In the long and storied history of the World Wrestling Federation, there is very little doubt that Mick Foley is perhaps the most entertaining-and mentally disturbed-superstar ever to step boot in the squared circle. While Foley keeps us guessing which superstar from his warped world will part the curtains each night, the arena of this Fantsay Warfare "Triple Threat Match" serves as our only chance to get Mankind, Dude Love and Cactus Jack in the ring at once-WE THINK!
Dude Love STRENGTHS:
Unlike his more aggressive alter egos, Dude Love has been able to actually succeed in forming alliances with other superstars in the Federation, such as Steve Austin, the Undertaker, the Legion of Doom and Ken Shamrock. During his vicious phase as Mankind and the years spent in other organizations as Cactus Jack, Foley was a pure loner and rarely formed bonds-much less spoke-with fellow competitors. Thanks to a "looser" outlook on life, Love has the ability to call on a newfound circle of "friends" if the going gets unbearable!
WEAKNESSES:
Thanks in part to his flashy persona, Dude often leaves the door wide open for a seak attack in the midst of an important match-opting to entertain the crowd with his version of the "Hustle" rather than continue to pour on the punishment.
KEY WINS:
In just his first appearance in the Federation last June on RAW IS WAR, the "Hippest Cat in the Land" captured Federation Tag Team gold with Stone Cold Steve Austin. Although their reign was short-lived, the win rocketed Love in the rankings and earned him the respect of Austin.
KEY LOSSES:
Following Stone Cold's neck injury at SummerSlam '97, Dude vacated his half of the Tag Team gold rather than find a new partner. While his allegiance to Austin was commendable, it ended his one and only title reign thus far in the Federation-a plateau Love has not yet been able to regain.
FINISHING MOVE:
Dude excels in the category of finishing moves, as his 1-2 combination of the Sweet Shin Music and a double-arm DDT has yet to be overcome by an opponent. A variation of Shawn Michaels' Sweet Chin Music, Dude instead uses the thrust of his powerful legs to aim for the soft shins of his foes. While they are doubled over in pain and at their most vulnerable, this "Hip Cat" plants them into the canvas with a powerful DDT for the pin.
STRATEGY:
In order to avoid the destructive tendencies of Mankind and Cactus Jack, Dude's interests would best be served by avoiding both opponents as long as possible. Allowing his aggressive foes to tear at one another would keep Love out of harm's way and also give him the opportunity to strike quickly with the Sweet Shin Music and DDT once both alter egos were exhausted.
Mankind
STRENGTHS:
As previously stated, Mankind may be the most twisted of Foley's personalities, but his wrestling ability perhaps measures up to the likes of Shawn Michaels or Owen Hart. Also, the fact that the Boiler Room Dweller has little or no regard for his own well-being often forces his foes to match his aggressiveness! Opponents seem to have to reinvent their offense to new and chaotic ends just to put a dent in Mankinds armor.
WEAKNESSES:
Mankinds aggressiveness has often become a major weakness in his in-ring cause, and it is no secret that has gone TOO far in some instances. Classic examples are his Boiler Room Brawl against the Undertaker at SummerSlam' 96 and the following "Mind Games" Pay-Per-View against Michaels, as the Maniacal One nearly crippled himself in uncontrollable rages of warfare!
KEY WINS:
When-and if-the chapter of Mankind closes in the Federation, he will certainly go down as the first superstar to have journeyed to the Dark Side and come away with multiple victories. During their extensive and bloody feud, this superstar attained nearly impossible wins over the phenom at the '96 King of the Ring, the Boiler Room Brawl and the October '96 "Buried Alive" Pay-Per-View!
KEY LOSSES:
At the September '96 "Mind Games" Pay-Per-View, Mankind nearly took the federation title from the Heartbreak Kid. The win did not come to pass, however, thanks again in part to his overly aggressive tactics. Then in November, Mankind suffered perhaps his most devastating defeat yet to the monstrous Kane.
FINISHING MOVE
Opponents fear the painful effects of the Mandible Claw-a hold which renders Mankind's foes nearly paralyzed when he digs his fingers into the soft nerves beneath their tongues. The only escape from the move seems to be a quick strike to which all men are equally vulnerable.
STRATEGY
Because Mankind's sheer brutality is perhaps rivaled only by Cactus Jack, the Boiler Room Dweller would be wise to concentrate his efforts on Dude Love. Mankind would simply wait for the "Hip Cat" to begin showboating in order to attack him with the Mandible Claw.
Cactus Jack
STRENGTHS
If anyone can claim to equal the toughness as Mankind, Cactus Jack takes the nod. While his brawl against Triple H on RAW IS WAR was a clear indicator of his aptitude for inflicting pain, it was only a small dose of his warefare tactics. After enduring years of barbed wire, fire and other horrendously violent matches in Japan, it's no wonder he is held in such high regard as the "Death Match Champion".
WEAKNESSES:
Cactus differs from Mankind in that the man from Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, can temper his aggressiveness when neccessary. Cactus has survived thousands of beatings throughout his career and has the battlescars to prove it. His only weakness may lie in how much lost blood and nerve damage his body can stand!
KEY WINS:
Cactus Jack's only appearance in the Federation as of this printing resulted in a win over 1997 King of the Ring Triple H. The bout in New York City's Madison Square Garden was a sort of bizarre homecoming for Long Island, New York, native Mick Foley. Cactus not only avenged his alter egos in the win over Hunter, but reinforced his longstanding legendary status among fans in the world of professional wrestling.
KEY LOSSES:
Although Cactus was upended in Japan on rare occasions, perhaps his biggist loss came to the destruction he wreaked on his own body during those years! A mutilated ear, missing teeth, deep scars in his skin and various other internal injuries serve as a testamate to the pain this superstar has endured!
FINISHING MOVE:
Who needs an effective finishing move when tables, chairs or any other weapon within arm's reach will suffice? This theory has seemingly been Cactus' proud mantra over the years, and the "Death Match Champion" only proved it tenfold during his war with Triple H.
STRATEGY:
Never one to take the more logical approach to a fight, Cactus would most likely push aside Dude for a chance to annihilate Mankind in an all-out brawl. If he plays his strategy correctly, he will wisely balance his warfare with the Boiler Room Dweller by throwing a chair shot at Love when the opportunity presents itself. Cactus is perhaps the only living human being who could survive an assault from both his alter egos simultaneously-and emerge victorious from this "Triple Threat Match".
