Mick Foley discusses financial impact of leaving WWE over Trump ties

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Mick Foley recently opened up to Going Ringside about the financial losses he suffered from his decision to walk away from WWE due to the company’s ties to President Donald Trump. According to Foley, he soon found that he had to work 24 hours in order make the same amount of money he made in four hours with WWE. Due to WWE’s association with the current administration, Foley announced in late 2025 that he would not be signing a new Legends deals with the company. Prior to the announcement, Foley had publicly supported former Vice President Kamala Harris during her presidential run, and he was later critical of Trump and with what he deemed to be overly aggressive actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. However, the final straw for Foley was insulting comments Trump made about following the deaths of actor-director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner. “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 a statement in December. “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.” He added in the statement: “Additionally, I will not be signing a new Legends deal when my current one expires in June. I love WWE, will always treasure my time with them, and I am deeply appreciative for all the opportunities they afforded me. But, in the words of Popeye the sailor, ‘I stands all I can stands, and I can’t stands no more.'” Of course, Foley has since signed with AEW, and he made his debut for Tony Khan’s promotion at this year’s Double or Nothing event, where he got physical with Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF). But during an interview with Going Ringside that was posted on YouTube on Monday (June 29), Foley shared how leaving WWE hurt him financially. “It was a difficult decision to make, to kind of cut ties with them. I hadn’t been employed by them for many years. I was an independent contractor, but I did have a merchandising deal,” the WWE Hall of Famer told host Scott Johnson. Foley continued: “I had a couple really easy, high-paying events at WrestleMania weekend. As it turned out, I had to work 24 hours on my own to make what I would have made in four with WWE. But I’m okay with that. I believe if you want something, you go after it and you work hard for it.” Johnson also asked Foley about Trump’s mocking comments on Reiner’s death. “Oh, man. There’s just a type of discourse to me that is unacceptable from anyone, let alone the most powerful man in the world. You don’t mock people when they die. And why people in his party don’t call him out on that type of behavior, it’s not acceptable,” Foley replied. “That was the straw that broke the camel’s back, but there were an awful lot of straws on that camel’s back already.” The Hardcore Legend also left the door slightly open to a ring return when asked if there were any AEW stars he’d like to wrestle. “You never know what the future might bring. I’m down a lot of weight, but my cardio is suspect at best, and I’d still have to lose another 30 pounds just to hit poor conditions. So, we’ll see if there’s some changes in the next year,” Foley said. What do you think, Cagesiders? Did Foley make the right decision to walk away from WWE? Would you like to see him compete in the ring again? Let us know in the comments.