“In the brutal world of professional wresting pain is the one constant factor shared by every warrior to step inside the ropes. Inflicting constant pain on the opponent, while fighting through your own anguish is the key element to securing victory in the ring.”
Today we are going to take a look at the upcoming TNA Home Video Release – Mick Foley: Hardcore Legend, available this Tuesday, April 19.
We begin by taking at look at what is hardcore wrestling with the help of the TNA roster (Jeff Jarrett, Abyss, Taz, Tommy Dreamer, Kurt Angle and Al Snow) discussing what their definition of hardcore wrestling is. We also look at Mick’s involvement in this style of wrestling with a brief mention of the effect that hardcore wrestling has had on his life and career.
We move on to Mick’s TNA debut, this was an in-ring promo from the October 2, 2008 edition of iMPACT!. In the promo Mick thanks Vince McMahon for making his decision to move to TNA an easy one.
We move now to a backstage area with Mick Foley and Jeremy Borash; who are set to watch the matches along with us and provide the introduction and background for each match.
For the first match Mick tells a story of injuring his leg while taking a ‘creative restaroonie’ when AJ hit a frog splash on Cute Kip through a table – while Mick’s leg was beneath the table.
This match is joined at the point where referee Rudy Charles counts out all six competitors, before Jim Cornette (TNA Management) and Mick Foley (“Executive Shareholder”) restart the match under ‘hardcore rules’.
6-Man Tag Team Match
Mick Foley, AJ Styles & Brother Devon vs. Cute Kip, Booker T & Scott Steiner
Genesis – January 11, 2009 – Charlotte, NC
We move on to Mick’s first iMPACT! match. This was right after the 2009 Destination X PPV, here Mick tells a story of Kurt Angle being disappointed in his match at the PPV with Sting, but Mick told him he would redeem his self very quickly…
Kurt Angle & Sting (TNA World Champion) vs. Mick Foley & Jeff Jarrett
iMPACT! – March 19, 2009 – Orlando, FL
The next segment is the promo between Mick Foley and Cactus Jack (yes, Cactus Jack) from the final iMPACT! before Lockdown 2009; here Mick talks about receiving a standing ovation when going backstage after the segment.
Next we off to Lockdown… here Mick & JB discuss the Mick’s feelings and lack of confidence heading into the match.
TNA World Heavyweight Championship Six-Sides of Steel Cage Match
Sting (c) vs. Mick Foley
Lockdown – April 19, 2009 – Philadelphia, PA
Mick tells us that even after the great match with Sting his confidence still low, and he was terrified going into the next match verses ‘The Wrestling Machine’ Kurt Angle…
Mick Foley vs. Kurt Angle
Victory Road – July 19, 2009 – Orlando, FL
Monster’s Ball Match
Mick Foley vs. Abyss
Special referee: Dr. Stevie
Bound For Glory – October 18, 2009 – Irvine, CA
In introducing the next match, we learn that Jay Lethal is a secret Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory fan.
Foley’s Funhouse Rules Match
Abyss & Mick Foley vs. Raven & Dr. Stevie
Final Resolution – December 20, 2009 – Orlando, FL
The next match was requested by Mick Foley, between himself and Jeff Jarrett. We are also given a brief background for the match, where the looser will be fired from TNA…
Jeff Jarrett vs. Mick Foley
iMPACT! – March 22, 2010 – Orlando, FL
Mick intros the final match by saying it is very likely his final match and if so: “what a way to go out…”
Last Man Standing Match
Mick Foley vs. Ric Flair
iMPACT! “Before the Glory” – October 7, 2010 – Orlando, FL
Mick and JB close this section of the DVD and we head back to ‘documentary’ that we started with to look at Mick Foley outside the ring: his writing, his family life and his charity work.
We hear stories about Mick’s writing. One story specifically was about writing the first chapter of his first book ‘Have a Nice Day’. We also hear a story about the controversy that writing attracts with a story about how Matt Morgan is described in ‘Countdown to Lockdown’ (we also hear Matt Morgan’s thoughts on this too).
Next we move on to Mick’s family life and how working in TNA has allowed Mick much more time to spend at home with his family. Here we learn Mick Foley’s grooming secrets and a look at the hardcore art of scrapbooking.
Next we look at head injuries in pro-wrestling and Mick’s style of wrestling and the effect it may have had on his brain. Mick also discusses donating his brain (after he dies) to the Sports Legacy Institute.
Finally we look at Mick’s caring side through his charity work with building schools in Africa and his work with RAINN
We close with Mick commenting that he aims to be at home much more in the future and step away from wrestling business. This section really provided a level of closure to Mick’s pro-wrestling career, and if it indeed is what a career!
Bonus Content
Punching Contest
The first piece of bonus content is the great in-ring promo between Mick Foley and Ric Flair from the September 30, 2010 edition of iMPACT! (This was the promo which set up the Last Man Standing Match between the two).
Concussion Discussion
This was set to be the weigh in for the #1 Contenders Match at Genesis which resulted in another classic Mick Foley and Ric Flair promo.
Final thoughts: I really enjoyed the DVD. It was classic Mick Foley with great promos, brutal hardcore wresting and traditional Foley humour (in the segments with JB). I would say if you’re a Foley or ‘hardcore’ wrestling fan – pick this set up this Tuesday, April 19 from major DVD retailers.
I bought this DVD,it’s very well produced and could work well in silencing the growing number of TNA haters for a while.