By James Caldwell, PWTorch columnist

TNA's Mick Foley has lived in the back of cars, worn shaggy clothes, and taken countless bumps in and out of the ring, so he can relate to the story behind Mickey Rourke's lead character in "The Wrestler" movie.

Foley recently saw the movie at a screening in New York and his cynicism was instantly removed within the first five minutes of the movie.

"I walked in something of a cynic, figuring there was no way an actor could ever really get a feel for what we do without having done it," Foley the New Yorker Magazine. "But within the first five minutes, I was completely sold. From an emotional standpoint, I found Mickey Rourke to be so believable."

Foley says he sees shades of Terry Funk and Jake Roberts in the character played by Rourke, with some of the extreme moments in the movie, such as wrestling in thumbtacks, inspired by him.

The movie is by-and-large authentic in Foley's eyes, except for one of the scenes involving a steroid transaction that was exaggerated to him.

Will WWE chairman Vince McMahon, who is getting a personal screening from director Darren Aronofsky, like the movie, though? Foley says he doesn't think so.

"I personally don't think Vince will like it, because Vince really believes in the philosophy of keeping wrestling as entertainment for the fans," Foley said. "And part of that is keeping up the mystique of what goes on behind the scenes. I'm not sure he would enjoy a film that shines a light on the hardships that some wrestlers go through."

Foley was also asked what he's up to these days and he discussed filming a reality TV pilot for A&E that wasn't juicy enough to be picked up for TV. No mention of TNA, by the way.

FYI: "The Wrestler" opens in New York City tomorrow and in limited release this Friday before opening across the country on Dec. 26.

Link: New Yorker Magazine interview with Mick Foley

RELATED STORY at PWTorch.com: Details on Vince McMahon requesting personal screening of "The Wrestler.

[Jake Roberts art by Joe Borzotta (c) PWTorch]

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