While Foley is well-known for his risk-taking style in the ring, it can easily be argued he shined just as much while speaking. Prinze recalled one particular Mankind promo that sticks out in his memory to this day.

“That promo he did in the bowels of that arena with the rat — it was Jim Cornette’s pet rat,” Prinze stated. “His voice, even in that promo — he’s not trying to scare anybody. He’s just explaining what’s going to happen.”

The promo Prinze was referring to aired in the lead-up to Mankind’s 1996 debut. It features the character’s patented mix of near-whispering to screaming, mixing eloquence with on-the-surface instability. Over the next several years, Foley would continue to take the character to great heights, both literally and metaphorically, and eventually would capture his first world championship as the character.

Foley primarily competed as Mankind from 1996 until 2000, with some occasional appearances from alter egos Dude Love and Cactus Jack. From early 2000 until his retirement, however, he began wrestling as Jack, and then under his real name — Mick Foley. His Mankind run is best remembered for his Hell in a Cell match against The Undertaker, his Empty Arena match title victory against The Rock, and his brief partnership with The Rock, known as The Rock ‘N’ Sock Connection.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Wrestling With Freddie” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.