AEW’s Mick Foley Opens Up About Financial Sacrifice After WWE Exit

June 30, 2026

AEW’s Mick Foley recently opened up about the financial sacrifice he made after cutting ties with WWE. The WWE Hall of Famer explained that leaving the company meant giving up an easy source of income, but he believes it was the right decision.

Foley previously ended his relationship with WWE because he opposed the company’s close ties with Donald Trump. He chose not to renew his Legends deal, saying he could no longer represent the company.

Speaking on Going Ringside, Mick Foley was asked whether leaving WWE after more than 30 years had been difficult. Foley admitted the decision was not easy. He explained that although he had not been a full-time employee for years, he still had a merchandising deal and several well-paid WrestleMania weekend appearances.

Mick Foley says leaving WWE came with a financial sacrifice

“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, you know, an independent contractor, but I did have a merchandising deal. I had a couple really easy, high-paying events at WrestleMania weekend.”

“So, 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.”

He explained what finally pushed him to walk away. He said Donald Trump’s comments following Rob Reiner’s death became the final straw.

“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.

“Like I said, I wouldn’t accept that from a fan here taunting somebody over someone’s death. And so, that for me was the straw that broke the camel’s back, but there were an awful lot of straws on that camel’s back already.”