‘An Unlikely Swiftie’ WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley’s touching tribute to Taylor Swift

Retired wrestler Mick Foley shares a touching story about Taylor Swift’s extraordinary kindness, highlighting the singer’s impact beyond her music.

Retired professional wrestler and hardcore legend Mick Foley recently took to Facebook to share a touching tribute to pop star Taylor Swift, revealing a side of the musician that goes beyond her chart-topping hits (and the height of the Hell in a Cell).

Drawing readers into his Facebook post with a hilarious meme depicting Taylor Swift among the Bloodline, a stable that was once made up of Roman Reigns, Jimmy and Jey Uso, Solo Sikoa and the wise man Paul Heyman, Foley revealed: “I’m going to use this fun little image as a way of explaining why I am a #Swiftie – despite not being what you might consider a huge fan in the traditional sense.”

“I do enjoy Taylor’s music. Don’t get me wrong,” the WWE Hall of Famer continued. “My two older kids love Taylor Swift, and her music is an indelible part of the soundtrack to so many of our lives – whether we realise it or not.”

WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley took to Facebook to share a touching tribute to pop star Taylor Swift. Picture: WWE

“My two older kids love Taylor Swift, and her music is an indelible part of the soundtrack to so many of our lives – whether we realise it or not,” said the Hardcore Legend. Picture: Getty

Foley continued, “She is a gifted songwriter and an amazing performer. But in wrestle-speak, Taylor Swift is ‘over’ with me for a completely different reason.”

In the world of professional wrestling, being ‘over’ is a term that’s all about how much the fans are into a wrestler. It’s like a measure of their popularity or how much they connect with the audience – whether they’re cheering them on or booing them out of the arena. Wrestlers can be ‘over’ as either the good guys (faces) like Cody Rhodes or the bad guys (heels) like Roman Reigns.

Basically, if the fans are buying into what the wrestler is selling, then they’re considered ‘over’.

“So, how does any of this involve Taylor Swift?” asked Foley.

“Well, my thoughts of Jeff Jarrett and Taylor Swift are indelibly linked”, he continued.

“My thoughts of Jeff Jarrett and Taylor Swift are indelibly linked”,continued Foley. Picture WWE

Jeff Jarrett does his signature strut while wearing the WWF Intercontinental Title. Picture: WWE

Foley recounted a conversation he overheard involving his longtime friend Jeff Jarrett, who had recently lost his wife to cancer. Amid his grief, Jarrett mentioned Swift’s support for his family during their darkest days.

“It was at this incredibly difficult time in Jeff’s life, just after the passing of his wife, that I heard Jeff say something that has obviously stuck with me to this day.”

While Foley is still unsure “who was involved in the conversation with Jeff that I overheard,” he heard words to this effect: “Taylor took the girls out for the day” and how important that time with her was to them.

Jarrett mentioned Swift’s support for his family during their darkest days. Picture: Reddit

Jeff Jarrett and his two daughters play piano with Taylor Swift. Picture: Reddit

Foley was stunned to hear a wrestler mention Taylor Swift, who at that time in 2009, “was already well on her way to being a global superstar, with eponymous 2006 album, Taylor Swift several months into an astonishing 157 weeks on the #Billboard200 charts.”

Clearly, Foley has done his homework for all Mankind.

“As touched as I was by this story, I thought it was a random act of kindness done on a one-time basis,” pondered Foley.

“But I came to understand that Taylor, who had become a neighbour of Jeff’s in Hendersonville, Tennessee and was a regular part of the girls’ lives as they grew up,” continued Foley.

“(Swift) did not just take them out for that one day; she was there for them during the most difficult part of their lives,” emphasised Foley.

“She baked cookies, sang in their living room, and babysat while Jeff was at his wife’s bedside. She was a true friend and a shining example of kindness when kindness was needed most.”

Recalling a text message from Jeff, Foley revealed what was so special about Swift’s act of kindness.

“Putting the girls in (Taylor Swift's music video for her song Mine) is the story most people know. Her spending quality time baking cookies, talking, just being there is what’s special.” He emphasised Swift’s exceptional kindness during a challenging time, noting, “In the middle of her career, exploding would have been ‘a reason’ that she was too busy. That young lady is special.”

One of Jeff Jarrett's daughters featured in Taylor Swift's music video for her song "Mine". Picture: YouTube

“Putting the girls in one of her videos … is the story most people know,” said Jeff Jarrett. Picture: YouTube

Reflecting on Jeff’s message, Foley admitted, “I got tears in my eyes when I read that message from Jeff.”

Expressing gratitude for Jeff allowing him to share the touching story, Foley added: “Maybe this story might even make some of the haters out there to consider directing their hate in some other direction – or maybe rid themselves of that hatred altogether.”

Foley concluded with a personal reflection, stating: “I do not own a Taylor Swift CD, I have never seen her perform live, and honestly – even given how ubiquitous her music is in our lives – might not be able to give you the name of 10 Taylor Swift songs of my life depended on it. But I love Taylor Swift – and in my own way, am a Swiftie for life.”

Despite Foley pouring his heart out in his tribute, the post received various responses from commenters. While some echoed Foley’s sentiments and appreciated him for sharing the touching story, others weren’t as enthusiastic.

A common theme among the negative comments was the fear of Taylor Swift “sticking her nose into the wrestling now” as she has done with the NFL.

A common theme among the negative comments was the fear of Taylor Swift “sticking her nose into the wrestling now” as she has done with the NFL. Picture: Getty

“Oh Gawd! Don’t let her ruin wrestling too!!” one commented, while another blamed her “insufferable” fan base and her “predatory” business tactics. “There is no changing my mind …“ they said defiantly.

Sarcastic comments were also aplenty, with one suggesting Mick’s Swiftie love was political. “We get it, you’re a Swiftie. That’s fine as well. But we are tired of seeing Taylor in everything.”

Or, as another commentator put it, “Long story short. He loves her because she’s a Democrat and hates Donald Trump lol.”

Maybe he didn’t watch the Battle of the Billionaires match at Wrestlemania 23.

“Read the room, Mick! People don’t like Taylor Swift!” claimed another.

Despite Foley pouring his heart out in his tribute, the post received various responses from commenters.

Mankind vs. The Undertaker - Hell in a Cell Match: King of the Ring 1998. Picture: WWE

In a follow-up comment, Mick Foley questioned whether some commenters had taken the time to read the story before “knocking it – or knocking her,“ he said.

However, the overwhelming majority of commentators were in unanimous support of Foley’s post, with many thanking him for sharing his Swift story.

“Reading this, Mick, I love her even more. What a beautiful thing for her to do, and what a beautiful memory for the girls to have,” commented one user, while another said it was “time to buy one of her CDs”.

Plenty of comments also shared heartfelt support for Jeff Jarrett, with one user commenting, “I’m sorry to hear that Jill lost her battle with cancer so many years ago. However, this is a truly beautiful story. Thank you for sharing.”

There were also plenty of playful references, with users urging others to “acknowledge her!” – a nod to Roman Reigns’ catchphrase, “Acknowledge me.”

Originally published as ‘An Unlikely Swiftie’ WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley’s touching tribute to Taylor Swift