10 WWE Stars Who Most Benefited From Paul Heyman's Influence
4. Mick Foley
If there's one thing that seems to help Mick Foley thrive, it's having the freedom of creativity. That's a thread running constant throughout this entire list, Paul Heyman's main strength is pulling that hidden genius from performers, tapping into what it is that makes them special. Foley is a perfect example of that.
Disenchanted by a fading run in WCW, Foley sought solace in ECW during the mid-1990's. There, he was allowed to largely come up with his own ideas and see them put into practice. The whole 'Cane Dewey' promo is indicative of that reality Heyman is able to use.
Legitimately sickened at signs in the ECW audience that called for his young son to be caned, Cactus Jack used it as motivation to cut some seriously good interviews. Meanwhile, Heyman was likely rubbing his hands in glee, witnessing a promo style that WCW hadn't allowed Foley to present.
Years later upon becoming a megastar in the WWF, Foley was delivering interviews with the same amount of gusto. Whether as Mankind, Dude Love, Cactus Jack or himself, he could look back to his ECW stint for inspiration.