The Long Island Press contacted Mick Foley to get a comment on the rumors that he might be leaving World Wrestling Entertainment. The following is Foley's response:
I can't say much until my contract expires, which is September 1. But at this point, there is a good chance, through mutual agreement, that I will not be renewing my contract. Creatively, the new announcing job wasn't working out too well.
This confirms the rumors that Foley wanted out of WWE after growing tired with Vince McMahon constantly yelling at him in his headset. This culminated in a heated exchange between Foley & McMahon backstage at the July 29 Smackdown/ECW tapings. Foley also publicly chastised McMahon for his handling of Joey Styles during his time on Raw, feeling he was treated the same and McMahon humiliated Styles out of wanting to do what he loved doing. It was said that McMahon had been a lot quieter in Foley's headset since Foley dressed him down, but Foley is still unhappy and clearly wants out.
After Jonathan Coachman left WWE for ESPN in April, his commentary spot on Smackdown was offered to Mick Foley, who accepted the job and started at Backlash with Michael Cole. Thanks to the Draft, Foley began commentating with Jim Ross on Smackdown in July.
Foley signed a new three-year contract with WWE in August 2005, turning down a deal for the same time with slightly-less money from TNA. It is believed TNA could have offered Foley more money if they were not courting Matt Hardy at the same time for an attempted Hardy Boys reunion in TNA. Hardy returned to WWE in August 2005 also.