Mick Foley has revealed that his iconic “I Quit” match against The Rock nearly had a completely different ending than the one fans remember.
Speaking with Chris Van Vliet on “Insight“, Foley explained that the original plan for their “I Quit” match at Royal Rumble 1999 involved a more emotional finish, one where Foley would spot his family in the crowd, see the fear in their eyes, and quit to spare them further distress.
“The original finish which was supposed to be the camera sees my family crying. I see my family crying and I quit.”
Foley said his concern was how the match would look in front of his children, worried they might believe their father was truly hurt and not simply performing. He also noted that changes were made because network executives and creative didn’t approve the original finish.
Despite the creative shift, the match ended in one of wrestling’s most brutal and memorable ways, with The Rock playing a taped “I Quit” from Foley while he lay unconscious after absorbing 11 chair shots.
Who Gave Mick Foley The Idea To Use The Mandible Claw As A Finisher?
Mick Foley credits fellow wrestling veteran Jim Cornette with the original idea for the Mandible Claw finisher. According to Foley, Cornette suggested the move after discussing the physiology of Dr Sam Sheppard and how applying pressure under the tongue and chin could render an opponent immobile.
