- Terrance X. Martinez

Ask any twenty wrestling fans to describe Mick Foley and you will most likely get twenty different replies. King of the Death Match. Hardcore Legend. WWF Superstar. Crazy S.O.B. Comedy Wrestler. The descriptions go on and on. Each one of them may be accurate, but none really capture the man completely. In fact, after reading Have a Nice Day, you come to the conclusion that these descriptions don't even begin to do justice to the man we know as Cactus Jack, Mankind, Dude Love or plain old Mick Foley.

For starters, unlike most wrestling books, Foley wrote the book himself, without the aid of a ghost writer. Making the task even more impressive is the fact that he wrote the entire 544 page book in long hand on a series of yellow legal pads. It doesn't take the reader long to ascertain that this is just one example of the type of dedication Foley shows in every aspect of his life.

Foley's willingness to succeed comes through early on in the book. Even before he became a wrestler he was dedicated to the sport. Whether it was hitchhiking to Madison Square Garden to see Snuka/Muraco in the cage, or diving off of a roof onto a mattress in a precursor to the backyard wrestling craze, Foley had always shown a deep love for wrestling. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that Foley, while still in college, started driving hundreds of miles and sleeping in his car just for the opportunity to train on the weekends to become a wrestler.

Since I am writing this review for Kayfabe Memories I guess it's only appropriate to point out the different regions that Mick passed through on his climb up the wrestling ladder. After beginning his career in Northeast indies, Foley got the call to come to Memphis, his first real territory. Even though Foley came along towards the end of the territories he also wrestled in the World Class region and for Alabama. After making a name for himself in these areas Foley finally got a shot in a national company, WCW.

In the book, Foley covers his trials and tribulations in WCW. Going into detail about the backstage politics that he felt held him back in WCW. Foley pulls no punches in this area. He also describes his most memorable matches and angles. From the humorous, (his Clash match with Mil Mascaras) to the idiotic, (the amnesia angle vignettes he filmed) and the downright scary (getting powerbombed on the concrete by Vader). And, yes, he goes into great detail describing the match in which he lost his ear.  

Foley seems to take great pride in describing his injuries throughout the book, and he certainly has no shortage of them. Aside from his ear loss, he also talks about his chronic back problems and all the broken bones and cuts and bruises that go along with becoming a hardcore legend. Also, if you were ever wondering how Foley lost his teeth, this is also revealed in the book. The interesting this about that is it didn't happen in the ring.

Foley's Japan tours and his ECW stint are also covered in the book.

Since this book deal came about because of the WWF, a good deal of the book covers his WWF tenure. His Hell in the Cell match is covered extensively, as were the backstage decisions that led to Foley's WWF title reigns. We're also are treated to Mike's first meetings with Vince McMahon and we get a look at how the WWF develops a character such as Mankind.   

It's impossible for me to write about this book and not mention all the humor and inside jokes that are sprinkled throughout the book. Foley's wit is one of it's key selling points. Al Snow is his most frequent target. However, Foley is not above poking fun at himself. His self-deprecating humor goes to show that Foley isn't your typical egomaniac. In fact, he comes off as a normal guy who worked hard and followed his dream. A guy who tries to be a good dad and a good husband. That is why this is such a good book. Almost anyone who reads the book can see a little of themselves in Mick.

In conclusion, I give this book my highest possible recommendation. If you haven't read it yet, do so immediately. For a wrestling fan this book has it all. Foley covers every phase of his career and doesn't fail to mention all the names he passed along the way. Foley delivers stories about everyone from Ric Flair to the great Power Uti. Even if you aren't a wrestling fan, (and if you aren't then why are you surfing KM?) this a wonderful story of a guy who made it to the top despite the odds. I can't recommend it enough.

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