December 28, 1998 marked the turning point in the Monday Night Wars, and it involved the most unlikely of individuals in Mankind as he had an awesome This Day in Wrestling History.
This was one of those moments that were a product of several factors. One that’s often overlooked as from day one, Mankind never appeared to be considered a possibility for a championship run.
From his ring attire to his entrance music and dark manner, Mankind was the epitome of what Vince McMahon reportedly didn’t like, but Mick Foley pushed through it just as he’d always done.
He was finally given his chance against the Rock and he’d win possibly the most coveted prize he ever won.
It makes sense since at that point the championship held a prestige as the holder was the top draw, the face of the company instead of what they distribute now.
Product of infamy
While this was arguably the best match of the Monday Night Wars, it came with plenty of other baggage that are often better remembered than the emotion behind Mankind’s victory.
It was prerecorded (on 12/28) and was broadcast six days later across from Monday Nitro (1/4/99) where the Starrcade 98 rematch for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship between Kevin Nash and Goldberg was taking place.
In the show’s third hour, Eric Bischoff instructed Tony Schiavone to spoil the outcome of the WWE’s championship match.
Schiavone also informed fans that Mankind, who once wrestled for WCW as Cactus Jack would win and “put butts in the seats.”
It’s been estimated that as many as 600,000 people switched from Nitro, which was live, to the WWE Raw to see the championship match.
It didn’t help that instead of Goldberg and Nash, WCW gave us the Fingerpoke of Doom where Nash dropped for the returning Hollywood Hogan to win back the championship, but that’s a story for another day.
Relishing the moment
Despite what was happening, it remained Mick Foley’s moment and he shared his thoughts in his first book. (Special thanks to @awrestlinghistorian for the excerpt).
“I had been respected by my peers and even idolized by certain fans as witnessed by the ‘Foley Is God’ signs that were gracing The Centrum in Worcester. I had shed blood on five different continents and had taken part in what were some of the finest matches ever seen.
“Still, I had wrestled for fifteen years with the knowledge that I didn’t look like a star, let alone a champion. I had learned to love and accept my role as a lovable loser, who never somehow wins the big one and I can honestly say that before December 29, I never believed it would happen, but it had happened and the reaction was heartwarming.” – Mick Foley, Have A Nice Day book.
This was a moment in history that Foley deserved and I’m glad he finally got his championship.
It’s a great lesson on never giving up on our dreams, and it’s one of our favorite This Day in Wrestling History moments.
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