Mick Foley: Why Mankind Was My Favourite Character To Portray
Connecting with those who felt like they didn't fit in
Dec 15, 2021
While some wrestlers struggle to create one successful persona, Mick Foley managed to establish three fan favourite characters during his long career with Cactus Jack, Mankind and Dude Love.
Speaking with Vickie Guerrero on Excuse Me, Mrs Foley's baby boy revealed Mankind was his favourite character to portray.
"I love being Cactus. At the time I was doing it, I enjoyed being Dude Love for two months during the 'Summer of Love' [in 1997]. But when November rolled around and I was still dancing in the ring, I was like, 'Oh. This character has run its course.' But I love being Dude Love on Cameo videos. It's the hokiest. Dude has reinvented himself as a lounge singer. So, I do birthday songs. (Foley sings badly) So I love doing it," Foley said.
"But if I had to pick one I would pick Mankind. Latter-day Mankind. And the reason is - I didn't realise it at the time but that latter-day Mankind character was really connecting with people who didn't feel like they fit in. So it was kind of a sense of - a source of - we're supposed to take people's minds off their problems and entertain. But it took me years to find out that people were connecting and felt a kinship with this guy who didn't quite fit in but found a way to become a big deal anyway."
Mick Foley portrayed Mankind following his WWE debut in 1996. He would use the character for several years as a serious and comedy wrestler, winning the WWE Championship three times and the tag team titles several times with the likes of Kane, The Rock and Al Snow.
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