Mick Foley Reflects on WWE Missed Opportunity with AEW Star Cesaro
In a revealing discussion, WWE Hall of Famer and legendary former wrestler Mick Foley shared his candid thoughts at the career of veteran wrestler Claudio Castagnoli, who was previously known as Cesaro in WWE. Foley, never one to mince words, expressed regret that WWE by no means fully capitalized on Cesaro’s sizeable expertise by means of raising him to World Champion status, a sentiment that resonates deeply with fans of the Swiss powerhouse.
During Foley’s time as the General Manager of WWE’s Raw logo from July 2016 to March 2017, he changed into immediately concerned in one of the extra memorable feuds-turned-friendships in WWE: the contention between Sheamus and Cesaro. That contention caused the formation of the fan-favourite tag group, The Bar. The duo, which got here together after a grueling Best of seven Series that led to a double count-out, went directly to capture more than one WWE Tag Team Championships, with Foley gambling a pivotal role in their unification.
Though Sheamus stays loyal to WWE, Cesaro’s tenure with the enterprise got here to an lead to 2022 after an impressive eleven-year run. Cesaro, now performing underneath his real name, Claudio Castagnoli, took his capabilities to AEW (All Elite Wrestling) in which he quick reestablished himself as a first-rate player. Over the past years, Claudio has not only become a -time Ring of Honor (ROH) World Champion however has additionally found fulfillment as one-0.33 of the AEW Trios Tag Team Champions. His alignment with the celebrated Blackpool Combat Club, along wrestling luminaries like Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, and Wheeler Yuta, most effective solidified his repute as a pressure to be reckoned with in AEW.
However, no matter his fulfillment in AEW, the conversation surrounding Cesaro’s WWE career regularly returns to what ought to have been. Speaking at a “Monopoly Events” interview alongside fellow wrestling legend Rikishi, Foley made it clear that he firmly believes WWE missed an enormous opportunity by not crowning Cesaro as a World Champion.
“I held the [WWE World] title three times for a total of 42 days — I was a transitional champion, and that’s fine. I’m glad I had it, but it wouldn’t change my legacy if I didn’t,” Foley explained. “But Cesaro, man, he should have been given that run. He’s the kind of guy who could’ve been like Jack Brisco or Dory Funk Jr., a traveling champion who could put on a great match with absolutely anyone.”
It’s a comparison that highlights the precise talent set Cesaro introduced to WWE — an potential to adapt and supply stellar performances with a wide variety of warring parties, a high-quality that once defined the mythical travelling champions of professional wrestling’s in advance eras.
During his WWE stint, Cesaro captured the USA Championship and held the WWE Tag Team Titles on seven extraordinary events, 5 of which were along Sheamus as part of The Bar. Though those accomplishments are noteworthy, they light in contrast to what fanatics and friends alike feel Cesaro could have finished had he been afforded a run with WWE’s top prize.
Mick Foley: Still a WWE Legend
Despite his criticisms of WWE’s handling of Cesaro, Mick Foley himself remains tied to the organisation thru a new Legends deal. While Foley isn’t expected to make ordinary appearances on WWE television whenever soon, the Legends settlement permits WWE to apply his likeness in products, video games, and action figures. Foley’s enduring reputation amongst enthusiasts guarantees that his presence in WWE’s broader ecosystem remains strong, even without a everyday on-screen position.
Yet, even amid his modern-day reputation as a WWE Legend, Foley hasn’t shied away from stirring up controversy. Recently, his remarks on Vince McMahon raised eyebrows, in particular when he counseled that he’d look ahead to extra facts earlier than passing judgment on the severe allegations surrounding McMahon. Foley’s decision to withhold grievance till further details emerged earned him backlash from many within the wrestling network, despite the fact that the former WWE Champion has continually been recognized for marching to the beat of his own drum.
As Cesaro continues to make waves in AEW, Foley’s reflection on WWE’s dealing with of the Swiss celebrity serves as a reminder of the infinite “what ifs” in professional wrestling. Whether or not WWE ever fully realizes the talent they let slip through their fingers remains to be seen, but Foley’s praise of Claudio Castagnoli only cements the notion that, in the world of wrestling, missed opportunities can sometimes be as monumental as the achievements themselves.
