Foley's Conditional Comeback
Mick Foley Considers Dream Match With Darby Allin, Emphasizing Strict Health Conditions
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Key Points
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Foley has said any comeback would require the stars to align and him being in really good shape; he estimates he would still need to drop about 30 more pounds and notes his cardio is 'suspect at best' even after substantial weight loss.
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At 61, Foley has undergone hip and knee replacement surgeries that have significantly improved his mobility; his health history means any return would need careful planning to avoid jeopardizing the gains he's made.
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Foley debuted in AEW as a preshow co-host at Double or Nothing 2026 and will continue in that role, with his potential in-ring return framed as not imminent and subject to his schedule (Forbidden Door attendance cited as affected by a scheduling conflict over a one-man show).
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He has publicly named Darby Allin as his dream final opponent and told Allin directly that Allin would be that opponent, underscoring the seriousness of his comeback consideration beyond nostalgia.
At 61 years old, Mick Foley says one more wrestling match "could" happen — but only if the stars align. The WWE Hall of Famer, now an AEW broadcaster, has publicly named Darby Allin as his dream final opponent and told Allin directly that he would be that opponent, according to PWMania.
The catch: Foley estimates he still needs to lose 30 more pounds and admits his cardio is "suspect at best." He has already shed roughly 70 pounds since 2024. Any return, he stresses, is not imminent.
Why Darby Allin Is the Only Option Foley Will Consider
Foley has been direct about his choice. He told Allin face-to-face that Allin would be his final opponent, according to ITR Wrestling. The pairing is not random. Both wrestlers built their careers around absorbing extreme physical punishment. Foley sees Allin as the spiritual heir to his "Cactus Jack" persona — a high-risk brawler who earns crowd respect the hard way.
Foley is also clear about what he does not want. He told 411Mania the match must avoid being a cheap nostalgia pop. He wants a quality performance that honors his legacy, not a crowd-pleaser built on name recognition alone. Darby Allin, who has publicly credited Foley's sacrificial style for shaping his own career, expressed what sources describe as "profound respect" for the potential matchup.
Three Surgeries and Suspect Cardio Stand Between Foley and a Return
Foley's body is the biggest obstacle. He has had one total hip replacement and two total knee replacements. Those surgeries improved his mobility significantly. But he still needs to drop 30 more pounds to reach his target fighting weight of roughly 230 to 240 pounds, according to TPWW.
His cardiovascular fitness is another concern. Foley himself described his cardio as "suspect at best" even after months of low-impact training including swimming and DDP Yoga. A 2024 training concussion previously derailed an earlier comeback plan. AEW's medical director would need to clear Foley, and his neurological history remains a key hurdle for any insurance or clearance approval.
Foley Joins AEW as Host While Keeping the Door Cracked Open
Foley made his AEW debut on May 24, 2026, at the Double or Nothing pay-per-view in Las Vegas as a pre-show co-host and Special Ambassador, according to PWMania. He is currently signed to a 12-month hosting deal covering pre-show and digital content. His schedule is already affecting potential appearances — he missed the Forbidden Door event due to a commitment to his one-man spoken-word show.
His focus right now is the broadcaster role. But Foley has kept the door open. He told ITR Wrestling that a return could happen if he reaches the right physical condition and the timing works out. Industry analysts suggest that if a match does occur, the most realistic window is late 2026 or early 2027, potentially at a major AEW event like All In or Revolution.
A Dream Match With Real Risks and Real Stakes for AEW
A Foley retirement match would carry serious business value for AEW. Legend-driven events have historically moved 5,000 to 8,000 additional tickets, according to industry tracking. Hosting Foley's final match would also reinforce AEW's identity as the place where wrestling legends finish their stories on their own terms — a direct contrast to WWE's more controlled Legends program.
But critics are not silent. Some mainstream sports writers have argued that a 61-year-old with Foley's injury history has "nothing left to prove" and that pushing such a match risks his long-term mobility and cognitive health. Foley's response is consistent: he is not doing this for money. His one-man show career is already successful. He simply wants to end his in-ring story on a high note rather than let it fade out quietly, according to TPWW.
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