Mick Foley knew that Drew McIntyre had something special and a WWE return was inevitable.
The Scottish Warrior 2023 is a world apart from The Chosen One who was released from his contract in 2014. Knowing that this was not the end, the future WWE Champion made his way back to Scotland to become one of the biggest names on the independent scene before wrestling around the world and making a triumphant return to WWE.
Knowing that he needed to make a lasting impression, McIntyre made contact with The Hardcore Legend to see what Foley made of his new character, and Foley took notice.
Speaking on Foley is Pod, the Hall of Famer admitted that he was so impressed with the work McInytre was doing that he got in contact with Triple H and stated that this version of McIntyre was something special:
“Drew will admit that there are times to go out there [on the indies] and be that guy from WWE, but when it really counted, like with Insane Championship Wrestling — people need to know, just from the onset, I rarely text the powers that be and in this case, I texted Hunter after Drew sent me something,” Foley recalled. “I wasn’t close friends with Drew by any means, but I liked him, and he sent me something. He said, ‘Hey, I know you’re busy, but I’m working on something different. I did something for her ICW in Glasgow. Can you take a look?’
The first thing I did, and he’d only been gone like a month, I texted Triple H and said, ‘I know you just released him, but you need to keep your eye on Drew McIntyre. He’s like an entirely different person.’
Foley continued, stating that while WWE does have the security, some stars can greatly benefit from some time away to really develop their character and see what they can really do:
“Sometimes you just need to go there,” Foley continued. “You may find out by betting on yourself that you’re only as good as WWE told you you were, but man, the two dirtiest words in the English language, ‘What if?'”
In a new interview, Mick Foley recalled a conversation with an unmotivated CM Punk.
Mick Foley DIscusses His Own “What If”
Much like McIntyre, Foley was also a part of the TNA/Impact roster and reigned with the top championship. Not entirely happy with his time in the promotion, Mick Foley revealed what he regretted from his time in Impact Wrestling.
Recently Mick Foley looked back on his match with Randy Orton at Backlash 2004.
H/t to Fightful.