Fans at the OVW Rise event on Thursday, March 26, were treated to a special surprise from wrestling legend Mick Foley.
The WWE Hall of Famer was on-hand at the Ohio Valley Wrestling show in Louisville, Kentucky, for an advertised meet-and-greet session, but then he later made an unannounced return to the ring as the special guest referee for the night’s main event between Donovan Cecil and Jack Vaughn.
Given the no-disquisition, no-holds-barred nature of the match’s Louisville Street Fight stipulation, the Hardcore Legend was a suitable choice to call the action. As one might expect, Foley was drawn into the fight, and he brought along a little help in the form of Mr. Socko.
Late in the match, Vaughn argued with Foley and delivered an eye poke to the icon. Once Foley recovered, he unleashed Mr. Socko from his pants and planted a Mandible Claw on Vaughn. This allowed Cecil to gain the momentum, and he eventually pinned Vaughn following a Razor’s Edge onto a pile of steel chairs.
The full event, including Foley’s guest spot in the main event, can be viewed here:
The OVW appearance follows a recent stretch where Foley has made headlines for his stance on political issues. Last week, he posted a video on Instagram and YouTube in which he asked Americans to speak out against the tactics of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
In recent months, the politically progressive Foley has increasingly used his public platform to criticize ICE and other policies of President Donald Trump’s administration.
In December, he announced he was cutting ties with WWE due to the company’s relationship with Trump.
“I no longer wish to represent a company that coddles a man so seemingly void of compassion as he marches our country towards autocracy,” Foley said, in part, in a statement at the time. “Last night, I informed WWE talent relations that I would not be making any appearances for the company as long as this man remains in office.”
