Mick Foley Credits Controversial Figure With WWE Rise

Mick Foley has thanked a controversial writer for helping him become World Champion.

On the January 4th, 1999 episode of Raw, Mankind pinned The Rock to win the WWF Championship for the first time. Due to the episode being taped before Christmas, this led to Tony Schiavone delivering the famous “That’s gonna put some butts in the seats” line while giving the result away on WCW Nitro which was being broadcast live.

During a recent episode of Foley Is Pod, the WWE Hall of Famer looked back on the build-up to his win, as well as the night itself. During the conversation, Foley said he wouldn’t have hit the same heights had Vince Russo not been the Head Writer.

“Look, you know, a lot of it was Russo. A lot of it was Russo letting me run with ideas and then I was definitely pitching in ideas. But I don’t think I would not have had that run with WWE had it not been for Vince Russo because he was such a big believer in the character.

You know, maybe I had my little you know, arguments or differences of opinion when it came to Cactus Jack versus Mankind. But this was some really strong stuff and I think part of being a good writer is knowing the strengths and negatives that the characters you’re writing for have. There were a few times when I did a word-for-word recital of a promo but not many.

You know, I had a lot of freedom. I can’t tell you for sure if Twister was my idea or Russo’s but we were working pretty closely together to make that character come to life.”

Mick Foley Recalls Pitching Mankind Name To Vince McMahon

While Foley became famous among WWE fans as Mankind, his original name was much less catchy. Appearing as a guest on Hot Ones, Foley recalled Vince McMahon wanting to call him Mason The Mutilator.

However, Mick Foley changed Vince McMahon’s mind, by convincing the Executive Chairman that the name had a double meaning.

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