Mick Foley broke down the origin and mechanics of his signature move, the Mandible Claw, during his appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet. He revealed the idea came from Jim Cornette and was based on a real person.
“Jim Cornette gave me the idea, and it’s based on Dr Sam Shepard, who was the physician that both the TV show, and later the movie The Fugitive were based on,” Foley said.
Foley explained that Shepard, after being accused of murder, wrestled in some southern territories. “They explained away his lack of physique by amplifying his knowledge of the human anatomy,” he stated.
That “knowledge” was the secret to the hold. “So the idea is mandible claw, two fingers under the tongue. They press down simultaneously on the nerves lying underneath the tongue, while also simultaneously pressing up with the thumb on the nerve underneath the chin,” Foley explained. “And and if you do it, you cannot move.”
Foley confirmed the move is legitimately painful. “It does hurt… It’s the only move that a wrestling fan can do on themselves. So that’s a good point… if you’re at home like underneath the nerves of the tongue, press up and you can’t move. You have to let go of your own hold.”
Of course, the move evolved with the introduction of Mr. Socko. “But once I put the sock on, it stopped being an nerve hold. It’s just started. He’s putting that sock in their mouth, you know… I apologize to every younger sister or brother who had that happen.”
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Insight with Chris Van Vliet with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription. You can listen to the full interview on his podcast.
