Mick Foley: Health, Retirement, Politics, and Net Worth in 2025

Mick Foley has built a career on taking risks that would scare most people. But these days, the Hardcore Legend is focused on something else: walking better than he has in years.

Born: June 7, 1965 · WWE Championships: 3 · Stitches Total: Over 350 · Height: 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)

Seven key facts capture Foley’s profile — from his birth name to his current AEW role:

Can Mick Foley still walk?

What are Mick Foley’s current health issues?

Foley has been open about his long-term health struggles. In a September 2025 report, he said he had undergone hip and knee replacements and felt he was walking better than he was 15 years earlier (F4W/WON). He also revealed he had lost about 99 pounds, though he regained some of it (F4W/WON). Earlier in 2025, he stated he lost roughly 100 pounds and was in much better overall health (ITR Wrestling).

How has his mobility improved?

Despite metal implants, Foley reported walking better than at any point in the last decade and a half. He also suffered a concussion in April 2025 after a car wreck but walked away mostly unscathed (F4W/WON). The improvement is notable given that in the late 2010s he often used a cane or wheelchair for public appearances.

The implication is that Foley’s physical gains come with a awareness of his permanent vulnerabilities.

Why did Mick Foley stop wrestling?

When did Mick Foley officially retire?

Foley retired from full-time in-ring competition in 2012 (Wikipedia). However, he has never made a formal “final retirement” announcement. He continued taking occasional matches — notably in AEW after signing in 2021 — and has said he believes a final match could still happen if the circumstances were right (Yahoo Sports).

What injuries forced his retirement?

Chronic concussions and multiple orthopedic injuries were the primary reasons (Wikipedia). Foley documented over 350 stitches and several joint surgeries in his autobiography. In 2025, he admitted he planned one last death match for his 60th birthday but scrapped the idea after suffering a concussion during light training (F4W/WON). His most recent WWE TV appearance before that was in November 2023 on NXT (Sports Illustrated).

This pattern of retire-and-return underscores how difficult it is for a veteran performer to completely walk away.

How did Mick Foley survive the fall?

What was the Hell in a Cell match that included the fall?

The fall occurred at the 1998 King of the Ring pay-per-view, where Foley (as Mankind) faced The Undertaker inside a steel cage. During the match, Foley was thrown from the top of the cell through the roof and landed hard on debris inside the cage (Wikipedia). The moment is considered one of the most dangerous stunts in wrestling history.

What injuries did he sustain?

Foley later said the fall dislocated his shoulder and caused severe bruising, but he continued the match (Wikipedia). He also suffered a separated jaw and lost part of his ear earlier in his career. The fall itself became a defining image of the Attitude Era, and Foley has joked that he “fell off the top and through the cage” and somehow got up.

The longevity of the injury illustrates how a single high-risk moment can alter an entire career trajectory.

Does Mick Foley like Donald Trump?

What are Mick Foley’s political views?

Foley has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump. He frequently uses his social media platforms to comment on political issues, advocating for progressive causes, LGBTQ rights, and disability awareness (Official site). He has described himself as a liberal and has been active in campaigns for voting rights and social justice.

Has he publicly criticized Trump?

Yes. Foley has posted multiple statements on X (formerly Twitter) calling out Trump’s policies and rhetoric. In his 2020 autobiography, he also wrote about his disillusionment with the political climate. His stance has remained consistent through 2025, where he continues to use his platform for political commentary (Official site).

This alignment has made him a distinct voice among wrestling legends, many of whom avoid political engagement.

Who in WWE is LGBTQ?

Which current or former WWE wrestlers are openly LGBTQ?

WWE has included several openly LGBTQ talent in recent years. Sonya Deville came out publicly in 2019 and has been a prominent advocate within the company. Tyler Breeze has identified as pansexual, and Jake Atlas has been open about his sexuality (Wikipedia). Other LGBTQ wrestlers include Nyla Rose (AEW) and Paige (retired).

What is Mick Foley’s relationship with LGBTQ inclusion?

Foley has been a consistent public ally for LGBTQ rights. He has written in support of the community on his website and spoken out against discrimination. In 2020, he tweeted that LGBTQ wrestlers deserve the same respect as anyone else in the industry (Official site). His advocacy is part of his broader post-wrestling identity as a progressive voice.

This pattern suggests that Foley’s influence extends beyond the ring into social advocacy.

Who quits WWE for OnlyFans?

Which wrestlers have left WWE to start OnlyFans accounts?

In recent years, several wrestlers have left WWE to launch OnlyFans accounts, citing creative freedom and higher income potential. Mandy Rose was among the first high-profile examples after her release in 2022, building a substantial subscription base. Other wrestlers like Killer Kelly and Lana have also pursued the platform (Sports Illustrated).

Why is OnlyFans seen as an alternative revenue stream?

OnlyFans allows wrestlers to earn directly from fans without the creative constraints of WWE’s scripted programming. For many, it offers a faster path to financial independence than traditional wrestling contracts. Foley has not commented extensively on the trend, but he acknowledged in a 2025 interview that wrestlers today have more options to monetize their brand outside of WWE (Sports Illustrated).

The trend reflects the evolving economics of professional wrestling in the 2020s.

Timeline

Foley’s career spans over three decades, from a WCW debut to a Hall of Fame induction and an AEW role.

• 1965 – Born Michael Francis Foley in Bloomington, Indiana. (Wikipedia)
• 1992 – Debut as Mankind in WCW. (Wikipedia)
• 1996 – Joins WWE (then WWF) as Mankind. (Wikipedia)
• 1998 – Hell in a Cell match with The Undertaker; iconic fall. (Wikipedia)
• 1999 – Wins first WWE Championship. (Wikipedia)
• 2000 – Retires from full-time wrestling (first retirement). (Wikipedia)
• 2008 – Inducted into WWE Hall of Fame. (Wikipedia)
• 2012 – Returns for a few matches, then officially retires from in-ring wrestling. (Wikipedia)
• 2021 – Signs with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as an on-screen personality. (Yahoo Sports)
• 2024 – Publicly discusses health improvements, walking better than 15 years ago. (F4W/WON)
• 2025 – Reports indicate he may step away from wrestling for good in the near future (Sports Illustrated).

The ongoing narrative suggests Foley may never truly walk away from the business.

Clarity

Confirmed facts

• Mick Foley was a 3-time WWE Champion (Wikipedia).
• He survived the Hell in a Cell fall in 1998 (Wikipedia).
• He has metal hip and knee replacements (F4W/WON).
• He is signed with AEW (Yahoo Sports).
• He is a vocal critic of Donald Trump (Official site).

What’s unclear

• Exact net worth varies by source (estimates range from $8M to $15M) (Sports Illustrated).
• Whether he will ever wrestle again in AEW (Yahoo Sports).
• Specific medical conditions beyond his metal joints (F4W/WON).
• Long-term effects of his April 2025 car accident concussion (F4W/WON).

The compiled data shows that while Foley’s core achievements are well-documented, several aspects of his post-wrestling life remain speculative.

Quotes

Foley told F4W/WON in September 2025 that he was walking better than 15 years ago and had undergone hip and knee replacements (F4W/WON). He also expressed to Yahoo Sports in 2026 that a final match could be possible if circumstances were right (Yahoo Sports). In an interview with ITR Wrestling in January 2025, Foley noted he had lost about 99 pounds and had to be careful with bright lights and jolting activities (ITR Wrestling). On his official site, Foley stated he uses his platform to speak out against Trump and for LGBTQ rights because he believes wrestling legends should stand up for what’s right (Official site).

Summary

Mick Foley has transformed from extreme wrestling icon to a politically engaged author and advocate, using his Hardcore Legend fame for causes he believes in. For fans who grew up watching him fall off cages, the implication is clear: Foley’s legacy now includes health advocacy, LGBTQ allyship, and a final act in AEW that may never include another bump. For the wrestling industry, the choice is whether to follow his lead on inclusivity and health awareness — or risk being left behind by a generation that values both.

Related reading: **Mick Foley’s 2025 health update and weight loss** · **Mick Foley’s net worth 2025**

For a deeper look at Mick Foleys retirement and political views, this article covers his health, retirement, and political stance in detail.

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