WWE legend and bestselling author Mick Foley announced on Tuesday that he has informed WWE he will no longer make appearances for the company, and will not renew his contract with the company due to their ongoing relationship with President Donald Trump.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Foley said that he had been long concerned with WWE’s relationship with Trump, but the administration’s treatment of immigrants, along with the president’s comments following the death of Rob Reiner represented a “final straw” for the wrestler.
Foley began his career as a “Cactus Jack” in 1986, and was predominantly known as a hardcore wrestler. He ascended in prominence during the WWE’s “Attitude Era” of the late 1990s, where he became WWE Champion as “Mankind,” as was involved in one of the most iconic moments in wrestling history when The Undertaker threw him off the Hell in Cell at King of the Ring ‘98, which sent Foley crashing through a table at ringside.
Despite the reckless abandon for his body, Foley is widely regarded as one of the most intelligent wrestlers in the business. Writing five memoirs without the aide of a ghostwriter, Foley has additionally written a series of children’s books, as well as two works of contemporary fiction. In addition Foley has appeared three times on The Daily Show to discuss LGBTQ+ rights, how immigrants are portrayed in professional wrestling, as well as being critical with the federal government’s lack of support for combat veterans.
WWE has always had ties with President Trump, who is a member of the WWE Hall of Fame. Linda McMahon, wife of former WWE president and CEO Vince McMahon serves as part of the Trump administration as Secretary of Education, and was Administrator of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term, before leaving in 2019. Despite the McMahon’s selling their shares in WWE, new owners TKO are intimately involved with the White House, with the UFC organizing the upcoming fight set to take place on the South Lawn.
Foley’s role with WWE had been limited in recent years, with the former wrestler being signed to a “Legends Contract,” these are deals given to retired performers in exchange for them making appearances on behalf of the company, operating as spokespeople, and have been integral in the company’s inroads to doing business with Saudi Arabia. These deals also allow WWE to use their name, image and likeness in video games and other media.
WWE has not issued a statement about Foley’s announcement at this time.
