Mick Foley Claims He's the Only WWE Star Underbilled for Height

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In the illustrious world of professional wrestling, the WWE has often fabricated wrestlers' dimensions to exaggerate their larger-than-life personas. Interestingly, this wasn't the case for WWE Hall of Famer and renowned 'Hardcore Legend,' Mick Foley.

During a recent episode of his podcast, "Foley Is Pod," the beloved superstar delved into the unusual way his height and weight were presented during his initial WWE tenure. "For the record, I stand a legit 6 feet 4 inches tall," Foley shared candidly.

"However, in my early days, they focused mainly on announcing my weight, around 220 pounds at the time of my first match."

Gratitude to Shane Douglas: Transforming Foley's Physique

Foley shed light on his leaner physique during the genesis of his wrestling career.

He expressed gratitude towards Shane Douglas, a fellow wrestling figure, for guiding him with his diet when he was scraping by with minimal provisions. The WWE icon candidly revealed that he was intentionally portrayed as less formidable than he was.

"I dare say that in the entire chronicle of WWF, now WWE, I'm the only performer to enter the ring-billed shorter than my actual height," Foley mused. The Mankind character - one of his most infamous avatars - was crafted to appear less towering.

Whether he faced Triple H — a wrestler of comparable height in reality — or colossal opponents such as The Undertaker, Foley's hunched posture depicted him as a distinctly smaller contender. Reminiscing about his early WWE days, Foley revealed, "I used to have lifts inserted in my boots, which made me feel an impressive 6 feet 7 inches tall." However, he soon realized the profound psychological aspect behind this approach.

"Then it hit me - if WWE needed a wrestler standing at 6 feet 7 inches, there's no shortage of options. I was brought on board not for my height but for my mental capability to unnerve The Undertaker," Foley stated. This unique and insightful revelation by Mick Foley affirms that the WWE, though known for its larger-than-life characters, also appreciates and strategically employs the less conspicuous attributes of its wrestlers. It's another testament to the intricate tapestry that makes professional wrestling a distinctive spectacle.