It was during an episode ofThe Real World that Mizanin first displayed an alter ego known asthe Miz.[2] In contrast to Mizanin's usually placid demeanor, the Miz was angry, combative and headstrong. Mizanin later realized that the Miz would make an excellentprofessional wrestlinggimmick.[2]
In 2004, he appeared on theBravo reality showBattle of the Network Reality Stars,[12][18] in which his team finished second. Mizanin was also a contestant in the "Reality Stars" episode ofFear Factor.[12][19] His partner was his former girlfriend and castmate,Trishelle Cannatella, and the two won the competition. In April 2007, he appeared on the game showIdentity, where he appeared as a stranger, and contestant John Kim correctly identified his identity as aprofessional wrestler by the odd way he added "Miz-" before most words.[20] On October 5, 2011, Miz starred in an episode ofH8R.
Return to MTV
After a seven-year-long absence fromThe Challenge, Mizanin returned to the reality show on April 4, 2012, as the host ofThe Battle of the Exes season finale event and reunion special. It marked the first time he appeared on the series since becoming a main-event WWE Superstar.[21] Since then, he had become a mainstay reunion host as well as the host ofThe Challenge: Champs vs. Stars mini-series.
USA Network
In 2018, Mizanin and his wife Maryse began starring in aUSA Network reality television series titledMiz & Mrs..[22] In 2020, he starred on a second show on USA, serving as host of the reality game showCannonball.
Other television appearances
In 2008, Mizanin appeared on theSci Fi reality seriesGhost Hunters Live as a guest investigator.[23] In 2009, Mizanin appeared on two episodes ofAre You Smarter than a 5th Grader?, which were both aired on September 29.[24][25] He appeared on an episode ofDestroy Build Destroy on March 3, 2010.[26] He also appeared as a guest star in a March 2012 episode ofPsych. On March 31, Mizanin appeared in the first ever Slime Wrestling World Championship at theNickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, losing toBig Show and therefore being thrown into a tub of slime. In 2012, Mizanin appeared on theDisney XD showPair of Kings as a guest star. In 2013, Miz along withFrancia Raisa, were in a movie together calledChristmas Bounty.
On May 1, 2023, Mizanan appeared as part of a team withAlexa Bliss[29] on the American showThat's My Jam onNBC hosted byJimmy Fallon. They won the final round, therefore the game and the money was donated to children's charities.
Professional wrestling career
Ultimate Pro Wrestling (2003–2004)
Pursuing the goal of becoming a professional wrestler, Mizanin joinedUltimate Pro Wrestling (UPW), where he trained in the Ultimate University.[2] He made his in-ring debut in 2003 as the Miz.[2] During his time with UPW, the Miz competed in UPW's Mat War's tournament, making it to the finals before losing toTony Stradlin.[2]
World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE (2004–present)
Tough Enough and developmental territories (2004–2006)
The Miz debuted in WWE as a participant of the 2004Tough Enough
In October 2004, Mike Mizanin entered the fourth season ofTough Enough, a televised competition which awarded the winner aWorld Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) contract and US$1,000,000.[2][30] Despite coming last in anarm wrestling tournament on November 25, Mizanin outlasted six other wrestlers and reached the final round.[31] AtArmageddon on December 12, Mizanin faced the other remaining entrant,Daniel Puder, in a three-round "Dixie Dogfight" (boxing match). Neither man achieved aknockout, and the contest was awarded to Puder on the basis of crowd reaction.[32] On the December 16 episode ofSmackDown!, Puder was declared as the winner ofTough Enough by head trainerAl Snow.[33] Despite coming up short onTough Enough, Mizanin had piqued the interest of WWE and he was eventually offered a developmental contract.[2]
Mizanin was sent toDeep South Wrestling (DSW) to train underBill DeMott,[2] relocating toMcDonough, Georgia in the process. In July 2005, he wrestled twodark matches for WWE,teaming with formerTough Enough championMatt Cappotelli to faceThe Highlanders (Robbie and Rory McAllister). On December 1, Mizanin defeatedMike Knox in the finals of a tournament to determine the inauguralDeep South Heavyweight Champion.[2] He continued his partnership with Matt Cappotelli throughout the second half of 2005 in WWE dark matches and house shows until Cappotelli, nominally ofOhio Valley Wrestling (OVW), was diagnosed with a brain tumor after an injury at a taping in December 2005.[34] After Cappotelli's death frombrain cancer in June 2018, Miz revealed they were to be called up to the SmackDown roster as a tag team known as Reality Check in 2005, but these plans were halted due to Cappotelli's cancer diagnosis.[35]
On January 3, 2006, it was reported that Mizanin had been transferred to OVW. On the January 18, 2006 OVW TV show, Mizanin made his debut as Miz with aMiz TV segment, where he was shown talking backstage.[2] On the January 28 episode of the OVW television show, the Miz wrestled his first singles match againstRené Duprée, but lost bycountout.[36]
From March 7 onwards, a video on WWE's website andvignettes onSmackDown! heralded the Miz debuting on theSmackDown! brand.[2][39] When Mizanin actually attempted to make his debut on the April 21 episode ofSmackDown!, he was instoryline banned from entering the arena by network executivePalmer Canon who told him that he had been "cancelled" before having security escort him from the premises.[40]
The Miz debuted as the host ofSmackDown! on June 2,[41] hyping up the crowd at the top of the show. Other duties included backstage interviews and hosting a bikini contest. Starting in July, the Miz, along withAshley Massaro, hosted the annualDiva Search competition.[42][43][44]
After the end of theDiva Search competition, the Miz began wrestling as avillain, making his in-ring debut with a win overTatanka on the September 1 episode ofSmackDown!.[45] Over the next three months, the Miz remained undefeated, defeating such wrestlers asMatt Hardy,[46]Funaki[47] andScotty 2 Hotty.[48] At the same time, he began afeud with Diva Search winnerLayla El, who spurned his advances on more than one occasion,[49][50] leading to the Miz helpingKristal defeat her in various competitions.[51][52] However, the Miz and Kristal soon found themselves being stalked byThe Boogeyman. This began a feud in which the Boogeyman ended the Miz's winning streak on December 17 atArmageddon.[53]
AtRoyal Rumble on January 28, 2007, the Miz entered in theRoyal Rumble match as the 29th entrant, but only lasted seven seconds before being eliminated byThe Great Khali.[54] On the February 2 episode ofSmackDown!, the Miz defeated Matt Hardy once again with assistance fromJoey Mercury. Following a brief absence from television, the Miz returned on the March 9 episode ofSmackDown! to host an interview segment namedMiz TV.[55] After the unsuccessful segment, the Miz returned to in-ring competition with a more intense style and began to pick up wins once again.[56][57]
The Miz was drafted to theECW brand on June 17 as part of the2007 supplemental draft.[58] He was absent from the first few weeks ofECW, though he was the subject of backstage mentions between matches and had several shortMiz TV Crashes ECW video segments.[59][60] He made his debut on the July 10 episode ofECW in a match againstNunzio, which he won.[61]
Soon after, the Miz found new managers inKelly Kelly, Layla El andBrooke Adams.[62] He then began a feud withBalls Mahoney after Kelly Kelly began to fall in love with Mahoney on screen.[63][64][65] On the October 2 episode ofECW, it was revealed that the Miz owned the contracts ofKelly Kelly, Layla andBrooke Adams; and he used this excuse to stop Kelly from going out with Mahoney.[66] He was nominated atCyber Sunday on October 28 to faceCM Punk for theECW Championship. He won the vote, but lost the match.[67] Later that month, he formed a tag team withJohn Morrison.
In February, the team engaged themselves in a feud withThe Colóns (Carlito andPrimo). In a dark match atWrestleMania 25 on April 5, they lost the World Tag Team Championship to The Colóns in alumberjack match to unify the World Tag Team and the WWE Tag Team titles.[77] On the April 13 episode ofRaw, the Miz lost a match to Kofi Kingston, which gave theRawbrand a draft pick in the2009 WWE draft. The pick was then revealed to be the Miz and attacked Morrison, ending their partnership and thus turning John Morrison into afan favorite.[78]
After his split from Morrison, Miz's first singles feud was againstJohn Cena
The Miz challengedJohn Cena to a match on the April 27 episode ofRaw, but as Cena was out due to injury, the Miz claimed an unofficial win via forfeit and continued to do this over the following weeks, until Cena returned and defeated him in a singles match atThe Bash in June.[79] Around this time, he developed his new finisher, theSkull-Crushing Finale, and catchphrase: "Because I'm the Miz... and I'm awesome!" On the August 3 episode ofRaw, the Miz lost to Cena in a lumberjack match, which meant that, in storyline, he was banned from theStaples Center, theRaw brand andSummerSlam.[80] The following week on August 10, the Miz competed under amask as The Calgary Kid and won aContract on Pole match againstEugene, earning a contract in storyline, and revealing himself by removing his mask afterwards.[81]
During this time, he gained a new entrance theme "I Came to Play", performed by the bandDownstait. The Miz soon began a rivalry withMVP that began with a critically well-received verbal exchange between the two.[90] The two met in an unadvertised match for the United States Championship at theRoyal Rumble on January 31, 2010, with the Miz retaining his title, but in the Royal Rumble match itself MVP eliminated both himself and the Miz.[91] Also around this time, the Miz formed a tag team withBig Show — later dubbed "ShoMiz" — and on the February 8 episode ofRaw the two defeatedD-Generation X (DX) (Shawn Michaels andTriple H) andThe Straight Edge Society (CM Punk andLuke Gallows) to become theUnified Tag Team Champions, making the Miz the first wrestler in WWE history to hold three championships at the same time (United States, World Tag Team and WWE Tag Team Championships).[92] AtElimination Chamber on February 21, the Miz again successfully defended his United States Championship against MVP after interference from Big Show, ending their feud.[93] AtWrestleMania XXVI on March 28, ShoMiz defeated John Morrison andR-Truth to retain the title again.[94] AtExtreme Rules on April 25, ShoMiz took part in a tag teamgauntlet match, and made it to the final two teams, but were eliminated byThe Hart Dynasty (David Hart Smith andTyson Kidd). The next night onRaw, ShoMiz lost the Unified Tag Team Championship to The Hart Dynasty, resulting in Big Show turningface by attacking the Miz after the match, bringing an end to the team.[95]
On the May 17 episode ofRaw, the Miz lost the United States Championship toBret Hart, despiteChris Jericho,William Regal andVladimir Kozlov all attempting to interfere on the Miz's behalf, ending his seven-month reign as champion.[96] AtOver the Limit on May 23, the Miz and Jericho challenged The Hart Dynasty for the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship, but lost.[97] On the June 14 episode ofRaw, the Miz defeated R-Truth, John Morrison andZack Ryder in a fatal four-way match to win back the United States Championship for the second time.[98][99] He retained the championship against R-Truth on June 20 at theFatal 4-Way pay-per-view.[100]
On the November 22 episode ofRaw, the Miz cashed in his Money in the Bank contract following a successful WWE Championship defense byRandy Orton againstWade Barrett and defeated Orton to win his first WWE Championship. The following week, the Miz made his first successful title defense, defeatingJerry "The King" Lawler in aTables, Ladders and Chairs match after interference fromMichael Cole.[108][109] He successfully defended the championship at theTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view on December 19 by defeating Orton in atables match following interference fromAlex Riley.[110] The Miz retained the championship against John Morrison in a falls count anywhere match on the January 3, 2011 episode ofRaw, Orton again atRoyal Rumble on January 30, (after interference from CM Punk) and Lawler on February 20 atElimination Chamber.[111][112] On theRaw after Elimination Chamber, the Miz andJohn Cena were paired together by theAnonymous Raw General Manager to challengeThe Corre (Justin Gabriel andHeath Slater) for the WWE Tag Team Championship. The Miz and Cena were successful in winning the titles, but lost them back to Corre immediately afterward in a rematch after the Miz turned on Cena.[113] This made their9-minute reign the shortest in the championship's history.[114] The following week, the Miz lost Riley as his apprentice after Cena defeated Riley in asteel cage match with the stipulation that if Cena won, Riley was fired from his job. However, Riley was re-hired in mid-March, this time as the Miz's "Vice President of Corporate Communications".[115][116] In the main event ofWrestleMania XXVII on April 3, the Miz successfully defended the WWE Championship against Cena, following interference fromthe Rock, who then attacked the Miz afterwards.[117]
AtExtreme Rules on May 1, the Miz lost the WWE Championship to Cena in a triple threat steel cage match, also involving John Morrison, ending his reign at 160 days.[118] He had rematches against Cena for the WWE Championship on the May 2 episode ofRaw, and in an"I Quit" match atOver the Limit on May 22, but failed to regain the title.[119] The following night onRaw, the Anonymous Raw General Manager denied the Miz's request for another WWE Championship match; the Miz blamed Riley for being unable to regain the championship. Riley then attacked him, turning Riley into afan favorite.[120] AtCapitol Punishment on June 19, the Miz lost to Riley.[121] The Miz also failed to win Raw's Money in the Bank ladder match at thetitular event on July 17.[122] After the WWE Championship was declared vacant byVince McMahon, the Miz entered into atournament to crown a new champion, defeating Riley and Kofi Kingston to advance to the finals,[123] where he lost to Rey Mysterio.[124] AtSummerSlam on August 14, the Miz, R-Truth, and Alberto Del Rio lost to Mysterio, Kingston and Morrison.[125]
In 2011, Miz was involved in a short-lived tag team withR-Truth (right) known as The Awesome Truth
On the August 22 episode ofRaw, the Miz andR-Truth attackedSantino Marella before his match. They then cut a promo agreeing there was a conspiracy in the WWE keeping both of them out of the main event picture, and declared they would, together, seize any future opportunity.[126] They began referring to themselves as "The Awesome Truth".[127] AtNight of Champions on September 18, after the referee was distracted while the Miz attempted a pin, the Miz assaulted him, causing Awesome Truth to lose aWWE Tag Team Championship match to Air Boom (Kofi Kingston andEvan Bourne) by disqualification.[128] Seeking retribution, the Miz and R-Truth later attacked bothTriple H andCM Punk during theirNo Disqualification match in the main event.[129] Because of their actions from the previous night, R-Truth and the Miz were fired by Triple H on the September 19 episode ofRaw SuperShow. After this, the Miz and R-Truth attacked Triple H, but were thrown out of the building.[130][131] At the conclusion of the main event match on October 2 atHell in a Cell, R-Truth and the Miz jumped the barricade wearing black hooded sweatshirts and entered theHell in a Cell structure as it was being raised. They then used weapons to attackAlberto Del Rio, Punk,John Cena, the WWE officials and camera men while the cell was again lowered. After this, the entire WWE roster led by Triple H came out to find a way into the cell, beforeNew Orleans Police Department officers were able to get the door open and arrest them. The two later posted a video onYouTube apologizing to the fans for their actions.[132] The Miz and R-Truth were reinstated byJohn Laurinaitis on the October 10 episode ofRaw SuperShow. AtVengeance on October 23, the Miz and R-Truth defeated CM Punk and Triple H after interference from Triple H's long time friendKevin Nash. Later that night they assaulted John Cena during hisWWE Championship match with Alberto Del Rio.[133] AtSurvivor Series on November 20, The Awesome Truth lost to Cena andthe Rock.[134] On the November 21 episode ofRaw SuperShow, Cena instigated an argument between R-Truth and the Miz, which resulted in the Miz performing a Skull Crushing Finale on the stage on R-Truth.[135] This was a pretext to explain R-Truth's absence during his suspension as a result of his violating of the Wellness Policy.[136]
The Miz at a WWE live event in 2011
On the November 28 episode ofRaw SuperShow, the Miz defeatedJohn Morrison in a Falls Count Anywhere match after a Skull Crushing Finale on the stage.[137] On the December 5 episode ofRaw SuperShow, the Miz qualified for a triple threat Tables, Ladders and Chairs match against Alberto Del Rio and CM Punk at theTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view for the WWE Championship on December 18 after a win overRandy Orton via countout, but Punk retained the title.[138][139] The Miz was the first entrant in the2012 Royal Rumble match on January 29, eliminatingAlex Riley and R-Truth and lasting over 45 minutes before he was eliminated byBig Show.[140] AtElimination Chamber on February 19, the Miz competed for the WWE Championship in thetitular match, and lasted until the end of the match before being eliminated by CM Punk.[141]
Desperate for a spot on the card for the upcomingWrestleMania XXVIII event on April 1,[142] he later joined John Laurinaitis' team for the12-man tag team match after saving Laurinaitis from Santino Marella on the March 26 episode ofRaw SuperShow.[143][144] The Miz picked up the win for Team Johnny after pinningZack Ryder with the help ofEve, ending his twenty-match losing streak dating back to December 2011.[145] At theExtreme Rulespre-show on April 29, the Miz lost aUnited States Championship match against Santino Marella. He followed this up by losing a battle royal and a match againstBrodus Clay on May 20 atOver the Limit.[146]
The Miz next sought Wade Barrett's Intercontinental Championship.[163] He lost a triple threat match against Barrett andChris Jericho on the March 18 episode ofRaw,[164] but defeated Barrett in a non-title match the following week to earn another shot at the title.[165] He captured the title by defeating Barrett at theWrestleMania 29 pre-show on April 7,[166] only to lose the title back to him the following night onRaw.[167] The Miz was victorious against Cody Rhodes in theExtreme Rules pre-show. The Miz failed to recapture the Intercontinental Championship on June 16 atPayback[168] andMoney in the Bank on July 14.[169]
In June 2014, the Miz adopted a movie star persona, bringing inDamien Sandow as his "stunt double" (known as Damien Mizdow)
After a two-month hiatus filmingThe Marine 4: Moving Target, the Miz returned on the June 30 episode ofRaw and immediately began to insult the crowd and taking on thegimmick of a movie star, turningheel in the process. AtBattleground on July 20, the Miz won abattle royal by lastly eliminatingDolph Ziggler to win theIntercontinental Championship for the third time.[179] AtSummerSlam on August 17, Ziggler defeated the Miz to recapture the title.[180] Later that month,Damien Sandow began appearing with the Miz as his "stunt double" (mimicking all of the Miz's moves and mannerisms) and was subsequently billed as Damien Mizdow.[181] AtNight of Champions on September 21, the Miz defeated Ziggler to regain the Intercontinental Championship, only to lose the title to Ziggler in a rematch the following night.[182] After defeatingSheamus several times with the help of Mizdow, the Miz challenged him for theUnited States Championship atHell in a Cell on October 26, but he was unsuccessful.[183]
AtSurvivor Series on November 23, the Miz and Mizdow won theWWE Tag Team Championship by winning a fatal four-way match against defending championsGold and Stardust,The Usos andLos Matadores.[184] AtTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 14, the Miz and Mizdow lost by disqualification against The Usos after Miz hit Jimmy Uso with aSlammy Award, resulting in the pair retaining the titles.[185] On the December 29 episode ofRaw, the Miz and Mizdow lost the titles to The Usos.[186] The Miz and Mizdow were unsuccessful in regaining the championships at theRoyal Rumble on January 25, 2015. The Miz was the first entrant in theRoyal Rumble match later that night but was eliminated byBubba Ray Dudley, in just four minutes.[187] After Mizdow began to get more attention from the audience, the Miz relegated Mizdow to his personal assistant out of spite.[188] The Miz and Mizdow then competed in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal atWrestleMania 31 on March 29, which the Miz failed to win after being eliminated by Mizdow, dissolving their partnership.[189] On the April 20 episode ofRaw, the Miz defeated Mizdow in a match where the winner retained the Miz brand, with help fromSummer Rae.[190]
On theRaw episode post-WrestleMania 32, the Miz won theIntercontinental Championship for the fifth time, after his wifeMaryse made her return to WWE and distractedZack Ryder by slapping his father, thus becoming hismanager in the process, where the two then became anon-screenpower couple.[195] In the weeks following, the Miz and Maryse then began to cut variouspromos during theMiz TV segments, while calling themselves the "it" couple.[196][197][198] AtPayback on May 1, the Miz defeatedCesaro to retain his championship after Cesaro was distracted byKevin Owens andSami Zayn brawling on the apron, leading to a feud over the Intercontinental Championship between the four men.[199] AtExtreme Rules on May 22, the Miz successfully retained the championship against Cesaro, Zayn and Owens in a highly acclaimed fatal four-way match, when Miz pinned Cesaro.[200] The following night onRaw, the Miz failed to qualify for the2016Money in the Bank ladder match when he was defeated by Cesaro,[201] setting up another championship match between the two set for the week'sSmackDown, which the Miz won.[202] Following this, he and Maryse began filmingThe Marine 5: Battleground, taking them out of action. Both returned on the June 27 episode ofRaw, where he lost toKane in a championship match via countout.[203] AtBattleground on July 24, the Intercontinental Championship match between the Miz andDarren Young ended in a double disqualification after the Miz pushedBob Backlund (Darren Young's mentor) and Young attacked him.[204] On July 19 at the2016 WWE draft, the Miz, along with Maryse was drafted to theSmackDownbrand, with the Intercontinental Championship becoming exclusive to that brand.[205] AtSummerSlam on August 21, the Miz successfully defended the championship againstApollo Crews.[206]
As soon as she got hired, it gave me a whole new confidence in everything -- in my ability to do promos, in my ability to be in the ring..." [...] When your wife is sitting there watching you ringside, you are kind of showing off, and you don't want to look stupid -- ever. [...] I'm not in one of those relationships where I'm like, "Ugh, I'm with her all the time, and it sucks" [...] I'm like, "This is what I want." I want to be around her all the time because she's my best friend, and we talk about everything. It brings a whole new light to my life. To be away from her kind of puts you in a down mood.
On the August 23 episode ofTalking Smack, the Miz went on a critically acclaimedtirade against SmackDown General ManagerDaniel Bryan for calling him a coward, with the Miz calling Bryan a "coward" for not returning to the ring when he promised the fans he would, before telling him to "go back to the bingo halls with your indie friends".[208] The Miz then restarted his feud withDolph Ziggler, successfully defending the Intercontinental Championship against him atBacklash on September 11, after Maryse sprayed an unknown substance at Ziggler while the referee was distracted.[209] Afterwards, the Miz continued to blame Bryan and vowed not to defend his Intercontinental Championship on any show until he was granted a contract "renegotiation".[210] AtNo Mercy on October 9, the Miz lost the Intercontinental Championship to Ziggler in atitle vs career match after Maryse andThe Spirit Squad (Kenny andMikey), were ejected from ringside, ending the Miz's reign at 188 days.[211] On the900th episode ofSmackDown Live on November 15, Maryse helped the Miz to win the championship for the sixth time.[212] The Miz successfully defended the title against Raw's Sami Zayn atSurvivor Series on November 20, after Maryse prematurely rang the bell, causing a distraction.[213] The Miz faced Ziggler once more in aladder match atTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 4, which The Miz won to end their feud.[214]
The Miz as Intercontinental Champion in April 2016
On the December 6 episode ofSmackDown Live, the Miz successfully defended the title againstDean Ambrose after interference from Maryse and distraction fromJames Ellsworth.[215] Two weeks later onSmackDown Live, the Miz successfully defended the championship against Apollo Crews. After the match, the Miz was interviewed byRenee Young, where the Miz sarcastically responded by revealing Young and Ambrose'sreal life relationship, prompting her to slap the Miz.[216][217] On the January 3, 2017 episode ofSmackDown Live, the Miz lost the Intercontinental Championship to Ambrose despite interference from Maryse.[218] On January 29, the Miz entered the2017 Royal Rumble match at number 15 and lasted 32 minutes until he was eliminated bythe Undertaker.[219]
On the January 31 episode ofSmackDown Live, the Miz was revealed as one of the participants of theElimination Chamber match for theWWE Championship[220] which took place on February 12, where the Miz eliminated Dean Ambrose, but was eliminated byJohn Cena.[221] On the February 21 episode ofSmackDown Live, the Miz participated in a ten-man battle royal to determine the challenger for theBray Wyatt's WWE Championship, but was eliminated by Cena. After he was eliminated, he returned to the match to eliminate Cena. On the February 28 episode ofSmackDown Live, the Miz and Maryse made a special edition ofMiz TV to critique Cena's powers on the backstage environment before Maryse slapped Cena andNikki Bella—Cena's girlfriend—came to save him.[222] On the March 14 episode ofSmackDown Live, after a showdown between the Miz and Maryse against Cena and Nikki, SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan scheduled amixed tag team match atWrestleMania 33 on April 2, which the Miz and Maryse lost.[223]
On April 10, the Miz was drafted to theRaw brand along with Maryse as part of theSuperstar Shake Up, where they made their debut on the same night dressed as Cena and Nikki, before being confronted by the Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose, who was also drafted to Raw in the Superstar Shake-up.[224] AtExtreme Rules on June 4, the Miz defeated Ambrose to win the Intercontinental Championship for the seventh time.[225]
On the June 19 episode ofRaw, the Miz allied himself withBo Dallas andCurtis Axel, a team which was later dubbed "the Miztourage".[226] The Miz successfully defended the Intercontinental Championship against Dean Ambrose atGreat Balls of Fire on July 9, due to interference from the Miztourage.[227] At theSummerSlam pre-show on August 20, the Miz and the Miztourage defeatedJason Jordan andThe Hardy Boyz (Jeff Hardy andMatt Hardy) in a six-man tag-team match.[228] In September, the Miz began a feud with Jordan after he was declared number one contender to the Miz's championship.[229] AtNo Mercy on September 25, the Miz successfully retained the championship against Jordan.[230]
The following month, he allied himself withthe Bar (Cesaro andSheamus) in order to take on the reformedShield faction (Ambrose, Seth Rollins andRoman Reigns).[231] The Miz teamed with Cesaro, Sheamus, Kane andBraun Strowman against Ambrose, Rollins andKurt Angle (who replaced Reigns after he was not medically cleared to compete[232]) in a 5-on-3 handicap Tables, Ladders and Chairs match atTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on October 22 in a losing effort.[233] On November 19, the Miz faced SmackDown'sUnited States ChampionBaron Corbin atSurvivor Series in an interbrand champion vs. champion match, which he lost.[234] The following night onRaw, the Miz lost the Intercontinental Championship to Roman Reigns, ending his title reign at 169 days.[235]
After taking a hiatus, the Miz returned in January 2018, and won the Intercontinental Championship back from Roman Reigns during the25th Anniversary ofRaw, beginning his eighth reign with the championship.[236] The Miz then participated in the2018 Royal Rumble match on January 28, but he failed to win the match after being eliminated by the combined effort of Reigns and Seth Rollins.[237] At theElimination Chamber event on February 25, the Miz competed in an Elimination Chamber match to determine the number one contender forBrock Lesnar'sUniversal Championship, but he was the first participant eliminated, by Braun Strowman.[238] Also around this time, the Miz took part in theMixed Match Challenge tournament, withAsuka as his partner.[239][240] They defeated the teams ofBig E andCarmella,Finn Bálor andSasha Banks[241][242] and Braun Strowman andAlexa Bliss,[243] before defeatingBobby Roode andCharlotte Flair in the finals to win the tournament and earn $100,000 for the charity of their choice.[244] AtWrestleMania 34 on April 8, the Miz lost the Intercontinental Championship to Seth Rollins in a triple threat match also involving Finn Bálor, suffering his first pinfall loss at WrestleMania.[245]
Feuds with Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon (2018–2020)
On April 16, during theSuperstar Shake-up, the Miz was traded to the SmackDown brand and was separated from the Miztourage.[246] Throughout July and August, the Miz taunted and goaded long-time rivalDaniel Bryan, facing him atSummerSlam where the Miz won.[247] They wrestled again in a mixed tag team match also involving Maryse andBrie Bella atHell in a Cell, where Miz won again.[248] In their third match, Bryan defeated Miz atSuper Show-Down.[249]
On April 15, the Miz was drafted to Raw as part of the2019 WWE Superstar Shake-up[257] and restarted his feud with Dolph Ziggler after a confrontation onMiz TV.[258] A match between the two was arranged forSummerSlam, however during the contract signing on the August 5 episode ofRaw, the Miz revealed that he was not Ziggler's opponent, instead it was the returningGoldberg who took the Miz's place in the match. He stated in an interview: “I'll have many other opportunities at SummerSlam, but this might be Goldberg's last.”[259] On theRaw after SummerSlam, the Miz defeated Ziggler to end their feud.[260] The Miz then competed in the2019 King of the Ring, but was eliminated in the first round byBaron Corbin.[261] The Miz then unsuccessfully challenged forShinsuke Nakamura's Intercontinental Championship atClash of Champions on September 15, after interference from Nakamura's managerSami Zayn.[262]
As part of the2019 draft, the Miz was drafted to the SmackDown brand.[263] During the November 1 episode ofSmackDown,NXT wrestlerTommaso Ciampa disrupted an edition ofMiz TV to air his grievances towards the Miz, accusing him of being self-centered. He subsequently challenged Ciampa to a match, which he lost via pinfall.[264] The following month, the Miz began a feud withUniversal ChampionBray Wyatt, who, under his sinisteralter ego "The Fiend", proclaimed he wanted to become part of The Miz's family. He later attacked the Miz backstage.[265] Subsequently, a non-title match between the Miz and Wyatt was arranged for theTLC pay-per-view on December 15, which The Miz lost.[266]
On the January 3, 2020 episode ofSmackDown, The Miz blindsidedKofi Kingston after being defeated in a match against him and subsequently lashed out at the audience after being booed, turningheel for the first time since 2018.[267] Later that night, he reunited with his former tag team partnerJohn Morrison, who made his return to WWE. The Miz participated in the2020 Royal Rumble match but was eliminated by the eventual winnerDrew McIntyre in 30 seconds.[268][269] After winning a title shot on the January 31, episode ofSmackDown,[270] The Miz and Morrison won the SmackDown Tag Team Championship from The New Day atSuper ShowDown.[271][272] AtElimination Chamber on March 8, the Miz and Morrison retained the championship overThe New Day,The Usos, Heavy Machinery (Otis andTucker), Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik andLince Dorado) andDolph Ziggler andRobert Roode in a tag team Elimination Chamber match.[273] The Miz and Morrison were originally set to defend the championship in a triple threat tag team ladder match against The New Day and The Usos atWrestleMania 36,[274] but the Miz pulled out of the event due to concerns arising from theCOVID-19 pandemic.[275] Instead, Morrison individually defended the championship in a triple threat ladder match against Kofi Kingston of The New Day andJimmy Uso of The Usos, which Morrison won.[276] On the April 17 episode ofSmackDown, the duo lost the titles back to The New Day after the Miz unsuccessfully defended the titles by himself in a triple threat match againstBig E andJey Uso ending their reign at 50 days.[277] AtMoney in the Bank on May 10, the Miz and Morrison unsuccessfully attempted to regain the championship in a fatal four-way tag team match also involving Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik andLince Dorado) and The Forgotten Sons (Steve Cutler andWesley Blake).[278] Next, the Miz and Morrison started a rivalry withUniversal ChampionBraun Strowman.[279][280] AtBacklash on June 14, the duo competed for Strowman's title in a two-on-onehandicap match, but lost.[281]
The Miz and Morrison then began feuding with Otis and Tucker in pursuit of Otis'Money in the Bank contract.[282] During the2020 WWE Draft in October, the Miz and Morrison were drafted to the Raw brand.[283][284] AtHell in a Cell on October 25, the Miz defeated Otis to win the Money in the Bank contract, becoming the second person not to do so in the Money in the Bank ladder match, and the third person to hold the contract more than once.[285][286] The Miz cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on December 20 at theTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs event during a TLC match betweenAJ Styles and theWWE Champion Drew McIntyre, making the match a triple threat in the process, but was unsuccessful as McIntyre retained his title.[287] However, on the December 28 episode ofRaw, the Miz had the contract returned to him as the cash-in at TLC was ruled invalid due to Morrison cashing in the contract on his behalf (as only the contract holder himself can cash it in).[288] The Miz entered theRoyal Rumble match on January 31, 2021, but he was quickly eliminated by the debutingDamian Priest.[289] AtElimination Chamber on February 21, the Miz successfully cashed his Money in the Bank contract on WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, after McIntyre was assaulted byBobby Lashley, starting his second reign with the WWE Championship[290] which made him the first ever two-timeWWE Grand Slam champion.[291] The Miz went on to lose the championship to Lashley on the March 1 episode ofRaw, ending his reign at only eight days.[292]
After this, the Miz and Morrison feuded with Damian Priest and rapperBad Bunny.[289][293][294] On the first night ofWrestleMania 37 on April 10, the Miz and Morrison were defeated by Bad Bunny and Priest.[295] AtWrestleMania Backlash on May 16, the Miz lost to Priest. After the match, the Miz was seemingly "eaten" by zombies as a way to cross-promoteArmy of the Dead.[296] During the match, the Miz suffered the first legitimate injury in his WWE career after tearing his ACL, taking him out of action indefinitely. Despite his injury, the Miz continued appearing television in a wheelchair accompanying Morrison in his matches.[297] The Miz returned from injury on the August 16 episode ofRaw, losing to Damian Priest.[298] The next week onRaw, the Miz attacked Morrison, ending their partnership.[299] Afterwards, the Miz took time off to compete on thethirtieth season ofDancing with the Stars.
Various feuds and alliances (2022–present)
The Miz feuded withEdge, being defeated by him atDay 1, in a singles match[300] and atRoyal Rumble in a mixed tag team match including Maryse and Beth Phoenix.[301][302] On the first night ofWrestleMania 38 on April 2, the Miz andLogan Paul defeatedThe Mysterios. After the match, the Miz performed his finishing maneuver, theSkull Crushing Finale, on Logan Paul, subsequently turning on him.[303] This led to a match between the two atSummerSlam, which Paul won.[304][305] In 2023, the Miz was the host ofWrestleMania 39. At the event, the Miz lost impromptu matches againstPat McAfee andSnoop Dogg, the latter replacing a legitimately injuredShane McMahon early in the bout. AtSummerSlam, the Miz entered intoSlim JimSummerSlamBattle Royal, but was eliminated byLA Knight.[306] The Miz then entered into a brief feud with LA Knight, leading to a match atPayback withJohn Cena serving as special guest referee, which the Miz lost.[307] On the September 15 episode ofSmackDown, the Miz was defeated by Knight once again to end their feud.[308]
On the October 30 episode ofRaw, the Miz confrontedIntercontinental ChampionGunther onMiz TV before being attacked by hisstablemates, turningface for the first time since January 2020.[309] The following week, the Miz won afatal four-way match to earn a title match against Gunther atSurvivor Series: WarGames.[310] At Survivor Series: WarGames on November 25, the Miz failed to win the title from Gunther.[311] The Miz challenged Gunther for the title again on the December 18 episode ofRaw in a losing effort and, per the stipulation,could not challenge for the title again as long as Gunther remained champion.[312]
In 2024, the Miz reunited with former tag team partnerR-Truth,[313] winning theRaw Tag Team Championship atWrestleMania XL.[314] On the April 15 edition ofRaw, the Raw Tag Team Championship was renamed to theWorld Tag Team Championship and the team were presented new championship belts bychief content officerTriple H and Raw General ManagerAdam Pearce.[315] They hold the titles until June 24 episode ofRaw, when they lost it to Bálor and McDonagh.[316] On the July 29 episode ofRaw, Miz was announced as the official host ofSummerSlam in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.[317] On the September 30 episode ofRaw, Miz kicked R-Truth and walked out on him causing the team to lose against The Authors of Pain, turning heel once again in the process. This followed several weeks of Karrion Kross subtlety manipulating the Miz to turn against his tag team partner.[318] Two weeks later, on the October 14 episode ofRaw, Miz was defeated by R-Truth in a match, which was followed by the winner being beaten down by the Final Testament, after which Miz performed the Skull-Crushing Finale on R-Truth.[319]
On the October 21 episode ofRaw, Miz and the Final Testament attacked R-Truth and The New Day, but were themselves attacked byThe Wyatt Sicks, who routed The Final Testament, sansPaul Ellering, who protected Miz fromUncle Howdy's Sister Abigail finisher.[320] After being accosted by Kross the next week, the Miz was sent looking for the Wyatts, and was kidnapped by them;[321] on the November 11 episode ofRaw, Miz reappeared, claiming to be traumatized by the Wyatts. However, after being beaten into the ring by the stable, The Wyatt Sicks appeared once more to attack the Final Testament, before Miz took downErick Rowan with a chair shot to the back, and assisting the Final Testament in routing the Wyatt Sicks from the arena.[322]
On the January 24, 2025 episode ofSmackDown, it was announced that Miz had been transferred to theSmackDown brand.[323] On the February 21 episode ofSmackDown, Miz formed a partnership withCarmelo Hayes as Melo Don't Miz, where they defeated R-Truth and LA Knight in their first match together.[324] On the September 26 episode ofSmackDown, during atag team match againstThe Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins andMontez Ford), after Miz tried to take the glory and tag himself in, Hayes cut him off, causing them to lose the match.[325] The following week onSmackDown, Miz attacked Hayes as Hayes was about to accept United States ChampionSami Zayn's open challenge for the title, disbanding Melo Don't Miz.[326]
Professional wrestling style and persona
Miz performing theSkull Crushing Finale onZack Ryder in April 2016
The Miz's finisher, per the reality television and Hollywood tie-ins to his character, is afull nelson facebuster dubbed theSkull Crushing Finale.[1] He originally performed aswinging inverted DDT dubbedMizard of Oz that he developed into arunning knee lift followed by aneckbreaker slam, named theReality Check,[327] before abandoning them both and adopting his new finisher in mid-2009.[82][81]
Having been associated with Ric Flair, the Miz occasionally performs Flair's submission hold, thefigure-four leg lock.[328] Since his storyline with Daniel Bryan, the Miz incorporated several of Bryan's moves, like theYes! Kicks, which he nicknames theIt Kicks.[329]
Criticism has been focused on the booking of the Miz's character. When he became a heroic character in late-2012, his turn was not well received by critics, who commented that Miz as a fan favorite was too similar to his villainous character because he was "still cocky, arrogant, and egotistical" while "pivoted toward calling out established heels" (villains). Other criticisms were that Miz was "juvenile", lacking of depth, "grating and not endearing to the audience" and that "there was not that moment when he officially turned and aligned his values with the audience's".[154][330][331][332] After the Miz won the WWE Championship for the second time in February 2021, Zack Heydorn forPro Wrestling Torch questioned the decision to give him the championship, writing that he had not been presented as "a credible professional wrestler in the ring", and complained his recent booking had not made him believable contender for a world championship. He then concluded by saying that he "should be far away from the WWE Championship picture."[333] Ryan Byers of411Mania considered Miz to be a poor world champion, stating that he was "booked ridiculously weakly".[334] Despite this disapproval towards his character, Miz has received praise for his promos and speaking ability.[335][336]
In 2008, the Miz made his first WWE video game appearance inWWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 and appears in every WWE video game since, with his latest appearance beingWWE 2K25.[337]In 2012, the Miz also appeared in the WWE Studios and Kare Prod projectLes reines du ring (Queens of the Ring), alongsideEve Torres andCM Punk, and onMDA Show of Strength with Maryse and other celebrities.[338] In March 2013, he attended theKids Choice Awards with Maryse andThe Rock.[339]
In 2016, Mizanin guest-starred inSupernatural as a wrestler named Shawn Harley in an organization targeted by a demon.[345]
In 2018, Mizanin and his wife Maryse starred in aUSA Network reality television series titledMiz & Mrs.[22] In 2020, he starred on a second show on USA, serving as host of the game showCannonball.
Mizanin married his longtime girlfriend, Canadian fellow WWE wrestlerMaryse Ouellet, inThe Bahamas on February 20, 2014.[346][347] Their first daughter, Monroe Sky Mizanin, was born on March 27, 2018.[348][349] Shortly thereafter, the family moved toAustin, Texas.[350] During WWE's Elimination Chamber event in February 2019, the couple announced that they were expecting their second child in September.[351] In August 2019, they moved permanently toThousand Oaks, California.[352] Their second daughter, Madison Jade Mizanin, was born on September 20, 2019.[353][354]
^Wortman, James (July 18, 2010).""Miz-ter" Money in the Bank". World Wrestling Entertainment.Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. RetrievedJuly 19, 2010.
^Plummer, Dale (July 27, 2010)."Raw: Team Cena is falling apart".Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. RetrievedAugust 5, 2010.
^Tedesco, Mike (December 18, 2012)."Smackdown Results-12/18/12 hype".Archived from the original on April 7, 2013. RetrievedJanuary 1, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^Meltzer, Dave (February 2023). "February 2023 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Results of the 2022 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards".Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
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