The Daily Oklahoman from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma • 72

THE DAILY OKLAHOMAN 20 FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2002 Foley becomes TV personality, author kind of falls apart with tragic consequences." Although he has written two best-selling autobiographies and two WWF children's books, Foley said wrestling doesn't play a prominent role in his novel. "One thing I can say is that I was afraid of having a WWF logo on a work of fiction," Foley, 36, said. "I thought it would scare away any prospective readers. You don't have to be a WWF fan to enjoy this book." one who became known among wrestling fans as a hard-core legend through dangerous falls and self-mutilation with razor blades, barbed wire and thumbtacks. Foley said he is happier with his work on the show's second season, which began earlier this month.

"The first time I went in, I had no idea what to expect," said Foley, who also serves as the voice on TNN promos. "But this time, I was really excited about this. I had a chance to prepare a little more and realize that my Crazy Eddie meets Vince McMahon circa 1985 (character) was maybe a little over the top, so I toned down a little bit. I think any WWF fan who tunes in will see a more commissioner-like Mick Foley." Foley also is putting the finishing touches on "Tietam Brown," which he describes as "a father and son reunion that WWF performers out of action include Kane (biceps), Kevin Nash (biceps), Chris Benoit (neck), Rhyno (neck) and Perry Saturn. Questions and answers Ql Whatever happened to Sid Vicious? Sal Treppiedi, Albuquerque, N.M.

Al Vicious (real name Sid Eudy) appeared on the World Wrestling All-Stars pay-per-view show earlier this month in a non-wrestling role. Vicious still hasn't made a complete recovery from a gruesome broken leg suffered when he landed awkwardly after jumping from the second rope during World Championship Wrestling's "SIN" pay-per-view show in January 2001. More of the Mick Foley inter-view can be found at Page injured Two more WWF performers are on the sidelines. Diamond Dallas Page may be forced to retire after being diagnosed with a neck injury following his "Smackdown" match with Bob Holly. And Lita will undergo surgery to repair three cracked vertebrae in her neck, which will keep her sidelined between six to nine months.

Notable Former WWF star Mick Foley www.wrestlingobserver.com. Questions can be sent to Alex Marvez co the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 200 Las Olas Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 or e-mailed to Please include your full name and city of residence. Because of volume, letters will not receive a written reply. INSIDE PRO WRESTLING WWF's indecision about his role with the company. "With most of the people in the WWF, it doesn't really come up with somebody trying to move on with their life.

I imagine if the writing opportunity hadn't come about, I probably would have had a job for life with the WWF. "They just realized there were other things I wanted to do, and the novel I was planning to write was going to maybe pose a problem considering the WWF's Simon and Schuster (publishing) deal. I thought I would be better off parting ways amicably, which is a rarity in wrestling. Usually, guys are dragged out kicking and screaming. Fortunately, I did all the kicking and screaming at home." Foley and the WWF publicly parted ways in a manner as unusual as his rise to wrestling stardom.

On a "Monday Night Raw" telecast in November, Foley essentially told WWF owner Vince McMahon that he didn't like the direction of the company and then resigned as commissioner. "It's just funny sitting there and looking at the guy in the face, saying I hate the company and then shaking hands," said Foley, who started with the WWF in 1996. "We both told each other we were doing that as just being part of the show." While he no longer appears on "Raw," WWF fans can still get their Foley fix on TNN. The network bills "Robot Wars: Extreme Warriors" as "radio-controlled fighting machines built by hobbyists battling house robots to the death," which is a perfect fit for some- By Alex Marvez Scripps Howard News Service The only violence Mick Foley is involved with these days is the kind he watches between battling robots and in the fiction he writes. Almost six months removed from his last World Wrestling Federation appearance, Foley is onto the next phase of his professional life as a television personality and author.

Foley is the host of "Robot Wars: Extreme Warriors," which airs at 8 p.m. Saturdays on TNN, and is working on his first novel. "I was real lucky the writing situation kind of presented itself or maybe I wouldn't be so happy," said Foley, who is in the process of penning "Tietam Brown" for release next year. "By writing, I get to fulfill my creative urges. I ride a roller coaster every once and a while to get my adrenaline rush.

I can't say I miss wrestling all that much." Such sentiment might come as a surprise to those who followed Foley's ascension from a teen-age wrestling fan hitchhiking to matches to his winning the WWF championship. But judging by his WWF appearances this past year, Foley was suffering from burnout. Having retired from the ring in April 2000 after a string of concussions and years of physical abuse, Foley made a successful transition to WWF figurehead commissioner. But when that role ran its course, Foley struggled to find a WWF niche. Foley also had signed a writing deal with a publishing company (Knopf) that wasn't affiliated with the WWF.

"It was a strange situation," said Foley, who admittedly had grown frustrated with the The Only Way To Make Her is at the city's only Pottery Barn, Ann Taylor and Williams-Sonoma. FREE TOTE BAG, MAY 3-12. Treat Mom to one of our colorful tote bags. Simply bring same-day receipts totaling $250 or more from Penn Square Mall stores dated May 3-12, 2002 to the Customer Service Counter on the Lower Level, East Wing. One gift per person, while supplies last.

Spider-Man packs mean sales punch -ag? Each figure from the 6-inch line of "Spider-Man: The Movie" toys has a specific action that recreates a scene from the film. By Matthew Price Staff Writer From cereal to shoes, from action figures to Web blasters, Spider-Man is ubiquitous. Apparently "doing whatever a spider can" includes shilling a lot of products. Russ Brown, executive vice president of consumer products at Toy Biz, which created many of the Spider-Man toys, said Toy Biz had a definite plan in mind when creating the look of the Spider-Man line. "The stuff that Toy Biz has been pushing has been phenomenal," Brown said.

"One of the best things was the style guide." With Spider-Man products on the shelves that predated the film, Brown said Toy Biz wanted the movie product to pack a punch. "We made the product and the packaging very distinctive but different from the classic product as well. There's a strong visual look to the entire program, a very cohesive look." At the forefront of the line are the 6-inch action figures. These super poseable, intricately articulated figures were designed using laser scan technology to depict each actor's likeness. Assortment I includes Super Poseable Spider-Man with Gargoyle Base, Battle Ravaged Spider-Man, Green Goblin, J.

Jonah Jameson, and Norman Osborn; Assortment II features Spider-Man with Web Swinging Action, Mary Jane, Green Goblin II, Spider-Man with Flipping Action, and Peter Parker; Assortment III contains Transforming Wrestler Spider-Man, Battle Ravaged Green Goblin and Power Punch Spider-Man. Assortment III will be available in August. Brown said to differentiate the movie line from the Spider-Man classic line, Toy Biz took key elements from the film and translated them to the toys. Each figure has its own specific action, which can be used to recreate pivotal scenes. Some examples of accessories that tie into the film include the talking Green Goblin mask and the rattling desk of newsman J.

Jonah Jameson. "There's a lot of value added to the package, which is key to that line." Brown also said the packaging and design were created to stand out. Brown said the studios involved in future Marvel Comics films are taking note of the cohesiveness of the Spider-Man line. "It's the prototype which every other studio has asked us to copy." Brown highlighted two of the Spider-Man products as doing particularly well: The Spider-Man web blaster from Toy Biz, which shoots Silly String and also has an optional capacity to shoot water, has been a big hit with children. "It's becoming hard to find," Brown said.

Brown also said that the Spider-Man movie line of children's footwear from Buster Brown is "selling like crazy." Spider-Man is also featured in a Monopoly game from USAo-poly. And for a guy whose namesake isn't particularly appetizing, Spidey's also appearing on food and drink. Spider-Man's all over the cereal aisle, on the covers of cereals including Frosted Flakes and Apple Jacks, as well as starring in his own Spider-Man cereal, which comes in web shapes. He's also showing up on Dr Pepper cans and bottles, and in ads for Carl's Jr. hamburgers.

The comic book adaptation of the Spider-Man film was written by Spider-Man creator Stan Lee. Matthew Price can be reached at Penn Square Mall The one and only. DILLARD'S, FOLEY'S AND JCPENNEY. HOURS: 10AM-9PM, 12PM-6PM. PHONE: (405) 842-4424.

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