So, instead of being a kind of well informed ultra reporter on the events of WrestleMania 22, Foley was thrown right into the fire, literally, in a match with the up and coming Edge. have been shoving down our throats for years on end now. A REALLY good match, but not that seminal “WrestleMania Moment” that Vince and Co. The best prior to his retirement was, I guess, his participation with Vader against Owen Hart and British Bulldog Davey Boys Smith at WrestleMania 13. Foley had never had a truly great WrestleMania match before, for all of his previous accolades. For, you see, Foley was offered a chance, one that he previously thought unattainable.

Originally, the book was supposed to be Foley’s expose into the backstage machinations of the WWE leading into a WrestleMania, particularly focused on a certain fellow named Vinnie Mac. “The Hardcore Diaries” is a unique offering. Chew on that for a while.Īnyway, this is not an article meant for me to stagger off a soapbox. The fact of the matter is, behind maybe only Austin and Rock, Mick Foley was the most influential wrestler of the 1990’s, and given the abbreviated terms Rock and Austin had in their ultimate character and style, it could be argued Foley may be the most influential wrestler of wrestlings most profitable run. Because few before, during, or after combined insane bumps, great mic work, and (gasp!) superior in ring ability as a great match storyteller to put together a package quite like Cactus Jack. In the era of muscle, Foley carved a decidedly different niche, and for all of those who condemn him as, what Ric Flair and many others called him, a “glorified stuntman,” I feel for your wrestling viewing souls. Mick Foley was, and I suppose is, one of my top five favorite wrestlers of all time. I just want to preface this review with one item. But with time comes perspective, and with that, here is my review of Mick Foley’s “Hardcore Diaries.” It is my sincere hope that I stir those unwashed masses towards a book that I even found, initially, totally ungratifying.

I wanted to appeal to a smarter audience, one that, while familiar with Foley and his authorial stylings, may have overlooked this tome. Both of those books will come a bit later. To pick one of the first two Mick Foley memoirs, “Have a Nice Day” or “Foley is Good.” Not so. I am sure most people who read this site would expect me to go the easy way.

The Hardcore Diaries by Mick Foley