Returning to the WWE after taking some time off to write a book and pursue other non-wrestling endeavours, Foley returned to great fanfare in 2003. Foley, who had previously been shunned by the company, was given the red carpet treatment upon his return. He was honoured in a ceremony on an episode of Raw hailing from Madison Square Garden and presented with the retired WWE Hardcore Championship. It was a touching ceremony and Steve Austin and Vince McMahon even made an appearance to put over the hardcore legend. When Foley got backstage, however, he was attacked by Ric Flair after Foley complimented him on his performance in a losing effort. Mick got the better of the 'Nature Boy' but was soon taken out by Legend Killer Randy Orton, who battered Foley before kicking him down the stairs. It was a brutal, realistic beat-down, the likes of which you don't see on WWE TV these days. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFXwUOWUUzM The angle was the start of a year-long feud between Foley and Orton which culminated in a breathtaking street fight at Backlash in 2004, a match that cemented Orton as a future main eventer.
