Vince McMahon would never ask talent to do something he wouldn't do himself.
In 1998, WWE was on the precipice of a boom period that would allow them to not only win the Monday Night War but make them one of the most recognizable brands in the world. A majority of that success came from pushing the envelope in the Attitude Era. Not only did WWE push limits with what Superstars like Steve Austin and D-Generation X were saying, but the physical intensity and death-defying risks Superstars were beginning to take.
No two Superstars are more well-known for putting their bodies through hell than Mick Foley and Terry Funk. In 1998, Cactus Jack & Chainsaw Charlie, Foley and Funk's alter egos, were beginning a feud with The New Age Outlaws, Road Dogg & Billy Gunn. On February 2, 1998, that rivalry was taken to the next level when Dogg & Gunn pushed a dumpster that Cactus Jack & Chainsaw Charlie were laying in.
On the latest Foley is Pod, Mick Foley reveals that Vince McMahon had to be talked out of taking that bump himself earlier in the day.
"Vince McMahon had to be talked out of taking a dumpster bump earlier in the day," Mick recalled. "He wanted to do it himself [laughs]. I was like, 'Vince, you own and run this company. We don't know what's going to happen. What happens if you're badly hurt?"
Mick then imitated Vince's response, "'I would never want any of you to do something that I wouldn't be willing to do.' Then I pulled him over to the side. I was like, Vince, it's my gimmick, right? You're gonna kill my gimmick if you're taking the same bumps I'm taking."
Mick compared the scenario to Vince McMahon willingly taking a dive off a high platform at WrestleMania 36 to show Rob Gronkowski what was expected of him.
"So he did not take the bump, but in the same way that he took some bump that Gronk was a little concerned about taking [at WrestleMania 36] and he just boom went and did it. Now, if you're Gronk, you're like, 'I saw a guy in his 60s...' he may have been in his early 70s at that time. So, Gronk went ahead and did it. This was Vince wanting to do it. I'm glad he didn't," said Mick.
Recently on his podcast, Mick addressed Vince's return to WWE's Board of Director. Fans can read his comments here.
Elsewhere in this interview, Foley addressed Sami Zayn's current main event push opposite Roman Reigns. At this link, Fans can read Foley's comments on that situation.
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