against Rocky Maivia, it was a hard fought battle, but Maivia got Mankind in the Sharpshooter and immediately Vince McMahon called for the bell, though it was obvious that Mankind hadn't tapped. Vince had double crossed Mankind, who said that he hadn't tapped, for this Mankind received a Rock Bottom from Maivia. Later when Austin had scared of the McMahon's and Maivia, Austin delivered a Stunner to poor Foley.
Mankind was on a path of rage the next night at Raw is War, where Mankind went to the boiler room. McMahon then sent his stooges of Patterson, Brisco, and Slaughter after Mankind, who totally destroyed them. Later Mankind tried to attack Vince, but was stopped by Ken Shamrock and the Big Boss Man. At Sunday Night Heat, Mankind came to the ring for an interview with a leaf blower, he then promised that he would use Mr. Socko on Vince McMahon. Vince responded with a three way dance between Mankind, Ken Shamrock and the Big Boss Man at Raw is War.
At Raw is War, November 24, Mankind went up against Ken Shamrock and the Big Boss Man, it was a typical brawl, where Mankind suddenly got help from Al Snow and the J.O.B. Squad, Snow used Head on Shamrock, which secured Mankind the win. Later Mankind helped Too Cold Scorpio and Bob Holly defeat the New Age Outlaws, when Mankind whacked Billy Gunn with the leaf blower, this brought out Ken Shamrock and the Big Boss Man. Looks like Mankind is a member of the J.O.B. Squad.
Mankind will face Rocky Maivia at the Rock Bottom Pay-Per-View, and the two has been attacking each other on various occasions. The worst case of these attacks happened at Raw is War, November 30, as Mankind took on the Big Boss Man in a Ladder Match. Mankind dominated the match until Maivia showed up and delivered the Rock Bottom, the Big Boss Man then retrieved the Hardcore belt and was declared champion, afterwards Mavia, Boss Man, and Shawn Michaels started beating Mankind.
At Sunday Night Heat, Mankind fought the Undertaker, but the match was thrown out the window, when Steve Austin and the Rock interfered. This resulted in a tag team match at Raw is War, where Mankind teamed up with Austin, during the match Mankind was handcuffed to the ropes by the Big Boss Man and received a beating from the corporation.
Mankind got his revenge on the Rock at Sunday Night Heat before Rock Bottom, as Mankind pasted Maivia with various foreign objects injuring Maivia's ribs in the process. Before the match Mankind had a meeting with Vince McMahon, but he wouldn't admit that Mankind hadn't said I Quit at Survivor Series. The match was hard fought, but in the end Mankind with a help from Mr. Socko got the Mandible Claw on Maivia, who passed out. Mankind won the match, but McMahon grabbed the microphone, and stated that the Rock was still the champ, as he didnt get pinned or submit. Mankind then took out his frustrations on Vince McMahon with the Mandible Claw - then Shane, before Mankind was overwhelmed by Shamrock and the Big Boss Man. Again the WWF screws Foley, either he loses the main event or he doesn't get the belt.
The next night at Raw is War, Vince ordered a No Holds Barred Match between Mankind and Kane. But Mankind wanted Vince, so he challenged him to a match. During the match with Kane, Vince appeared and stated that he would fight Mankind in the parking lot, Mankind then went after him and completely destroyed McMahon until the Rock showed his faced and hit the Rock Bottom on a car hood. The Corporation also got revenge on poor Mankind at Sunday Night Heat, when Maivia, Shamrock and the Big Boss Man took on Mankind in a in a Fatal Four-Way Match. Vince also had a surprise, since he had his version of Mr. Socko (black sock with white eyes) and applied the Mandible Claw until Degeneration X made the save. The next day at Raw is War, Mankind helped Road Dog win the Hardcore Title. Mankind also took on Shane McMahon in a match, which Mankind totally dominated until the Corporation made a run-in, but again DX came to the save.
At Raw is War, December 28, Mankind got a chance to regain the Hardcore Title from Road Dogg, but during the match Maivia, who did commentary, delivered the Rock Bottom on Mankind. By the time you read this, Mankind will have won the wwf championship belt:)
Not saying how long he will hold it, but at least..........

The History of Socko
Socko first made his appearence in the WWF when Mankind went to visit Mr. McMahon in the hospital on Raw, Oct. 5th and tried to cheer him up with a sock puppet, named Mr. Socko. Since then he has been helping Mankind win his matches by strengthening the Mandible Claw...now sometimes called the Socko claw. On Raw, Nov. 2nd, Socko hid from Mankind during his tag match w/ Al Snow against the Oddities (Kurrgan and Golga) and made Mankind leave the match to look for him. On Heat the next week, he appeared wrapped around Head for some reason. On Heat, and the first two rounds of the Survivor Series, Socko was still on Head...until Mankind noticed and got him back.

Credit for this report goes to lordsofpain.net