Foley ended his WWE Legends deal earlier in 2026 citing discomfort with WWE’s relationship with President Donald Trump, accepted a substantial pay cut, and has since appeared sporadically for AEW.
Mick Foley ended his WWE Legends deal because he was uncomfortable with WWE’s close relationship with President Donald Trump.
Foley says he has no regrets about leaving WWE despite taking a significant pay cut.
Since debuting for AEW in May, Foley has made limited appearances including pay-per-view pre-show work and segments on Dynamite.
Mick Foley, a WWE Hall of Famer, publicly explained why he ended his long-standing WWE Legends deal earlier in 2026. Foley told listeners on The Mick And Kenny Show that the decisive factor was WWE's relationship with President Donald Trump. He said he had not worked regularly for WWE in nine years and that the Legends agreement covered merchandise work and occasional appearances, but the company's "cozy" ties to the president made continuing the relationship uncomfortable for him.
Foley's account and exact wording appear in a recent episode of his podcast. He said, "I just thought they were a little too cozy with our current president. And he was saying some things that I could not abide by and so I just told WWE I would be parting ways with them."
"I loved my time. I really enjoyed my time with them," Foley added, noting that the choice was about personal conviction rather than a rejection of his WWE history.
After leaving WWE, Foley debuted for AEW in May. His activity there has been occasional rather than full-time. His appearances include AEW pay-per-view pre-show panel work and backstage and in-ring segments. Notable on-screen moments since the move include a segment on AEW Dynamite Beach Break involving Kyle Fletcher and the Don Callis Family.
Foley's explanation clarifies why a veteran with deep ties to WWE opted to leave a comfortable Legends arrangement. It also explains the pattern of his AEW involvement: selected, lower-frequency appearances in a company where he no longer has the same contractual obligations to WWE. For fans and industry watchers, Foley's comments link personnel movement to non-wrestling factors such as public political alignments and personal convictions.
Mick Foley left the WWE Legends deal primarily because he was uncomfortable with WWE's relationship with Donald Trump. He accepts earning less now but says he has no regrets, and he has made limited appearances for AEW since his debut in May.
Mick Foley says ending his WWE Legends deal has cost him money, but he has no regrets about the decision. Speaking with Kenny Jordan on The Mick and Kenny Show, Foley distinguished the merchandising and occasional appearance agreement from full-time employment. He said he had not worked for WWE in nine years, even thou
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