WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley recently opened up about his health and wellbeing, revealing a positive update on his mobility and physical condition more than a decade after retiring from professional wrestling. At 60 years old, Foley credits major hip and knee replacement surgeries, significant weight loss, and a commitment to self-care for helping him walk better today than he did 15 years ago.
Speaking with the Kayfabe Friends Wrestling Podcast during the 2025 Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion, where he was honored with the prestigious “Iron” Mike Mazurki Award, Foley reflected candidly on his health journey. “Not too bad, all things considered,” he shared, emphasizing that despite lingering soreness, he no longer wakes up wondering about the toll of his wrestling career. “I’m sore. But I’m not as sore as I thought I’d be. And I’m actually, thanks to the hip and knee replacement, then, you know, I did lose 99 pounds. I’ve gained some of it back on, but I’m still walking better than I was 15 years ago. I actually once in a while pass people in the airport when I’m walking. So I’m doing better than I thought I’d be doing”[1][2][3].
This update comes after Foley had publicly announced plans to step back into the squared circle for a final deathmatch to celebrate his 60th birthday. Unfortunately, concussion injuries sustained during light training, as well as a subsequent concussion from a car accident in April 2025, forced him to cancel the match. Prioritizing his health, Foley made the difficult but responsible decision to retire fully from in-ring competition. Sources close to Foley confirmed that while the notion of one last match was enticing, his long-term wellbeing took precedence over the desire for a dramatic send-off[1][2].
Foley is widely regarded as one of the most hardcore and physically resilient wrestlers in WWE history, renowned for pushing his body to the limit over decades of brutal matches. The physical toll was infamous, with Foley enduring multiple concussions, broken bones, and other serious injuries that impacted his quality of life after wrestling. His candid reflections provide fans a rare glimpse into the realities of life after wrestling at the highest level.
Experts and fans alike have noted that Foley’s commitment to undergoing hip and knee replacements—a common but serious step for many retired wrestlers dealing with chronic joint damage—has been pivotal to his improved mobility. Combined with a weight loss of nearly 100 pounds, his physical transformation has allowed him to regain functionality and independence, countering what many assumed would be irreversible decline[3][4].
WWE.com and various wrestling news outlets have praised Foley’s openness about his journey, highlighting it as both an important health update and an inspiring story for wrestling veterans and fans. His experience underscores the often overlooked long-term consequences of a career in professional wrestling, while also showing how advances in medical care and personal health choices can substantially improve quality of life.
Beyond his physical health, Foley continues to engage with the wrestling community through podcasts, memoirs, and appearances at industry events like the Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion. His willingness to share both his successes and struggles offers a candid and instructive perspective on life after WWE glory.
According to a WWE insider familiar with Foley’s situation, “Mick’s determination to take care of himself is remarkable. He’s always been a fighter, and now he’s channeling that same spirit into maintaining his health. The fact that he can move better than he did 15 years ago, despite everything he’s been through, is a testament to his resilience and to the advancements in medical treatment available today.”
Foley’s health update is also a reminder to current and retired wrestlers about the importance of listening to their bodies and valuing long-term health over short-term ambitions. As the wrestling world continues to honor past legends and welcomes new talent, Foley’s story serves as a powerful lesson in self-care and the realities behind the scenes.
In summary, Mick Foley’s recent disclosures about his health reveal a hopeful narrative of recovery and adaptation. Thanks to hip and knee replacements, significant weight loss, and conscious lifestyle changes, he is walking better at 60 than he was 15 years ago. While he has stepped away from in-ring competition definitively, Foley remains a beloved and respected figure in WWE and continues to inspire both fans and fellow wrestlers with his honesty and resilience[1][2][3][5].