Mick Foley Falls Through an Announcers Table While I Fall Asleep
He didn’t really capture the hearts and minds of many in terms of his physical prowess.
by Zack Davis
On June 28th, 1998 the Undertaker threw Mankind off Hell in a Cell 16 feet through an announcer’s table. When I can’t sleep at night I like to imagine what went through Mick Foley’s mind in those precious few seconds from the top of the cage to the impact of the folding table below.
If you're unfamiliar with wrestling then what you really need to know is that Mick Foley, who at this moment was playing the character “Mankind” was more or less a journeyman. He didn’t really capture the hearts and minds of many in terms of his physical prowess. He looks kind of like a 10th year frat lord.
He looks like he drives a 1999 Ford Ranger.
He looks like he’s distilled moonshine.
He looks like he’s harvested corn by hand.
He looks like he might die if he falls 16 feet through an announcer’s table.
The real question is what was he thinking. On good nights, when sleep comes easily he’s not really thinking about anything. He’s acting instinctively. His body is contorting in the ways that it needs to in order to protect itself from harm in the best way possible. I feel like this is closer to the truth. There’s not a lot of time between being tossed off the top of the cage and him hitting the announcer’s table.
On some nights, when it’s a bit harder to fall asleep I like to imagine that he’s happy. He’s planned this all out. That he knows what comes next and that Vince McMahon has worked with him in order to fulfill this moment. He knows he will lose the match tonight, but he also knows that he will win the hearts of the people watching.
On most nights though, he’s plummeting through the void. Each foot passing by through the void of despair and the thick stew of fear. He’s a professional, sure, but fresh on his mind is the pain that he’s yet to feel. He nearly died in a stunt he performed earlier that year and he’s questioning himself. Is this really worth it? Will the table break beneath him or will he break the table? What is even the point of this stunt? Will it matter? Do I matter? Does anything? Am I even good enough to be here? Is this enough? What will it take to make it? Will anyone remember me? Will it ever be enough? Does this count? How close is the end? How close is the table? How badly will it hurt when I land? Will it hurt enough for them to cheer? For them to love me? Will they love me or the pain I experience? Will they love me or the table I’ve broken? Will they love me for diving or the Undertaker for throwing me? Will they love me, or Mankind?
Will they love me?
Zack Davis is an Instructor of English at University of South Alabama and Freelances for Ultiworld.com.
