Foley is Good: And The Real World is Faker Than Wrestling
Encyclopedia
Foley Is Good: And the Real World Is Faker than Wrestling is the second autobiography (2001) of wrestler Mick Foley
, formerly of WWE and TNA
. It details his career from January 1999 until his retirement in April 2000 at WrestleMania 2000
. Foley originally professed to prefer this book to his first book, Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks
but has since confessed that perhaps the first is the better book.
, and would rather fans simply say he is "good". In the late 90's the then WWF came out with t-shirts for Foley that said "Foley is God.", later the Federation balked and changed the shirt to say "Foley is Good." when claims blasphemy were leveled against them. Many fan found this humorous and began bringing signs to events touting "Foley is Good" in an ironic fashion.
Like in his first book, Foley wrote this one without the aid of a ghostwriter
.
.
He also writes about his experience writing his first book without the aid of a ghostwriter
. He defends himself against being misquoted by news program 20/20, and he explains the events surrounding his "I Quit" match with The Rock at the Royal Rumble
in January 1999, which can also be seen in the documentary Beyond the Mat
.
The book also heavily defends the actions of the World Wrestling Federation, at a controversial period in its history when it was coming under fire due to the violent content of their shows. Foley made an effort to pointedly refute claims made by detractors, citing statistical data and other evidence he compiled himself. He criticizes the actions of the Parents Television Council
.
After three pressruns, the book had approximately 230,000 copies in print. In May 2001, the book was the number one nonfiction book on the New York Times bestseller list.
Mick Foley
Michael Francis "Mick" Foley, Sr. is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, author, comedian, actor, voice actor and former color commentator. He has worked for many wrestling promotions, including WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. He is often referred to as "The Hardcore Legend", a nickname he...
, formerly of WWE and TNA
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
. It details his career from January 1999 until his retirement in April 2000 at WrestleMania 2000
WrestleMania 2000
WrestleMania 2000 was the sixteenth annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on April 2, 2000 at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California...
. Foley originally professed to prefer this book to his first book, Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks
Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks
Have a Nice Day!: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks is an autobiography of former World Wrestling Entertainment and TNA wrestler Mick Foley. It details his life all the way from his upbringing in New York to winning the WWF Championship from The Rock in December 1998...
but has since confessed that perhaps the first is the better book.
History
The title is a spoof of the many "Foley is God" signs that appear at WWE shows whenever Foley appears or is rumored to appear. Foley explained that he is uncomfortable being compared to GodGod
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
, and would rather fans simply say he is "good". In the late 90's the then WWF came out with t-shirts for Foley that said "Foley is God.", later the Federation balked and changed the shirt to say "Foley is Good." when claims blasphemy were leveled against them. Many fan found this humorous and began bringing signs to events touting "Foley is Good" in an ironic fashion.
Like in his first book, Foley wrote this one without the aid of a ghostwriter
Ghostwriter
A ghostwriter is a professional writer who is paid to write books, articles, stories, reports, or other texts that are officially credited to another person. Celebrities, executives, and political leaders often hire ghostwriters to draft or edit autobiographies, magazine articles, or other written...
.
Plot
The book covers the last years of Mick Foley's in-ring wrestling career up until the birth of his youngest child. It has a more celebratory tone than his first book, as he is writing about the time of his career where he has already achieved success. The book alternated between in-ring wrestling activities and Foley's life away from the ring. In the book, he also describes his obsessions, such as theme parks and ChristmasChristmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
.
He also writes about his experience writing his first book without the aid of a ghostwriter
Ghostwriter
A ghostwriter is a professional writer who is paid to write books, articles, stories, reports, or other texts that are officially credited to another person. Celebrities, executives, and political leaders often hire ghostwriters to draft or edit autobiographies, magazine articles, or other written...
. He defends himself against being misquoted by news program 20/20, and he explains the events surrounding his "I Quit" match with The Rock at the Royal Rumble
Royal Rumble (1999)
Royal Rumble was the twelfth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 24, 1999 at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California. The title of the event was taken from a promise by Mr...
in January 1999, which can also be seen in the documentary Beyond the Mat
Beyond the Mat
Beyond the Mat is a 1999 documentary directed by Barry W. Blaustein. The movie focuses on the lives of professional wrestlers outside of the ring, primarily Mick Foley, Terry Funk, and Jake Roberts, as well as some aspiring wrestlers...
.
The book also heavily defends the actions of the World Wrestling Federation, at a controversial period in its history when it was coming under fire due to the violent content of their shows. Foley made an effort to pointedly refute claims made by detractors, citing statistical data and other evidence he compiled himself. He criticizes the actions of the Parents Television Council
Parents Television Council
The Parents Television Council is a U.S. based advocacy group founded by conservative activist L. Brent Bozell III in 1995 using the National Legion of Decency as a model...
.
Promotion
To promote the book, Foley appeared on The Howard Stern Show and did a ten-city book signing tour.After three pressruns, the book had approximately 230,000 copies in print. In May 2001, the book was the number one nonfiction book on the New York Times bestseller list.