The Real Reason for Mick Foley's Absence From WWE TV

As many WWE viewers have noticed, Mick Foley has not been at the announcing table with good 'ol J.R. the past two weeks on SmackDown.  The average WWE fan has been led to believe that Foley's absence has to do with Edge beating him up two weeks ago on SmackDown while seeking advice for his Hell in a Cell match against the Undertaker at SummerSlam. 

This, however, was used as a ploy to cover up Foley's unhappiness with the company and his desire to be released from his WWE contract and pursue other business options.

Mick Foley is a hardcore legend who defined what the word "hardcore", meant in a professional wrestling setting.  The man has broken so many bones, injured body parts, and even lost part of his ear during his illustrious career. 

When he was approached by Vince McMahon to be SmackDown's color commentator, he thought that he would be treated like the legend he is—that he would be treated with respect and have creative freedom when commentating. 

Instead, he has been berated and yelled at by Vince, who talks into WWE commentators' headsets at times to tell them what to say.  Vince has been singling out Foley and micro-managing what he can and can't say and has criticized most of Foley's own original comments. 

Foley had grown tired of this and requested his release from the company.  The WWE creative team has been trying to talk him into staying, mostly in fear that he could jump to TNA.

With all that Foley has done for WWE over the years, you would think they would treat him better.  For years, Foley has been trying to pitch ideas to the WWE creative team, usually looking to build storylines to strengthen the characters of up-and-coming wrestlers on the verge of breaking out—and has been shot down nearly every time. 

A legend and future Hall of Famer like Foley should be treated with more respect and should at least have the ear of some members of the WWE organization.  I hope that Foley does indeed leave WWE and jumps ship to TNA, where he will be valued as a member of the company and can help bring more credibility to the TNA organization.

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