Mick Foley has opened up about how joining AEW has helped reignite his passion for professional wrestling after admitting he had previously begun to lose interest in the business.
The WWE Hall of Famer signed with AEW in May 2026 and currently works as an interviewer for the promotion. After spending decades associated with WWE as both an in-ring performer and ambassador, Mick Foley has now explained what he has found refreshing about his new environment.
Speaking with TheSportster at WrestleCon in Minneapolis, Foley admitted that his interest in wrestling had gradually declined after stepping away from the spotlight. He explained that his children moving out also removed one of the reasons he had continued to follow wrestling regularly.
“I [had] kind of fallen out of love a little bit,” Foley admitted, adding, “[I was] just taking a break, as they say.”
Foley eventually began following AEW and found himself drawn to the atmosphere surrounding the promotion. In particular, he highlighted AEW owner Tony Khan‘s enthusiasm for the product and appreciation for the wrestlers working for him.
“I just thought, I like one of these things a little better than the other. Since I have begun working with AEW, I have to tell you, there’s something really refreshing about seeing the owner of the company so obviously happy after matches. So obviously thankful for how hard people work for him,” Foley said.
Mick Foley Spoke About The Difference Of Working For Vince McMahon Versus Tony Khan
The former WWE Champion contrasted that environment with what he experienced during his years working under Vince McMahon. However, Mick Foley stressed that he was not dismissing McMahon’s approach to running WWE, acknowledging the success it produced.
“I’m not saying that Vince McMahon’s management style didn’t work, because it did. It’s just that at my age, there’s something really nice about seeing an owner who is really happy to watch his product and to watch the people excel inside of it.”
Foley has previously discussed the possibility of competing in one final match, although health concerns have kept those plans on hold. AEW star Darby Allin recently backed the idea, saying Foley should pursue it if he believes “the final chapter is unwritten.”
For now, Foley remains involved with AEW in a non-wrestling capacity, with his new role helping restore some of the enthusiasm for professional wrestling that he admitted had previously faded.
