Jim Ross has divulged the origins of one of Vince McMahon’s most imitated lines as he discussed the moment Mick Foley became “made” in the WWE Chairman’s eyes.
Foley joined the World Wrestling Federation in 1996, debuting on the Raw after WrestleMania 12 by attacking The Undertaker. Talent Relations supremo Jim Ross was a vocal advocate for Foley joining the company after his stints in WCW, ECW, and Japan as Cactus Jack.
Ross has previously spoken of McMahon’s hesitance at bringing Foley to the company, saying McMahon told him he would only hire the Hardcore Legend so Ross could feel what it’s like to have their heart broken by a talent.
Speaking on his Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross revealed what could have been the moment the Chairman changed his mind on Foley and got behind him as a viable star. The moment happened after Foley had filmed his famous interviews with Jim Ross as the viewers got to learn more about the man behind the Mankind mask.
Ross explained:
“We didn’t know Vince was even going to be there, we had no idea. That’s where the famous line that came from Vince, where we got to a certain stopping point and heard this voice and it’s unmistakably Vince saying ‘This is good sh*t.’ At that point, Mick is made.”
“He just sold the old man. I don’t know what his thoughts would be if you asked him today, but at that time, he had turned the corner. He got the blessing of the most powerful man in all of pro wrestling. Vince being there was a surprise, a pleasant surprise. When we were done, he was ecstatic. That was a big deal, that was a real big deal.”
The rest was history as Foley went on to capture the WWF Championship three times in what was a WWE Hall Of Fame career.
Jim Ross also recently discussed Mark Henry joining him in All Elite Wrestling, saying it’s a “win-win” for all involved.