By Michael Barton

The rumors have already begun to surface that Mick Foley is going to TNA wrestling in approximately a month. For now, the rumor is coming from a close friend, and was reported out of the United Kingdom by The Sun. Here are the quotes from the friend, who of course is nothing more than anonymous. Perhaps they should have said he was from parts unknown!

“Mick's body cannot handle a full time schedule, even in TNA. But he's hell bent on doing everything he can to further his legacy and put them on the map.

The friend added, "Mick's plan is to wrestle select dates, like Sting currently does. He feels he will legitimately make a big difference in the way TNA Wrestling is perceived by the public!”

Wrestling is a business where things that are said one day are forgotten the next. In a business where Hulk Hogan and Billy Graham can testify against you in a steroid trial, yet still be brought back by your company because of the almighty dollar, anything is possible. This could very well be a ploy as well by Foley, because he did the same thing in 2005 and was actually very close to signing with TNA at the time.
The addition of Mick Foley, should it indeed come to pass, will be the biggest acquisition TNA has made in its brief history. Yes, it’s bigger than Kurt Angle. Mick Foley, simply put, is a better ratings draw. Remember years ago when Eric Bischoff gave away the fact that he was winning the World Title on Raw? Do you happen to recall what happened next? The move backfired, and most people changed their channels to watch Raw and see the title change! Angle, while a far superior wrestler and very popular in his own right, has just as many detractors as supporters, and just doesn’t have that loyal fan base like Foley does. Mick Foley could come out to the ring dressed like a toy soldier and get over, simply because he’s Mick Foley. There aren’t many others who have that type of impact.
Wrestling needs a boost. It needs serious competition. The best times in this business have always been when companies are fighting tooth and nail for the customer dollar. It’s – to steal a little from Bret Hart – the way it was, the way it is, and the way it always will be. WWE programming has gotten stale in this journalist’s opinion. The company seems to always pull out it’s best work when under pressure. And while I will concede that Mick Foley alone will not change the entire landscape of the wrestling scene in the United States, he is another step in the right direction for the most important people in this business – the fans.

Mike Barton