Mick Foley, a beloved figure in the wrestling world, shocked everyone on Tuesday by announcing his split from WWE. The reason? Foley was fed up with President Donald Trump’s “incredibly cruel” comments about Rob Reiner after the filmmaker’s death.
For those who may not be aware, Foley is not just a former WWE champion who helped shape the company’s ‘Attitude Era,’ where he famously triumphed over The Rock in 1999. His career spans beyond wrestling appearances, providing him roles as a commissioner and commentator as well. His contributions have left an undeniable mark on the WWE landscape.
In an Instagram post, Foley revealed that his frustrations over WWE’s camaraderie with Trump had been building for months. The tipping point came when Trump made harsh remarks regarding Reiner, which he deemed unacceptable.
Why This is Important
Trump’s longstanding ties to WWE go back to his appearances in the mid-2000s, and in 2013 he was even inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. His connections, particularly with Linda McMahon—a key WWE figure who has served as Secretary of Education—have consistently placed WWE at the political forefront.
While numerous celebrities and companies have distanced themselves from Trump due to fears of controversy, WWE seemed to embrace the relationship. Trump has shown up at various WWE events and has garnered support from big-name wrestlers. However, his comments on Reiner’s passing ignited widespread backlash, with many questioning whether businesses affiliated with Trump would be scrutinized.
What to Keep in Mind
Trump claimed that Reiner’s death was a result of his “raging obsession” with him and that the anger from Reiner was due to what Trump refers to as “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” However, Trump stood unfazed by the backlash, asserting that Reiner had become a “deranged person.”
In his post, Foley openly declared he didn’t want to be linked to a company that “coddles a man seemingly devoid of empathy as he drags our nation toward autocracy.” He made it clear that he would cease any appearances for WWE while Trump remains in power.
Foley also mentioned, “I won’t be signing a new Legends deal when my current one wraps up in June. My time with WWE has been invaluable and cherished, but here’s the bottom line: ‘I stands all I can stands, and I can’t stands no more,’” quoting the classic cartoon character Popeye.
Newsweek made efforts to reach out to Foley and WWE for their comments, but, unfortunately, didn’t receive a response in time for this article.
Additionally, Foley took to his Instagram stories on Monday to echo singer Jack White’s words about Trump’s remarks, calling the president a “disgusting, vile, egomaniac, loser, child.” White added that it’s a reprehensible act to exploit someone’s death for personal gain and to promote an authoritarian agenda.
What Others Are Saying
Jack White posted on Instagram: “Shame on you Trump and anyone defending this. God bless you, Rob Reiner. I never met you, yet I stand with you.”
Mick Foley, on his Instagram story: “How any of my WWE colleagues can stand by, let alone stand next to this man, is beyond me.”
What’s Next?
Clearly, Foley’s decision symbolizes a significant break between a prime wrestling figure and WWE amidst political tensions. Now, WWE finds itself in a conundrum about how—if at all—they should respond to his departure considering McMahon’s collaboration with Trump.
