Mick Foley seemed like the type of wrestler that seemed sure to be a cult hero, and perhaps nothing more. His hard-bumping, stunt-based style endeared him to the hardcore fans but, in an aesthetics-driven business, Foley just didn't have the right 'look' to make it as a top guy. He had a solid career in WCW and ECW, and made big money wrestling in Japan, but the jury was still out on him when he went to the WWF in 1996. The man who had sacrificed his body for his art was already feeing the physical effects of his wrestling style by the time he made it to the big time. It was a pleasant surprise, then, when Foley caught on as Mankind in the Federation. He had great feuds and matches with The Undertaker, Triple H and Steve Austin before his career was changed forever at King of the Ring 1998. Taking two of the most hellacious bumps ever seen in mainstream wrestling, Foley solidified his reputation as the king of hardcore wrestling. But his career remained sluggish for a while until he developed the Mankind persona. Incorporating more comedy to his matches and segments, Foley grew in popularity. He won the WWF Championship on the January 4th 1999 Raw, a pivotal moment in the Monday Night Wars. Mrs. Foley's baby boy had done. Foley isn't what most people think of when they hear the words 'professional wrestler'. He had a dodgy physique, a 'thimbleful of athletic talent' (his own words) and an unconventional interview style. Still, he managed to become one of the most popular wrestlers ever during wrestling's hottest period. He greatly overachieved, but you cannot say he didn't earn it.
