When Mick Foley isn’t entertaining on WWE programming, the hardcore legend is telling jokes or recounting road stories on stage at venues across the United States and other countries.

The Renaissance man in flannel brings his stand-up act to Dory Funk Jr.’s Funking Conservatory for a “Night of Comedy and Pro Wrestling” beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 12 at the !Bang! TV Sound Stage in (Central Florida) Ocala.

“It’s the same audience as the wrestling, so we are combining it with my stand-up to create a memorable viewing experience,” Foley said. “I try to make each experience unique. For example, the show in Ocala will lean more heavily toward wrestling stories. My set at the Montreal Comedy Festival and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe [in Scotland], which are the two biggest comedy festivals in the world will lean toward lessons I’ve learned from 27 years in wrestling. It will be different, maybe it will be a subtle difference, but I try to present each show as it is a unique audience and a unique situation.”

Dory Funk Jr., a WWE Hall of Famer, is honored to have Foley appear.

Foley had legendary matches with and against Funk’s younger brother, Terry, the hardcore icon.

“Mick Foley had a dream of becoming a professional wrestler and never gave up fighting his way into the business he loved with unstoppable determination,” Dory Funk Jr. said. “Mick’s accomplishments in professional wrestling and as an author, actor, commentator and comedian are a tribute to his ‘never quit’ attitude and an example for all men and women in all stages of life that if you can dream it, you can do it. This will be an evening of entertainment never forgotten.”

Even though Foley is gaining traction with his comedy shows, he doesn’t expect his act to make it on Raw.

“I don’t think Raw would be the right venue for it,” Foley said. “There are always comedy elements throughout Raw, so I’m not saying I can’t play a role that is comedic, but I would never ask to have five minutes of stand-up comedy. I learned a lesson from my former tag team partner about knowing your role.

“My role would not be doing stand-up on wrestling shows. After these comedy festivals, I would like to sit down with WWE and figure out ways I could utilize this form of entertainment to help a company, which is World Wrestling Entertainment.

“One of the ways I really think I can make a big difference is by taking my comedy show to the troops because WWE has such a great connection with our service members. These men and women who are in harm’s way are really the right age to get the material and kind of came of age when I was a big name in WWE. It seems like the perfect fit, so now I just have to convince a few people that it is as perfect as I think it is. If they give me the word, I’m on a plane to the mountains of Afghanistan telling stories about Al Snow.”

Believe it or not, the author who initially handwrote New York Times best sellers with a notepad and writing utensil has really taken to social networking. He uses Twitter to spread the word on his comedy shows, autograph signings, charity work and other projects.

“It’s an invaluable tool,” Foley said.