W-O reader Darren Hallesy from Australia attended the “Good God Almighty” stand-up comedy show in Brisbane featuring soon-to-be WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley along with Australian comedian Brendan Burns and sent in the following report:
Foley has been touring the country doing his stand up comedy show, and there were several hundred die-hard wrestling fans to see the Hardcore Legend do his thing.
Burns is a long time wrestling fan, and his set was mostly based around wrestling which hit the spot with the fans in the audience. He said himself during his set that he can tell Randy Orton jokes and it’s nice to have the audience understand what he’s talking about.
He told stories about some of his legendary signs at PPV’s (including the ‘Randy Orton Orange-O-Meter’ at WrestleMania) and the time he got the Great Khali to break character in the ring.
Better known in the UK than he is in his own country, Burns met Foley in the UK and the tour was his idea. Burns told stories of staying at the Foley household while preparing for the tour.
After a 40 minute set by Burns, Foley took to the stage and owned it. Most comedians are told to work on getting a good five to ten minutes, and Foley did over an hour, telling stories from his life on the road, his time in all the wrestling companies, and took questions from the audience.
It was an intimate, and very funny evening, as Foley tried out material that he admitted himself was still a work in progress. He told stories of failing to call his wife after a hardcore match, his time in ECW/WWE/TNA, some of the great pranks he’s played on other wrestlers, and talked about the Hell In A Cell match against the Undertaker. He says he feels like he’s in Groundhog Day as there isn’t a day that goes by where someone doesn’t ask him about THAT match.
Foley made fun of some wrestlers, but never mean, as it was clear that he has a great love for the people he has worked with and a genuine affection, still, for the industry.
Foley also brought along some clips to expand on his stories, including the spear Edge gave him into a flaming table which looks even more painful in slow-mo.
Burns joined Foley on stage towards the end to help Mick re-enact a classic ‘wrestlers on the road’ story, and without giving too much away, it was the highlight of the night. So funny.
For a man who is just beginning as a stand up comic, Foley had the audience laughing from start to finish, and it is just impossible to not like the man. He is just what you expect. Genuine, funny and interesting.
After the show, Foley stayed behind for a meet and greet, and was happy to pose for photos and sign items that fans had brought in. Foley said that he dated an Australian girl in his youth, and has always had an affection for the Australian sense of humor.
Foley wraps up his Australian tour at the end of this week, and as a long time fan, it was a joy to hear the great man talk about his life, which is told in a manner that you can’t help but laugh at.
Foley also promised that this Hall of Fame speech will be something to remember at this year’s ceremony.
If Foley comes to your town, don’t miss this show. It is a very rare chance to hear a living legend tell stories about wrestling, and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. It did for me. Tour dates are on his website.
PS – Foley didn’t tell a single Al Snow joke.
PPS – And yes, the crowd did stand and chant “FOLEY! FOLEY! FOLEY!” when he came on stage.
