10 Most Paused WWE Moments
8. Mick Foley Narrowly Avoids Death
The initial fall was the more iconic, shocking moment.
Mick Foley's attempt to maintain the aura of the Hell In A Cell gimmick was a controversial and hugely ironic shortcut; knowing that he stood no chance of besting Shawn Michaels' world-class performance as the most athletic horror villain victim ever, his pride compelled him to take the most unhinged bump in the history of mainstream wrestling. It was so divisive that the quality of the bump, understandably, never gets talked about enough. That he nailed the landing on his upper back and still endured horrific damage acts as robust proof that it was a terrible idea, but no single wrestler has ever created such a dramatic standstill.
The second bump was worse because the cage roof could not support the planned, safer bump of Foley clutching at the hanging chainlink before, after dreadful suspense, hurtling to a worked doom.
Actual doom awaited him because the old structure was so flimsy, and he plummeted back-first on the old WWF ring that was often and variously described as bumping on concrete. The concrete was not the only source of horror; a chair followed Foley on his descent, and the leg came horrifyingly close to impaling him.
It was unforgettable in itself; more so because it was paused and rewatched so often.