1) People say Foley is a great wrestler because of his inhuman ability to endure pain that could literally put other human beings in traction. Does this make him a great wrestler. No f'in way. True talent comes in being able to protect yourself and your opponent and not get hurt. The TRUEST of great wrestlers simply make it look like it hurts really badly, but rarely ever injure themselves or anyone else (Bret Hart and Ricky Steamboat are prime examples). But frankly, given enough guts and money, anyone can go out there and get seriously hurt. But not just anyone has the talent to make it look that way, but not be that way.
2) Where to begin with this one...he sold out. For a guy who professes to have such a deep appreciation for the art of wrestling, he jumped into the superficiality very quickly. A chapter explains his frustrations with the 'new' WWF crowd for only responding to catchprashes, curvy women and "sports entertainment" portions of the show and he professes what a tragedy that is. Until of course...he gets a catchphrase and becomes a comedy character that actually catches on. Then it's okay. Total garbage.
3) His title wins. He claims to be "A major reason Eric Bischoff wakes up with boot marks all over his tush every Tuesday (ratings day back then). His logic is that it's because he's a former world champion and thus, a main event talent. News flash Foley: His main event run and subsequent (and short) world title wins were all just extensions of the Austin-McMahon/Austin-Rock fueds. The one who delivered the ratings was Austin himself. A parade of wrestlers came through the main event scene during the long Austin vs Evil owner story, Undertaker, Kane, Shane McMahon, Val Venis, Bossman, Test, the Whole DX stable, but in the end, the real draw was Austin versus Vince McMahon and Foley's otherwise spindoctoring of these facts is just that, spindoctoring.
4) His family. I'm glad things turned out cool for him. But he spends lots of time rubbing it in the reader's face that he has a sexier wife than most. So what...if I have a wife who isn't (as) sexy what does that mean? It's a pity that Foley had an opportunity to show that men (or wrestlers in particular) aren't that shallow, but instead took the opportunity to rub the noses of the "less fortunate" in his good fortune. Also he says he was "afraid" of having an ugly daughter. So what is she didn't come out a looker? To say you're afraid of your child not being good looking is just awful.
Finally, he seems to think every other match of his was some kind of classic. If one takes every word he says as the truth, then all his matches are 4-5 stars and of course he should be picked up by big promotions. Truth is, like he says in his second book "Wrestling promoters aren't interested in hardcore. You've got to have a good character and know the basics" Well there's the problem. Foley sole 'ability' lay in his pain threshold and there was really nothing to distinguish Cactus Jack from any other generically mean bad guy with a beard at the time. Also, he acts like all his friends are perfect too. He says his pal Kevin Sullivan helped WCW climb out of a creative hole. Idea like "The Yeti" "The Taskmaster" "Dungeon of Doom" "The Shark" "Zodiac Man" and other childish silliness were some of Sullivan's ideas and he was one of the reasons wrestling sucked in the mid 90's. But Foley won't bring that up, cause Kev's his friend and thus should not be talked about that way.
In the end, Foley's world title/main event run was really cookie cutter stuff for the time and like I said, really just an extension of a greater fued and bigger stars. Back in the old days, getting the belt meant the company trusted you to carry the promotion on it's back as it's best performer and biggest star. But by the time Foley got it, championships had descended to the point where they were used to further storyline purposes and frankly played second fiddle to the conflict between the wrestlers themselves. He's only hurting himself by thinking otherwise. Just remember, getting your ear ripped off doesn't take talent, it takes an accident. What a crock.
Not only is it a classic telling of some truly amazing personal stories, but its organized so well it flows flawlessly. The book is written superbly, and its impossible to forget that it was written by a man who's undergone serious punishment to his entire body, what with his vivid descriptions of the events within the pages.
Bottom line, this book is a must read. I'm proud to have a first printing hardcover on my shelf to read again and again.
If you ever wanted to understand why the millions that watch this Pop Cultural Phenomenomon unfold each and every Monday night, this is your opportunity. If you are interested in a book of inspiration, seeing a man who was told at every turn that his dream was unattainable, that he was too different, that he was not a person that would sell out arenas, overcome and succeed, this is your book. If you want to enjoy a book, have a good laugh, lose complete track of time because the book is so engrossing, this is your book. Thanks Mick, and as always, HAVE A NICE DAY!