Mike Tyson’s Shocking Confession: WWE Legend Mick Foley Left the Boxing Icon Trembling During the Attitude Era
The Fearless Boxing Titan’s WWE Legacy
Mike Tyson, known to many as the most feared boxer of all time, also holds a significant place in WWE history. The man who once dominated the boxing ring is equally celebrated among wrestling fans, earning his spot in the WWE Hall of Fame. His involvement in the infamous Attitude Era, particularly in the storyline with Steve Austin and the DX stable, is the stuff of wrestling legend. Yet, despite his ferocious reputation, Tyson recently revealed a surprising admission: there was one WWE superstar who genuinely scared him—Mick Foley.
Mick Foley: The Man Who Made Mike Tyson Tremble
In a candid conversation on the Impaulsive podcast, Tyson recounted his time in WWE and reflected on the intense atmosphere of the 1990s wrestling scene. But what stood out most was his fear of Mick Foley, a man whose willingness to endure unimaginable pain made even the toughest athletes wince.
Back in 1998, just two months after Tyson’s memorable appearance at WrestleMania XIV, Foley faced The Undertaker in a match that would become one of the most iconic—and brutal—moments in wrestling history. The King of the Ring event saw Foley, under his Mankind persona, endure a series of horrific injuries: a dislocated shoulder, a dislocated jaw, broken ribs, and internal bleeding. It was a match that left the audience in shock and the participants forever etched in WWE folklore.
Tyson, recalling his reaction to Foley’s relentless pursuit of danger, admitted, “Goddamn, I’m scared of that guy. This guy, he experienced death every day of his life. He’s jumping off s**t, running into trucks and cars, man. And he’s normal. He broke every bone in his body and he’s a normal guy.” The boxing legend’s tone shifted from amazement to genuine concern as he added, “I just don’t know why he don’t like himself so much.”
Tyson’s Own Brush With WWE Danger
Tyson’s admiration for Foley’s courage is laced with an undercurrent of disbelief. Here was a man, Tyson thought, who seemed to have no regard for his own safety, yet continued to push the boundaries of what the human body could endure. This fearlessness, however, was not limited to Foley alone. Tyson himself faced his own moment of danger during his WWE tenure, albeit in a different form.
During his appearance at WrestleMania XIV, Tyson was not booked to wrestle but was instead cast as the guest referee for the high-stakes match between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels. At the time, Austin was embroiled in a fierce feud with DX, and Tyson’s involvement put him in the crosshairs of one of WWE’s most dangerous factions.
As the match reached its climax, Austin emerged victorious, much to the chagrin of Michaels and DX. Despite Tyson’s role as an official, Michaels attempted to intimidate the former world champion. What followed was a moment that would go down in WWE history. As Michaels pressed his luck, Tyson, known for his no-nonsense approach, delivered a knockout punch that sent Michaels crashing to the mat, proving that even in a scripted world, Tyson’s power was very real.
On a recent episode of ‘Impaulsive’, the boxer confessed, “Goddamn I’m scared of that guy. This guy, he experienced death every day of his life. He’s jumping off s**t, running in trucks and cars, man. And he’s normal. He broke every bone in his body and he’s a normal guy.” With a concerned tone, he later added, “I just don’t know why he don’t like himself so much.”
The Reality Behind Tyson’s WWE Experience
The punch wasn’t just a staged act for the cameras; Tyson confirmed on the Impaulsive podcast that it was as real as it gets. “Well, these crazy mokers tell you to hit them. Out of their fing mind,” Tyson recounted, his voice tinged with both amusement and incredulity. The world of professional wrestling may be scripted, but the pain and impact of that punch were genuine, a stark reminder of the raw power Tyson brought with him from the world of boxing.
Tyson said, “Well these crazy mo***kers tell you to hit them. Out of their f***ing mind.”
A Legacy of Fear and Respect
Tyson’s time in WWE may have been brief, but it left an indelible mark on both the wrestling and boxing worlds. His encounters with the likes of Mick Foley and Shawn Michaels highlighted the thin line between showmanship and reality in professional wrestling. For Tyson, the experience was as much about confronting his own fears as it was about entertaining millions of fans.
As Tyson reflected on his WWE days, it became clear that even the scariest man in boxing had his own moments of vulnerability. Foley’s reckless abandon and Tyson’s own unexpected role in wrestling history remind us that fear and respect often go hand in hand, even for the toughest of champions.
