The Miz believes that nothing will ever halt his momentum.
First known to wrestling fans as a Tough Enough contestant, the two-time Grand Slam Champion could be regarded as the most successful contestant to compete on the reality TV series. In 2010, Miz would cash in his Money in the Bank contract and become the WWE Champion, much to the anger of a young fan in the crowd. However, when The A-Lister lost the title in May 2011, he admitted that he also lost his confidence.
Speaking on Unbreakable with Jay Glazer, Miz admitted that the turning point for himself was when he was assigned as one of the first opponents for AJ Styles:
“It wasn’t until a guy named AJ Styles came in. He was brand new to WWE, he was a huge star everywhere else. In WWE, it’s just different. When he came in, we started having a program together and it elevated him, and our job was to elevate him because he is now a huge star, he was back then, but in WWE, he was brand new. We elevated each other. Everyone in the back saw that and everyone was like, ‘we need to start stepping up on The Miz.’
My brain was like, ‘We need to start stepping up and I need to start stepping up and realizing how good I am.’ Sometimes, you go into, when you start losing and start going down a tunnel, ‘Maybe I’m not good enough.’ Maybe this isn’t for me and I need to try something else.’ Then something clicks and goes, ‘I’m good enough. I’m better than good enough. I’m number one,’ and you start really figuring out what you need to do to be a top tier talent.
The 8-time Intercontinental Champion continued, stating that he is always a highlight of the show no matter how much time he is given and the win/loss record is not relevant:
“From then on, I’ve been going up and away. I can lose every match in WWE and it will not matter because I am Teflon. I’m indestructible in WWE. Now, that’s my mindset. I’m completely indestructible, I will make you believe whatever I want you to believe, when I want you to believe it and I’m good enough to have five-star matches each and every time, five-star segments each and every time. You can revolve an entire show around me or give me one minute, you better believe you’re going to have moments that the fans will have for the rest of their lives.
Miz ended by discussing that he has learned from all of his setbacks in the company and is pleased with his current spot on the roster:
That’s where I’m at today. Was I there when I got done with the WWE Championship in 2011? Hell no. It took a long time to develop that confidence, get that confidence back. When I was on the rise, and I had the title, I was ‘I’m the man, I’m great.’ Once you start going downhill, it’s that slippery slope. I had that glass break. It took a long time to find all the pieces and get it back together and make it now a nice shiny glass and you see right through and there are no scratches. Those scratches were all learning moments.
I want to keep those scars and little pieces because they taught me what I need to do and how I need to be and how I need to conduct myself in order to be where I am today, which is a proud father, a proud husband, and doing what I love in my job and even outside, doing what I love. I feel I’m very happy, in a great spot, and enjoying life.”
The Miz Praised By Long-Time WWE Rival
One of Miz’s biggest rivals in WWE has been John Cena, with both men standing across the ring from each other in the main event of WrestleMania 27, a match that was won by Miz. Cena has revealed that he has a lot of respect for The A-lister, naming him as one of the most underrated stars in the whole company.
Despite having an admiration for The Miz, Cena still has a habit of making Miz’s life difficult in 2023. As John Cena hosted Payback, he made the impromptu decision to be a special referee in Miz’s match against LA Knight.
H/t to Fightful.