8 Wrestling Exceptions That Prove The 'Top Guy' Rule

By Edward Spence /

1. Mick Foley

Mrs. Foley€™s baby boy! This man€these men are the polar opposite to Vince McMahon€™s blueprint. Remember that horrific Wonka world of fake tan and eroticism I mentioned? Well Mick Foley is the guy who broke in, trashed the thong room and got rolled into the boiler room by the Oompa Loompas.

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Mick once dreamed of being the handsome wrestling Lothario that Vince always dreamed of. He€™d have the looks, the charm and the prowess. This would not work out. Not right away anyway. He entered WWE earless and toothless. So Vince covered his face with some old belt and let him do his thing.

His brutal self-destructive style was grueling, but he quickly won the love and even respect of the attitude era fans. All four faces of Foley were far removed from the Top Gun volleyball scene template, but self- sacrifice, a genius ear for promos and the ability to reinvent himself kept him relevant, marketable and truly loved.

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After his rough retirement, Vince gave the lovable psychopath his WrestleMania moment. He shared the main event many times, but Foley€™s success was earned many times over. What he had to do to be the man proves the rule, but my God, what an exception.